When we talk about chords in minor scales, we are usually thinking about chords from the natural minor scale (sometimes called the Aeolian mode).

If we harmonise the natural minor scale, we get the following chords: i (minor), ii˚ (diminished), bIII (major), iv (minor), v (minor), bVI (major) and bVII (major):

In this article, we’ll look at how to harmonise the minor scale to get these chords, different minor scale chord progressions and some examples in different minor keys on guitar.

Here’s the fast answer: A minor scale is any scale containing the b3 scale degree. If you’re looking into minor scales for the guitar, you are probably looking for the natural minor scale, sometimes called the Aeolian mode. The natural minor scale has the following intervals:

1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7

And can be played on guitar using the following 3 note per string scale (example in E minor):

In this article, we’re going to look at how to write lead guitar harmonies, just like Iron Maiden play. Part of Iron Maiden’s iconic sound is the use of lead guitar harmonies, and we are going to completely unlock how they work, so that you can use them in your own music.

In this lesson we will cover:

1. How to understand the basic theory required to write lead guitar harmonies.
2. Examples for writing lead guitar harmonies.
3. Shortcuts you can use to write lead guitar harmonies really, really fast.
4. Two simple ideas for writing the rhythm guitar backing for a lead guitar harmony.

After working through this lesson, you will find yourself with a powerful new tool in your songwriting tool box and you will be able to easilly incorporate lead guitar harmonies into your songwriting.

There is a short answer and a long answer to this question. Let’s deal with the quick answer first.

There are five ways you can play middle C on guitar:

• String 2, fret 1.
• String 3, fret 5.
• String 4, fret 10.
• String 5, fret 15.
• String 6, fret 20.

This is the 5 ways you can play middle C on guitar.

Double stops are a great way to introduce some interesting sounds in your songwriting and your lead playing. In this article we’ll dive into what they are and how you can use them.

What Are Double Stops on Guitar?

“Open strings” are strings that are not held down.

A “stopped string” on a stringed instrument is when a string is held down.

A double stop is when two strings are held down simultaneously.

Let’s talk about 7 different areas of neoclassical guitar playing, that you can study to improve your skill, musicianship and creativity.

Neoclassical guitar is great fun to play. When most people think of neoclassical style, they’re probably thinking of guitarists like Yngwie Malmsteen, Michael Romeo or others. For a lot of people, neoclassical guitar playing is all about having blazing fast technique. While that is cool, there is a lot more to the genre than just how many notes you can play.

We are human beings. What distinguishes us from animals, is our ability to think. That fact that we have language, and thoughts, are a unique feature to the human race, which empowers our mind to accomplish great things - such as learning guitar! However, we are not taught how to use our mind -we also have the power to spectacularly sabotage ourselves.

We have to train our mind to work in a way that helps us, rather than works against us. Part of that training involves some introspection, questioning our thoughts, and seeing if they are an accurate reflection of reality, or not.

If you are feeling stuck with your songwriting, everything you write sounds the same, and you’re struggling to find some new creative ideas, try these 6 ideas to spice up your songs, and kickstart your songwriting creativity:

1) Take Structural and Arrangement Ideas From Songs Outside of Your Genre

A big piece of songwriting is structure and arrangement, and arguably, this is also the thing that people find hardest. After all, writing a cool riff, that isn’t too hard… but writing a whole song from that riff? That is where a lot of people get stuck.

Playing guitar and practising guitar are two very different things, but we often get them confused. By drawing some distinctions between the two, we can use our time more effectively and get better results in our playing

For the first few years of learning guitar, I love to noodle. I would sit down and put hours into my playing… sometimes not really doing much of anything. I would jam some scales, play through a few chord changes that my teacher gave me, and I had a lot of fun doing that. A lot of fun!

In this free guitar lesson, we are going to look at two simple exercises that will drastically improve your string bends and vibrato on electric guitar.

https://youtu.be/H7MXYnVeFU4

String bends and vibrato are absolutely vital ornamentation techniques that you must master, if you want your lead guitar playing to sound good.

When we listen to lead guitar players and solos that we enjoy, one thing we are listening for (although, most people would not be able to say this), is that players’ use of ornamentation, and specifically, string bends and vibrato.