Dorian Mode Pentatonic Licks: Learn A Simple Trick For Creating & Playing Original Dorian Phrases

Dorian Mode Pentatonic Licks title image

Did you know that there's an easy way to play jazzy Dorian modal licks? In this lesson we show you how to create Dorian mode solos using common pentatonic scale shapes.

Most guitarists are familiar with pentatonic scales and are confident playing them in one or more fretboard positions. The same scale shapes can also be used to play Dorian modal licks. Read on to find out how...

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Jazz Guitar Chords

Jazz Guitar Chords

There are literally thousands of jazz guitar chords, but don't worry: you don't have to learn them all to start playing jazz.

On this page we'll show you how jazz guitarists play many types of chord. We'll start simple, then hit you with some complex 'altered' shapes.

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Diminished Arpeggios And Diminished Licks

Diminished Arpeggios Diminished Licks

Diminished arpeggios can be used by guitarists in any style of music, but they are particularly popular among jazz and metal guitarists.

In this lesson we show you how to play diminished arpeggios. We have also provided example diminished licks in jazz and metal styles. By playing these you'll be able to hear how the arpeggios sound in a musical setting.

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How To Use Diatonic Arpeggios In Improvisation

This lesson will show you how to incorporate linked diatonic arpeggios into your lead guitar solos. It's aimed mainly at jazz guitarists, but can be used in most rock and pop styles too.

Diatonic Arpeggios Guitar Lesson

First I'll introduce the (very simple) theory behind the technique. Then I'll provide some arpeggio shapes that you can use when you try the technique out for yourself.

At the end of the article I've included a few short licks to illustrate the technique.

Do you want to learn guitar scales and modes? Check out our backing tracks for learning scales and modes – written specifically for you to learn and use scales and modes in your improvisation.

To get started, try playing the following line. It's not particularly musical: it's simply all seven diatonic 7ths in the key of C. Use it to warm up and to get an idea of the sound of linked arpeggios.

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2 5 1 Progression Explained – What It Is & How To Play It

2 5 1 progression lesson

This lesson provides an introduction to the 2 5 1 progression.

Even if you don't play jazz, the 2 5 1 is a very important sequence of chords.

This lesson explains what '2 5 1' actually means, and provides example chord progressions so that you can play it for yourself.

If you want to play some 2 5 1 progressions, examples can be found at the end of this lesson. Be sure to come back and learn the theory, too!

2 5 1 Progression Lesson: Introduction

Quick test: can you tell where the 2 5 1's are in the progression below?

2 5 1 Example
2 5 1 Example - Where Are The Changes? (See example song at end of article for answers)

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Guitar Keys

Guitar music is written in quite a narrow range of keys. This is due to the nature of the instrument and how it is tuned: some keys are just naturally more suited to the guitar.

Guitar Keys Writing Music For Guitar

In this lesson, I identify these keys, and also list the chords in each of these keys. This is useful for composers and songwriters intending to write music for the guitar, whether or not they are guitarists themselves.

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2 5 1 Progression Trick

2 5 1 Progression Trick

In this lesson I'm going to show you how to play 2 5 1 progressions using a nice little trick based around chord synonyms. Useful not only for jazz guitarists, but also for songwriters who want a nice way of introducing key changes.

Read on to find out more...

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