Guitar Lab: Blues Scale Modes

Intensive Examination of Blues Scale Modes for Soloing & Improvisation

Marty FriedmanTommy EmmanuelSteve VaiEric GalesEric Johnson

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Guitar Lab: Blues Scale Modes

About this course

Hi, I'm Brad Carlton. Welcome to Guitar Lab: Blues Scale Modes. This course is designed to develop your skill at knowing where you are rhythmically and harmonically in a 12 bar blues form. You'll learn the modes of the blues scale and will be given various approaches for organizing your note selection so that you will always have the option of targeting chord tones. This principle enables a monophonic line (one note at a time) to articulate the harmonies which will help your solos sound more cohesive and melodic.

What you'll learn

  • Connect scale positions to chord changes in blues context
  • Understand how to apply blues scale modes over different chords in a 12-bar blues
  • Develop new improvisational ideas beyond static blues scale playing
  • Understand the concept of target notes for stronger phrasing
  • Recognize that the root note is the strongest target for phrase resolution
Release date: 11/01/2018 • 1h 37m runtime
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Sample lessons
The Blues Scale Pt. 1
The Blues Scale Pt. 1
Theory
The Blues Scale Pt. 2
The Blues Scale Pt. 2
Mode I

What's included

15 lessons • 14 charts • 4 Jam Tracks

Guitar Lab: Blues Scale Modes
Hi, I'm Brad Carlton. Welcome to Guitar Lab: Blues Scale Modes. This course is designed to develop your skill at knowing where you are rhythmically and harmonically in a 12 bar blues form. You'll learn the modes of the blues scale and will be given various approaches for organizing your note selection so that you will always have the option of targeting chord tones. This principle enables a monophonic line (one note at a time) to articulate the harmonies which will help your solos sound more cohesive and melodic.
12 Bar Blues
In this lesson, I'll give an overview of the 12 bar blues progression.
The Blues Scale Pt. 1
This lesson will examine the blues scale in a piano style format where you'll play the root of the I7, IV7, and V7 in the bass while playing each note of the blues scale. The purpose of this exercise is to hear the sonic result that occurs when the bass note changes underneath the melody.
The Blues Scale Pt. 2
Mode I of the blues scale consists of the following scale degrees: 1, b3 4, #4 (b5), b7. It contains the following I7 chord tones: 1, 5 b7.
The Blues Scale Pt. 3
Mode III of the blues scale consists of the following scale degrees: 1, b2, 2, 4, 5, b7. It contains the following IV7 chord tones: 1, 5 b7. Available extensions are: 9 (2) and 11 (4).
The Blues Scale Pt. 4
Mode V of the blues scale consists of the following scale degrees: 1, b3 (#9), 4, #5, 5, b7, 7. It contains the following V7 chord tones: 1 and the b7. Available altered chord tones are: #9 (b3) and #5.
The I7 IV7 Move Pt. 1
This lesson will demonstrate various approaches of targeting the roots of the I7 and IV7 chords.

+ 8 more lessons

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Reviews

14 results

Fredd B.

06/07/26

Great Course

Al principio me pareció un curso difícil de seguir y entender, ya que no lograba comprender bien el material adjunto. Sin embargo, a medida que fui avanzando en los videos, todo comenzó a tomar sentido y pude entender mejor la estructura del contenido. Además, me ayudó a darme cuenta de varios factores importantes que se deben considerar durante la progresión del blues, aspectos que muchas veces uno simplemente toca sin saber exactamente por qué funcionan. Fue una experiencia muy enriquecedora para comprender mejor la teoría detrás de lo que hago al tocar.

LoungeActor

04/07/26

Maybe the missing piece to the puzzle?

Another great course - full of content. I would say not for a beginner to the blues, however. I have been playing the blues as a serious hobbyists for a fair amount of time. I always struggled to have my solos sound melodic and coherent. I knew I was missing something - but did not know what it was. This course helped me find that missing piece and put me back on track with my journey - making real progress to that next level for me.

Derij

Verified buyer

12/15/25

Intermediate content

A great deal to get through a lot you may already know but still a good buy.

RDeLoach

Verified buyer

03/16/25

Another winner from Brad Carlton

As usual, Brad Carlton comes through with another stellar course. Well worth the time to dive in and learn more of his nuggets of wisdom.

pipo76

Verified buyer

08/26/21

Awesome

Loved it. I finally got my blues chops down this time. It was just what the doctor ordered. Thank you so much. Really paid out.!

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