Building Chords on the 6th String (Guitar Lesson)
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Building Chords on the 6th String
DJ begins a discussion of colorful dominant chord voicings. He demonstrates how to build dominant 7th, 9th, and 13th chords from a root note on the 6th string.
Taught by DJ Phillips in Blues Guitar with DJ seriesLength: 9:38Difficulty: 2.0 of 5
Video Subtitles / Captions
Supplemental Learning Material
Blues Guitar with DJ
Found in our Beginner Lesson SetsDJ Phillips will teach you everything you need to know to become a master of the blues with an emphasis on fast-paced techniques & playing.
Lesson 1
Series Introduction
Meet Mr. DJ Phillips & learn what he's going to teach you throughout this series.
Length: 2:30 Difficulty: 0.5 Members Only
12 Bar Blues
Learn what makes a chord progression a blues progression as well as the basics to the famous 12 bar blues.
Length: 13:18 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Rhythmic Variations
Time to take the 12 bar blues progression you've learned and add in some rhythmic variations.
Length: 8:48 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
12 Bar Blues Chord Variations
Now that you've learned the 12 bar blues and some rhythmic variations, it's time to throw in some chord variations.
Length: 6:22 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Minor Pentatonic Scale
Time to take a break from the 12 bar blues and start mastering some lead techniques. This all starts with the minor pentatonic scale.
Length: 8:13 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Minor Pentatonic Scale Variations
Now that you've learned the minor pentatonic scale, it's time to learn how to move it around.
Length: 11:10 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 7
SRV - The House Is Rockin'
Learn a handful of new blues techniques while learning to play Stevie Ray Vaughn's "The House Is Rockin'".
Length: 49:58 Difficulty: 3.0 FREE
Funky Blues Rhythm
Now that you've mastered some SRV, DJ is going to show you some funky blues rhythms that use the 9th chords.
Length: 8:44 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Minor Pentatonic in Open and First Position
DJ begins a discussion of the minor pentatonic scale patterns. He demonstrates the A minor pentatonic scale in first or "open" position.
Length: 12:16 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Minor Pentatonic in Second Position
Continuing on with the minor pentatonic scale, DJ covers the second position. As with lesson 9, he provides a few exercises and riffs along the way.
Length: 10:11 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Minor Pentatonic in Fifth Position
Continuing with the A minor pentatonic scale, DJ returns with a lesson on the fifth position pattern.
Length: 7:09 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Minor Pentatonic in Seventh Position
In this lesson, DJ covers the A minor pentatonic scale in 7th position. He includes licks and riffs to help with skill building.
Length: 8:49 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Minor Pentatonic in Ninth Position
This lesson covers the 9th position of the A minor pentatonic scale. DJ provides licks, riffs, and a string skipping exercise.
Length: 15:00 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Moving Positions
Now that DJ has covered all five patterns of the minor pentatonic scale, he explains how to shift from one pattern to the next.
Length: 6:12 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Major Pentatonic
Now that DJ has covered the minor pentatonic positions, he shifts gears to the major pentatonic scale.
Length: 17:34 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Moving Across Positions
In this lesson, DJ demonstrates a number of major pentatonic licks that feature position shifts.
Length: 5:15 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Combining Major and Minor Pentatonics
DJ demonstrates how to combine the major and minor pentatonic scales. He provides a number of combined scale licks for you to learn.
Length: 12:54 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Solo and Lead Lines
In this lesson, DJ demonstrates how to build an effective guitar solo.
Length: 9:13 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Rhythm
This lesson details the importance of rhythm within solos and lead lines.
Length: 6:10 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Improvising
DJ talks about the art of improvising in this lesson. Always begin with a grand entrance and end with a big finish.
Length: 7:59 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Building Chords on the 6th String
DJ begins a discussion of colorful dominant chord voicings. He demonstrates how to build chords from a root note on the 6th string.
Length: 9:38 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Building Chords on the 4th and 5th String
Continuing on from lesson 21, DJ explains how to build dominant chords from root notes on the 4th and 5th strings.
Length: 8:26 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Using Different Voicings
In lesson 23, DJ demonstrates how various chord voicings can be used while playing rhythm or lead over a 12 bar blues progression.
Length: 4:49 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Mute Raking
With lesson 24, DJ begins a short segment on tricks of the trade. First, he discusses and demonstrates string rakes.
Length: 5:08 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Organ Licks
DJ explains how B3 organ licks can be played on guitar.
Length: 4:11 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Volume Swells
In this lesson, DJ talks about volume swells and how they can be used.
Length: 4:37 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Walking Bass and Upstroke Shuffle
Continuing with his "tricks of the trade" lessons, DJ demonstrates a walking bass line and the upstroke shuffle.
Length: 6:51 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Slide
In this lesson, DJ discusses and demonstrates the basics of slide technique.
Length: 5:28 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Wah Pedals
DJ demonstrates some of the subtleties of using a wah pedal in the blues style.
Length: 3:50 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Harmonics
DJ discusses and demonstrates natural, artificial (harp), and pinch harmonics in the blues style.
Length: 8:37 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Aspects of Tone
DJ delves into tone in lesson 31. He discusses how and why certain tones are achieved.
Length: 21:41 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Minor Blues
With lesson 32, DJ introduces the minor form of the 12 bar blues progression.
Length: 4:57 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Using the Dominant V7 Chord
Building on his minor blues set, DJ discusses how to utilize the dominant V7 chord to spice up the standard progression.
Length: 4:14 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Minor Turnaround
DJ demonstrates a couple turnaround techniques that can be applied to the 12 bar minor blues progression.
Length: 6:13 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Minor 7 Voicings
In this lesson, DJ discusses some minor 7 voicings with roots on the 6th, 5th, and 4th strings.
Length: 9:12 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Minor 6th Voicings
Much like lesson 35, DJ discusses minor 6th chord voicings with roots on the 6th, 5th, and 4th strings.
Length: 8:53 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Extensions of the V7 Chord
DJ explains how altered extensions such as the b9 and #9 can be added to the V7 chord within the context of a minor blues progression.
Length: 8:35 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Scale Options
DJ discusses the scale options that can be used over a minor blues progression.
Length: 2:21 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Minor Scale Positions
In this lesson, DJ builds upon lesson 38 and covers the minor scale positions across the entire fretboard.
Length: 5:11 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
T-Bone Walker
DJ profiles blues guitarist T-Bone Walker in lesson 40.
Length: 31:23 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
T-Bone Shuffle
Profiling T-Bone walker, DJ will demonstrate the T-Bone Shuffle.
Length: 29:26 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Skills and Concepts of T-Bone Walker
DJ discusses and demonstrates skills acquired from learning T-Bone Walker's material.
Length: 17:42 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Bo-Diddley
DJ will take a look at Blues guitarist Bo Diddley and teach you the "Bo Diddley beat."
Length: 13:26 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Blues with DJ: More Bo Diddley
Dj is back yet again with more on the style of Bo Diddley. Here is will dive more into his style of solos as well as an in depth explanation of how the songs are played out. Get comfortable everyone and...
Length: 22:15 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Implementing Bo Diddley's Style
Dj brings a kicking finish to the style of Bo Diddley by teaching you how to implement his style of playing to your's. With a quick review of what he has taught so far, Dj will play the backing track as...
Length: 10:59 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Swing Blues Solo - Phrase #1
DJ returns to his blues guitar series with the introduction of a complete blues solo. Through the next 12 lessons, DJ will provide a phrase-by-phrase breakdown of the solo. By the end of this mini-series,...
Length: 3:38 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Swing Blues Solo - Phrase #2
DJ is back with Phrase #2 of the Swing Blues Solo. This lick is designed to outline the IV chord.
Length: 3:10 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Swing Blues Solo - Phrase #3
DJ is back with another phrase of his swing blues solo. The third phrase of the first solo is also your first turnaround. In this lick, you'll outline the chords that bring us back to the top of the form.
Length: 3:22 Difficulty: 0.0 Members Only
Swing Blues Solo - Phrase #4
The fourth phrase of your first solo has a lot of pentatonic influence in it. You've also climbed the neck to the upper register to help build your solo.
Length: 2:29 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Swing Blues Solo - Phrase #5
We're back to the second phrase in the long form blues again. This lick picks up where the last left off and continues to build suspense in the upper register.
Length: 3:11 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Swing Blues Solo - Phrase #6
DJ is back with the sixth phrase of his Swing Blues Solo. We're now at the second turnaround of the long form. This lick incorporates chromaticism to build tension.
Length: 4:26 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Swing Blues Solo - Phrase #7
We're back to the top in the 3rd chorus of the blues solo. This lick starts to amp up the solo by adding more bends and a few double stops.
Length: 3:47 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Swing Blues Solo - Phrase #8
DJ is back with the eighth phrase in the swing blues solo. The second phrase of the 3rd chorus incorporates hammer-ons.
Length: 3:14 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Swing Blues Solo - Phrase #9
DJ is back with the ninth phrase in the swing blues solo. For the third time, we find ourselves at the turnaround. This lick plays on the idea of a repeating figure followed up by a scale run.
Length: 4:46 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Swing Blues Solo - Phrase #10
We really start to add some gusto to the solo for our final three phrases. This lick uses open stringed double stops and position shifting to create a long build up towards the solo's climax.
Length: 3:40 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Swing Blues Solo - Phrase #11
The eleventh phrase of our long form blues solo continues to build on the previous phrase. This time you'll be using a repeated but slightly varied figure along with double stops to create more build-up.
Length: 3:34 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Swing Blues Solo - Phrase #12
DJ is back with the final phrase of the swing blues solo. This turnaround lick uses quick bends, repeated figures, and a chromatic walk down to twist your ear before finally resolving back to E.
Length: 5:42 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Straight Blues Solo - Phrase #1
Now that you've completed the first solo of a long form blues, it's time to tackle the second solo. This next blues is played in straight eighths and starts off with some chromatic notes, bending, and...
Length: 3:13 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Straight Blues Solo - Phrase #2
Dig into the second phrase of our straight blues solo! This one uses double stops, bends, and vibrato to kick the solo into high gear!
Length: 3:10 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Straight Blues Solo - Phrase #3
The first turnaround in our straight blues solo uses a low walking melody along with a scale run that brings us back up to the top.
Length: 2:53 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Straight Blues Solo - Phrase #4
As we return to the top for the second round of our long form, we hear a familiar melody. This one is stolen right from the last phrase, only it's been transposed up into a higher register.
Length: 2:36 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Straight Blues Solo - Phrase #5
We're getting into the meat of this solo and it's time we started rocking! We amp up the energy by using some down picking and scale lines.
Length: 2:59 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Straight Blues Solo - Phrase #6
We've now reached the second turnaround of our long form blues. This phrase gets a little funky with some position shifting and double stops.
Length: 4:08 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Straight Blues Solo - Phrase #7
Here, we return to the top and continue the funky feel from the turnaround. This lick features chromatic runs with vibrato and a repeated figure.
Length: 3:41 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Straight Blues Solo - Phrase #8
The next lick in our long form straight blues is all about syncopation and getting that dirty tone from the amp. Careful rhythmic placement of rests and the use of double stops help us accomplish this.
Length: 1:59 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
About DJ Phillips
View Full Biography
Like many guitar players who began playing around the same time, DJ began plunking out Nirvana and Soundgarden tunes when he first picked up the guitar in the mid-nineties. While these grunge-y roots certainly have their merit, it wasn't until DJ's eldest sister took him to a Led Zeppelin laser light show that the full potential of the guitar began to come into focus.
With Jimmy Page's Les Paul pyrotechnics as his inspiration, DJ began fervently practicing for hours on end in the suburban jungle of Southwestern Ohio. This newfound passion (combined with his complete lack of athletic prowess and physical coordination thus completely ruling out all sports) led him to form rock bands in junior high and high school. He grew to love the performance aspect of music and soon decided on it as a career path.
College led him to Nashville, Tennessee where he began to pursue a degree in Commercial Music at Belmont University. He also started another band and got his first professional theater gig the following summer. Since that summer, DJ has spent nearly every waking hour finding ways to play music and avoiding a real contribution to society in any other way.
He moved to Minneapolis after college, rocking out between theater gigs with his current rock band Brother Big Bad. He has now convinced the band to move to Nashville where music flows like water.
DJ is elated to be a part of JamPlay and is thankful for everyone's warm welcome and says "Now, let's ROCK, people."
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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.Video is freezing!!!
I think it is also useful to add the tabs from scene 2 and 3. And I also think this lessons comes too early. For me it makes no sense at this time.