In the world of rock blues guitar, innovation and evolution are the keys to staying ahead of the curve. If you’re looking to take your rock blues playing into the modern era, you’re in the right place. In this blog post, we’ll delve into a fascinating video transcript that breaks down a killer guitar lick by Phil X and provides nine essential tips to help you elevate your rock blues game.
Phil X and the Modern Rock Blues Scene
The video we’re exploring today draws inspiration from a clip featuring Phil X, a well-known rock guitarist. It’s evident that the rock and rock blues genre has moved beyond the confines of the traditional pentatonic scale. Musicians like Phil X, Joe Satriani, and even Robin Ford are pushing the boundaries, incorporating exciting new elements into their playing.
The Killer Guitar Lick
The centerpiece of this video is a captivating guitar lick, and we’ll break it down for you here:
- The lick is primarily played in E minor pentatonic on the 12th fret, but with additional notes for flavor.
- It follows a pattern of six notes, with a particular emphasis on maintaining a consistent right-hand pattern.
- Starting with a slide onto the 12th fret of the sixth string, the lick progresses through various notes, including the flat five, major third, and more.
9 Tips to Modernize Your Rock Blues Playing
Now, let’s explore the nine tips shared in the video to take your rock blues playing to the next level:
- Pentatonic Foundation: Begin by mastering the pentatonic scale, a fundamental in rock blues.
- Embrace the Blues Scale: Add the flat five to your repertoire, giving your playing that classic bluesy edge.
- Play with the Major Third: Experiment with bending the minor third to achieve a unique sound reminiscent of greats like Robin Ford.
- Incorporate the Ninth and Thirteenth: Extend your scale knowledge to include the ninth and thirteenth notes for added depth and versatility.
- Explore the Diminished Arpeggio: Utilize the diminished arpeggio from the root to create captivating phrases within your solos.
- Experiment with Half-Step Whole-Step Scale: Incorporate this scale to introduce a more modern and intriguing flavor to your playing.
- Consider Altered Chords: Understand how the half-step whole-step scale complements altered chords, adding complexity to your compositions.
- Chromatics for Dissonance: Don’t shy away from using chromatic notes to create dissonance and intriguing tonal contrasts.
- Strong Phrasing: While experimenting with these new techniques, remember to maintain the timeless blues feel and punctuate your solos with strong, recognizable phrases.
Putting It All Together
As you delve into these tips and techniques, remember that the key to mastering modern rock blues is experimentation. Mix and match these elements, and don’t be afraid to push the boundaries of your playing. The beauty of rock blues lies in its ability to evolve while still paying homage to its roots.
In conclusion, Phil X’s killer guitar lick and the nine tips shared in this video provide an exciting roadmap to modernizing your rock blues guitar playing. Embrace the innovation, experiment with new scales and techniques, but always keep that unmistakable blues soul alive in your music.
We hope you’ve found this blog post inspiring and informative. As you embark on your journey to modernize your rock blues guitar skills, remember to share your progress, and let the world hear the incredible music you create.
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