David MacKenzie teaches a two octave version of the minor pentatonic scale.
Taught by David MacKenzie in Basic Electric Guitar seriesLength: 9:20Difficulty: 1.5 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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Member Comments about this Lesson
Discussions with our instructors are just one of the many benefits of becoming a member of JamPlay.nice lick and track
Dave your the man! Nice Jam. . . I fairly use all five patterns, from what I understand the major and minor pentatonic scales can be mixed. I hope this correct. I thought I could see you change patterns several times during the track. This adds a whole new bag of tricks. Thanks
I see what you mean sidk , but the thing that needs to be remembered is that that notes are the same.the C played on the 8th fret in most commonly shown minor Pent. scales is the same note on the 3rd fret , 5th string as Dave has shown here.
Hi Dave, I'm a little confused with the A minor pentatonic scale. In other books i have read it shows it a little differently. the pattern is one four on the 6th, one three on the fifth, one three on the 4th, one three on the 3rd, one four on the 2nd and one four on the first...
David! Like your lessons a lot. Struggeling with my scales... Wondering what is the reason for playing 2nd string 3rd fret insted of 1st string 8th fret on the Minor Pentatonic? 1st and 8th seems more simple to me… And again what exactly means Pentatonic scale? I know you said it, but I cant seem to find where… Thanks!
i always view things a little different than the formal music world, so the way i look at those 2 patterns of the A minor pentatonic scale is the scale starting on the open A string is the usual pattern or perhaps the 1st postiion, and the second pattern starting at the 5th fret/6th string as the second position. that may not be technically correct but that is my viewpoint only. starting points is probably a better term for the way i present it. same notes, just different starting points i suppose. i hope that does'nt confuse you, and helps.
Cool lessons Dmac - I was wondering, with your improv at the end of the lessons, you were you using different patterns for the Aminor pentatonic - are these the same as 'positions'? The two patterns you teach in the lesson, would I be correct in thinking they are position 1 & 2?