Improving technique – Dean Nelson

Execute Order 66 (Days) – How to Form a Habit

Many people post after their first run, the first day of a diet, or when they are writing a song, and they finish one (the first in maybe six months). I’m happy that you did it, I mean that. BUT, if you’re trying to master a skill, it really doesn’t mean a lot if you only do that once every six months. Even once a week will not get you to where you want to go. What about posting after you’ve done two songs a week for 2 months?

Box 5 – The Blues Major Pentatonic

The final piece to our puzzle is box 5. I’m not actually sure what scale this is. It’s cool and hits the 6… which is the first scale that we have the does that! Hey, hey, hey If we place this box at the start of our scale, we have 1(root) – 2 – 4Continue reading “Box 5 – The Blues Major Pentatonic”

Box 4 – When you’re feeling sad bluesy

We’re rolling right along to box 4! Let’s ask this question, though. When should I add a new box to work on? Well, for each person, that’s a little different. I think you should be able to play the scale backward and forwards without much trouble at a certain bpm. Let’s at say 95 bpm. Does that number hold any special value? Hell, no. I just used it as an arbitrary number. You can pick any number you’d like. The METRONOME is the key part here! You should be able to have some “pressure” on you to keep you honest and moving.

Box 3 – The androgynous box – Our suspended scale

Box three has become my favorite to play! It’s the center of the pinwheel of the minor shape, and if placed at the root note on the sixth string, it’s a suspended scale, which is cool because it means that even if the parts underneath you are major or minor, you still won’t miss a note!

Pentatonic Box 2 – Revenge of the Major

Hello, darlings! If you haven’t read the last blog post on pentatonic boxes… literally the last post I made. Well, then I’m gonna do a little self-promotion and tell you to go back a post and give me a click. Seriously though, I suggest you go back there, so everything makes sense from here onContinue reading “Pentatonic Box 2 – Revenge of the Major”

Here’s why pentatonic scales are SO important (and how they are so easy to learn)

I thought I’m a rhythm guitarist. I don’t need to work on that. Or “I have a cool voice. I will just get someone else to play that hard parts.” I didn’t have a good voice at the time, so I don’t know why I thought that would work, and honestly, it’s a pretty piss-poor excuse to not get better at something I loved. ESPECIALLY WHEN IT’S SO EASY TO LEARN!

Category Archives: Improving technique