Blues Scale Basics with Hammer-Ons, Pull-Offs, and Vibrato Guitar Lesson
Blues Scale Basics with Hammer-Ons, Pull-Offs, and Vibrato
Let's build on lesson 11 with an extended discussion of the pentatonic scale. For lesson 12, we'll simply add one note to the pentatonic scale to give us the famous blues scale. We'll also discuss new techniques to interject into your playing, including hammer-ons, pull-offs, slides and vibrato.
Taught by Mark Brennan in Basic Electric Guitar seriesLength: 36:27Difficulty: 1.5 of 5
Supplemental Learning Material
Basic Electric Guitar
Found in our Beginner Lesson SetsMark's Phase 1 series will take you through the basics of playing electric guitar.
Lesson 1
Series Intro - Guitar Parts and Tuning
Mark introduces his Phase 1 series and covers some fundamental electric guitar basics.
Length: 30:12 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Amplification
Mark provides a detailed overview of amplification. This lesson has some great info for any electric player.
Length: 33:55 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Using Tablature and Learning the Fretboard
Before we start rocking, Mark goes over some tools and training necessary to every beginning guitarist.
Length: 12:52 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Right Hand Technique
It's time to get some sound out of your guitar. Mark begins with picking hand technique.
Length: 31:34 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Left Hand Technique
Mark explains proper left hand technique from the ground up.
Length: 10:36 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Natural Notes in the 1st Position
Mark teaches you all of the natural notes played in first position. He uses two classic melodies to supplement this information.
Length: 25:42 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
The C major Scale - 1st Position
It's time to learn your first scale - the C major scale in first position. Mark also explains how the major scale is constructed.
Length: 21:31 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Chords in C major - Part 1
Mark covers 7 basic chords in the key of C major.
Length: 35:14 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Chords in C major - Part 2
Mark expands on chords in C major by showing full forms of the chords you learned in Part 1. He also teaches you the chord progression to a familiar tune.
Length: 25:00 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Power Chord Primer
It's time to start making some noise by using power chords and palm muting. Mark gives you the framework to start rocking the 12 bar blues in a basic I-IV-V progression.
Length: 36:43 Difficulty: 0.5 Members OnlyLesson 11
Open Position Minor Pentatonic
Take your knowledge of the notes in the first position and start jamming on a simple pentatonic riff.
Length: 14:34 Difficulty: 1.0 FREE
Blues Scale Basics with Hammer-Ons, Pull-Offs, and Vibrato
Let's build on lesson 11 with an extended discussion of the pentatonic scale. For lesson 12, we'll simply add one note to the pentatonic scale to give us the famous blues scale. We'll also discuss new...
Length: 36:27 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Movable Power Chords
Mark explains how to finger power chords and how they can be moved anywhere on the fretboard. He also shows an exercise that will help you remember the name of each power chord.
Length: 16:28 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Rhythmic Notation Part 1
Mark Brennan explains rhythmic notation, tempos, time signatures, note values, and more in this lesson.
Length: 32:14 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
The Key Of G Major
Mark explores the key of G major in this lesson. He covers the first position pattern of the scale and explains how it can be harmonized in thirds.
Length: 33:22 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Chords Of G Major
Mark teaches the basic chords of G major as well as some other exercises to get you acquainted with this key.
Length: 34:28 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
The Key Of D Major
Mark explains the basics of D major.
Length: 25:00 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Chords In D Major
Mark takes you through the chords of D major and explains some new ones that you haven't encountered yet.
Length: 35:00 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
More Movable Power Chords & The Circle Of Fifths
Mark continues his discussion of power chords. This time around, he explains the circle of 5ths and demonstrates some power chord progressions that illustrate this concept.
Length: 33:18 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
The Movable Minor Pentatonic Scale
Mark teaches the 1st box of the minor pentatonic scale.
Length: 32:31 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
The Minor Blues Scale Transposed To A
Mark explains how you can transpose the pentatonic pattern covered in lesson 20 to the key of A minor. He also shows the "lower extension box" and "home plate box."
Length: 26:09 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Blues Boogie Shuffle
Mark teaches the difference between straight eighth notes and the shuffle feel.
Length: 42:33 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Amplification Part Two
In response to member requests, Mark added another amplification lesson to his growing phase 1 series. In this lesson, he compares 3 classes of amps from entry level models all the way to a Mesa Mark V.
Length: 40:45 Difficulty: 0.5 Members Only
Introduction To Improvisation
In this lesson, Mark teaches some blues licks that can be used when improvising over a 12 bar blues progression.
Length: 24:01 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
The Key Of A Minor
Mark covers the key of A minor.
Length: 29:36 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
About Mark Brennan
View Full Biography
Mark Brennan, born August 12th, 1954 in Cleveland, Ohio, began playing guitar at the age of 10. His first influences were from the Ventures and the British Invasion, especially the Beatles and Rolling Stones. Shortly afterwards he was playing in rock bands with his brother on drums, developing his ear by learning songs straight from records. Playing in a band became a passion.
In high school, he grew to love acoustic and classical guitar. He spent time playing acoustic music, influenced by The Eagles, CSN, Dan Folgelberg, James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, etc. In the 70's, he headed a very popular Cleveland band, The Brennan-Cosma Band, which played a variety of acoustic and rock music, along with originals. He also took up classicalguitar, and began developing his fingerstyle technique.
Mark is a graduate of Cleveland State University (1980), with a Bachelor of Music in Classical guitar performance. He also studied Music Composition, and took many Music Education classes. After graduation, he began his private teaching career, teaching electric, acoustic, and classical guitar, along with music theory. He taught in various studios and guitar shops throughout his career, and currently has a private practice at his home in
Fairview Park, Ohio.
In the 80's Mark took an affection to Progressive rock. With his band Polyphony, he was influenced by the music of Yes, Genesis, Kansas, ELP, Styx, along with a set of prog rock originals.
Currently, Mark is in the regionally successful Pink Floyd tribute band Wish You Were Here. The band performs faithful renderings of the Floyd classics spanning their entire catalog, along with a strong visual stage show. Here, Mark displays his command of the David Gilmour style.
Mark is excited to be part of JamPlay.com's fine roster of teachers. He's looking forward to extending his 35 years of performing and teaching experience to the JamPlay members. His philosophy is about developing a passion for guitar and being the best musician you can be; being true to yourself and developing a personal style, and truly expressing your heart through your music.
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Member Comments about this Lesson
Discussions with our instructors are just one of the many benefits of becoming a member of JamPlay.Master Brennan~ I just finished your 12th lesson and I wanted to let you know how much fun I am having with your course. You are a GREAT teacher! ~ Your student for life, Thomas N. Chicago, IL =)
Mark or anyone else, what songs would be good to practice just these two boxes or something real close to it. I have Guitar Pro and I want to utilize it with these lessons. Thank you, Mark and guys.
Mark, when giving a demo on the practice riffs, can you reference the sheet music where the riff is found, i.e. 3rd bar of practice riff #2 or show a footnote on the screen
hi mark ther is no your response about one thing. when ? hammer on it dosent sound like you , is there a problem about my guitar ( jay tensen vintage .cheap anyway:-) ) when ? hit to string ?t loses its sound power right away , then ? hammer but there is no sound like you.
hi mark ther is no your response about one thing. when ? hammer on it dosent sound like you , is there a problem about my guitar ( jay tensen vintage .cheap anyway:-) ) when ? hit to string ?t loses its sound power right away , then ? hammer but there is no sound like you.
Hi, Mark, In the very last scene, in the very last riff, towards the end of it (I think on G chord) you do a quick trick with your fingers that sounds great, but I can't figure out exactly how you do it. What is that? Thanks! PS: If something, even the simplest thing, is not in the supplemental material it is hard for us rookies to keep up.
Hi, Mark, In the very last riff in the very last scene, you do a trick with your fingers. I think it is on the G chord, as you move down the pitch, towards the end of the riff. It's quick. It sounds great! I am trying to figure it out, but I can't, no matter how many times I watch it. How do you that? Thanks! PS: If something is not in the supplemental material, it is hard for us rookies to keep up sometimes.
Mark, very, very nice lesson. Love the sounds and structure of the riffs. Great job.
E minor Penatonic; with the 'base plate' allows you to play the opening to PINK FLoyd's Wish you were here... utilising hammer ons & pull offs .. check it out !!!
I will try and make a vid & upload to Youtube ... might be of use to someone a it is fun way to learn hammer ons.. I'll add a link here later..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CG_1DdMnnYc note: I bet there's a lesson here on JamPlay teaching the entire song.
The licks of scene 7 have been a true challenge to me ! Not that they are incredibly complicated in the end, but I have had to work very hard. :-) Now it is almost OK, and I am glad I had the patience to repeat again and again. Thank you for this exciting lesson! This is the stuff I ´ve always wanted to learn. I am so happy!
Hey Mark, Just wanted you to know I just renewed for another year taking advantage of the Christmas discount. I'm just about to finish this lesson 12. What a journey it has been. Still doing about an hour 4-5 times a week. Still doing your "Pick Exercises" every time I pick up my axe. I can now play through them easily but still do them. Working on "Down on the Corner" as well. I just want to tell all the new people out there to not shortcut your instruction. I have found that what didn't sound, look or feel right at first try ended up being right on when I mastered it. Thanks again, hope you had a Merry Christmas!! Santa brought me a Fender Blues Jr. as a 1 year reward!!
Hello, just a quick question! the Blues scale even though it has a minor 3rd is meant to be used on a Dominant 7 chord right? thank you
the hammer ons are coming fine. the pull-offs are crushing my spirit. any further thoughts on how to make them work?
Hi, Mark! Thanks for great lessons so far. I so glad I found JamPlay and your sessions. Tried out a hole bunch of different web lessons, books ect. But this made my day! Thanks! Best regards from Norway.
Hi Mark, I'm having a hard time with the hammer-ons, I keep flattening the knuckle when I try to hit with my finger tip. Is there an exercise that can help build up my finger strength?
How do i keep my hammer-ons from buzzing right when i hit it? It only buzzes right when i hit it. Is that normal or am i doing something wrong?
You really are a great teacher. I'm enjoying these lessons and learning a LOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Awesome Lessons Mark thank you sooo much for the time you used to make these lessons :)
I agree that a diagram of the blues scale at the first and second position would be helpful. That is, a diagram of the frets and notes as shown on the video.
Mark, Can you add a diagram of the blues scale you use in scene 3 of lesson 12 (the one that includes the "home plate" box) to the supplemental material? The open position scale in lesson 11 has been very helpful for me. I am a visual learner and the aesthetics of the diagram helps to sear the image into my mind. I also like the fact that you name the notes on the finger positions. Thanks also for the riffs you use to expand on your lessons. They work well for me. I am presently driving my wife nuts with the lesson 11 blues scale riff and the one from the power chord section. I actually sound like I know what I'm doing! Who would of ever thunk it. Your are a trememdous teacher. Keep the lessons them coming, and you may make something of me yet.
Mark blackrider is referring to the first practice riff I too was looking for the tab and could not see it. Its the first lick in Scene 5. Hope this helps.
Forget that :)
The first riff in Scene 5 is on the second page of the suppoemental material.....bar 28.
Is it possible to add a backing track for E minor blues? Improvising with all of this lesson material would really be helpful.
hey mark i dont,t have any problems with the lesson but i have a question about your guitar what is that black thing right there by the headstock
It's called a Wedgie. it's a pick holder. It has two wedges in it to hold two picks. It's a handy little device.
Pulling off is hard. The only thing I seems to pull off is the skin on my fingertips
Hey Johan.....as you develope callouses on your tips, pulling off will become easier and more comfortable. Try not to tear off the skin on your tips, as this might slow down the process. Be patient as the callouses develope.....Mark B.
so what is the blue note exactly,what is so special about it?thanks
Using the Universal scale numbering system, which compares scales and chords to a major scale.....1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 being a major scale, the minor pentatonic scale is 1, b3, 4, 5, b7. It is a 5 note scale. The blue note adds a sixth note. It is the chromatic note that comes between the 4 and 5 note. Call it the #4/b5. In the lesson, I refer to it as the #4. Listen to my comments at the beginning of Scene 2. This note adds a bit of color to the sound of the scale, adds a "bluesy" sound...attitude! Play just the minor pentatonic, then play it adding the blue note and compare the sound. As you play and practice and use the blues scale, it becomes evident the benefits of added note.
i've been playing for about 16 years but i'm almost completely self taught and decided i might as well start at the begining cause i'll most likely run across some stuff i dont know.. and well i was right ..lol.. thanks for the great job i'm going to follow you closely.
watch for a new bank of lessons coming soon...Mark B.
Hi Mark, your lessons are great, I've been a beginner all my life with private lessons the instructors suck, with your instruction I'm finally getting it. Can't wait to see you play at the sly fox. cool
awesome lessons!
Hi Mark, Do you have a video capture of the fretboard diagram for the home plate box that you could put up in the supplemental materials with the riffs lie the previous lessons? Thanks, Michael
Hi Mark, Thanks a lot for doing these lessons. You have a great teaching style and I appreciate it. Although still a challenge, learning to play the guitar is MUCH less difficult than I thought it would be. Had I known what I do now I would have started playing much earlier. Like 30 years or so! Hah! I am just beginning this lesson, and don't have any questions yet but, I though I would drop a line to tell you thanks, Michael
it would be sweet if you took the final chart of the blues scale and put it in the sup. content. thanks!
Hey Aaron...check out the scale library in the teaching tools of the website. It has the whole major and minor pentatonic box system laid out for you.....Mark B.
Hi Mark, I just can't seem to get the same level of sound when i do my hammer ons. I look at you and it seems like you don't have to hammer very hard but i slam my finger down very hard to achieve this and even then sometimes it just doesn't work. Is there something wrong with my guitar or amp?
It was just the student. I can seem to do it better now after talking to the forum. I really do find your lessons VERY GOOD. PLEASE keep the lessons coming!
Hi Mark. The tab on your last riff is slightly wrong. You've got a B on the 4th fret G string, not B flat on 3rd fret. Great lessons though!
Hey Ryan...thanks for the heads up! I'll get that change on my Guitar Pro tab.
Great lesson, really like the progression from lesson to lesson. Looking forward to additional lessons. Any chance of throwing in a David Gilmour riff at some point? Maybe one of his newest songs, "On an Island," or older "Comfortably Numb."
Great lessons man. I'd really love to see more from you.
Mark, I just started with Jamplay this month and have been exploring the site. Lots of good lessons. I've been enjoying your beginners lessons and looking forward to more great lessons.
Hey Mark ... I just started your lesson set to get better background for rock ... I really like your personable laid back style!
Hi Mark, This is a very good lesson. I have a hard time with pull offs but this lesson has definitely helped. You can hear the framework of many great riffs in these basic techniques.
Thanks for posting it Mark. now I got it!
Mark, can you continue to expand on the beginner electric series? Your teaching style is perfect for my learning needs. The other guys are great players I don't connect with them as a student. You seem to be the only one I can truly understand, so it would be beneficial if you could expand on this series. Thanks, Dan
Thanks, Dan. The series continues....lessons 13, 14, 15, and 16 have been filmed. Stay tuned...Mark B.
Mark it wouild be really nice to see that riff written out. I replayed the video too many times tryimg to catch it.
Hey Warren....can you tell me the specific riff (what scene, or where in the lesson), you are referring to, and then I can do an add on to the supplemental material...thanks, Mark B.
I've just started playing so forgive my rookie comment but have you tried slowdowner for slowing down fast riffs without losing the pitch? You would have to record a jamplay riff on mp3 then play it through slowdowner. Hope this helps.
Just reinforcing Dan's request here -- this lesson set and your teaching style are right on the money. I don't know how much feedback you get but you should know that your efforts are much appreciated out here. Thanks for the continued help, Clive