G’day! In this mandolin lesson we’ll take a look at nine hot licks that are built with the major blues scale. We’re in the key of G for this lesson, with licks over the G, C & D chords in both the open position and up the neck. As part of this lesson we’ll dive into a little theory (major blues scale in open & movable patterns, plus the major arpeggio found inside the scale) to help you understand how to use these licks and also start to build your own!
The Major Blues Scale is very similar to the Major Pentatonic Scale. The only difference is we include the b3 in the major blues scale. For example, in the key of G:
G Major Pentatonic Scale = G A B D E (Scale Tones – 1 2 3 5 6)
G Major Blues Scale = G A Bb B D E (Scale Tones – 1 2 b3 3 5 6)
A more detailed look at scale theory can be found in the Hot Pentatonic Licks: Mandolin Lesson.
For more info on notes on the fretboard, check out the Fretboard Freedom lesson so you can begin to move these scales, arpeggios & licks into different keys.
The first video lesson is available free below.The full lesson is available to members, which:
- Includes 3 video lessons covering the scales, arpeggios, licks, practical theory to help using the licks and how to create your own licks;
- Includes the PDF tab/notation worksheet with scales & arpeggios plus the intro example tab/notation with all 9 lick variations;
- Downloadable MP3 play-along track of the example licks & backing tracks at 3 tempos!
The PDF worksheet with the scales & arpeggios plus the licks in tab/notation is available to purchase separately below:
Lesson #1:
- Learn the first 2 licks over the G & C chords;
- Note by note break down for each lick;
- Learn the open position G Major Blues Scale.
Lesson #2:
- Learn all the other lick variations;
- Note by note break down for each lick;
- Slow play through the entire example.
Hot Major Blues Scale Licks: Mandolin Lesson #2
Lesson #3:
- Learn the movable one octave major blues scale;
- Learn the major arpeggio that is found inside the one octave major blues scale;
- Learn the movable major blues scale & arpeggio for G, C & D up the neck.
Hot Major Blues Scale Licks: Mandolin Lesson #3
Lesson #4:
Members Only- MP3 introduction lick example play-along & backing tracks (Key of G) at 3 tempos.