David MacKenzie explains how to practice the major scales along with a fun backing track.
Taught by David MacKenzie in Basic Electric Guitar seriesLength: 11:10Difficulty: 2.0 of 5
In his Phase 1 series, David MacKenzie will walk you through the basics of rock guitar.
Lesson 1
David discusses the parts of the guitar. He also gives you some basic techniques to get you started.
Length: 31:00 Difficulty: 0.5 Members OnlyLesson 2
In this lesson, David introduces basic power chords. Great fun for beginners!
Length: 10:12 Difficulty: 1.0 Members OnlyLesson 3
David introduces some basic chords and chord progressions.
Length: 14:15 Difficulty: 1.0 Members OnlyLesson 4
David provides a brief explanation of what notes, chords, power chords, and arpeggios are.
Length: 8:12 Difficulty: 0.5 Members OnlyLesson 5
This lesson is all about increasing your speed and coordination. David demonstrates basic picking exercises.
Length: 14:12 Difficulty: 1.0 Members OnlyLesson 6
David MacKenzie presents a mysterious sounding chord exercise. This exerices is designed to improve right hand technique.
Length: 9:12 Difficulty: 1.0 Members OnlyLesson 7
In this short lesson David talks about practice, discipline, and how you should apply yourself when learning and mastering the guitar.
Length: 6:00 Difficulty: 0.5 Members OnlyLesson 8
Double stops can bring new life to your rhythm and lead playing. David provides a short tutorial on what double stops are and how they can be used.
Length: 7:12 Difficulty: 1.5 Members OnlyLesson 9
David covers the basic major chord shapes. Every guitarist must learn these basic chords.
Length: 18:29 Difficulty: 1.5 Members OnlyLesson 10
David MacKenzie walks you through the basic minor chords. Expand your knowledge of chords with this fun-filled lesson.
Length: 8:15 Difficulty: 1.5 Members OnlyLesson 11
Major scales are an essential component of all styles of music. They can also be used as a great way to orient yourself with the fretboard.
Length: 32:12 Difficulty: 1.5 Members OnlyLesson 12
David MacKenzie explains how to practice the major scales along with a fun backing track.
Length: 11:10 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 13
David MacKenzie proceeds to an in-depth discussion of the minor scales.
Length: 15:36 Difficulty: 1.5 Members OnlyLesson 14
David MacKenzie shows you how to play the natural minor scale over a rockin' JamTrack.
Length: 6:12 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 15
David demonstrates an excellent one-string exercise in this lesson. This exercise will improve your dexterity and knowledge of the fretboard.
Length: 16:48 Difficulty: 1.5 Members OnlyLesson 16
Hammer-ons and pull-offs are techniques that enable you to play with a smooth, legato feel.
Length: 8:27 Difficulty: 1.5 Members OnlyLesson 17
David MacKenzie gives a crash course on bending in this lesson. Bends can add a lot of soul to your playing.
Length: 16:12 Difficulty: 1.5 Members OnlyLesson 18
David MacKenzie teaches two rock licks inspired by Yngwie Malmsteen and Kirk Hammett of Metallica.
Length: 12:12 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 19
David returns to the world of hammer-ons with a fun new exercise. This lesson includes a JamTrack.
Length: 13:56 Difficulty: 1.5 Members OnlyLesson 20
David returns to the world of pull-offs with a new exercise. This lesson includes a backing track.
Length: 12:50 Difficulty: 1.5 Members OnlyLesson 21
David MacKenzie returns to bending technique in this lesson. This lesson features a backing track that is designed for bending practice.
Length: 12:18 Difficulty: 1.5 Members OnlyLesson 22
Integrating vibrato into your guitar playing is a great way to add emotion and soul. David MacKenzie explains the basics of vibrato in this lesson.
Length: 9:12 Difficulty: 1.5 Members OnlyLesson 23
David MacKenzie introduces the pentatonic scale.
Length: 5:48 Difficulty: 1.5 Members OnlyLesson 24
David MacKenzie introduces the minor pentatonic scale in this lesson.
Length: 4:38 Difficulty: 1.5 Members OnlyLesson 25
David MacKenzie explains a two octave pattern of the major scale.
Length: 11:31 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 26
David MacKenzie introduces a two octave natural minor scale pattern.
Length: 12:20 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 27
David teaches a two octave pattern of the major pentatonic scale.
Length: 6:30 Difficulty: 1.5 Members OnlyLesson 28
David MacKenzie teaches a two octave version of the minor pentatonic scale.
Length: 9:20 Difficulty: 1.5 Members OnlyLesson 29
David MacKenzie teaches several licks based on common arpeggio patterns. This lesson also includes a backing track to jam with.
Length: 20:40 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 30
David MacKenzie introduces some important rhythm basics in this lesson. This lesson also includes a backing track exercise.
Length: 14:55 Difficulty: 1.5 Members OnlyLesson 31
David MacKenzie explains various power chord voicings. By simply moving a finger or two, new power chords can be formed.
Length: 18:43 Difficulty: 1.5 Members OnlyLesson 32
David MacKenzie introduces some new amazing licks.
Length: 29:12 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 33
David MacKenzie introduces the tapping technique and teaches a fun exercise. This lesson includes a backing track.
Length: 22:44 Difficulty: 2.5 FREELesson 34
David MacKenzie teaches another amazing tapping exercise.
Length: 13:07 Difficulty: 2.5 Members OnlyLesson 35
The third tapping lesson elaborates on the previous lesson by adding open strings.
Length: 12:59 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 36
The fourth lesson in Dave's tapping series deals with a monster diminished lick.
Length: 11:02 Difficulty: 2.5 Members OnlyLesson 37
In lesson five of his tapping mini-series, DMac provides backing tracks that you can tap over.
Length: 8:04 Difficulty: 1.5 Members OnlyLesson 38
In lesson 38, DMac demonstrates some tremolo techniques to add to your repertoire.
Length: 13:54 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 39
DMac returns to his tapping instruction with more advanced techniques.
Length: 19:54 Difficulty: 2.5 Members OnlyLesson 40
In lesson 40, DMac teaches you how to play various D chords all the way up the neck.
Length: 9:20 Difficulty: 1.5 Members OnlyLesson 41
In lesson 41, David discusses the octave and its uses while playing.
Length: 17:09 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
About David MacKenzie
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Dave MacKenzie has been playing guitar for 30 of his 45 years on this earth. Starting back when he was 14 years old, Dave picked up the guitar and started to learn from his oldest brother, who had played some guitar as well. Dave was hooked, and couldn't learn fast enough! Everything from the Beatles, Chicago, Ted Nugent, The Eagles, you name it, Dave was trying to play it.
Then as with a lot of players out there, Eddie Van Halen came along and changed the way guitar was played! Dave has been influenced by anyone he has heard play guitar, literally! Always keeping an open mind and a humbleness about him has helped him to keep learning new things on, and about the guitar.
Dave has mostly played in top 40 rock, country, and pop bands. He is most recently playing guitar and keyboards in a 80's metal band called Open Fire. They have opened for Warrant, Firehouse, Winger, and LA Guns
within the 3 and a half years they have been together, and are now jumping into original music.
Dave believes you should have internal motivation, and passion to play guitar, and most definitely, it should be fun!
As with his playing, Dave will find new ways to show you how to get the most out of your time learning guitar!
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Mike H.
"I feel like a 12 year old kid with a new guitar!"
I am 66 years young and I still got it! I would have never known this if it had not been for Jamplay! I feel like a 12 year old kid with a new guitar! Ha! I cannot express enough how great you're website is! It is for beginners and advanced pickers! I am an advanced picker and thought I had lost it but thanks to you all, I found it again! Even though I only play by ear, I have been a member a whopping whole two weeks now and have already got Brent's country shuffle and country blues down and of course with embellishments. Thank you all for your wonderful program!
Greg J.
"With Jamplay I can fit in a random session when I have time and I can go at my own pace"
I'm a fifty eight year old newbie who owns a guitar which has been sitting untouched in a corner for about seven years now. Last weekend I got inspired to pick it up and finally learn how to play after watching an amazing Spanish guitarist on TV. So, here I am. I'm starting at the beginning with Steve Eulberg and I couldn't be happier (except for the sore fingers :) Some day I'm going to play like Steve! I'm self employed with a hectic schedule. With Jamplay I can fit in a random session when I have time and I can go at my own pace, rewinding and replaying the videos until I get it. This is a very enjoyable diversion from my work yet I still feel like I'm accomplishing something worthwhile. Thanks a lot, Greg
Bill
"I believe this is the absolute best site for guitar students."
I am commenting here to tell you and everyone at JamPlay that I believe this is the absolute best site for guitar students. I truly enjoy learning to play the guitar on JamPlay.com. Yes, I said the words, ""enjoy learning."" It is by far the best deal for the money.
Member Comments about this Lesson
Discussions with our instructors are just one of the many benefits of becoming a member of JamPlay.true jason
Crap.too simple.
Hi mark, sorry to hear you didn't enjoy the lesson. If you're finding that David's teaching style is too slow or simple for you, I would encourage you to start delving into Phase 2 where the information provided is a higher skill level. You don't absolutely need to start in Phase 1 if you're past the beginner stages.
Tip of the hat, (Hiyea) ~ Ok you can read my profile to better understand my post here: Thank You David ! This lesson showed me a Door I have been looking for for years ! LEADS !!! To my fellow Jam Bud's this Lesson is the key to the dorrway to playing leads, I see NOTHING but green endless fields ,the world has opened up for me truely ! My fingers are bleeding Anyone have any super glue? O~wait BAD advice ! Never do that =/ BIG Thank You !
hey! I'm confused. How did all these scale patterns come about? I understand E major. Can you please explain others? Thanks a lot
Ok, On the jam track: the 2nd part: I get to where it plays the Octave of E, and loose it. What's it playing after the octave? Is it just continuing up the fretboard in the same fashion?
Dave. . .Solid Gold Baby!
ABSOLUTELY LOVE THAT ESP!!!!!!!!! DELUXE!!!
great stuff, just love JamPlay!
I've been playing for 2 years and I just joined jamplay yesterday.. i started the lessons from the beginning so I knew most of the stuff covered but it was a good choice to go back and learn the basics i feel like I'm getting more out of what I knew already. David is a great instructor.. thanks!
He's a very humble teacher. Really good of course! :)
Hi Dave, I've learned the 5 possitions Penitonic minor scale before coming onto Jamplay and never really learned how to use them or phare. So I figured it was time to get down to some basics. this was the right step. Thanks for all your great lessons.
a1 cheers
Hey Dave I'm like a lot of these guys jumping to lead from rhythm. I find your method of teaching really simple and very informative. you look like you care. I APPRECIATE it man!!! Lets keep going and maybe one day we can jam together. LATER
I enjoyed your lesson; I'm really eager to learn lead guitar! I've played acoustic for years and I'm a great rhythm player, but lead is a new challenge; I like the way you teach slow, easier to learn that way! Thanks.
Dave, I like your teaching style. I feel I'm accomplishing more because it's like getting a small puzzle I can finish at once, and appreciate, and not feel that you've given me a small piece of a giant puzzle that I'll be able to see in the distant future. I'd like to hear your thoughts on learning scales in-position. Would that be just muddying the water or is there merit to learning different approaches to scales?
i think learning scales in whatever format you find is good, because they all teach you one way or another. there are lots of ways to do scales, and you have only to open your mind up to the many possibities.
wow yay, i feel so much better now, these are the first scales i learned, and i cant believe how much you can do with them!. thanks for this amazing lesson Dave!
A great way to warm up at the beginning of practice. I like the fact that the jam track goes over the second part twice.
You really do know how to keep us rookie guitar players entertained. Practicing something dull as scales over and over again suddenly becomes not only a practice routine but an improv exercise at the same time. Excellent! Rock on.
darn, I meant to say "not only a FUN practice routine".
Great lesson. Thanks! :D
Hi Dave Great lesson on major scales, very informative.
your most welcome! i hope you found something there, that helps you!
Hey Dave! Do you recommend doing the scales with alternate picking?! Because with down strokes only I do them easly and fast, with alternate picking it's a bit more difficult... Sorry for bad English :P
yes, once they are easy with downstrokes, start alternate picking on them, and build up your speed that way. then to make them even faster, you hammer on after picking the first note of each string. your english is just fine! good job!
Hey dave.... I've been working on this scales for a while now and I do them perfectly even with the hammer ons and pull offs! Thanks... Now I'm finally moving to the minor scales
Great lesson Dave, I've been doing this every day for about a week now and I can really notice an improvement.
fantastic!!! i am glad it is helping!!! keep up the dicipline!! you'll be a monster player, and really enjoy what your doing!! thanks for the comments!
Thank you for giving good lessons!
Very fun indeed to play with the JamTrack on background, especially for a beginner. Try to alternate downstroke and upstroke with the right hand and you'll get the best of this exercice. Thanks again Dave for this lesson!