Robben Ford Blues Masterclass: How to master the diminished scale
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- Опубліковано 19 сер 2015
- "The diminished scale seems to loom large in my legend…" A blues masterclass from Robben Ford. For the full lesson, with tab (and interview): bit.ly/robbenfordmasterclass
Originally published in Guitarist magazine 398, in October, 2015.
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"You're playing music no matter what you're doing" - I like this approach :)
Robben is the teacher we all want, yes?
This is one of those videos I watched a few years back and didn't understand a word. Watching it again now and understand pretty much all of it. That's cool! Hang in there, you who can't understand a word, for a while later you may
Loool I was gonna post this comment but I knew I couldn't be the only one!
Same here - been coming back to it for years now and getting a little more out of it every time.
Backwards law!
I still don't really understand it but yeah it's much better than two years ago or so :D was practicing arpeggios and some scales since then. So it makes much more sense. It all comes together like puzzle somehow
So your english has improved or what?
The first time I ever heard Robben Ford play a guitar was when I walked into a guitar store about 30 years ago to buy a set of strings. I was a young metal head back then and I didn't pay much mind to the jazzy, urban blues fused guitar magic that was playing over the store music system. In the span of time it took me to ask for a set of strings and pay for them, I had stopped what I was doing and was just awe struck by the slick, creamy tones I heard pouring from this dude's guitar. I asked who he was and they said Robben Ford. When I left the guitar store, I went straight to the record store and bought this cat's CD, "Talk To Your Daughter." I still have that CD (and many others from him). I immediately set out to learn every song and every lick on that CD.
About 10 years later, Robben Ford signed it for me at a gig he played in Rochester, New York.
Truly one of the most talented musicians of his generation and one of the most underrated.
Great story bro! 🎸
House of Guitars?
Does play heavy fuzz tones with delay echo.A Creamola fizz of fuzz.
Great story Chris - I had a similar epiphany at 11 or 12 years of age hearing 'Disraeli Gears' for the first time. Robben is an inspiration...
Love your story and also Robben Ford!
As somewhat of a beginner this is a lot like explaining calculus to a cat. There is so much to learn it is quite daunting. I love watching and listening to Robben explain how he plays and maybe some day it will make a bit more sense.
Hi. Please remember this is "art" So many kids these days get lost in the blinding amount of information out there. Keep it simple. Build a foundation, move forward.
The diminished scale always reminds me of an old cartoon where one of the characters is tip-toeing across a room to avoid one of his enemies
Kind of like Wile Y. Coyote and the Roadrunner?
Sylvester the cat
Andres Castillo ha ha, exactly
A lot of old cartoons use sort of gypsy jazz/oriental stuff I have noticed
Yep....the villain is tying the heroine to the railroad track in an old silent movie...diminished...love it 😎
This dude is an absolute gift.
private lessons would be nice....
if your name is Rockefeller perhaps...@@stepitupandgo67
maybe not even then...!!! haha
U can infinitely learn from guys like Robben. He's forgotten more then I'll ever learn. That tid bit about not being afraid to play the scale itself, is actually gold.
Saw Robben perform around 1975 with Charlie Musselwhite's band and Robben Ford on piano. When the band played "Blu Stu," Robben's virtuosity really displayed itself...he was maybe 18 years old at the time. When Robben played the alto sax, the crowd was stunned in awe. Then he did the guitar and we were speechless for hours later.
It doesn't even matter what he's teaching. He could be talking about nuts&bolts and that hypnotic voice and mannerism would smooth all your worries away. You just want to hear him talk. Forever.
Totally agree. I could watch him explain things all day.
Yeah he is a great teacher
+Agtronic Are you sure you really mean that? You only said it three times. ;)
+Greg Vinson And I thought it hadn't worked at all. I kept getting an error message when hitting submit. Fixed it! Thanks,
+AnalogOpher Exactly my feelings! His teachings are therapeutic. Getting hooked onto them. Quite rare thing to happen actually to grab one's attention at a stretch. God bless him!
His guitar is so warm and sparkly! Makes me feel bubbly inside!🥰
Thank Christ for Robben Ford. He makes it all make so much sense.
Robben Ford is so positive and encouraging. I wish every guitar teacher took a lesson from him...
I could literally listen to him forever, thanks for existing Robben.
Now I know how my dog feels when he watches t.v....
+Scott Waszak Maybe you should stick to The Muppets & leave this to the adults.
That was funny
Hahaha, too funny, and true for me, too.
Ruh Roh 🐶
That's a good line. Thanks - you made me laugh.
Still watching in 2019, I learn so much from these masters.
Tiger Walk was the first RF solo album I heard, I was blown away by the ingenuity of the progressions, the guy just exudes a love of music.
Robben was a star when my son was born. 1973. And again in Coutances 2 days ago.2024. Stunning musician.I,m workin on the HSWS scale and I am inspired by Rob again Love the man.
I just love the way this guy plays. Even when he’s just strumming it sounds beautiful and hypnotic. What a gift the guy’s got.
Spent my youth listening and watching Robbens tuitional videos as much as listening to his albums - still my biggest inspiration. Awesome.
I've been working on dim scales for years, and still I get insights from Robben on how to use about them in such musical and simple ways. Love this dude.
greatest clean tone I´ve ever heard in my life.
Thank you! It's now November 2019, and I watch your lessons over again, and years later I hope, I understand them better! So, thanks!
Robben, I've been a fan of your work for many years. This is great!
Such an amazing touch! His phrasing is perfect. No matter what he’s playing through it always sounds like Robben Ford. 🙌🏽
I just heard this guy yesterday and by chance I was just ready for this... this guy speaks my language... thank you guitarist mag. and thank Robben fordyou
Robben is a master player. Easily my favourite of all time. I greatly appreciate that he is taking the time to impart his knowledge for all to learn. This video is so valuable!
The World's greatest guitar tutor.
Mickey Baker, wow my all time favorite book for learning jazz chords. When i first heard Wes Montgomery I new my regular bar chords weren't working anymore and i learned a bunch from that book great for beginners.
Whoouuuwwww!
Lesson, sound and this awesome SVL Strat are in one line with the wonderfull Mr. Ford!
All is unbelievable perfect.
Not just an excellent master lesson; it’s a master lesson by the legendary master himself!
it makes me happy that I understood some of this lesson. I still have a long way to go, but thanks for uploading! I like the "feel" of the diminished scale and will definitely focus on adding that to my catalog. Thanks again!
Great lesson! Robben Ford as good at teaching as performing? Amazing all over again. So many of his tunes... I never get tired of hearing over and over. Monster talent! Thanks!
what a great teacher man! he has just a great way of explaining himself through music. thank you sir!
Robben Ford - excellent musicianship ! I heard you YEARS ago in Victoria B.C. - so inspiring ! Also clear and articulate teaching - thanks so much !
The way he attacks the strings is absolutely beautiful!
Thank you Roben, I saw you play at the Mystic in Petaluma. You are so wonderful that when you stopped.
We didn't clap. You leaned over and said "was I so good I left you speechless." We went crazy because that's exactly what you did. Always a pleasure.
Iron American Dream on UA-cam.
Been listening to Robben since 1971. charles ford band is untouchable. His new music is adult but rockin blues. God Bless his kind heart
As usual, awesome. Thanks Guitarist mag and the brilliant and charming Robben Ford. ♥
each of the licks he played is soo sweet.. can't wait to try them out!
I like Robben Ford not only because he seems to be a nice guy and gives great concerts, but also because apparently he has discovered music in real life practice thanks to his intuition and talent, turning it into a personal voice and style. He's a doer. What he explains here are in fact essential ingredients for playing and improvising good music.
When he says "man" it's the best feeling in the world...... such a great instructional piece!!!
Take to heart his mention of the Mickey Baker Jazz Guitar Book # 1. The first lesson is 26 of the most useful chords you will ever learn. Been playing over 50 years and use them every day!
Such a fresh perspective on the Blues. I attended one of Robben's Master Classes when he lived in Ojai and it was an eye opener. I probably only absorbed 10% of the technique he has to offer but his approach to music is almost as great as his playing.
Thanks Robben and Guitarist magazine. Much appreciated.
I've had a lot of people explain RF's approach to the diminished scale... It never felt, "portable" until the man himself explained that it's all about V to I. Now I get it. I'm going to practice this today.
Treasure between your fingerboard... Robben, I met you once in LA at one of your gigs, a true sweetheart of a human being, your kind is becoming too rare but there's hope because of cats like you... been a huge admireor ever since my teens. I want you to know you that your teachings (especially like this one) and music have undoubtably made a huge contribution/impact to the music community and your legend will live forever. You pave the way as a pinnacle example for others to follow, a how-to lesson in life by giving back to society as much as you do in this CRAZY world we live in and there is simply no equal. Larry Carlton the great? ... maybe but you have contributed the most, you really make a difference in this world, we should all thank the universe for you brother!!! I sure do.
The more I watch RF the more I like him. Great role model for guitarists.
Your very kind to share this. God bless you man. 🙂
Your an incredible player.
Invaluable lesson. And so clearly explained. Yes, years of working on what he says.
Greatest reverb ever heard by anyone ever
swardmusic
I wonder how much of that reverb comes from the room..
His voice also echoes a bit so I guess it’s not only the amp.
Thanks Robben! I love Miles too. I didn’t realize he used the diminished scale.
This lesson is pretty dang good. Guitar and tone are just outstanding.
This video instruction is incredible in how it shows the complexity of music!
Great to see and hear Robben on a Strat. Fantastic!
I love how Robben loves to impart his knowledge, getting deep in to theory, then just throwing theory out the window and saying 'just find out how to do it - however'.
Then, when all that theory is learned. He is the most abandoned guitar player in the whole world. Not relying on any theory at all. Truly magical.
He just rips it up to fuck. In the sweetest way.
Man, I love Robben. Truly a guitarist's guitarist.
123ubuntu666 And, apparently, he can't even read music.
Vic Toza he can read. Probably not as well as he’d like. Believe me, he can read pretty well.
Thanks, Robben. I'm late to the guitar world. But certain voices I gravitate to. And your humble character shines bright, brother. So I'm all ears to your instruction.
Thanks Robben You are such a class act on every level
I spent the winter of 68' wandering the hills above Hopland. I caught this man's vibe. Universe is a small place.
It's really useful, plz make more classes with Robben Ford
Very interesting information on the diminished scale. Thank you Mr Ford for you're amazing insight from a true professionals view
A true master turns basic science into high art - luvved these insights - thanx Robben.
Robben Ford's, is my favorite bridge blues tone, no matter what guitar he plays. Just amazing man
ua-cam.com/video/HstdR-lAzqU/v-deo.html
That is some seriously lush tone & touch, man
This is what you get when you truly devote your life to your craft.
Playing his beautiful SVL guitar! Just love it. Built by Simon Law in the UK.
Thanks, Robben. Always a pleasure!
Awesome video. Robben has a great unique style. Musically and verbally. A master.
Such a great and generous teacher. Monster player!
Really enjoy his lessons very clear and simple to the point. 👍🏻
I love that strat! I have the same exact one, but fender american. The one he's playing really captures the nostalgic '62 aesthetic.
Fantastic. Not only a great guitarist but a top bloke also (I met him at the Andertons Master Class in Guildford a few years back).
Always one of my favorite guitar players.I saw him with his brothers in the early 70s in San Francisco.His younger brother can play the harp ...Oh my God.
That clean tone though, amazing!
Amazing rich musicality tips , thank you Robben
I did indeed enjoy the lesson, and I did indeed learn something from it -thanks Robben you are a gentleman.
Robben is a gentleman in that he gives to us without asking
I’m thankful you are doing this for us!
"that's a handful of chords right there"
gold.
Thanks for the video this just made my night i think i watched this video 5 times and now its starting to make sence to me Robbin Ford is a true master guitar thanks for the lesson.
I love this man!
Fantastic thanks Robben!! Can’t wait to get home and jam
The man! incredible stuff!
One of the best I've ever seen.
exactly.. Hybrid picking was a pain in the ass at first but I also got into straight finger picking on acoustic also so the two really helped me be comfortable and I use it all the time now from blues to metal.
The major thing about using finger picking style is that you really can do magics on even sound,touch and feeling!I learned that this change alot for the better for me as an guitar player thanks to Robben and Chet Adkins
How a rewarding instruction by the man himself.
Interesting, it's all about wandering minor scales. From there on improvisation in Robben's blues/jazz treasure chest is quite flawless, my imagination is.
I parked my guitar some 25 yrs ago and by then a huge fan of Robben, but got tired of ripping off, climbing for myself. Robben convinced me here that it's actually quite an easy job, if you just are familar with the scales. Never thought about it this way, I feel pretty dumb now, not registering the obvious. Thanks for upload!
Robin I recently discovered your play. Love it.
AWESOME guitar sound! Really!
I really enjoyed this after working out confusing issues like that's really the g sharp diminished whole step half step scale. Don Mock calls this the g dominant diminished scale as opposed to the g sharp diminished scale. Thank you Robin.
This is a good example of something you see in so many instructional videos: a great player with little or no ability to present information in a clear and well-structured manner.
one of the best lessons of dim scales
I like your master claass Robben. Thank you. It was real eye openner
what an incredible sound....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.....thanks for the lesson.
What a great teacher as well as guitar player Thanks...DH
Legend, great advise, love how he lets the notes sing.
Thanks there are so many really good pick ups to choose from.
I'm a drummer but a longtime Robben fan. The man knows his stuff
He also has a great sense of humor. I talked with him after he gave a workshop at Guitar Center. When I asked for the most important advice he could share (really original question - right?) he said: "Don't play any wrong notes!" Cracked me up!
the master , killer guitar player. one of my all time favorite
I always learn from your lessons