What is the COUNTRY SCALE?

Рет қаралды 43,061

Күн бұрын

I often get asked in my videos what scales I am using to sound "country." Here in this video I outline an 8 note scale that can be used to make your playing sound more country!
Some notes about the scale,
-This is not a scale I came up with, the ideas for this were derived from a series of lessons and solos I've learned throughout the years.
-This is not a "real scale" from a theoretical standpoint. You can think of it as a hybrid scale, taking notes from both the major scale and the minor pentatonic.
-Learning the scale alone is not going to be enough, I tried to showcase a number of phrases that utilize these notes so you can get an idea of how they should sound in context. I suggest listening to a lot of great country guitarists so you can develop an ear for how these notes can be utilized.
Here's a link to a Country Guitar Playlist: open.spotify.com/playlist/0by...
If some of the licks and ideas I present here seem a little advanced I suggest checking out the following videos,
Beginners Guide to Country Guitar:
• The Beginners Guide to...
Beginner/Intermediate Guitar Licks
• 5 BEGINNER/INTERMEDIAT...
Country Double Stops (optional)
• How to Play COUNTRY DO...
One last thing to note, these are not the only notes you can play, a lot of players will add in other notes as well on top of this scale, (probably the major 7 and the flat 5 as passing tones) but this 8 note scale is a great place to start!
Any questions just leave them below!
If you've found these lessons helpful and want to support the coffee fund:
paypal.me/StevenHarms376?coun...
-Steve
0:00 What is the Country Scale?
06:05 Using the Minor 3rd
10:36 Bending Notes
14:16 Credit Where Credit's Due
15:28 Western Swing?
17:57 Using the Dominant 7
21:34 Repeating Pattern Lick
22:50 Moveable Shapes
25:02 Final Thoughts

Пікірлер: 138

@lamper2 4 ай бұрын

THANKS for doing what many teachers don't, YOU NAMED THE KEY! right at the start.

@highwaymoses 5 күн бұрын

keys are redundant in 2024

@brucehelppie6119 5 ай бұрын

thanks, steve...i own a tele and want to play country style, but nobody teaches it on youtube. this is very helpful.

@stevetharms 5 ай бұрын

Happy to help! I would check out Matheus Canteri here on YT, he has a lot of great country lessons, Jason Laughlin also has some awesome country content that might be worth checking out, and of course keep watching my videos 😂 hope this helps!

@Tuesdaysgone777 5 ай бұрын

Scott Groves at Groovy Music also does excellent country lessons

@sthubbins4038 3 ай бұрын

What’s also fun is realizing how many of these licks are used by Jimmy Page in Led Zeppelin to add country flavor to hard rock licks.

@nathancourtney2006 5 ай бұрын

Thanks great lesson. I can read tablature. But I get more of it watching you play.

@stevetharms 5 ай бұрын

Thank you, I thought about trying to tan everything out but was kinda all over the place so I just figured I’d leave it the way it was! Glad you’re getting something out of it!

@markc5057 Ай бұрын

I'm an old metal head trying to expand more into country and blues. Looked at a lot of youtube channels, and yours really stands out to me. Keep doing what you're doing.

@stevetharms Ай бұрын

So glad people are finding the stuff helpful, thanks for the feedback!

@leonard4054 5 ай бұрын

Just discovered your channel. I’ve been playing a long time, and I gotta tell you, your method of teaching this stuff is outstanding! Well done sir and thank you!

@stevetharms 5 ай бұрын

Appreciate the kind feedback, welcome to the channel!

@BreauxBobby 2 ай бұрын

@@stevetharms Do you have a site that people can "tip" you at for all the effort it takes to put these lessons together? I would tip you regularly. I watch these lessons a lot and I'm gaining some serious ground with my playing.

@stevetharms 2 ай бұрын

Appreciate you asking! I’ll see if I can get a link to my Venmo or PayPal in the video description

@stevetharms 2 ай бұрын

Hey man, finally got around to putting a PayPal link up, definitely don't feel obligated but if you wanna throw me some coffee money I'd be honored! I'll also add a link in the video description. paypal.me/StevenHarms376?country.x=US&locale.x=en_US

@BreauxBobby 2 ай бұрын

@@stevetharms Add it to your description of your channel where your links are at, so that people can bless you back. And put it in each video.

@mosheteitz7441 5 ай бұрын

This is stellar. It addresses a lot of the questions I’ve had and has useful explanation/examples. Very good intermediate level explanations. Really like this Steve!

@stevetharms 5 ай бұрын

awesome, glad you got something out of it!

@frankstephenson1746 4 ай бұрын

Holy smokes man You packed a lot of tips into 26 min. I’m the typical blues/rock guy that plays county like a blues guy. You opened a couple things up for me, thanks a lot!

@stevetharms 4 ай бұрын

Rock on! Glad you found it useful!

@ElmanAuthement 5 ай бұрын

Just stumbled across your page. Man, if all of your lessons are this good, I'll be visiting a bunch.

@stevetharms 5 ай бұрын

appreciate it, thanks for checking it out!

@Hoodrio 4 ай бұрын

This lesson is pure GOLD. Thanks so much and please keep them coming!

@mudwiser1391 Ай бұрын

Glad I found your channel. Some great info and your explanation is top notch.

@stephentheyounger9235 Ай бұрын

Solid stuff, man. Great intro to country pickin!

@mcjc7807 3 ай бұрын

This is a really good tutorial lesson. Thanks for putting this together.

@Echocat59 6 күн бұрын

Great lesson. Great playing. Subscribed. Thank you

@1970Richiez 4 ай бұрын

Im a fan, I can tell you and me are going to be great friends... please dont stop making these videos you are great and love your content.. its right up my alley Thank you

@martynspooner5822 5 ай бұрын

Excellent lesson full of relevant and sensible information, thanks for sharing your knowledge.

@stevetharms 5 ай бұрын

My pleasure!

@Docsjeff 4 ай бұрын

Man,this helped me a lot. Thx for sharing. I’ve been a frontman rythm player for 45 years but now in a new band and needing to play more leads. This was very helpful.

@blakevanhouten1672 19 күн бұрын

Been wanting to dig into this style and until haven’t found a lesson that has made sense to me. Well done!

@PatDeJongeSoundwise 4 ай бұрын

nice! thanks for the video, very clear and structured. Well done buddy!

@benbush1227 5 ай бұрын

Thank you for your lessons, top shelf! Sure nuff a blessing !

@stevetharms 5 ай бұрын

Thank you, glad you like em!

@Texas1836Band 4 ай бұрын

Without a doubt, you’re the best source of lessons for country guitar on the internet! I also appreciate your references to the CAGED system which really helps me greatly. Please do more lessons in G and D. Thanks and keep on giving us this musical mana. 👍

@ronmorey3475 2 ай бұрын

You're a great teacher! Thanks!

@Azariel98 4 ай бұрын

Im big on Waylon Jennings and been looking forward to learning some scales to try to get that sound, this is what I needed! Thanks!

@Dlee966 4 ай бұрын

Good video man!! Keep em coming

@meloysmusicstudio 3 ай бұрын

Very helpful - THANK YOU!

@jonalexander8935 4 ай бұрын

Great Lesson Steve. Southern and classic rock is full of these awesome licks, scales, and fills. You are such a great (freely giving) resource. In my day we had to put on a cassette and explore.. Thanks for your time sir. God Bless you and yours!! 🙂

@stevetharms 4 ай бұрын

Thanks so much!

@NicholasStein 2 ай бұрын

You explained the concept very well. I play Grateful Dead, 20th century jazz standards, and classic rock tunes. I have always wondered how Jerry Garcia, Johnny Highland, Greg Koch and Chet Atkins got that sound. You solved that riddle for me. The added minor third and Mixolydian 7th really makes that sound is a nice addition to my arsenal of tools. Thank you for opening up my playing.

@FrugalBC 2 ай бұрын

Great stuff man - love how you handle the lessons. Straightforward and understandable. I appreciate it!

@stevetharms 2 ай бұрын

Thanks for the feedback! Glad you found it useful!

@FrugalBC 2 ай бұрын

@@stevetharms Very much and I look forward to watching more of your videos!

@carlhuffman6792 5 ай бұрын

This is a very nice useful lesson can’t wait for your next your next lesson on your 1 4 5 positions u referenced to as well thank you sir I have not witnessed a single bad lesson from u yet and I appreciate your style of teaching thank you 😊

@stevetharms 5 ай бұрын

Appreciate that, hope to start working on that video this next week!

@patricklane2623 5 ай бұрын

Thanks heaps, great lesson

@parismetro2012 3 ай бұрын

surperb Steve and many thanks!

@j11smith 2 ай бұрын

Great video lesson. Opened up the idea door perfectly

@stevetharms 2 ай бұрын

Perfect!

@KevinSaundersPaperAirplaneGuru 3 ай бұрын

Nice lesson, thanks!

@johnmacmillan627 4 ай бұрын

Great lesson, thx!

@BrandonAlbert 4 ай бұрын

So good, thanks a ton Steve!

@normanddaviau8787 5 ай бұрын

Tank you for your great teaching

@stevetharms 5 ай бұрын

You're welcome!

@thechetpicker 2 ай бұрын

Awesome video. I've happily subscribed 👍

@stevetharms 2 ай бұрын

Thank you sir! 🙏

@johnwarren5492 3 ай бұрын

Good video. I liked it a lot.

@garycates5194 4 ай бұрын

Finally had someone make it make sense for starters. Thanks!

@stevetharms 4 ай бұрын

This is where it all starts! Glad it made sense

@guitar01able 5 ай бұрын

Great lesson! I love this scale, gonna start using this shape as it adds a couple notes. I’ve been using the minor pentatonic with the major 3rd, flat 5 and maj6 and it comes pretty close to being this same thing!

@stevetharms 5 ай бұрын

Yeah the real magic comes from being able to switch between the two shapes, sounds like you got it figured out!

@guitar01able 5 ай бұрын

@@stevetharms kinda 😂

@felixayala05 5 ай бұрын

Great stuff. Subscribed. Thank you.

@stevetharms 5 ай бұрын

Thanks for the sub! Glad you found the channel!

@Kevin_Fallin 5 күн бұрын

New subscriber here. Thanks for the video! Your lessons have been awesome! I'm an intermediate primarily worship guitarist with some blues and rock "flair" looking to expand my musical vocabulary. This was a perfect and very comprehensive intro to country guitar. I also watched your "how to create country guitar tone" video and was able to create a Helix patch based off of your recommendations that sounds 👌👌🙌. Thanks again for the highly informative content!

@stevetharms 5 күн бұрын

Glad you found the channel!

@bruceewing166 4 ай бұрын

Thanks Steve A great quick scale to get some country licks down. A blues guy.

@stevetharms 4 ай бұрын

Hope it helps!

@jameswhite5806 5 ай бұрын

Excellent stuff

@stevetharms 5 ай бұрын

Thank You!

@TCoulter1 5 ай бұрын

Pure gold dude! For the theory challenged like me.

@toddwilliams3224 Ай бұрын

I’ve been playing a while and am just now learning country guitar, your videos are really helping me get there quickly! You’re a great teacher, thanks for making these. Btw, Rogue is awesome too, are you in PNW?

@larrywithrow5876 5 ай бұрын

Absolutely awesome Steve. You are an amazing teacher 👊🎸 Thank you for all you do for us wanna be guitar players😎

@stevetharms 5 ай бұрын

You bet…this was a fun one to make!

@DavidShepard-ke9su 2 ай бұрын

WOW. New to your channel. Thank you.

@stevetharms 2 ай бұрын

You bet, thanks for checking out the channel!

@gibfen1235 4 ай бұрын

Love your videos but will have to come back to this later. :)

@haramismusicalhardware 5 ай бұрын

Great lesson.

@stevetharms 5 ай бұрын

Thanks! 😃

@caleshtcincredibles 5 ай бұрын

That was a fun tasty and very useful lesson

@stevetharms 5 ай бұрын

Glad to hear it, thanks for the feedback!

@user-hr2kq5lt4c 4 ай бұрын

Great lesson! Not a lot of good country based lessons out there. Loved this one. Do you play that scale over a minor chord or is there a variation?

@stratocumulusnimbostratus328 5 ай бұрын

Great stuff thanks

@stevetharms 5 ай бұрын

You bet

@user-cw2sc3zw1d Ай бұрын

THANKS MAN!!!

@jamescarlucci9867 3 ай бұрын

Very Good video

@alancosens 4 ай бұрын

That's a pretty frickin' schweet guitar sound you got there Bro.

@stevetharms 4 ай бұрын

Thank you! It’s all from the line6 helix in this video

@Docsjeff 4 ай бұрын

Your music room looks a lot like mine w/the mandolin and the psg.& a few guitars. I’m thinking bout getting a Vic AC30.Ive always been a Twin guy.

@1man1guitarletsgo 5 ай бұрын

For me, country guitar solos are usually based on the major scale of the song's key, and involve a fair amount of chromatic runs, on all the strings, along with pedal steel style bends and double stops. Pretty much like Steve describes here, but (in my case, anyway) not worrying too much about whether I'm playing a minor fourth or whatever. it just has to sound country.

@rlittlefield2691 3 ай бұрын

Thanks I have been playing guitar since 1969 never saw scale before. Except I think I have people playing it.

@drewcaster 3 ай бұрын

Not a theory expert but I believe the b7 in a major makes it mixolydian and the b3 is obviously minor, so I suppose this is mixing minor and mixolydian. Cool lesson!

@johnhartley3022 4 ай бұрын

Great lesson ! Western swing = country jazz. The changes are way different than red dirt country

@Flat_Stanley 2 ай бұрын

What model tele is this? Is the neck pup stock? This guitar looks and sounds great!

@stevetharms 2 ай бұрын

Nothing stock about it lol, it’s a partscaster I bought used and then modified a bit more myself. Neck is a tv Jones filtertron with a SD quarter pounder in the bridge

@SyntagmaStation 3 ай бұрын

I just did a rare thing: I subscribed to a KZfaq channel.

@stevetharms 3 ай бұрын

Appreciate it! Thanks for the sub!!

@garlandpoolfredpool 2 ай бұрын

Subscribed! What kind of compressor pedal do you use?

@stevetharms 2 ай бұрын

🙏 I use a Keeley compressor

@lorenvguitar614 5 ай бұрын

Good stuff, although the scale is based out of the G caged shape. Excellent lesson

@dry509 3 ай бұрын

Thanks. How are you getting that country tone, sound, or twang?

@stevetharms 3 ай бұрын

I have a whole video where I go into this! Check out the video on “how to get country tone” on my channel!

@danaparsons854 2 ай бұрын

Sounds to me😀

@davidivanjosephsalonia4566 4 ай бұрын

Brother, Thank You very much. Your Spirit which is Peace, makes doves land in trees. Brings daylight, and the nightime, Spins a galaxy. Cheers🍺🙏🎉

@shannonlamb5155 5 ай бұрын

Would love more tab graphics.

@davidpearce2514 23 күн бұрын

my uncle played for bob wills alot

@sjdanthem 5 ай бұрын

For better or probably worse, I've always started my scales with that pinky note on the root. In some ways it's good because early on I was stretching the pinky for the 7, but, I don't know, nobody I know visualizes stuff that way and they are all better than I am. :-) Anyway, to me this is a just mixolydian scale with an added flat 3, no?

@stevetharms 5 ай бұрын

Yep it’s the same scale, I just felt to relate it to the major scale since more players are familiar with that and not the modes…

@sjdanthem 5 ай бұрын

@@stevetharms Very cool. I love it. I'm not much of a chicken picker but that looks like a great minor/major "toggle" scale. Very much appreciated.

@thomasd9237 3 ай бұрын

👍👍

@spudvader 5 ай бұрын

Is that a Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounder in the bridge?

@stevetharms 5 ай бұрын

Yes it is!

@generivers9566 3 ай бұрын

Nice guitar, I would love to know what kind it is?

@gizmo1613 3 ай бұрын

Fender Telecaster

@generivers9566 3 ай бұрын

@@gizmo1613 thanks, enjoying the videos your a great musician.

@Terrysoddy 2 ай бұрын

How did you get a tele like that, nice

@stevetharms 2 ай бұрын

Got the body used and put the rest together myself 😂

@Terrysoddy 2 ай бұрын

@@stevetharms nice guitar

@davidpearce2514 23 күн бұрын

you are playing in e major, if you move that scale back 7 frets, it is a major, then up 2 is b major. so you use that position in e, the second in a while playing the a chord and so on...

@bigknuckle9689 5 ай бұрын

So, if its basically a major scale with a flatted 7, wouldn't it be Mixolydian?

@stevetharms 5 ай бұрын

Yep same thing!

@Docsjeff 24 күн бұрын

Think about where your thumb needs to be on those bends.

@richsackett3423 4 ай бұрын

Thought it said, "How To Sound Dorky". Sure, I'll bite.

@thezootsuits8151 3 ай бұрын

Love this. I first came across that G/G# dissonance with guitarist Ray Flacke (obv Pete Anderson too). Listen to Ray on Meal Ticket's "Rural Routes" kzfaq.info/get/bejne/obFooduB06zWpXU.htmlsi=ahF0OXkZqH_M9WYD

@user-xr8yj8ic8u 5 ай бұрын

This is just major pentatonic and minor pentatonic in the same area.

@user-xr8yj8ic8u 5 ай бұрын

It's also called the "composite blues scale."

@stevetharms 5 ай бұрын

close but not quite...no flat 5 in this scale

@AP-ui7oi 5 ай бұрын

Flat 7 is mixo simple

@dynamicalan Ай бұрын

Go ahead and spell it as an augmented 2nd - If it's all 4 notes on the E String there is no half step above the E.

@stevetharms Ай бұрын

What part are you referring to? Normally we’d call that a minor third, some note as a raised 2nd though.

@markjovanelli2607 5 ай бұрын

Sorry to much yap for me to put up with along with the naming of the notes.

@johncarlo7395 3 ай бұрын

Not a very good Telecaster sound, it didn't have what I call a good Chicken Pickin' sound.

@rohanbadenhop5944 3 ай бұрын

It's not teaching the chickin pickin lick... It's about he scale. Armed with that you can learn to pluck your own chickin... But then it's up to you as it's all about the timin and rymin...

@johnwarren5492 3 ай бұрын

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