Blues Soloing Approaches

In this blues guitar masterclass, instructor Jamie McLean covers approaches to blues soloing using the minor and major pentatonic scales. He begins by reviewing the five positions of the A minor pentatonic scale and demonstrates licks using the backing track. Then, he explains how to play the A major pentatonic scale by shifting the A minor pentatonic shape down three frets.

McLean emphasizes the tonal difference between the minor and major pentatonic scales, demonstrating bluesy licks in the minor pentatonic and more upbeat licks using the major pentatonic. He shows how the scales overlap on the fretboard and encourages students to blend between the two scales. Throughout the class, McLean answers questions from students about scale shapes, chord tones, and soloing approaches.

The second half of the masterclass focuses on applying bending techniques when shifting between the minor and major pentatonic scales over different chords in the 12-bar blues progression. McLean provides additional demonstrations of soloing with the backing track and encourages students to experiment with landing on different notes when shifting between the minor and major pentatonic scales. He leaves students with exercises to help internalize the concepts covered.