This masterclass covers pentatonic scale shapes and applications. Guitarist Lyle Brewer discusses connecting different pentatonic positions across the neck. He demonstrates playing three notes per string and anchoring shapes when switching strings. Brewer emphasizes using consistent fingering for smooth transitions.
Brewer explores extending simple pentatonic patterns through the music of the Allman Brothers. He demonstrates superimposing the major pentatonic of the five chord over dominant seventh chords for interesting sounds. Brewer also plays the minor pentatonic of the five chord for contrast.
The discussion touches on embellishing patterns with variations in note grouping, rhythmic feel, and inversion. Brewer illustrates applying these concepts over backing tracks. He encourages experimenting with the ideas even if they are new concepts. The masterclass provides a wide-ranging look at pentatonic scales and their musical applications.
[0:00:05] Connecting Pentatonic Shapes
[0:22:39] Extending Patterns from the Allman Brothers
[0:50:07] Embellishing Patterns
This lesson shined a big spotlight on fact that much of my soloing tends to have had an “across the fretboard like a typewriter” feel as opposed to what Lyle gives us here that feels like “playing in cursive as we slide ALONG the fretboard.” So much more lyrical to play up and down the neck as opposed to across. Great lesson.
Tried my hand at combining the up the neck scale demonstrated in this lesson with the more traditional pentatonic box shape playing over a loop in EM utilizing a very basic I, IV, I, V progression. I found it really opens up the door to some fun slides and alternate forms of musicality that don't come us naturally in the box shaped scales.
Lyle has been one of my very favorite guitarists for the past few years, and I’m THRILLED to announce that he’s agreed to join the Guitargate teaching roster!
Lyle - if you didn’t know - is a big deal. He is a wildly respected member of the guitar community and is a monster player in what seems to be every genre. He is the lead guitarist of the band Neighbor, and also teaches at Berklee in Boston (so bring him the hard questions).