Welcome back, friends! If you’ve been following along, you’ll already know how much fun and freedom lead guitar can bring to playing. In the first video, we laid the groundwork: understanding chords, keys, moods, and learning the minor pentatonic scale. Now, it’s time to build on that foundation and take things to the next level.
And wow — thank you so much for all the kind words and lovely feedback on Part 1. It’s such a joy to share this journey together. Let’s dive in!
If you’re interested in improving your lead guitar playing, our LeadMaster course can help. It will teach you to effortlessly blend riffs and solos and understand the entire fretboard with confidence so you can become the musician you were meant to be. Learn more and join LeadMaster.
What’s Covered in This Video?
Here’s what we’ll explore in this exciting second chapter of our lead guitar journey:
- How to use root notes to anchor and resolve solos
- Playing the minor pentatonic scale over major chords
- A favorite lead guitar trick that sounds brilliant and is super simple
- Diagonal runs that zoom across the fretboard
- Atmospheric volume swells with delay and reverb (cheers Jack!)
Every single one of these adds color, range, and expression to your playing — whether you’re jamming alone or playing with mates.
Root Notes: The Lead Guitarist’s Compass
Root notes are like musical GPS. They help solos and phrases feel “complete.” In lead guitar playing, phrases almost always sound better when they resolve on the root note — it brings a sense of closure and harmony.
In the minor pentatonic scale, root notes appear three times across the pattern:
- On the 6th string
- In the middle of the pattern
- On the 1st string
Whether you’re playing in A minor, F minor, or any key — those root notes are always in the same relative places. Learning to land on these notes gives solos clarity, direction, and purpose. It’s what helps a guitarist sound seasoned instead of scrambled.
Playing the Minor Pentatonic Over Major Chords
This one’s a game-changer.
A lot of guitarists get comfy with the minor pentatonic — but then get stuck when the song is in a major key. Here’s the secret:
🎯 To use the minor pentatonic over a major chord, move the scale pattern three frets lower.
For example:
- If a song is in C major, use the A minor pentatonic.
- If it’s in D major, use the B minor pentatonic.
- If it’s in A major, use the F♯ minor pentatonic.
They’re called relative scales, and though the theory gets a bit deep, the technique is simple: down three frets = happy guitarist.
Just remember — when doing this, the root note shifts too. So don’t resolve your licks on the old minor root… aim for the major key’s root instead.
A Simple Trick: Octave Phrases
One of the fastest ways to add variety and depth to lead playing is by repeating a phrase an octave higher.
Let’s say you play a lick on the 3rd and 5th frets…now jump up to the 15th and 17th, and play the same thing. Boom — instant dynamic lift! It sounds richer and makes it seem like there’s more going on than there actually is (shhh, we won’t tell).
It’s a cracking way to broaden your sound, especially when you’re still mastering the fretboard.
Diagonal Runs: From Low to High, Smooth as Butter
Time to move beyond the box.
In this lesson, a simple trick is shared for creating diagonal runs — flowing licks that glide from the bass notes up through the midrange and into the high treble.
This involves:
- Starting a little below your regular pentatonic shape
- Sliding up through three “zones” of the neck
- Ending in a sweet high register with loads of tone and texture
It’s an incredibly fluid, flashy, and satisfying way to play. It opens up a broader note range and looks (and sounds) super cool — without being overly technical. Perfect for that “lead guitarist” moment in the spotlight.
Creating Soundscapes with Volume Swells (with Jack)
Jack closes out the video with a magical technique: volume swells.
By gently picking a note or chord and then slowly turning up the volume knob, you get a violin-like swell — soft, ambient, and gorgeous. Add a touch of delay or reverb, and suddenly you’re in Pink Floyd territory.
This trick works beautifully with:
- Ambient ballads
- Slow, emotive solos
- Psychedelic textures
- Or just when wanting to show off some tasteful flair!
Whether clean or with a bit of gain, this one’s pure musical atmosphere.
🎸 You’ve Got This!
Lead guitar isn’t about showing off. It’s about connecting with the music in a new, expressive way. This video arms you with powerful tools to start sounding better immediately — and it only gets more fun from here.
