Blues Guitar Lesson How To Solo For Beginners With NO Scales Or Licks! 

This 1 video is probably ONE the best tutorials on youtube. The way you break it down little by little & adding notes as you taught, was perfect!

This was actually a damn good lesson. Kinda gets you out of just playing around in the scales but also allows you to connect with them if just want to run a scale. Enjoyed this so much, thank you

What a beautiful guitar .

Dude. You answered roughly 482 questions that have been banging around in my head, thank you. Absolutely great lesson/video!!

I feel like for years, I've been a hobo chasing the crazy train called music theory. And this lesson is like somebody onboard reaching out to offer a helping hand to help me get onboard. THANK YOU! I love it when the lesson sneaks up on you, and you can look back and see the progress! Oops, that was the minor penotonic scale.... 😎

This was very good! I've been playing for 18 years but the blues has always been a kind of mystery, and once I've tried to learn it I've just been pummeled with these scales and licks. This worked much better for me. Giving me a simple framework that I can use to develop the rest. I've found many of the tones I've been looking for after just a few hours trying this out in a couple of keys. Very good video, and thanks a lot!

thanks Guy! This is probably the most useful lesson on soloing I have seen anywhere.

yup, this lightbulb moment for me, I've been learning theory and all these scales when all i wanted to do was a simple blues solo and i was uber confused but when its laid out like this, it just clicked, i sound horrible but not as horrible as i did before this video, 45 years old playing guitar for a week, thanks for the lesson.

My friend you are the ACE, when everybody else can't get it done you call in your Ace. You are at both ends of the spectrum. The best and the one to call in when everybody else drops the ball. I really love listening to you and your teaching.

Sometimes you provide the basic element needed to see how it all comes together! This is the "A, HA 'moment'. It's simple to know, and makes things more clear Thanks for your help! This is great!

I taught myself this back in the '70's and amazed my friends. I've been using it ever since. You've just "invented" it, too! Now add a major scale, and you have nearly everything you need. The huge problem with this method is that it's so easy to learn, that it's become almost impossible for me to learn the "box" method. So my hand is always flying all over the neck, instead of keeping my hand in one place, the way all the greats generally do. I "invented" the "box" method in the '90's but gave it up because it required too much memorization, so I didn't think anyone would use it. I obviously didn't have a teacher! RU-vid wasn't around. But I never learned about a flatted seventh until just now! What a great teacher! He helps me make sense of stuff I've known for decades! And No Attitude! Very rare for a guitar teacher!!!

I started learning guitar on my own for almost two years and this is the first lesson for blues that made PERFECT SENSE!

I have watched this video multiple times and I recommend it to a lot of people. I have had plenty of unstructured learning for the past 35 years or so. But, this video has answered my question, "how do they play all over the fretboard?" With basic major, minor and seventh chords, few books by Mel Bay giving introduction to scales and chords, I pretty much entertained myself for 35 years. I learned pentatonic shapes before I discovered your video(s) - this being the most valuable. The House Pattern has been the master key to a whole treasure of melodies. I notice that you take A major as your reference chord while playing the A minor pentatonic. I have experimented with that formula (E being my favourite - major as well as minor) and it works. So I have no complaints. I have written some songs using the house pattern. It's a great experience. It just works perfectly. But one question still nags me and that is, "Why do you use A Major as reference and not A minor"? Silly question? Maybe! But I am too busy playing the house pattern to even try the Minor chord. E (major and minor) along with the B7 have been my favourite combination. Even with the house pattern, B7 adds flavour. Major to minor transition also adds flavour (basically the 3rd note e.g. G and G# in the E minor and major respectively).

What a great video! Believe it or not, I've been building those notes - root, seventh, flat third, fourth, fifth, exactly as you outlined, not having a clue why, it just sounded right to my ear. In other words, it has been great to get confirmation that I've been on the right track - I think mainly because I listen so much to blues rock (I'm 65!) and have learned to feel when something feels and sounds right. So, it's very gratifying and motivational. Just happens that my main guitar is a PRS singlecut too, so I guess that helps! I'm looking forward to watching more.

After watching this video the second time ,i just made the connection between the 5 1 2 minor pentatonic scale of A which connects them together. You just took us there without us having to realise it . You built it up one note at a time explaining what each note is on the way . You are the Einstein of guitar teaching . "Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler." Einstein

People should not be afraid of keys and a touch of theory and patterns. I am soooooo glad I finally bothered to learn them. It opens up so much. Teachers put so my effort into avoiding these things. They are easy to learn. Honestly, without learning scales, and especially the Major Scale (foundation of most things in music) and also the Major and Minor Pentatonic, things just seem more confusing. These few notes are fine- for like an hour...then you are really going to want to sit, ideally in person with a good teacher and drill the fundamentals. You will be happy if you do.

Best lesson yet! Now I feel like I can step out of the pentatonic box a bit and it makes a bit more sense, and know what the tonic note thing is about. Thanks from a 3 week beginner!

Thank you Griff. You break it down perfectly. Nothing will replace the hours of practice and experimentation that us newbies will need to do to develope tone. But you show the starting points in a way that is easily viewable on a small screen. And you intruduce theory in a manner that sticks.

bordering on brilliant really, wish someone had got me started like this, can just keep building and learning by playing and having fun, instead of rote practicing lame "boxes" or patterns

This is my favorite guitar lesson channel. That McCarty is beautiful in looks and tone.

Griff, this is the single most helpful video (for me) I’ve seen on RU-vid. Thanks!!!

What a cool lesson and so simple to create solos without having to memorise the scales and think quickly which notes are good or bum notes when soloing. Great job Griff and thanks so much.

One of may favorite lessons, it taught me a lot

Finally I have a real guitar instructor I have been looking all over the internet for. Very useful and practical lessons esp. for those who have no time to learn all the silly theories or modes or the stupid things that we never could understand. Thank you very much Sir. Pls keep up your great work.

I wanted to thank you for taking the time to share your God gifted talents for everyone else to learn. Blessings to you.

You are One of THE Teachers, Bow to you Sir!! from India. Love from Kakinada, Andhra pradesh, India. :)

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! I've seen so many videos try to explain this and confused the heck out of me each time. This was awesome! Totally got it, totally understood it. Now I understand what those other videos were trying to explain and how this works. What a great foundation to build on. This was perfect! Thanks again!

Brilliantly simple. I think you might have got me started, thank you!

I was learning the fret board and didnt know where to go next with what I knew. This kind of puts some of that together for me. Thank you.

I have never seen a better video. It's simple, it's playful, it's thoughtful. I personally, - appreciate simplicity and innocence in life- Together they go very far, my friend. Thank you so much!

Buddy! That is one sneaky Music Theory class... Impressive.

Fantastic! Can't wait to try this. Thanks for sharing this lesson!!🎶🤘

You're good... you're really, really good. After screwing around with pentatonic scales for wayyy too long, this was the first lesson that actually made any sense. Thank you!

When I was a teen my friends and I would do this to learn to solo, we don't know anything about pentatonic's or scales, we just played what sounded good and flowed together, just like this, keeping it simple and just playing, great video!👍

Griff, I am so happy I joined BGU and your timing of e-mails is impeccable! You have kept my practicing going during 5 weeks of corona-quarantine at our house. Thank you!

Amazing teacher. You've made it so simple.

I have the dvd course but receiving your frequent email/youtube links is a great way of getting back to the “roots” of where it all started! Thanks--very motivating.

Really nice way of connecting playing some nice blues with some sneaky theory! Good job 😍

Awesome Job of explaining .. I been playing a long time and you just simplified this Lights came on!! thanks

best tutorial ever. needed over 20 years to find somebody like you who is able to teach things understandable for me... ;-) please go on!

I learned more working with this lesson for an hour than I have learned in a day by myself. Thanks a ton. Wish I would have had this lesson long ago.

WOW..this REALLY helped make sense and helped to straighten out all of my confusion with , the old " where do i go from here? ", i quit 30 years ago because i didn`t understand the lingo on how to ask the question that you just answered, well brother, i am back..thank you, seriously..thank you Griff...i have already passed this on to others...with confidence.

I really like this! It is an easier to understand approach to starting blues soloing than some of the other courses I am using. I feel that now I can learn to solo based on these four notes -- and then add and embellish as I practice and learn.Better than trying to just memorize licks and patterns. Thanks

Although I now have carry on my wayward son on my mind, thank you for taking the time to simplify and explain years of frustration climbing the neck.

Killer Lesson Griff. I liked it so much that I emailed it to my son in Texas. You are a great teacher and guitar player.

Second time watching. More useful than anything else I’ve seen.

This is one of the best beginner videos that I have ever seen. I have been playing for years and I leran some things from this video. Excellent job brother!!

Wow!! Your teaching techniques are absolutely...bar none! Perfect!! I liked and subscribed. I'm 60...and after playing since 13 but only rythme and only played publicly a dozen times. Have decided to learn scales...the whole neck notes...theory etc. I have terminal cancer but... it's never too late. Right? Have a wonderful life and Thank you.

Very helpful video! I've been playing a lot of acoustic blues in the last few years, but wanted to get started on playing some true solos. Its hard to memorize solo examples - and you're just left with one solo example. I know enough theory to appreciate your approach to soloing here - b7ths, 4ths, minor pentatonic scales, etc. I hate to admit it - but I think I'll like to noodle new licks without "studying" some tabbed music or, worse, memorizing 5 boxes for one key. I think you have come up with a great approach to start soloing that can grow to include incorporating licks I've heard and like. Thanks again.

Saw your lesson and sub’d straight away, great tutorial and as others have said a great uncomplicated delivery. 🤟👍

6:31 root to b7 to b3 Anybody else notice that sounds a hell of a lot like "Carry On My Wayward Son" by Kansas? Right there after the a capella vocal intro Carry on my Wayward Son There'll be peace when you are done Lay your weary head to rest Don't you cry no More (Yeow)! Dunu dudu, duna du du...

great approach! I've been playing about 3 months and I can't wait to get home and try this. I've seen bits and pieces before but, you put it all together in a way I can grasp. Thx. I'll be watching. Dain

I have to say the most helpful video I have ever watched. Amazing way to teach us less gifted guitar player's. Thank you.

Brilliant video for someone like me that knows a few chords and wants to dip my toes into lead guitar. Thank you so much.

That was f#$%ing beautiful!!! That answered a lot of questions I had. You break it down so well. And by the way, your new CD rocks! Not a bad song on it.

Super teaching. Never heard people explaining in such a easy way.

You came SO close, 60%, to teaching my new method I am going to drop in the next couple of months. ( I am hosting a camping festival for a while, I just love helping others like you do!). I am going to teach them all of this with almost NO Theory. Because it is really not needed at all...at first. But YOU CARE. I can see that. And out of years of searching, only YOU seem to care enough, in my book, to mention after I drop my new learning theory I call the KCB. It will be a new channel name, so I won't post it on the channel name I am writing under. I know almost NO theory, but...I still play decently. I will post a video in response to this post so you can see I play decently. I am no master, indeed none of us are. It is just a journey, and we are all on our own road. No need to compete. Just help one another along. Do you have another way to get a hold of you? Like a FB or whatever? Because after people learn my method and want to know the theory, I would like them to all go to you. You rock, and you deserve it!! I love kind people. And I can tell you get it. 🤘😁✌️- Kevin Venture

Fantastic. Truly. I speak for a hell of a lot of people here. Thank you.

This video helped me immensely. I was stuck in scale grid lock. This helped free up my mind which in turn freed up my soul which is what the blues are about. New sub here

This is the most useful thing I’ve seen in 40 years! Omg! Thank you! So much help.

Awesome! After tons of videos and many attempts of learning scales - that's the gamechanger!

I thought it was that easy, now i can have a bit of fun. Sweet video and so easy to get to grips with. This will now give me hours and hours of fun with a little understanding of scales and such. Thanks

Awesome way to teach pentatonic scales! Or any for that matter. Great job dude.

Being brand spanking new to learning guitar (I began just this week and have two trial lessons set for this weekend), this video did two things for me: 1. It made some basic theory understandable, a foundation from which I'm sure I'll be able to build on. 2. It gave me hope that I'll be able to figure this "music stuff" out with time and effort. In short, *great* video. I'm now a subscriber and will be pouring through your video library. Thanks in advance.

Great way to teach us beginners how to immediately launch a solo we can make our own, thanks!

Thank you for the Blues lesson, that will help me emensly.

Really enjoyed this video. Answered a lot of questions and gave me a lot of “ah ha’s”. Love the way you teach!

Thank You very much, Griff! Exactly the kind of thing I love to learn!

i kept soloing and left you talking alone the last 3 min. great video man, thank you. from argentina.

Nice video!! Opens up a lot of soloing for a novice. As a music student who just started learning melodic lead a couple of years ago, with primarily minor pentatonic scales, then major pentatonic, it helps put a lot together.

dig the way you explain things, the little gags too. Subscribed

Thanks Griff I started playing guitar about 3 years ago and stumbled upon your 4 note solo and know the notes, even after 3 years I'm still trying to get good at the bends I'm not doing so bad though. I would have subscribed to your stuff but that would be too much information coming in at my stage. love the blues and my anchor is crazy train I know all the notes as far as I think I do. Thank you for being out there when I started out. I work on the 4 note solo every day trying to get the bends you do and I work on crazy train back in black sweet child of mine europa among other things and again I would have subscribed to your training but can't absorb anymore at the moment. Thanks again

You sir are a BRILLIANT teacher.

Wow ! This simplistic approach has been so useful. Thanks so much !

Many thanks for this video. You have just helped me to move up and down the neck without really wondering about keys and chords and just enjoying playing.

Griff, I learned my Pents from what I think was your first lesson book many years ago. I didn't even recognize you in the vid! great job.

Very useful way to look at approaching a solo from positions on the fretboard. Love it. Outstanding tutorial :)

Thanx again Griff......you make guitar easy......also love PRS with the diving bird

Masterful teaching. Fantastic, and thank you!

Thanks man I have been playing a long time and have been in a rut for a long time and this video has gotten me out. I will be checking out more videos of yours thanks a million man.

the most helpful video i've seen yet on starting out in soloing! thanks man

Outstanding video. Attested to by the fact that upon rising after watching it, I noticed that my seat was wet.

Just starting again after 25 years. And this is nice to start getting routine again. Thx.

Thank you. Just...thank you! I wish I could shake your hand, give you hug. This lesson is incredible!

Great Lesson! Thinking of the notes in relation to the root was so helpful and the way you taught it in steps was perfect for my learning style

I've had this lesson bookmarked for ages and just got around to spending some time with it....absolutely superb....thankyou so much!

Great lesson and a beautiful PRS.

I just subscribed with the hopes that I'll come away with some primers to get me out of the, "I'll get around to it," to the, "Oh, I can do that stage." This video got me to that point! Thanks!

Heey and thank you for a great video. I try to see a lot of guitar learning videos. I find many playing well but are very bad teachers or they may more wanna show some skills of and get followers, often playing too fast or show it too fast, not tell why it works as it does and some overcomplicate stuff, or at least for me. This video was great for me. In spite of me being over 50, I really would like to get further and over with 'House of the rising sun' I have played the last 35 years when I periodically picked up a guitar :) I do know some basics of Blues in A or G, but I would love to learn to play more solo, and this gave me some I can work with for long. Having stopped and started so many times, I realize when I play and just use 1 hour a day, I move forward insanely fast. But I guess it's like with bodybuilding, it seems to give you the most in the start and then you kinda hit a wall, and then I find myself stop when I hit that wall on Guitar. I feel I play the same as a work and it stop be fun for I just ain't getting further. And that's when I try solos, I 'play with gloves on' and get confused, so I need to start simple. But I feel for sure I get out of it precisely what I put in it... And then I think of guys like Satriani and Steve Vai and they are by no means 'NATURAL TALENTS', I mean, both often have played 16 hours a day for YEARS and more years, with room for nothing else. It's their own words. And there is NOTHING natural in sitting with a Guitar 70+% of your awake time, and often your whole life becomes music as you may get famous. I mean, I get those guys are good, but I'm not willing to play that much and it's not necessary to play good in a fun band. But many forget those guys live music and have to give away other parts of their life I'm not willing to dish. Thank you for a great video

This guy is making it possible to actually solo, beat tutorial on youtube. shout out you, guy.

You are a great teacher, Griff. Thank you very much.

Phantastic explained! Love your videos!

Simplicity is genius, great video, thank you!!!

this was immensely eye opening - thank you!

Thank you so much for a great lesson. Easy to follow and practice along with.

Thanks for this video - glad I found it. The best and easiest explanation of soloing for a beginner. Subscribed!

Wow... very nice starter lesson! Very nice approach to soloing!

Magical. Thanks from Buenos Aires, Argentina.

great video, that was just what I needed. put so much together for me. Thanks.

This has to be the single most useful soloing tip on the interweb. Thanks bro...