The Language of Lead Guitar

Introduction to 'The Language of Lead Guitar'

Callum Bair introduces us to his new course, 'The Language of Lead'.

Minor Pentatonic Scale: As Fundamental as it Gets

To open the course, we will take a look at one of the cornerstones of lead guitar - the Minor Pentatonic Scale.

Lick 1: Pentatonic Blues

For our first lick of the series, we will expand our application of the Minor Pentatonic Scale with a look at a classic Blues lick that incorporates a slide within the scale.

Lick 2: A 'Classic' Classic Rock Lick

In this next lick lesson, we will break down a very familiar Classic Rock lick that utilizes a vibratic bend.

Lick 3: The Blue Note Lick

For our last Minor Pentatonic lick, we will look at a slight variant of the Minor Pentatonic Scale that incorporates the fabled “Blue Note.”

Technique 1: Bend it like Becker

For our last Minor Pentatonic lick, we will look at a slight variant of the Minor Pentatonic Scale that incorporates the fabled “Blue Note.”

Major Pentatonic Scale: Does this look Familiar?

Lick 4: Major Power Ballad

Expanding on our knowledge of the Major Pentatonic Scale, we will now look at a slower vibratic bending lick that is used widely in many of the classic 80’s power ballads.

Lick 5: Just Like the King

Continuing with the Major Pentatonic Scale, here we will learn a classic lick based on what is often called the “B.B. King Box”.

Lick 6: A Modern Take

Closing out our section on the Major Pentatonic Scale, get ready for a lick that uses the 'B.B. King Box', but in a Modern Pop context - similar to the style of the Blues/Pop crossover artist John Mayer.

Technique 2: Singing Vibrato

Moving on, in our second technique lesson of the series we will take a look at a useful exercise that focuses on perfecting the singing quality of proper vibrato technique.

The Major Scale: Where it All Starts

The Major Scale is by far the most common scale used in western music. In this lesson, we will break down this useful scale in two separate positions on the neck.

Lick 7: The Power Ballad Continues

Jumping into the application of the Major Scale, here we will revisit our Hair Metal roots with a look at a lead line in the style of an 80’s power ballad.

Lick 8: A Taste of Classical

Continuing with the Major Scale, now let's take a look at a tasty lick in the style of Neoclassical guitar.

Lick 9: Popping Off

It can be argued that no genre is as synonymous with the Major Scale as Pop. In this lesson, we will look at a Pop-style lick that utilizes the Major Scale.

Technique 3: Hammer Ons and Pull Offs

For our next technique lesson, we will look at two of the key tools used in playing lead guitar: hammer-ons and pull-offs. Here, we will break these techniques down and show how the proper application can increase our speed and dexterity while navigating the fretboard.

Minor Scale: The Final Piece

Now we've made it to our final scale of the course, you guessed it - the Minor Scale. In this lesson, we will dissect the Minor Scale and discuss its relationship to the Major Scale.

Lick 10: Neoclassical

Let's apply our knowledge of the Minor Scale and head back to the realm of Neoclassical guitar! In this lesson, we'll take a look at a Minor Scale application of this popular style.

Lick 11: The Sad Pop Song

Further expanding our use of the Minor Scale, in this lesson we will look at a lick that uses the scale to set a tone that conveys a sad or melancholy mood.

Lick 12: The Classic Rock Lead Up

We use our minor scale again in this intense ascending rock lick. We also learn the essential technique of tremolo picking.

Technique 4: Alternate Picking

In this last technique lesson of the course, we will look at a few key exercises that can help us develop a crucial skill needed for successful lead playing - alternate picking.

Major Arpeggios: Triads

"Moving on, in this next lesson we will discuss the Major variation of a couple key figures that can really help identify and use your chord shapes in a lead setting - triads and arpeggios.

Minor Arpeggios: Triads

Continuing with our triads and arpeggios, in this lesson we'll cover the Minor variations of these key figures.

Major Arpeggios: Playing the Changes

Let's put our arpeggios to use! In this lesson, we will work on playing through a simple two-chord progression utilizing our major arpeggio shapes.

Minor Arpeggios: Playing the Changes Cont.

Now let's put our minor arpeggios to use! In this lesson, we will work on playing through a simple two-chord progression utilizing our minor arpeggio shapes.

Solo 1: Pop Country Paradise

You've come this far, now it's time to get your solo on! In this first full solo, we will learn a short guitar melody in the style of modern Pop- country artists like Carrie Underwood, then view an example solo by William before taking the reins and applying all of the lead skills we've learned thus far to create our own full-fledged guitar solo!

Solo 2: Rockin' All Night Long

In this next full solo, we will repeat the same method and look at a Classic Rock style melody that highlights the guitar playing of the great Rock bands of the ’70s.

Solo 3: The Modern Magic

Continuing this method, in this next solo we will look at a lead line in the style of the Modern Pop and Blues crossover artist John Mayer.

Solo 4: A Rock Sonata

Let's keep adding to our repertoire of guitar solos by taking a look at this Neoclassical-style solo that hints at the classically influenced Rock of the ’80s and ’90s.

Solo 5: The Big Stage

Congratulations on making it this far! In our final solo and lesson of the course, we will take a look at a lead line that focuses on slow melodic parts over a power ballad backing track.