Eric Johnson's Cascading Pentatonic WORKOUT!

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  • Опубліковано 28 вер 2024
  • Snag your official SHRED TILL YOU'RE UNDEAD merch here!!!! vonkowen.threa...
    Downloadable practice tracks, bonus guitar lessons, and MORE here: / benellerguitars
    This week, ALL my Patreon supporters get TABS for this lesson PLUS practice tracks to help you get it up to MAXIMUM SPEED!! LEVEL UP your skills TODAY!
    How about a treasure trove of drone tracks that i made!? 12 root notes, 12 major chords, and 12 minor chords, for a total of 36 super long drone tracks! Its everything you need to learn all your scales in every key! Here's the direct link you need: / 49828461
    Wanna learn ALL the notes and master the board? Here's the lesson you need: / 45181774
    The BEST Half Hour of Alternate Picking Practice EVER: / 33563344
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    My followup to my Ditch the CAGED System video: / 40492155
    Get sweet deals on all the nice things i use here @Sweetwater !!! Sick deals on all kinds of good stuff: imp.i114863.ne...
    Well what the heck, I played onstage with Eric Johnson at the Woodshed Guitar Experience 2023!!!! No big deal!!! Madness, right? Anyway, since then, I've been on a quest to add more of EJ's signature cascading pentatonic runs into my playing. To help you all master these legendary licks, I came up with this exercise to help you all master the 2 most essential EJ picking principals:
    1: alternate picking even numbers of notes per string
    2: the double downstroke dangler (AKA limited economy picking)
    Practice these licks with the practice tracks from my Patreon page and you're sure to be ripping faster than ever in no time!!!
    Gear:
    Suhr Modern Satin
    Synergy VAI module
    UA OX

КОМЕНТАРІ • 229

  • @BenEller
    @BenEller  Рік тому +17

    Thanks for learning the 2 fundamental techniques you HAVE to know to master Eric Johnson's cascading pentatonic runs! Grab the TAB and practice tracks right here:
    www.patreon.com/posts/ww351-ej-workout-88867480?Link&

    • @sethradnothy8875
      @sethradnothy8875 8 місяців тому

      are you going to start posting the tabs in guitar pro format at any point?

  • @miskalaine
    @miskalaine Рік тому +51

    On the stage with both EJ and Timmons? Insane man! Great lesson Ben :-)

  • @mykneeshurt8393
    @mykneeshurt8393 Рік тому +9

    If you slow the "step dad speed" section down to 50% it REALLY sounds like step dad, when you talk.... "I'm not drunk! You're drunk!!"

  • @DanGerzoneNinja
    @DanGerzoneNinja Рік тому +7

    This is awesome, thanks! In his interview with Rick Beato, Kirk Hammet showed a warmup he did that he called jazz chord promenade or something like that that he learned from Joe Satriani. Would love it if you could show us that exercise or something similar.

  • @m1j3
    @m1j3 Рік тому +11

    So pumped for this, my pentatonics have always been lacking

  • @TheloniusJ
    @TheloniusJ Рік тому +3

    Good stuff. And super cool about sharing the stage with EJ. Phenomenal.

  • @hampusnilsson6950
    @hampusnilsson6950 Рік тому +1

    Man.. Same stage as Eric Johnson. It will take time to grasp that. He knows hes way around the sound. Anyhow..
    Azum!! Thank you and take my thumbs up!
    Keep up the good work!!

  • @GeneSchmidt
    @GeneSchmidt Рік тому +1

    Jesus! This is the BEST explanation of that technique I have seen.
    Looking forward to getting at my guitar later

  • @RichTones
    @RichTones Рік тому

    I can never get sick of EJ style licks and lessons, great breakdown man.

  • @bestboy897
    @bestboy897 6 місяців тому +1

    one of my fave lessons from u makes economy picking so easy thanks to you

  • @jasonday8334
    @jasonday8334 Рік тому

    I’ll never forget when my dad introduced me to Eric, first time on Austin City Limits, later we picked Eric’s guitar instructional on VHS, I learned a lot from that video.

  • @FrancoAlcudia
    @FrancoAlcudia 9 місяців тому

    Man, this video has been so freaking useful! I've been triying to understand that way and it's been so complicated even watching a lot of videos, but this one is just perfect, thanks a lot.

  • @EL_DUDERIN0
    @EL_DUDERIN0 Рік тому +1

    This is a great lesson. Were you able to watch EJ and break it down while you were watching him? That's so sick man. You are legend.

  • @mikemello1313
    @mikemello1313 Рік тому

    Just noticed you had the guitar grimoire in the background. Thats the secret weapon. Its got everything you'd ever need to know. Ive been using that book since i found it in my early 20s now im 43. Love that thing.

  • @replicated
    @replicated Рік тому +102

    As soon as I heard the first note, I camed and started farding.

  • @matthewmckinney9348
    @matthewmckinney9348 9 місяців тому

    Having seen you guys in Knoxville one night (after finding out you guys are Tennessee boys too) and enjoying the hell out of the show, NOW I find out you shared the stage with Johnson and Timmons in lil ol' Crossville? That's such a beautiful town. Passed by it a million times as a kid going to Rockwood and Kingston. Other than Nashville, I'm surprised other parts of Tennessee are drawing such big names in the guitar community.

  • @MotorRoseMusic
    @MotorRoseMusic Рік тому +3

    If its good enough for Ding-dangle Marmalade, it's good enough for me!

  • @JudithYork-c7e
    @JudithYork-c7e Рік тому

    Great lesson ben im jeff by the way and ive been playing for 15 years now im now 35 born in 88 and even as early as just three years ago i had trouble with the two note pattern in 6s but this last winter i practiced alot and got better at it this lesson is super helpful thanks ben and my advice to anyone struggling with guitar sequences pentatonic or dorian scale modal lead guitar is commit very seriously for 2 to 3 months if you have the time practice every day for at least 2 hours maybe at most 7 or 8 hours if you have the endurance with just snack breaks off and on but try to commit to it if you want to get better and it halps to know your technique and have that down i really like ian thornley and emil werstler zakk wylde and eric steckel are pretty wicked players too have a great rest of the summer and year too ben love all your videos cheers jeff.

  • @darrenm01
    @darrenm01 Рік тому +7

    When you were playing with EJ, you should have shown him hammer-ons and pull-offs. Not only would it have blown his mind, but it makes those phrases a lot more easier to play.

    • @justsomeguy727
      @justsomeguy727 Рік тому

      Doesn't really have that same EJ articulation to it if you do it that way but yes, you are correct.

    • @CorbinSmith-yf3wd
      @CorbinSmith-yf3wd 11 місяців тому

      EJ sometimes uses pull-offs in his playing to force an even number of notes on a string.

  • @aleksandarradovic3337
    @aleksandarradovic3337 Рік тому

    Great lesson,example how to enhance pentatonic scale with 6th interval of major scale .in this case adding C# to key of E and get that slightly diatonic feel ,EJ and Satch do it all the time

  • @chucksaeger7500
    @chucksaeger7500 10 місяців тому

    You’re killing me smalls! You make it look so easy!

  • @BuckJoFiden
    @BuckJoFiden Рік тому +1

    Great lesson mate !
    I was about 20 when I first heard EJ and the Tones album. Maybe a lesson on EJs intervallic approach as well? Like he uses in ‘Friends’
    😬

  • @lyricbread
    @lyricbread Рік тому +1

    @beneller I’ve watched sooo many videos on Eric’s technique that frankly gets it wrong. This is absolute gold and I’ll be shedding this religiously. Thank you! P.S. What happened to the “King Ben” drawing that was on the wall at your old studio?

    • @BenEller
      @BenEller  Рік тому +1

      Thank you!!! King Ben will return, he’s chilling in my storage unit at the moment. Upper left side is a ZomBen by my same friends that’s amazing!

  • @saboteursweden
    @saboteursweden Рік тому

    Downstroke dangler! That’s a new shirt right there❤

  • @AsdeEspadas.Fernando
    @AsdeEspadas.Fernando 8 місяців тому

    Love it!! Great!!! Hi from Argentina

  • @chadr2843
    @chadr2843 Рік тому +1

    I see the new RGA!

  • @orion-quest
    @orion-quest Рік тому +1

    the first few notes sound like the lead break from EJ's song SRV 🖖

  • @HarlanHarvey76
    @HarlanHarvey76 Рік тому +1

    Omg ..😢 I WISH... The Woodshed Exp. looked like it was a blast

  • @theconspiracyofnoize5984
    @theconspiracyofnoize5984 Рік тому +1

    Right up my alley

  • @coreyw1353
    @coreyw1353 Рік тому

    Great lesson Ben. The first part of the lick really reminds me of his solo in Minstrel Gigolo from the Cristopher Cross album.

  • @joerod0
    @joerod0 Рік тому

    Really cool lesson. Thanks I managed to make some variation that work for me.

  • @Guitar_at_Home1
    @Guitar_at_Home1 5 місяців тому

    My inner Bonamassa fandom applauds this lesson. Thank you sir!

  • @samcagney6089
    @samcagney6089 8 місяців тому

    Great lesson. Thanks Ben!

  • @The3fingers
    @The3fingers 4 місяці тому

    Your kidding!? Awesome to just stand next to him, let alone play. Respect!!. 👍

  • @omarpervaiz
    @omarpervaiz Рік тому +1

    Uncle Legend!

    • @omarpervaiz
      @omarpervaiz Рік тому

      Would like a friggin' with that? 😉

  • @monocyte2210
    @monocyte2210 Рік тому

    this sounds killer

  • @SlitherFingers
    @SlitherFingers 9 місяців тому +1

    Lmao "stepdad speed" 😂

  • @codysmith4513
    @codysmith4513 Рік тому

    I'd love to see what Eric could come up with using a Floyd Rose equipped guitar. His approach to sound makes me think it'd be interesting. As a USX dominant player, it took me a while to master EJ, Yngwie style playing.

  • @austinmidwest7062
    @austinmidwest7062 Рік тому +1

    i can't wait to try this when i get home, and then curse my old stupid hands

  • @dananthony6258
    @dananthony6258 Рік тому

    I think every blues rock guitarist should know how to do this.

  • @anthonylove821
    @anthonylove821 Рік тому

    As a guitarist I know the a minor pentatonic scale which most everyone is taught. So say when you learn these scales you are teaching, how do most guitarists “make it their own” so we don’t just memorize the scales and get stuck in that box so we can just have fun and let lead guitar come natural and just let it flow? Do most guitarists get stuck in this mode in the beginning and learn to branch out in time?

  • @kyledrumm7093
    @kyledrumm7093 Рік тому

    Ben. Love ya bro, but how do you not mention Andy Timmons in the introduction along with Eric. Wow!

  • @buckeyeshredder6003
    @buckeyeshredder6003 7 місяців тому

    Ben, no one seems to address the mental part of keeping track of where you are the fretboard as you move around. Especially, overlapping patterns. Any tips ? Also, where can I find out about the Woodshed you events you mention ?

  • @mysixstringtheory8337
    @mysixstringtheory8337 Рік тому

    killer!

  • @arrakeen20
    @arrakeen20 Рік тому +1

    I’ve been watching Ben for a long time but I still don’t know (definitively) why he never says Yngwie’s name correctly.

  • @shinjiikari4629
    @shinjiikari4629 Рік тому

    any reason as to why Eric uses double downstrokes but not double upstrokes?, at 4:53 when it goes from the 15th fret on E string (up) to the 17th fret on B string (down) my picking hand naturally tries to do up-up instead of up-down for some reason

  • @dumpstertrash420
    @dumpstertrash420 10 місяців тому

    2nd try in and instantly legato

  • @fabtone1
    @fabtone1 Рік тому

    hum i m not sure ... i hate you some much just right now , but it is for the gig or the long hair , hum twice f.....thanks for this amazing source of great melodie inside this things , slow down slow down !

  • @jamwayofaiken-augustarockb7643

    Uncle Ben I have a request: we have all heard would it would have sound like if Eddie Van Halen dead say the solo for Stairway to Heaven those kinds of things... you are about the best Eddie Van Halen sound alike that I've heard it was brought to my attention that Eddie really wanted to join kiss and tried very hard to join kiss but Gene Simmons wouldn't let him do it said he needed to have his own thing... it would be cool if you would take some of the Van Halen songs that came out after that conversation and see what it actually would sound like if kiss had performed it with Eddie at the helm and also some of the Kiss songs that were written after that what would it have sounded like if Eddie had been involved no I think that would make an awesome video

  • @subhd04
    @subhd04 Рік тому

    So the picking part being DWPS + Sweeping as Troy said I had a question about how to descend odd number note patterns whether to use Legato or Two Way Pickslanting. Any Help on it ?

    • @BenEller
      @BenEller  Рік тому

      I mean that pretty much requires very careful phrasing choices (only even numbers of notes per string), or some pulloff power (which is totally fine! Not a weakness whatsoever).

    • @subhd04
      @subhd04 Рік тому +1

      @@BenEller Gotcha man, but Strict DWPS players really have no option other than use legato to force upstrokes(while descending) on strings with odd numbered notes. But my pulloff game is real bad lol.

    • @BenEller
      @BenEller  Рік тому +1

      @@subhd04 that’s correct. But just remember, that’s not a bad thing. I NEVER listen to EVH, Friedman, EJ, Zakk, Benson etc and think to myself “man this music would be so much better if they were 2 way pick slanters“ haha

  • @youseadap2541
    @youseadap2541 7 місяців тому

    Is Dingdang Valvoline a real thing or is that just another name for Wingnut Springsteen?

  • @LaTrec9
    @LaTrec9 Рік тому +1

    Your picking hand is your skill, not your fretting hand
    But everyone watches your fretting hand

  • @coolwaterdvr
    @coolwaterdvr Рік тому

    🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸

  • @tonyspada2744
    @tonyspada2744 4 місяці тому

    Sounds nothing like Eric. Sorry

  • @davidgilmour2588
    @davidgilmour2588 10 місяців тому

    Terrible sound.......

    • @BenEller
      @BenEller  10 місяців тому

      Hey man, checked your channel for any info on how to get a good sound, didn’t see anything. Looking forward to you showing us all how to get a good sound.

  • @eddiejr540
    @eddiejr540 Рік тому +5

    Do to my ignorant, self taught picking, I have painted myself into a box that only an act of God could get me out of…or Uncle Ben 🤣

  • @clintrichardsonguitar
    @clintrichardsonguitar Рік тому +9

    Awesome lesson! I love these types of runs, it also has a, Warren DeMartini vibe to it as well. He does a lot of these cascading style runs too.

  • @MrPaolo101
    @MrPaolo101 Рік тому +3

    This is a bit of a shot in the dark…. BUT could Uncle Ben do a vid on ‘Slip of the Tongue’ by whitesnake?… y’know the Steve Vai thing?.
    Ive looked everywhere but there’s nothing that great….
    Can you help?.
    Pretty please?!?!? ;)

  • @terrygolis6351
    @terrygolis6351 Рік тому +7

    Thank you Ben for teaching that phrase this is just what I needed was someone to slow it down and explain exactly how it works thank you

  • @paulbaglio6295
    @paulbaglio6295 Рік тому +4

    My pentatonics thank you in advance. Still waiting for that Chris Poland etude you promised me.

  • @jbellflower83
    @jbellflower83 Рік тому +2

    I still remember the first time i heard Cliffs of dover. My faculties left me for a second and i left stains in my boxers....love stains 😉

  • @ericnicolleau4331
    @ericnicolleau4331 Рік тому +4

    Thanks for this! Would be great if you can show us some Shawn Lane's pentatonic ideas

  • @thebipolarbear1
    @thebipolarbear1 Рік тому +5

    Love you're content man all good stuff keep up the good work lots of us appreciate it

  • @justsomeguy727
    @justsomeguy727 Рік тому +5

    Babe, wake up. Uncle Ben just posted a new exercise!

    • @BenEller
      @BenEller  Рік тому +3

      LESS SLEEPIN, MORE SWEEPIN!!!

    • @justsomeguy727
      @justsomeguy727 Рік тому +1

      ​@@BenEllerif only my real uncle gave advice as good as yours

  • @NewLifeWithGuitar
    @NewLifeWithGuitar Рік тому +4

    I only started learning how to play guitar a month ago & I'm documenting my journey on here and this type of stuff is super helpful!

  • @kibscott6096
    @kibscott6096 Рік тому +2

    Thank you for the EJ lesson, great video and wow to being on stage with him and timmons way cool!!!! Thank you keep up the great videos, much appreciated 🤘, ok fingers let's get this!!

  • @clintn6677
    @clintn6677 Рік тому +3

    Cool Ben! Its nice when a practice exercises sounds good on its own!

  • @metalheadbill
    @metalheadbill Рік тому +3

    That Shining art on the wall is rad

  • @sepiarain
    @sepiarain Рік тому +3

    It's weird, I've always had clean upward sweeps and economy picking but really sloppy downward sweeps. Johnson is basically doing the opposite to what I would do for speed and comfort.

    • @dangrather1280
      @dangrather1280 Рік тому

      Funny I’m the opposite. Can economy pick and sweep pick down but can’t match it going up.

    • @sepiarain
      @sepiarain Рік тому

      @@dangrather1280 it's so weird, i just find the pulling/dragging motion of upward picking more controllable and it feels like pulling off with the left hand, it's like releasing pressure instead of applying...

    • @andresreiter
      @andresreiter Рік тому +1

      I im in the exact same situation but guess what... It works, at least for these exercises. I think its related to the angle on the hand and muscular memory

    • @sepiarain
      @sepiarain Рік тому +1

      @@andresreiter indeed, this exercise has also brought my downward economy picking forwards. I'm really grateful actually. It made me return to the climactic sultans of swing lick and use an economy picking approach on that too and it was a completely foreign feel, but once locked in it sped up and cleaned up that phrase for me.

  • @PapaRikkiBalls
    @PapaRikkiBalls Рік тому +1

    Are you gonna make a video dissecting Kirk Hammets practice routine from Rick Beatos interview?

  • @eddiecancelmusic
    @eddiecancelmusic Рік тому +2

    Another awesome lesson Ben. I don’t know what everyone thinks but I think you are also a God-level player!

  • @jasonparkergimplifedisable684
    @jasonparkergimplifedisable684 Рік тому +1

    Don’t wanna ruffle your brisels 😂😂😂

  • @Forest_Fifer
    @Forest_Fifer Рік тому +1

    Still waiting for "Out in the Fields"....
    Just sayin'.

  • @lazyleftz
    @lazyleftz Рік тому +3

    Thank you for dope educational content, Ben! As always :)

  • @philipbeasley72
    @philipbeasley72 Рік тому +2

    Nice!

  • @henrykelly1183
    @henrykelly1183 Рік тому +2

    Some of the best EJ breakdowns, your EJ essentials vid a few years back was also brilliant. Love this playing but combine it with EJs tone and its just magic - very happy for you to have seen it first hand.

  • @flooko
    @flooko Рік тому +1

    you rule uncle ben ! cant wait to give this little ditty a go

  • @haydendonahoo8885
    @haydendonahoo8885 Рік тому +2

    Stealing this for my wedding gig on Saturday. Keeping em coming!

  • @JonBjork
    @JonBjork Рік тому +1

    Great lesson Ben! I'd most likely rip the strings out of my guitar in terror sharing the stage with EJ😬

    • @BenEller
      @BenEller  Рік тому +1

      Haha I was very content to be on bass!!

  • @philip_becker
    @philip_becker Рік тому +2

    Great lick and lesson. Thanks Ben.

  • @2979paul
    @2979paul Рік тому +1

    Hey what do you think Neal schon does?

  • @CamArias
    @CamArias Рік тому +1

    Now I can't stop hearing Bean-ller-Guitars in my mind when you promote your patreon. 😅

  • @philippr6107
    @philippr6107 Рік тому +1

    This down down eco picking reminds me of another lesson you had where it was some ascending 3 note per string shredding with the down down eco things thrown in. That one defo made eco picking click for me and this one is really good as well now

  • @AlexVonCrank
    @AlexVonCrank Рік тому +1

    Now I know why he is Uncle Ben!

  • @DojCity
    @DojCity Рік тому +2

    That picture of you and Eric onstage sparks joy

  • @IDGAF_PLUS
    @IDGAF_PLUS Рік тому +1

    I saw Eric on the Ah Via Musicom tour in 1991. Mind blown.

  • @patandmacmusic
    @patandmacmusic Рік тому +1

    Sick. I’ve been working on incorporating economy picking into my playing so this will be a fun one to integrate.

  • @andrewbettis4247
    @andrewbettis4247 Рік тому +1

    Cool stuff... by the way, I notice when you refer to a particular Swedish guitar shredder. You don't use his actual name. At first, it seemed just humorous and a bit tongue-in-cheek, but I sense that there's a more specific reason for that. Am I right?

    • @BenEller
      @BenEller  Рік тому +1

      you're gonna enjoy next week's video hahaha

  • @mykneeshurt8393
    @mykneeshurt8393 Рік тому +2

    great lesson. Nice job, Ben!

  • @mattc8723
    @mattc8723 Рік тому +1

    Dingdang Valvoline 🤘

  • @gregdavidson5898
    @gregdavidson5898 Рік тому +1

    The Down-Down parts are a little tricky for me as that motion plays the 2 notes faster than the alternate picking parts. Because it's one stroke that almost plays the notes together. Less space in between. So I can hear these little speed things here and there in the whole phrase. I know....I suck.

    • @BenEller
      @BenEller  Рік тому

      You’ll get it! Keep with it!

  • @RikJSmith
    @RikJSmith Рік тому +1

    Good for you , Ben !! What an amazing Life Experience for you . I must say , like a lot of people , I'm extremely jealous . But I'm happy for you . Hope you're doing well .

  • @Ryan_Messenger
    @Ryan_Messenger Рік тому +1

    Thanks, Uncle Ben.

  • @brendanshervington3560
    @brendanshervington3560 Рік тому +1

    Thanks Uncle Ben! You jam and hang out with the coolest of Muse's, Much luv lesson
    😍👍

  • @xavierortiz2690
    @xavierortiz2690 Рік тому +1

    Big Thumbs Up

  • @jaymitchosky
    @jaymitchosky Рік тому +1

    Excellent work as always. Fortunately this feels pretty natural, and I’m less ashamed that I can’t economy up for shit. 😆
    I notice you use two fingers rather than roll for adjacent notes. Do you feel there is an advantage at speed, or just personal comfort?
    Cheers!

    • @BenEller
      @BenEller  Рік тому +1

      Yup I can get that cleaner than rolling. I actually covered that in the original cut of the video but snipped it last minute, dang!

  • @CameronCooper
    @CameronCooper 8 місяців тому

    This will keep me busy. Great as always Ben! ;)

  • @danguitarman91
    @danguitarman91 Рік тому +1

    Yes yes and yes

  • @ShawnTubbs
    @ShawnTubbs Рік тому +1

    Great stuff Ben!!!

  • @jeffpodrug8942
    @jeffpodrug8942 Рік тому +1

    Thanks, Uncle Ben! I'm still having a hard time with my pinky since the surgery, but these exercises are fantastic!! You are a maestro!! 🤘🎸