Hey Toby,
(looking up ‘stoater’)…Thanks for kind words mate. 
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Its a ripper mate !!
Congrats on your 2 year JG versary Shane!
I’ve read through all your learning log previously… Shows what can be achieved with dedicated practice over a couple of years. Inspirational.
Great improv track too. Every time I see one of your vids I think you have great taste in guitars too! A Tele & a Les Paul.
Much appreciated JK. You’re smokin along too mate, that’s for sure.
A Tele and a Les Paul. Seems to cover all the bases atm, and I do love em.
Those guys at Artist Guitars here in Australia make some great instruments, without the high price tag.
Cheers Shane.
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Hey Guys,
Time for a brief update.
This one focuses on my work on some intro solos, as a means of trying to develop and refine my bends, vibrato, phrasing, and ear training.
The following video is a sample of 4 intros from Gary Moore (2), Peter Green (1), and BB King (1). No post production, or fancy editing, and the mix could be better, but it’s not the focus here.
Of course, I’m not happy with any of them, but its probably a fair sample of where I’m generally at with it all. Have played them all a lot better, and a bit worse, at different times. What I’m aiming for is incremental increases in standard and consistency, which is just going to come with time and practice. Serves really as a record and moment in time for me in my log, but would welcome any feedback and tips.
Cheers, Shane
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Hi Shane!
What a progress you had!. It is obvious how much work you’ve put into improvisation. really tasty sound 
.
And as I like so much how you’ve advanced in improvisation and scales I would like to ask you a question if you don’t mind 
Which approach have you followed to learn all this? I mean. I’m in grade 2 of the guitar course and on Module 4 of Music Theory (Learning triads). All these scales, positions, and how you mix them are further down on these courses? Or you’ve been adding things to your learning path? (Like the scales course). I’ve been sticking to the minor pentatonic position 1 for quite a long time now, and don’t know if it is about time to add already more positions or scales.
Thank you in advance 
Wow Shane definitely to harsh on yourself! I think you did a fantastic job on all of them. Sure they weren’t as per record, but like Gary Moore’s solo is probably something no one ever will be able to replicate 1:1. Probably not even Gary himself!
You did really good and as far as criticism goes I think there is not that many. Best was Peter Green solo in my opinion really close to original, least aliked probably Still got the blues. If you play it slower make sure to slow down BT as well, however I do get a feeling you haven’t just to show us what stage you are at in your learning.
Vibrato was great, you were sometimes loosing your rhythm so perhaps while playing worth turning up slightly your BT?
But honestly progess is noticeable and you are doing great Shane! Keep up the good work!
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That was great! All immediately recognisable.
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Hey Edgar,
I’ve stuck very closely to Justins teaching mostly. However, I do now supplement it with teachings from guys like Brian Kelly, Ian Stich, Paul Davids, Chris Sherland, Adrian Woodward, Brian Sherill, etc.
Justins Theory course however, has been, and still is, the cornerstone of everything for me. I think it allows you to become your own teacher in some ways, and make your own discoveries which become more meaningful; while being guided by Justin, the other guys above, and this great community.
The 2 things that have helped me along most so far are the Major scale, and triads. The Major scale has helped me start to understand the intervallic nature of the guitar. Triads really opened up the fretboard, and are great teachers for me.This has made things like pentatonics,CAGED, barre chords, arpeggios etc easier to start learning as its all built on this foundation of intervals.
Re the pentatonics, try learning the next shape up, the D shape, and then link them both together by running drills, playing over backing tracks etc. Gradually build from there to other shapes.
I also find practicing in one key exclusively each week helps build relationships in your mind between scales, chords, triads, arpeggios etc.
I’m still at a pretty foundational level with all this, but I’ve found that structured practice builds incremental progress ( never as fast as I’d like), plus its stops you from chasing supposed quick methods and ‘secrets’ of guitar.
Cheers, Shane
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Thanks for the replay, Shane.
Those are good YT recommendations:slight_smile: . I only knew Paul Davids but to be honest, his videos didn’t give me too much information for my current level. But that could be because I didn’t dig into what he has already published and I stick to YT recommendations.
For what you say I suppose you’re further down in the Music Theory course, aren’t you? Because all that you are talking about (like the CAGED system) are in grades 5, 6, and 7 and I’m currently in grade 4. So I don’t want to rush, but I don’t want to be slowing down my learning if I could already start learning new pentatonic positions, for example. I think I have to analyze a bit my learning path.
Thanks for the useful information 
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Hi Shane,
I’m currently working on shape 1 of the major scale in A C D E & G. Have achieved 150bpm on C D & E. Getting close to that on the others. Getting better at playing the scale without looking at the fretboard. I’ve just started playing the scale with random reversals, playing in thirds and four in a line, as per Justin’s recommended routine. Still a bit slow with this.
I’m now at a crossroads. Do I learn the other four major scale shapes, or start improvising with shape 1? There’s so much to absorb it’s a bit overwhelming. I worry that by the time I learn shape 5 I will have forgotten shape 1!
What was your learning path with major scale?
Cheers,
Chris
Hey Chris,
It can be overwhelming at times. That has been my experience too. I just try to keep the mindset that its going to take considerable time and effort, with incremental progress ;just enjoy the journey, both the victories and the frustrations. 
Re the Major scale, I’ve done much the same as you’re doing . ie Learnt the pattern first, then play up/down 3 in a line, 4 in a line, reversing, playing in 3rds, and 5ths - ie getting more melodic. Next, I started playing over simple backing tracks. Drone tracks I find are very helpful too. I tried to start focusing on the intervals in the scale, particularly the root, 3rd, and fifths, as these are the basic chord tones. I tried to see the chord shapes, triads within the scale. I probably spent about 3 months on the first position (E shape) of the Major scale.
When I moved to the next position, the D shape, it was like I had a significant headstart, and was playing it in 3rd, 5ths, over backing tracks etc reasonably well within a significantly shortervtime period. It really reinforced to me the sage advice Justin gave about staying on the first pattern for a while, and try to extract and learn as much as you can from it.
Once reasonably comfortable, I started linking the 2 shapes (E and D) together, playing in 3rds, 5ths across the 2 shapes, playing over backing tracks, running interval drills etc. Eventually you cover the 5 shapes across the fretboard, and can start to see them as one continous pattern. Same with the pentatonic scales.
As I said, I’m still at a fairly foundational level, but I feel this approach is giving me solid base on which to continually build on.
Cheers Shane
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Hi Shane,
I liked that very much… 
And of course you’re not completely happy with this yet…it’s not finished yet, it wouldn’t be good if you wanted this as the end result…BUT the whole thing how it goes you must be very satisfied right? What a process you are going through, you should be very proud of that… …we say here ‘you go like the fire brigade’…something like ‘you go like a rocket’
Greetings ,Rogier
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Thanks for your reply Shane. Lots of good stuff in there.
Well that’s the first time I’ve ever heard that term, and it turns out there’s heaps of them on Youtube! I’ll use those in future. I also have one of Justin’s backing track CDs.
Another revelation! I’ve heard of the CAGED chord shapes, but I’d never seen the scale shapes referred to by their underlying (or hidden) chord shape. I’ve only seen the scales referred to by their ‘shape’ or ‘position’ number. Maybe Justin covered this in one of his videos and I missed it. In any case, I think this will make learning and using the scales easier than just referring to them as a shape number.
That’s music to my ears. I’m hoping that’s the case for me too.
Great. I’ll proceed that way too.
Cheers,
Chris
Glad to see you got something out of it.
Yeah, the Position 1, position 2 etc naming is meaningless in my opinion. Much more efficient to see them as their root shapes. It was a great revelation for me too when it was mentioned by an experienced member of this community some time back.
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Sounds like you are setup for success! It’s clear to see you’ve been doing your homework! And then some! 
Really enjoyed your playing. That’s what it’s all about. I hope your having fun!!!
NEW YEAR UPDATE
Thought I best put an entry in for myself for the new year, - to round off the past year, and provide a reference point for myself in the coming year.
Overall, a very productive and fun year, with some solid progress across several areas. Overall, I feel I’ve ‘moved’ alot of my knowledge from the theoretical to the practical this year - to actual playing knowledge. This was my main aim at the start of last year, consolidation, so I am pleased with the progress here.
A lot of focus on intervals,scales, triads, arpeggios, barre chords, improv this year. Learnt quite a few new songs, and several short solos/intros. Have learnt alot studying and playing these. Have gotten right into the Blues this last year as well - Gary Moore, Peter Green, SRV, BB King etc. Found my niche here I think, and will continue developing this year.
Scales Getting pretty comfortable now with all the major, major pentatonic, minor pentatonic scales across the neck, as well as some of the main scale highways across the neck.
Can now start to move around much more easily during improv, and think a little less. Am starting to ‘hear’ more in real time, and see them less as patterns.
Triads Getting fairly comfortable now with all the major/ minor closed triad shapes across all strings sets. Can now play melodies etc, over some more complex progressions using varied combinations/ inversions to suit the progression. Can utilise them in different songs to create alternate voicings. Made some good progress with voice leading. Starting to incorporate other triads, like 7ths, 9ths etc.
Arpeggios Have consolidated all the A and E shape major/ minor/ 7/ major 7 arpeggios shapes. Starting to use them more confidently in improv, and recognise them in songs. Have the C,D,G major and minor shapes down. Starting to bed down 7/ major 7.
Barre chords. Solid progress here. Now feels pretty much natural and unforced. That pressing down hard feeling is now mostly gone. Starting to play them now with a somewhat similar touch to open chords. Have now stopped practicing them as a standalone item.
Intervals Probably most pleased about progress here, as I feel its been the basis of all my other development this year. From scales, to chords, triads, arpeggios,improv, chord tone targeting, learning songs, solos etc. I’m starting to see, hear and work with intervals more consistently, and its helped me in locking more into the actual music itself, and seeing connections between scales, triads, chord tones etc. Of course, I still get lost at times, and make errors, but feel I’ve made significant headway here this last year.
Practice routine has remained pretty consistent throughout the year - 1-2 hrs day. Now have one day off structured practice per week. I feel this has been very beneficial. Practice structure has remained the same for some time now, and works well for me.
- Technique
- 3 x Practice Items
- Songs/Solos/Improv.
I continue to practice in the one key for each week, across practice items. Have made many discoveries doing it this way. Can then transfer knowledge,ideas etc more easily to other keys.
Coursewise, I’ve remained around Grade 5 this year, consolidating, revisiting lessons. Around Grade 6 of the Theory course, but again, revisiting, consolidating. Alot to do. Will continue to do the same this year, but add in some more Blues focused study.
Apart from the obvious, things to really concentrate on this year are;
- Reducing Tension
- Accuracy and Clarity
- Remember to laugh at myself a bit more often
Cheers, Shane
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Great update Shane.
Your knowledge of improv, scales, arpeggios, theory, etc is quite amazing. I was curious to read what you know and what you’ve moving into, as in reading your posts and watching your videos I’ve come to think of you as a bit of a guitar scientist. Someone who plays really accurately and has a really good understanding of theory. I read some of your posts and it certainly feels like someone speaking about topics I have only the faintest awareness of.
Your playing also seems really precise. Really shows what long term dedicated practice can do!
Congrats on a good year and here’s to another one.
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Impressive work Shane!
Ill take my hat off as we say in scandinavia
Keep up the good work, and yeah. Blues suits you 100%
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Thanks for the overly kind words JK. Now take those rose-coloured glasses off .
I’m still relatively early on in my journey, and have much to learn. I see myself as a foundational intermediate player. But am very happy with the last 2 1/2 years progress, and particularly the last year.
Yes, I guess I am a real student though with the guitar, as I am with other interests I have. One - it just floats my boat. Two - I believe its necessary to becoming more proficient and creative. Others may disagree, or have different slants, but in the end, whatever works for you.
But, understanding something is one thing. The real knowing is in the doing eh?
Thats why I’ve always loved Justins mantra of …once you learn it, get musical with it.
And that has been a frustration for me ( and I imagine for many others) that I believe I’ve only recently come to terms with. The understanding part comes fairly quickly for me for many things, but the knowing/ doing takes much longer, as it must. Its about time, trial and error, experience, making mistakes, experimentation. Things my intellect doesn’t want to hear about.
Its like with triads, which I think are one of coolest and most versatile things on a guitar.
I first started looking at them about 18 months ago. After 6 months, I thought I had all the major and minors wrapped up across all the stringsets, was playing some basic improv with them, amazed at how they really opened up the fretboard for me.
Sure, I understood them, but fast forward a year later to now, and I’m really only just starting to know how to use them. Thing is, in a years time, I’ll probably re-read this post, and think, “Shane, you didn’t know crap about triads a year ago”. Such is life.
Cheers, Shane
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