Yngwie Style

Hello fret board walkers! This post I'm going to talk about the playing of one of the smoothest players around, Yngwie Malmsteen. I first started learning Yngwie licks about 20 years ago and I am still far from mastering up to his fluid playing of them. However, 'trying' to play them has helped me along as a guitar player.

Rather than learn his licks note for note, I just learned the 'scale' or 'key' that he plays in often.

Dance around in this scale:
A Harmonic Minor: A B C D E F G# A
Make up chord progressions of:
A minor (A C E)
C major (C E G)
D minor (D F A)
E minor (E G B)
E major (E G# B)
F major (F A C)
G major (G B D)

Jam around in this key and you'll gradually get a feel for the Yngwie style!

Are you practicing?

Play your instrument every day! Otherwise, nothing happens! Zen guitar instruction 101!

C Major Scale Chords

As a beginning guitarist, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with your keys, beginning with the key of "C", which is all the natural notes, with no sharps nor flats in the key. Once you have mastered this key, then it is easier to graduate to the next key in the circle of 5ths, being "G". I found this pic to show the example of what I'm refering to.

Practice Practice Practice

Make sure that you practice today.  Pick up your guitar for at least 5 minutes a day (which will typically turn into many more minutes once you have it in your hands and playing).  Remember to use back-and-forth picking style when you play your scale runs, play everything slow and 'clearly' and build up your speed gradually as you go.  Finger your chords so that 'all' the notes ring clearly without any buzz.  Mix up your practice material, styles, and such so that you stay interested in playing.  Get a practicing partner to jam with, as this will help you both!  Most of all, have fun!

Pro Musician Training

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E Lydian

Last night I was playing around with the E lydian scale, which consist of the notes: E F# G# A# B C# D# E

It is basically the E major scale with a sharpened 4th. It has very tranquil tonal qualities and after dancing around with the chords and licks in this scale, I found that it made me very sleepy and tired, as if being lullabyed before bedtime. Very interesting!



Joe uses this scale often, as well as other modes, and you'll notice the sound when you're jamming with it.

Want to Play Guitar

I've created this blog as a reference area to those interested in guitar playing.



If you live in the North Seattle area, and are interested in having lessons, you can contact me via email. I look forward to helping you with your venture to becoming a better guitar player and musician.



Keep looking up! ~ Chris M.