Next Level Pentatonics

Skill Building Guitar Course from Jeffery Marshall

Mastery of the pentatonic scale is an essential skill for any serious guitarist. But relying on simple major and minor pentatonic scales can get old fast. In this exciting course, veteran guitarist Jeff Marshall uses simple techniques to take your usage of pentatonic scales to the next level. If you're looking to expand your knowledge of music theory and learn some incredible new lead and solo ideas, this course is perfect for you.

25 Lessons

Complete course with step-by-step lessons and practice examples.

Multi-Camera

Course filmed with 6 cameras for the perfect angles.

94% Appoval

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Full Course Breakdown

Jeff Marshall will highlight innovative ways to use the pentatonic scales that you're already familiar with. He'll break down concepts like root alteration, diminished and minor b5 pentatonics, and more. Each lesson will begin with the teaching of the concept at hand, followed by a practice session that will help you learn to apply the concept in a musical context.

1

Course Introduction

Join Jeff Marshall in this intensive new course that will take your knowledge of pentatonic scales to the next level.

3:41 Runtime

0.0 Difficulty

2

Pentatonic Sequences and Phrases

Before we can get into complex pentatonic substitutions, let's start with some simple phrases, sequences, and patterns based on our classic minor pentatonic.

19:12 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

3

The Mighty Minor Pentatonic - Part 1

We take a look at using different minor pentatonic shapes to create a modal sound over a minor root chord.

15:39 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

View this Lesson
4

The Mighty Minor Pentatonic - Part 2

Building on the previous lesson, we learn to apply minor pentatonic shapes over a major chord.

14:52 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

5

Pentatonic Substitution Strategies

We dive deeper into different pentatonic shapes and their relation to the CAGED system.

13:56 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

6

Altered Pentatonic Substitution

Using simple pentatonic substitution, we learn how to get some very complex and modern sounds when playing over a simple 2-5-1 turnaround.

16:20 Runtime

4.0 Difficulty

7

The “John Coltrane” Pentatonic

We learn a simple variation on the minor pentatonic shape to give us even more tonal possibilities.

15:05 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

8

Move the Root!

By simply moving the root of our pentatonic scale by a whole note, we can achieve unique and complex sounds quickly and easily.

15:41 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

9

Sidestepping!

We take the concept of the previous lesson and apply it in a different context by moving our pentatonic scale around in half-note increments.

16:46 Runtime

4.5 Difficulty

10

Mixolydian Pentatonics

We learn another simple pentatonic variation, this time focusing on outlining the dominant or Mixolydian scale.

14:44 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

11

Mixolydian to Lydian

By moving our dominant pentatonic shape over our root chord, we can lend a hip and modern Lydian sound to our playing.

12:07 Runtime

4.0 Difficulty

12

Imply the “5”

We discuss how to imply the sound of the 5 chord using a substituted pentatonic scale.

14:07 Runtime

4.0 Difficulty

13

Minor b5 Pentatonics

By flatting the fifth of our minor pentatonic, we can achieve a hip diminished sound that's ideal for bluesy soloing.

13:52 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

14

Dominant Sound with the Minor b5 Pentatonic

We learn another cool use case for our minor b5 pentatonic - creating a unique dominant sound when used over a major chord.

14:41 Runtime

4.0 Difficulty

15

Minor b5 Pentatonic Over the 2 Chord

We combine several different pentatonic substitution strategies to create a hip and modern sound when playing over a 2-5-1 turnaround.

15:41 Runtime

4.5 Difficulty

16

Lydian Sound with the Minor b5 Pentatonic

We use the minor b5 pentatonic to achieve a Lydian sound.

14:28 Runtime

4.0 Difficulty

17

Dorian Sound with the Minor b5 Pentatonic

We continue to explore the versatility of the minor b5 pentatonic, this time by using it to achieve a Dorian minor sound.

13:56 Runtime

4.0 Difficulty

18

Altered Sound with the Minor b5 Pentatonic

We find yet another application for the minor b5 pentatonic, this time using to imply an altered sound over a 2-5-1.

15:35 Runtime

4.5 Difficulty

19

Bebop Blues Pentatonic

We learn a hip 'bebop' pentatonic shape that gives our playing a funky and unique sound.

14:59 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

20

Diminished Pentatonics

Our next pentatonic scale is based on the diminished scale. We learn the shape and compare and contrast it to the full scale.

18:20 Runtime

4.0 Difficulty

21

Imply the 5 with a Diminished Pentatonic

We use our diminished pentatonic to imply a 5 chord over a static vamp, while also practicing our phrasing.

11:56 Runtime

4.0 Difficulty

22

Diminished Pentatonic 'Secret Weapon'

By simply moving our diminished pentatonic, we can achieve a unique and hip sound that pushes the ear in interesting ways.

15:29 Runtime

4.0 Difficulty

23

Whole Tone Pentatonic

We learn a new pentatonic sequence based on the whole-tone scale.

17:20 Runtime

4.5 Difficulty

24

Imply the 5 with a Whole Tone Pentatonic

We use the whole-tone pentatonic shape to imply the 5 over a vamping groove.

13:56 Runtime

4.5 Difficulty

25

Augmented Pentatonics

We take our whole-tone pentatonic shape and translate it into an augmented triad shape. We then apply this shape over a more complex chord form.

18:26 Runtime

4.5 Difficulty

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  • PrettyPlace, Michigan
  • Playing since 1981
  • 152 lessons at JamPlay


Jeffery has been a staple of the L.A. music scene for more than 30 years. Jeffery left his humble upbringings in Northern Michigan to attend Hollywood's own Musicians Institute in 1989. Upon graduating, he quickly immersed himself in the local music scene playing in a variety of bands, one of which included the band Hardware featuring Tod Howarth of Frehley's Comet, Ted Nugent, and Cheap Trick fame. In 1994 Jeff relocated to Dallas, Texas where he teamed up with alt rockers The Judas Engine and recorded guitars on their self-titled debut Rainmaker Records release. In the late 90's Jeffery relocated to Southern Ohio playing in various local acts where he further honed his craft as a reputable Blues/Rock guitarist. In the early 2000's Jeffery returned to the Los Angeles area and toured with a variety of national acts, which included Lisa Hayes and the Violets, and Pop/Country artist Ashley Jay. About this time is when he met Paul Vallis, the founder of UK's very own Bleeding Harp. Jeffery co-authored and produced Bleeding Harp's debut CD "Gotta Have", released in 2004. Bleeding Harp quickly rose through the ranks of the L.A. Blues scene, regularly playing venues such as Harvelle's, The Blue Cafe, The Coach House and the Catalina Island Blues Festival. In and about 2004 is when Jeffery met Country artist Rick Monroe. The two quickly hit it off as writing partners and Monroe's "Against the Grain" is a result of this pairing. Jeffery moved to Nashville and toured with Rick for a number of years, both in the U.S. and abroad. Rick's video of his Allman Brother's remake "Midnight Rider", which featured Jeffery on guitar and background vocals, was on regular rotation on country music's CMT. The group opened for a number of well-established acts including Dwight Yokum, Montgomery Gentry, and Kenny Wayne Shephard, to name a few.

In 2006 Jeffery returned to L.A. and began teaching at the world-renowned Musicians Institute, Guitar Institute of Technology where he currently resides as a full-time instructor. Jeffery teaches a variety of core classes including Single String Improv, Rhythm Guitar, Guitar Studio Skills, Rhythm Section Workshop, as well as private lessons. He has also written articles and created instructional YouTube videos for Guitar World Magazine. Jeff can be seen playing with guitar phenom Jeff Kollman in his solo group The Jeff Kollman Band and jazz/metal fusion band Cosmosquad at the world famous Baked Potato. He also plays lead guitar for season 4 of "The Voice" contestant Michael Austin in Michael Austin and the Law, which regularly performs at Gilley's Saloon in Las Vegas.
Reviews & Feedback 94/100 with 33 ratings
ng

Really cool stuff, thanks!

walteres

Great explanations and easy to follow. Enjoyed this lesson. Walter R

mesayre

Great tips for making modes more useable

Hbkbrewer

I loved this lesson the most yet

giujam1

Thank you Jeffery! I like your approach. you simplify concepts with good practice