That Oddball Dominant 7 Chord...

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30 Comments

  • Chris Coughlan

    Reply Reply July 18, 2017

    Hi Griff,

    You’re not the only one having a good time. I’m having a ball! Years ago I was noodling to a track in a guitar shop and someone said to the owner “He’s using 5 different scales on a single solo”. Later I got “Oh well done. Now you’ve really set the cat among the pigeons” as a rebuke from the owner who I knew and who was teaching the guy. I hadn’t a clue what a scale was – music theory wasn’t around for guitar when I started playing – I got thrown out the music class at school for starting to play one! UK academia was way behind you guys across the pond. I just played the blues and added stuff that I liked and which seemed to work. It is this series that has highlighted why I sowed such confusion to a beginner and actually made sense of what I have been doing for years without having a clue about music theory. Thanks Griff. I feel so much better now. I thought I was just weird. It’s actually as if a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I still don’t know much in the way of theory but Chord Finder tells me I use some weird chords at times. A song I wrote a while ago which apparently has EminAdd9, Esus2sus4 & Esus4(b9) as the the intro. I never knew what they were until the internet came along.

    Take care, thanks and God bless,

    Chris

    • PAUL

      Reply Reply July 18, 2017

      THAT LICK SOUNDS LIKE THE LEAD STYLE, IN BLACK MAGIC WOMEN. I’M JUST VERY CONFUSED WHEN YOU TALK MUSIC THERORY. I JUST WATCH AND LISTEN AND THEN PLAY IT BY EAR. HOW ABOUT SHOWING USEING D-TUNEING THE GUITAR. LIKE IN D, OR A. D? TEACH US HONKY TONK WOMAN,HAS THAT A-7TH SLIDE YOU DO.

  • stan

    Reply Reply July 18, 2017

    WOW

    Check out that New PRS 595, impressive $$$$$

  • nicholas pogue

    Reply Reply July 18, 2017

    Your youtube stuff is brilliant! My interest is more in the classic rock genre but i watch much of your blues tutorials as they are a stepping stone to technique and understanding of music theory. I have bought a few of your videos and now i await the next big sale of the classic rock lessons {we Canadians have a whimpy dollar so it costs us 30% more} .
    My biggest problem, after laziness and incompetence, is making my own leads and riffs. I can imitate and plagiarize but i seem to have nothing to offer as original .
    That said, i truly thank you for everything you offer for free on youtube. Without your help i would be struggling hopelessly and getting nowhere.

  • Harvey Miller

    Reply Reply July 18, 2017

    Have tried to pick it up but I can not get it

  • Shawn

    Reply Reply July 18, 2017

    G(Riff) Master….so dig what you are doing. Thanks for taking the time to spread the love and knollege of what is unattainable to many! I started playing in bands way before Internet and cell phones. I was told to learn X amount of songs by next rehersal/ gig. Had to BEG borrow and steal to get copies of songs so I could learn them, sans-tablature…had to do so by ear. I’m sure you can relate! Just wanted to say ” THANKS ” for giving our next Gen. Of git pickers a head start and ALSO us old folks that can never learn enough. I Thank you sir!. .. Shawn Moore Rockford Ill . 61108

  • Brian Burke

    Reply Reply July 18, 2017

    Nice, Griff. So worth waiting for. A couple of years ago, learning the ii – v – i progression (Autumn Leaves) I came across the third chord in the scale being major (B7 in the key of G major) and I was told that it was this thing called harmonic minor, and just shut up and go with it. Which I did. Now you’ve explained it. Thanks. Now I have to get it from brain to fingers. Brian.

  • Mark a Wales uk

    Reply Reply July 18, 2017

    Cheers Griff
    For the lessons its opening doors for me
    Can’t wait for the course one of my summer courses to work on
    Best tutor I’ve had on line and off
    Cheers😎🎶

  • Mike cole

    Reply Reply July 18, 2017

    Hello griff I have been working on my BG unleashed for about 3years now and I never stop learning.i look forward to your emails each day . I am 67 love to play I’m really thankful for what you do god bless . Until tomorrow mike cole

  • Gregory L Senich

    Reply Reply July 18, 2017

    You just blew my mind–light-bulb moment. Minor keys explained. Many Thanks.

  • jean dominique

    Reply Reply July 18, 2017

    Beautiful melody

  • David Kaufholz

    Reply Reply July 18, 2017

    To Chris: I played for years without having any theory – just stuff that sounded good – , and my noodling was simply the different modes. To Paul: it is worth getting Griff’s music theory course. It is a thin book and not at all onerous. It opened up a lot of doors for me, in terms of what to play and why. I do not sight-read, and my timing sometimes is suspect (the walking-and-chewing-gum obstacle) but the ideas gleaned from Griff’s expertise and enthusiasm is worth the struggle.
    To Griff: I’m enjoying your courses and emails so much. For a slowly-fossilizing 73-year-old, who took up guitar after retiring, I’m hopeful I can keep learning until six days after the sun burns out. (And I do most of my poking around on the fretboard of my PRS SE, with the spalted-maple top. Great guitar!)

  • JACK FLASH

    Reply Reply July 18, 2017

    Thiis really good sounding and the course sounds very interesting. I already know all the modes and I bought the Guitar Theory course of griffs to answer so many questions that I had as I was going threw the Blues Guitar Unleashed 1.0 course….It is really good….Maybe somehow I can get more courses…

  • Mike

    Reply Reply July 18, 2017

    Hi Griff,

    I am a bass player who recently acquired a dobro. I’ve been looking for some instruction/guidance so I can coax the sweet sounds out of this steel body. As for scales, arpeggios I’m a bass player first and a chord maker second, so that is what I learned first way back from Carol Kay/ James Jamerson, but how to use the modes is new stuff. Oddly enough I understand most of what you are saying. Your delivery works for me, so Thank You.

    I am currently following these videos with the dobro tuned in open D.

  • Jeremy

    Reply Reply July 19, 2017

    Totally awesome stuff Grif. Boy is this latest info a world of fun and mate it’s what I’m really after. I have a tricky question about this tho, which may not entirely relate to the lead/rhythm guitar! Its always been pretty vital to me to work in with my band mates. Does the bass player have to steer clear of notes with this – or do they have to ‘follow’ this thinking too, or can they just totally ignore what I’m doing? I know it’s a little off topic, but seeing you play with larger bands, I figured you’d probably know – and I just want to stop the territorial arguments, which leads to the fist fight, before it even starts!😀

  • tony

    Reply Reply July 19, 2017

    Wow really great stuff . I will have to watch this like many times to get a real grip on it . I really like the tune . Gary Moore was a great guitarist . Really had tried to play it without any kind of cord or scale referance . I always like it when the guitar screams You know. A short area of the pick to the strings . Thanks for the input on this classic tune .

  • Jennifer S.

    Reply Reply July 19, 2017

    Thanks Griff for the great videos! I’m learning, but it is still over my head stuff. I will re-watch the videos and hope stuff sinks in. Question: How will the new course be different from the Music Theory Made Easy course that I already have? Let us know. Thanks again.

  • Kevin

    Reply Reply July 20, 2017

    Hello again Griff
    I too will have to view these videos several times to get a real grasp of the theory – & put it into practice. But you know what – I’m actually loving learning the theory side, something I never thought I would do. My noodling has improved 100% since you started this angle of theory. Must be something to do with the teacher!!!
    Thanks so much Griff l

  • Danny Wright

    Reply Reply July 21, 2017

    love your prs just bought my first high end guitar its a prs starla now if i could just learn to play it well lmao

  • Michael Chappell

    Reply Reply July 21, 2017

    Hey Griff,

    Great lesson and I have saved it for later in my learning progress..but you explain this very well as always..

    Michael-Sydney-Australia 21 July 2017

  • Daniel

    Reply Reply July 22, 2017

    Amazing Lesson Griff, Thanks so much!

  • Alan G

    Reply Reply July 23, 2017

    Sorry…I’m as confused as heck….no wonder I can’t follow a lot of theory. I guess I just haven’t been able to get my head around thirds and fifths etc. It’s got me beat. What really irks me is seeing these young guitarists (pre 12 year olds) on YT who can play very well and couldnt begin to understand all this theory yet get the business done. Perhaps in the next life I might get it.

  • John

    Reply Reply July 25, 2017

    This is the stuff I have been waiting for…classic rock is dying a slow death in some areas. Young folks in my area don’t seem to care about any kind of live music in clubs anymore. Those who do were around before it was classic and are leaving.
    These types of chord changes launches you into the next level and enables you to play out of your comfort zone, and more likely able to perform in the changing music scene. Looking forward to more.

  • Anthony Ingoglia

    Reply Reply March 12, 2019

    I’m practicing the modes. I just don’t know WHEN to use WHAT mode? In my group I am responsible for play the solos in One Como Va, with some improvising. One you told me it was A dorian my fingers went nuts and I started to find Santana’s note much more easily. When I played on different locations on the neck now I knew why. But HOW would I know it was Dorian? I know why A is the tonal center and G is the 1 chord. But the I lose it.

  • Jim Nicolletta

    Reply Reply March 24, 2020

    Griff

    Wow…a new light just flickered in my 73 year old brain. Just a little hx. I didn’t start playing guitar until I was 58 years old. I took some local (Atlanta) lessons for the first 4-5 years. I’m a lover of Blues…at some point early along the way.. I got an email from you…bought some courses…very helpful. Since that time I’ve watched your email tutorings. I’ve become a fairly accomplished player but I’m not always aware of what I’m doing….you know a feel thing. But you know the story….” I always feel I’m playing the same stuff over and over. Anyway….looking forward to your new courses coming today… I’m hoping I understand them enough to realize what I say actually be doing. Thx for your help over the years.

    Jim

  • Alexander

    Reply Reply June 6, 2020

    Hey Griff, excellent lesson today. Modes are such a cool thing to know and I really enjoyed the last 3 videos you had just put out. I’ll have to watch this video a few more times but I cant wait to dig into this more and play along with the jam track. I really enjoyed the “bluesificaton” lesson and I really had a blast playing along with the jam track. I always wondered how those guitar greats came out with all those different sounds. Thanks for the lesson!
    Alexander

  • David

    Reply Reply January 25, 2021

    Best three online lessons i have ever taken. Exactly like it was constructed for me. Thanks

  • Jim Pyron

    Reply Reply July 16, 2021

    Thanks for the free samples Griff. Great stuff.

  • Roy Rupert

    Reply Reply June 16, 2022

    Sounds like it may be a little Spanish type of music

  • Claude Ouellette ( Montreal Canada)

    Reply Reply June 11, 2023

    Very good theory. I enjoyed every minute of it. Thanks Griff

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