All Masterclasses

• In this masterclass, we focused on a fundamental skill that many guitarists overlook: how to make your phrasing follow the chord changes. Playing the right scale is not enough—without connecting to the harmony, your solo will sound correct but meaningless.
  

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  Introduction

  The starting point is clear: many players use the “right” scale but their solos don’t say anything. Why? Because they ignore the chord progression. The goal of this session was to show a simple, practical way to start changing that—no useless theory, only music.

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  🔍 Section 1 – The Problem: Playing “On Top”

  We began by showing the most common issue:

  • Using a single scale (like the minor pentatonic) over the entire progression.
  • Even if the notes are “correct,” nothing changes when the chords change—so the solo has no story.

  We distinguished between:

  • Playing “on top” – ignoring the changes and staying in one tonal center.
  • Playing “inside” – targeting the chord tones of each chord, even with just two or three notes, so that the phrases move with the harmony.

  A simple comparison between two licks—one ignoring the changes, one following them—made the difference obvious.

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  Section 2 – Practical Method: Guiding the Changes

  Next, we introduced a practical framework using the turnaround I–IV–I–V (C7 – F7 – C7 – G7).

  1. Start with simple 3-note voicings for each chord.
  2. Build phrases around guide tones (root, 3rd, 7th).
  3. Demonstration:
     • Phrase on C7 using root and 3rd.
     • Adjust the line on F7 using its new chord tones.
     • Move to G7, again shifting the phrase to fit the harmony.

  The result: instead of random licks, your solo tells the story of the progression.

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  Section 3 – The Core Exercise

  To make it actionable, we worked on a very simple but powerful drill: two notes per chord.

  • C7: G (5th), B♭ (7th)
  • F7: A (3rd), E♭ (7th)
  • G7: B (3rd), F (7th)

  Even with just two notes per chord, you can create clear, melodic phrases. This proves that you don’t need dozens of scales—what matters is intention and awareness of where you are in the progression.

In this Masterclass, we dive deep into the role of rhythm guitar in blues, exploring different styles from Chicago Blues to the Texas Shuffle, up to modern influences from Steve Cropper, Robben Ford, and Kirk Fletcher.

We’ll break down feel, dynamics, and timing, with practical examples based on legendary songs like Hoochie Coochie Man, Pride and Joy, and Stormy Monday.

Masterclass dedicated on how to play "Why I sing the blues" (BB KING)

Learn how to elevate your guitar playing with this in-depth masterclass on shuffle comping rhythms! This session is perfect for all skill levels, offering step-by-step techniques to master essential jazz and blues patterns.

• Jazz Charleston Patterns: Foundational rhythms to enhance syncopation and dynamic feel.
• Pattern Variations: Add complexity and texture by combining and reversing rhythms.
• Call & Response: Create musical conversations with engaging rhythmic interplay.
• Full Integration: Build a 12-bar blues shuffle incorporating all the techniques covered.

• Introduction to Major Pentatonic
  While often taken for granted as minor, the major pentatonic plays a key role in bridging modal concepts with the “5-note world.”
• Fretboard Mapping and Pentatonic Patterns
  Breaking down the major pentatonic into single octaves and various “boxes” allows for horizontal and flexible scale exploration.
• Practical Pattern Application
  Creating adaptable patterns gives a versatile melodic tool for improvisation in various contexts.
• Major, Minor, Add6, and Min6 Pentatonics
  Mixing these pentatonics creates fresh sounds on Maj7, Min7, and Dom7 chords. Special focus on the Min6 pentatonic, ideal over Dom7 and Altered chords.

In this Masterclass we will learn to play the song "Love is a simple thing" from the album "Room For Joy" by Davide Pannozzo.

Introduction:

• Understanding the importance of timing in creating groove and dynamics in blues music.

What is Timing?

• Definition and significance of precise note placement in relation to the beat.

What is Rhythm?

• Explanation of rhythmic patterns and time signatures (e.g., 4/4, 12/8).

Playing with a Metronome:

• Using a metronome to internalize a consistent tempo and improve timing.

Metronome Exercises:

1. Basic Quarter Notes: Develop a steady beat.
2. Eighth Notes: Improve beat subdivision.
3. Triplets: Master the triplet feel.
4. Syncopation: Develop rhythmic complexity.
5. Accents and Dynamics: Enhance expressiveness.
6. Groove and Feel: Combine elements to create a compelling groove.

• Introduction to Fretboard Mapping: Building on concepts from Masterclass #100, using the Pentatonic Add6 scale to enhance understanding of the fretboard. This scale is essentially a minor pentatonic minus the 7th, resembling a stripped-down Dorian scale.
• Key Learning Points:
  • Scale Expansion Across the Fretboard: Learn how to extend the Pentatonic Add6 scale across various positions on the fretboard, challenging traditional perspectives and enabling new playing freedoms.
  • Application Over Chord Changes: Apply the scale over chords that fit within major scale harmonization (e.g., F#min7b5, Amin7, D7, Bmin7) and explore its use in common progressions like I-IV (A7 to D7, and A7-D7-E7).
• Goal of the Masterclass: This session aims to deepen your technical skills and harmonic understanding, fostering greater creative expression on the guitar.

Questions and Answers session.

Topics covered:

• Using the min7b5 arpeggio over the 7 chord
• 7th chord voicing
• Tritone substitution in the I IV progression
• Comping and soloing over the blues progression
• Advanced applications of the min7b5 arpeggio on min7 and dom7 chords (using scale shapes and arpeggios in alternative ways)
• Making scales sound better (String Skipping and application on Min Penta, Add6, Melodic, Diminished)

In this class, you will learn how to play "Wild Turkeys" from the "Room for Joy" album.

In this class, we'll talk about how to organize your phrasing using techniques like motifs, accents, dynamics, and organizing your improvisation in 4-8-12 bars periods.

In this focused session, we'll learn how to play Maj7 and Min7 arpeggios.