All About The SECONDARY DOMINANT (and SPICE UP your songwriting!) @QJamTracks

Uploaded October 2018 | Updated September 2026, 6 hours ago

Spice up your songs with applied dominant chords. A composition technique that's called the secondary dominant or applied dominant. Learn this in less than 3 minutes in this QJamTracks Micro Lesson.

Learn what a dominant chord is and what secondary dominat chords are. Use this to compose a better song and better chord progression. Let yourself be inspired.

All About The SECONDARY DOMINANT (and SPICE UP your songwriting!)

$One shape for all guitar arpeggios: Pure Magic! Playing arpeggios on a guitar can be challenging. With this little trick you can play all 7th guitar arpeggios with just one shape copy and then repeated over three octaves. Impress yourself and your friends with this awesome guitar concept and technique every guitarist should know! Gear: Ibanez JEM 7v (www.Ibanez.com) Ibanez SD GR Bass (www.Ibanez.com) Takamine GD930 (www.takamine.com) Castilla Classical Guitars Rode Microphone Axe FX II (www.fractalaudio.com) Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark III Social Media/contact: www.facebook.com/QJamTracks www.instagram.com/QJamTracks www.youtube.com/QJamTracks (c)2018 Rob van Hal, Netherlands Photos used in this video: Ed Sheeran: Eva Rinaldi from Sydney, Australia [CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons Other (CC0 license) photos: www.pexels.com and www.pixabay.com$ $Backing Track VAMP - Practice the A Melodic Minor Scale Backing track download: https://www.patreon.com/posts/55449668 Artwork: Rob van Hal Cover Photo: https://pixabay.com/nl/photos/branden-incenses-reizen-india-asia-1119244/ by https://pixabay.com/nl/users/devanath-1785462/ Used for recording: Ibanez JEM 7v (www.Ibanez.com) Ibanez SD GR Bass (www.Ibanez.com) Takamine GD930 (www.takamine.com) Castilla Classical Guitars Samson Concert Wireless Microphone system CR99 Axe FX II (www.fractalaudio.com) QJamTrack Uses: BIAS FX II Cakewalk by Bandlab Social Media/contact: www.patreon.com/QJamTracks www.facebook.com/QJamTracks www.instagram.com/QJamTracks www.youtube.com/QJamTracks (c)2020 Rob van Hal, Netherlands$ $How to improvise with the Amazing Whole Tone Scale – Explanation, Examples and ideas for Guitarists! In this guitar lesson you learn to use the modern sounding whole tone scale over dominant and minor chords to create really amazing and colourful guitar solos full of tension and release. A practical guitar lesson with lots of examples in different styles and the music theory you need for the whole tone scale. See how easy it is to use this scale on the guitar to stand out and create modern and juicy sounds. Level 5 (of 6) 👉Free PDF with whole tone scale patterns: https://www.patreon.com/posts/whole-tone-scale-143113686 E-book How To Use The Whole Tone Scale : https://qjamtracks.myshopify.com/products/how-to-use-the-whole-tone-scale-guitar-lesson Tablature, diagrams, examples and backing tracks of this guitar tutorial will be available on my Patreon page: https://patreon.com/QJamTracks *Chapters 0:00 Introduction 0:57 What is a whole tone scale 3:03 The augmented triad 3:54 Harmonic device 5:17 Over dominant chords 6:04 4 whole tone ideas 7:54 Examples over dominant chords 9:30 Whole tone scale over a 12-bar Blues 10:57 Over minor chords 12:50 Final Thoughts 👉JazzDuets Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UCqimxUbWsE26KSpx2_OcmmA *Crystal Clear E-BOOKS with audio files:* https://qjamtracks.shopify.com *Social Media/contact: * https:// facebook.com/QJamTracks https:// instagram.com/QJamTracks https:// youtube.com/QJamTracks *Strandberg Guitars* https://strandbergguitars.com *Fractal AxeFx II* https://www.fractalaudio.com *Neural DSP Plini X Plugin * https://neuraldsp.com/ (c)2025 Rob van Hal, Netherlands$ $E Phrygian Dominant BACKING TRACK – The Dark Oriental Become a Patreon and receive tabs, scales and arpeggios patterns in PDF and download MP3 files of the backing tracks: www.patreon.com/qjamtracks 0:05 - What is the phrygian dominant scale 0:33 - C major pentatonic scale patterns 0:54 - E minor pentatoinic scale patterns 1:12 - E phrygian dominant scale patterns 1:44 - C major scale patterns (3 note per string) 1:57 - G# diminished arpeggio 2:04 - Steve Vai signature lick (F lydian / C major) 2:18 - Dominant (half-whole tone) diminished scale 2:54 - C major arpeggio An exotic modulating Rock guitar backing track, filled with improvisation ideas, scales and arpeggios presented on screen. An educational and enhanced guitar backing track video to practice the Phrygian Dominant scale, diminished arpeggio, major7 arpeggio, a Steve Vai signature lick, diminished scale and pentatonic scales. For guitarists who want to improvise in different keys and modes. This awesome modal backing track let ‘s you play different scales, which are visualized onscreen. Excellent for improvising, learning modes, scales, chords, licks and arpeggios. This Q JAM TRACKS jam track provides a visual representation of the chords and scales in diagrams as they appear in the backing track. Extra theoretical information is shown in the video. It is a high quality backing track and handy tutorial (lesson) at the same time. Artwork: Rob van Hal Photos: Pixabay CC0 licenced photo’s (www.pixabay.com) Used: Ibanez JEM 7v (www.Ibanez.com) Ibanez SD GR Bass (www.Ibanez.com) Takamine GD930 (www.takamine.com) Castilla Classical Guitars Samson Concert Wireless Microphone system CR99 Axe FX II (www.fractalaudio.com) Social Media/contact: www.patreon.com/QJamTracks www.facebook.com/QJamTracks www.instagram.com/QJamTracks www.youtube.com/QJamTracks (c)2020 Rob van Hal, Netherlands$ $Beautiful & Heavenly Guitar Backing Track in A, Am, E and G An educational and enhanced guitar backing track in A major, A minor, E major and G major for guitarists who want to improvise with major and minor scales, pentatonic scales, harmonic minor scale and arpeggios. This beautiful Backing track modulates over different keys. Excellent for improvising, learning modes, scales, chords, licks and arpeggios. This Q JAM TRACKS jam track in provides a visual representation of the chords and scales in diagrams as they appear in the music. Extra theoretical information is shown in the video. It is a high quality backing track and handy tutorial (lesson) at the same time. Artwork: (c) 2019) Rob van Hal Photo: Image of stone statue by Karina Cubillo https://pixabay.com/photos/cemetery-peace-angel-sculpture-1655378/ Used: Ibanez JEM 7v (www.Ibanez.com) Ibanez SD GR Bass (www.Ibanez.com) Takamine GD930 (www.takamine.com) Castilla Classical Guitars Rode Microphone Axe FX II (www.fractalaudio.com) Social Media/contact: www.patreon.com/QJamTracks www.facebook.com/QJamTracks www.instagram.com/QJamTracks www.youtube.com/QJamTracks (c)2018 Rob van Hal, Netherlands$ $Master Your Rhythm: Secrets to Perfect Time Feel - PART 2 Improving Time Improving Time Feel & Rhythm – Crystal Clear - PART 2 In this guitar tutorial you’ll learn how you can improve time feel and rhythmic abilities in a conceptual way and practical way. In this part 2 of the tutorial we are going to look at syncopation and special rhythm that you’ll come across in many genres and styes. Besides the syncopated rhythms we will explore the after beat, the triplet, the sextuplet, the shuffle and hemiola. I’ll show you rhythmic examples of songs like Beat it by Michael Jackson, A Forest by The Cure, Dust in the Wind by Kansas, La Grange by ZZ Top, Enter sandman and The Four Horsemen by Metallica. 0:00 Introduction 00:58 Syncopation 3:18 4 types of syncopation 3:46 Playing off the beat 5:06 Rests on the beat 6:03 Tie notes 6:53 Syncopation by dynamics 8:31 Common syncopation 8:47 Singer songwriter pattern 10:28 Travis Picking 12:14 16th note strum 13:40 Playing before the beat 15:45 The After Beat and SKA 17:08 The Hemiola 18:13 The Triplet and sextuplet 20:07 The Shuffle 22:59 Conclusion *E-book Time Signatures and Rhythm - Part 1* https://qjamtracks.myshopify.com/products/time-signatures-and-rhythm-part-1 *E-book Time Signatures and Rhythm - Part 2* https://qjamtracks.myshopify.com/products/time-signatures-rhythm-part-2 **FREE DOWNLOADS:** 16th note exercises (PDF and Guitar Pro): https://www.patreon.com/qjamtracks/posts/16th-note-rhythm-169482700 PATREON You can support me on my patreon page (also for tabs of the licks played in this video): www.patreon.com/QJamTracks Artwork: (c) 2021) Rob van Hal Used: Strandberg PROG NX (www.strandbergguitars.com) Ibanez JEM 7vb (www.Ibanez.com) Ibanez RT Ibanez SD GR Bass (www.Ibanez.com) Schecter Banshee GT FR (www.schecterguitars.com/) Takamine GD930 (www.takamine.com) Castilla Classical Guitars Samson Concert 99 Wireless system Oktava MK 012 Axe FX II (www.fractalaudio.com) Neural DSP Plini Social Media/contact: www.patreon.com/QJamTracks www.facebook.com/QJamTracks www.instagram.com/QJamTracks www.youtube.com/QJamTracks (c)2021 Rob van Hal, Netherlands PHOTO’s: Dave Mustaine: Mario from Madrid, Spain, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Eddy van Halen: Anirudh Koul from Montreal, Canada, CC BY 2.0 httpscreativecommons.orglicensesby2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Carl Lender, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Kirk Hammet: Raph_PH, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Megadeth: Kreepin Deth at English Wikipedia, CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Metallica: Kreepin Deth, CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Michael Jackson: Daniele Dalledonne from Trento, Italy, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons ZZ Top: Rickmkent, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons$ $Backing Track - Soaring though ALL the MODES This backing track travels every four bars to another mode with root A. So you can practice the A Ionian mode, A dorian mode, A Phrygian mode, A Lydian mode, A mixolydian mode, A Aeolian mode and A locrian mode. All in one guitar backing track. This backing track is part of the video guitar tutorial ‘Modes Explained Effective and Crystal Clear’ (https://youtu.be/QT4p_BzfToU) in which I explain exactly what modes are for entry level musicians. If you like you can support me on my patreon page for exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/qjamtracks Social Media/contact: www.facebook.com/QJamTracks www.instagram.com/QJamTracks www.youtube.com/QJamTracks All audio created and played by me (Rob van Hal) I use: Ibanez JEM 7v (www.Ibanez.com) Ibanez SD GR Bass (www.Ibanez.com) Takamine GD930 (www.takamine.com) Castilla Classical Guitars Rode Microphone Axe FX II (www.fractalaudio.com) (c)2018 Rob van Hal, Netherlands$ $SIMPLE 4-note ARPEGGIOS for SOPHISTICATED sounds! In this tutorial you’ll learn 3 very simple arpeggio shapes to create some very interesting and sophisticated sounds that you can use in Jazz, Fusion and Rock improvisations and compositions. The 3 shapes are based upon the Maj7, Maj7b5 or Maj7#11 and Maj7#5 arpeggio. Using them in the right way will enable you to play modal instantly. From simple major and minor sound to modes of the major scale (dorian, phrygian, lydian, mixolydian and Locrian) to the beautiful modes of the melodic minor scale like Lydian augmented and Lydian dominant. E-book with audio files: https://qjamtracks.myshopify.com/products/e-book-easy-arpeggios-for-sophisticated-sounds Other E-books with audio files: E-BOOK - Easy arpeggios for sophisticated results https://qjamtracks.myshopify.com/products/e-book-easy-arpeggios-for-sophisticated-sounds E-BOOK - Improvising over dominant 7 chords (using scales) https://qjamtracks.myshopify.com/products/e-book-improvising-over-dominant-chords E-BOOK - Modes of the major scale crystal clear https://qjamtracks.myshopify.com/products/e-book-modes-of-the-major-scale-crystal-clear E-BOOK - Exotic Pentatonic scale for Guitar https://qjamtracks.myshopify.com/products/exotic-pentatonic-scales-for-guitar E-BOOK - Modes of the harmonic minor scale https://qjamtracks.myshopify.com/products/modes-of-the-harmonic-minor-scale E-BOOK - Secrets of outside playing https://qjamtracks.myshopify.com/products/secrets-of-outside-playing E-BOOK - Superimpose Pentatonic scales https://qjamtracks.myshopify.com/products/superimpose-pentatonic-scales-for-rock-fusion-and-jazz E-BOOK - Traids and inversions for Guitar https://qjamtracks.myshopify.com/products/triads-and-inversions-for-guitar-easy-to-advanced Supporting downloads (https://www.patreon.com/qjamtracks): - PDF sheet with all arpeggios diagrams - HQ II V I Backing track in C major for free use. - Supporting backing tracks for this tutorial In this tutorial you’ll learn 3 very simple arpeggio shapes to create some very interesting and sophisticated sounds that you can use in Jazz, Fusion and Rock improvisations and compositions. The 3 shapes are based upon the Maj7, Maj7b5 or Maj7#11 and Maj7#5 arpeggio. Using them in the right way will enable you to play modal instantly. From simple major and minor sound to modes of the major scale (dorian, phrygian, lydian, mixolydian and Locrian) to the beautiful modes of the melodic minor scale like Lydian augmented and Lydian dominant. Supporting material can be found here: http://www.patreon.com/Qjamtracks 0:00 Intro 1:09 The red pill 1:44 4 notes – 3 patterns 6:02 Pattern 1 – Maj7 8:19 Pattern 2 – Maj7b5 (Maj7#11) 14:41 Pattern 3 - Maj7#5 19:01 Conclusion You can support me on my patreon page (also for tabs of the licks played in this video): www.patreon.com/QJamTracks Artwork: (c) 2021) Rob van Hal Used: Strandberg* Boden Prog NX (www.strandbergguitars.com) Ibanez JEM 7vb (www.Ibanez.com) Ibanez SD GR Bass (www.Ibanez.com) Takamine GD930 (www.takamine.com) Castilla Classical Guitars Oktave MK-012 microphone Axe FX II (www.fractalaudio.com) Neural DSP plugins (www.neuraldsp.com/) Fireface UCXII audio interface (www.rme-audio.de) Social Media/contact: www.patreon.com/QJamTracks www.facebook.com/QJamTracks www.instagram.com/QJamTracks www.youtube.com/QJamTracks (c)2023 Rob van Hal, Netherlands Subjects in this video: Arpeggio, guitar arpeggio, Guitar arpeggios, Maj7 arpeggio, Maj7#11 arpeggio, Maj7b5 arpeggio, Maj7#5 arpeggio, easy arpeggios, Jazz guitar, Jazz arpeggios, Fusion guitar licks, Superimposing arpeggios, Modes for guitar, Modes of the major scale, Lydian mode, dorian mode, Phrygian mode, Mixolydian mode, Locrian mode, Modes of the melodic minor scale, Lydian dominant, Lydian augmented, Music theory lesson guitar, Music theory, Guitar tutorial, Guitar lesson, Rob van Hal, QJamTracks,$ $2 Awesome Alternatives to use over the Dorian Mode! With examples and Tabs. This video will show you two very interesting alternatives to use over the dorian mode. In any other case you would play a pentatonic or diatonic scale like a pentatonic scale or dorian scale patterns. Now you will learn to create a total different sound by playing the m7b5 arpeggio of the 6th degree and the half diminished pentatonic scale. Two awesome assets that will help you to find your own sound and create fusion like solos and licks. There are examples and diagrams in the video of the scales and arpeggios. In this guitar tutorial everything is explained very clear for the intermediate level guitarist. You can support me on my patreon page (also for tabs of the licks played in this video): www.patreon.com/QJamTracks Artwork: (c) 2019) Rob van Hal Used: Ibanez JEM 7v (www.Ibanez.com) Ibanez SD GR Bass (www.Ibanez.com) Takamine GD930 (www.takamine.com) Castilla Classical Guitars Samson Concert 99 Wireless system Rode Microphone Axe FX II (www.fractalaudio.com) Social Media/contact: www.patreon.com/QJamTracks www.facebook.com/QJamTracks www.instagram.com/QJamTracks www.youtube.com/QJamTracks (c)2019 Rob van Hal, Netherlands$ $WHOLE TONE SCALE – Theory – Applications – Patterns – CRYSTAL CLEAR Learn all about this awkward, alien and beautiful whole tone scale to create some serious outside sounds, inspiring chord progressions and examples of well known songs, like Stevie Wonder’s Too High and Sunshine Of My Life, Elektrik by Robert Fripp (King Crimson) but also outside fusion licks and interesting patterns to spice up you solo’s and riffs! 0:00 Introduction 01:26 Only two scales 03:12 Chords in the whole tone scale 05:53 Whole tone over dom7#5 07:30 Whole tone over minor 10:05 Whole tone over dominant chords 11:20 Stevie Wonder - Sunshine of my life 12:41 Stevie Wonder – Too High 13:19 King Crimson – Elektrik 14:06 Patterns 14:47 Conclusion Crystal Clear E-BOOKS with audio files: E-BOOK - Easy arpeggios for sophisticated results https://qjamtracks.myshopify.com/products/e-book-easy-arpeggios-for-sophisticated-sounds E-BOOK - Improvising over dominant 7 chords (using scales) https://qjamtracks.myshopify.com/products/e-book-improvising-over-dominant-chords E-BOOK - Modes of the major scale crystal clear https://qjamtracks.myshopify.com/products/e-book-modes-of-the-major-scale-crystal-clear E-BOOK - Exotic Pentatonic scale for Guitar https://qjamtracks.myshopify.com/products/exotic-pentatonic-scales-for-guitar E-BOOK - Modes of the harmonic minor scale https://qjamtracks.myshopify.com/products/modes-of-the-harmonic-minor-scale E-BOOK - Secrets of outside playing https://qjamtracks.myshopify.com/products/secrets-of-outside-playing E-BOOK - Superimpose Pentatonic scales https://qjamtracks.myshopify.com/products/superimpose-pentatonic-scales-for-rock-fusion-and-jazz E-BOOK - Traids and inversions for Guitar https://qjamtracks.myshopify.com/products/triads-and-inversions-for-guitar-easy-to-advanced PATREON: You can support me on my patreon page (also for tabs of the licks played in this video): www.patreon.com/QJamTracks Artwork: (c) 2021) Rob van Hal Used: Electric: Strandberg Boden Metal NX 8 string https://strandbergguitars.com @StrandbergguitarsOfficial Acoustic: Takamine GD930 (www.takamine.com) Castilla Classical Guitar Mic: Oktava MK-012-1 Effects: Axe FX II (www.fractalaudio.com) BIAS FX (www.positivegrid.com) Social Media/contact: www.patreon.com/QJamTracks www.facebook.com/QJamTracks www.instagram.com/QJamTracks www.youtube.com/QJamTracks (c)2021 Rob van Hal, Netherlands Subjects in this video: Whole tone scale, How to use the whole tone scale, What is the whole tone scale, Whole tone scale patterns, Whole tone scale box shapes, Whole tone scale licks, Whole tone scale in fusion, Whole ton scale chords Whole tone scale applications, Whole tone scale examples, Improvise over Dominant 7#5 chords, Improvise over dominant chords, Stevie Wonder, Sunshine of my life, Too High, Elektrik, King Crimson, Strandberg guitar, Strandberg NX, Strandberg Boden, 8 string guitar, Music theory lesson guitar, Music theory, Guitar tutorial, Guitar lesson, Rob van Hal, QJamTracks, Q Jem tracks, Q jam tracks$ $9 SCALES to improvise over the DOMINANT 7 chord In this crystal clear guitar lesson you’ll learn 9 scales for improvising over the dominant 7 chord and dominant chords in general. In this video we’ll explore 9 scales. We will look at the pentatonic scale, Mixolydian scale, dominant pentatonic scale, dominant Lydian scale, the dominant diminished scale, the dominant Phrygian scale, altered, scale and whole tone scale. Each of these scales will create a unique and amazing sound that you can use to supprise your audience. Video chapters: 0:00 Introduction 1:06 Five important 7 chords 2:41 The dominant 7 chord 3:57 The minor pentatonic scale 5:47 The major pentatonic scale 6:45 The Mixolydian scale 8:26 Other great options 8:49 Dominant pentatonic scale 10:18 Dominant lydian scale 12:19 Phrygian dominant scale 14:33 Dominant diminished scale 15:54 Whole tone scale 18:01 Altered dominant scale 20:00 Conclusion E-BOOK - Improvising over dominant 7 chords (using scales) https://qjamtracks.myshopify.com/products/e-book-improvising-over-dominant-chords Other E-books with audio files: https://QJamTracks.myshopify.com PATREON: You can support me on my patreon page (also for tabs of the licks played in this video): www.patreon.com/QJamTracks Artwork: (c) 2021) Rob van Hal Used: Strandberg Boden Metal 8 NX (www.strandbergguitars.com) Ibanez JEM 7vb (www.Ibanez.com) Ibanez RT Ibanez SD GR Bass (www.Ibanez.com) Schecter Banshee GT FR (www.schecterguitars.com/) Takamine GD930 (www.takamine.com) Castilla Classical Guitars Samson Concert 99 Wireless system Rode Microphone Axe FX II (www.fractalaudio.com) BIAS FX (www.positivegrid.com) Social Media/contact: www.patreon.com/QJamTracks www.facebook.com/QJamTracks www.instagram.com/QJamTracks www.youtube.com/QJamTracks (c)2021 Rob van Hal, Netherlands Subjects in this video: Improvise over 7 chords, improvise over the dominant 7 chord, What scale for dominant chords, How to solo over dominant chords, 7-chords, 7 chords, Dominant 7 chord, Pentatonic scale, Mixolydian scale, Mixolydian mode, Dominant pentatonic scale, Lydian dominant scale, Phrygian dominant scale, Diminished scale, Dominant diminished scale, Whole tone scale, Altered scale, Music theory lesson guitar, Music theory, Guitar tutorial, Music theory, and Guitar lesson.$