The Diminished scale and arpeggios nailed – Crystal Clear Tutorial @QJamTracks

Uploaded February 2019 | Updated September 2026, 5 hours ago

Learn all about the wonders of the tonic diminished scale and dominant diminished scale to add it to your improvisation arsenal and let your solos stand out. In this enhanced visual guitar tutorial I explain everything you need to know about the diminished scale and arpeggios so you can incorporate it in your improvisation the easy way.

Backing track for practising the Diminished scale and arpeggio:
youtu.be/R2eQzNJ8aV4

0:00 Introduction
1:46 History of the Diminished scale
2:16 Structure and symmetrie
3:17 Using the diminished scale for improvisation
5:00 Scale patterns
5:59 Jamming with the diminished scale
6:51 Diminished scale in a 12-bar Blues
7:54 Diminished Arpeggio
10:52 Diminished scale over a minor progression
13:34 Triads in the diminished scale
14:43 Using Diminished Cells
15:22 Conclusion

Photo’s : Pixabay.com (CCO license)

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)

Social Media/contact:
facebook.com/QJamTracks
instagram.com/QJamTracks

youtube.com/QJamTracks

(c)2018 Rob van Hal, Netherlands

$The Diminished scale and arpeggios nailed – Crystal Clear Tutorial Learn all about the wonders of the tonic diminished scale and dominant diminished scale to add it to your improvisation arsenal and let your solos stand out. In this enhanced visual guitar tutorial I explain everything you need to know about the diminished scale and arpeggios so you can incorporate it in your improvisation the easy way. Backing track for practising the Diminished scale and arpeggio: https://youtu.be/R2eQzNJ8aV4 0:00 Introduction 1:46 History of the Diminished scale 2:16 Structure and symmetrie 3:17 Using the diminished scale for improvisation 5:00 Scale patterns 5:59 Jamming with the diminished scale 6:51 Diminished scale in a 12-bar Blues 7:54 Diminished Arpeggio 10:52 Diminished scale over a minor progression 13:34 Triads in the diminished scale 14:43 Using Diminished Cells 15:22 Conclusion Photo’s : Pixabay.com (CCO license) I use: Ibanez JEM 7v (www.Ibanez.com) Ibanez SD GR Bass (www.Ibanez.com) Takamine GD930 (www.takamine.com) Castilla Classical Guitars Rode Microphone Axe FX II (www.fractalaudio.com) Social Media/contact: www.facebook.com/QJamTracks www.instagram.com/QJamTracks www.youtube.com/QJamTracks (c)2018 Rob van Hal, Netherlands$ $Building Chords on Guitar: 7, 9, 11 and 13 chords (part2) A crystal clear guide to chord theory in 3 parts, showing you how to build chords and how to create chord extensions. Starting in part 1 with thorough understanding of the basic triads like minor, major, augmented and diminished. Get full knowledge of the basis of all chords in the common tertian chord theory. Expand you knowledge in part 2 with a crystal clear explanation of 7th, 9th, 11th and 13th chords. In part 3 we end this chord extravaganza with some alternative, yet awesome and beautiful uncommon shapes to create a whole lot of versatile and ambiguous sounds that can also be deployed to create modal chord sequences and fusion like rock music. PART 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALqBpTJrCsQ If you want to dive into the triads used in advanced situations, please take a look at my tutorial about this subject: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v FFJ-OULakc You can support me on my patreon page (also for tabs of the licks played in this video): www.patreon.com/QJamTracks Artwork: (c) 2020) Rob van Hal Used: Ibanez JEM 7vb (www.Ibanez.com) Ibanez SD GR Bass (www.Ibanez.com) Takamine GD930 (www.takamine.com) Castilla Classical Guitars Samson Concert 99 Wireless system Rode Microphone Axe FX II (www.fractalaudio.com) A chair Social Media/contact: www.patreon.com/QJamTracks www.facebook.com/QJamTracks www.instagram.com/QJamTracks www.youtube.com/QJamTracks (c)2020 Rob van Hal, Netherlands$ $6 WAYS to improvise over MAJOR 7 chords In this tutorial you’ll learn 6 ways to improvise over 7 chords. In this guitar lesson we look at the scales and arpeggios to use over the maj7 chord such as the major scale, pentatonic scale, superimpose a pentatonic scale over a maj7 chord, the maj7 arpeggio, superimpose a min7 arpeggio over a maj7 chord and superimpose a major 7 arpeggio of the 5th degree. 0:00 Introduction 01:17 Five important 7 chords 3:02 The Major 7 chord 4:12 The Major scale 5:39 Pentatonic scales 7:48 The Minor scale of the 3rd degree 9:45 Maj7 arpeggio over the Maj7 chord 11:24 Min7 arpeggio of the 3rd degree 12:40 Maj7 arpeggio of the 5th degree 13:48 Conclusion Crystal Clear E-BOOKS with audio files: https://qjamtracks.myshopify.com Other E-books: 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: 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: Improvising, 7-chords, 7 chords, Minor 7 chord, Major 7 chord, Diminished 7 chord, Augmented 7 chord, Dominant 7 chord, Soloing over maj7 chord, Scales for maj7 chord, Maj7 arpeggio, Min7 arpeggio, Lydian mode, Lydian scale, Maj7#11 chord, Music theory lesson guitar, Music theory, Guitar tutorial, Guitar lesson, Rob van Hal, QJamTracks, Q Jem tracks, Q jam tracks$

Turn the 12 Bar Blues into the Jazz Blues (3 steps) #shorts

$All About KEYS, SCALES and the CIRCLE of FIFTHS - Crystal Clear Answers to questions like: What is a key? What is a scale? How can I use it? Which chords in what key? What is the circle of fifths? Guitar music theory explained with easy to understand graphics and animations in the QJamTracks way. All this in less than 18 minutes! 0:00 Introduction 0:35 The notes 1:33 Sharps & flats 2:40 Playing in the key of… 3:17 The major scale 5:18 Major starting on D 6:48 Major scale starting on other notes 8:01 Scales with flats 9:04 Order in Chaos 10:54 Circle of fifths 11:48 Circle of fourths 12:58 Merging both circles 13:48 Minor keys 15:38 Relative keys 16:48 Chords in the major scale 18:12 Chords in the minor scale 19:01 Conclusion You can support me on my patreon page (also for tabs of the licks played in this video): www.patreon.com/QJamTracks Artwork: (c) 2020) Rob van Hal Photo Joe Satriani: Hreinn Gudlaugsson, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Video Guitarist in Band: Joshua Malic (Pixabay.com CC BY-SA 4.0) https://pixabay.com/nl/users/malic_1-16268690/ Used: Ibanez JEM 7vb (www.Ibanez.com) Ibanez RT Ibanez SD GR Bass (www.Ibanez.com) Schecter Banshee GT FR (www.schecterguitars.com/) Takamine GD930 (www.takamine.com) Castilla Classical Guitars Samson Concert 99 Wireless system Rode Microphone Axe FX II (www.fractalaudio.com) BIAS FX (www.positivegrid.com) Social Media/contact: www.patreon.com/QJamTracks www.facebook.com/QJamTracks www.instagram.com/QJamTracks www.youtube.com/QJamTracks (c)2020 Rob van Hal, Netherlands Subjects in this video: Circle of fifths, Circel of fifths, Circle of fourths, Circle of 5ths Circle of 4ths Keys, Scale, Scales, Chord theory, Scale theory, Major key, Minor key, What is a key?, Relative keys, Music theory, Music theory for guitar, Find chords in a key, Guitar lesson, Guitar tutorial, Q jam tracks, QJamtracks, Rob van Hal Guitar theory lesson$ $ALL ABOUT the Dreamy LYDIAN MODE, and more - Crystal Clear Lesson With examples and Tabs. Learn how to build the scale on the neck, learn patterns, see examples of famous songs like “Flying in a blue dream” by Joe Satriani and “Every little thing she does is magic” by The Police. Learn how to improvise with the lydian scale in specific situations, see how the chords are organized in this beautiful lydian mode and create lydian chord progressions yourself. Discover lydian arpeggios, pentatonic substitutions and get to know the Lydian Dominant variant for some nice outside sounds. In this video you will nail the secrets of the Lydian scale and learn how to put this mode into daily playing over all kind of chord progressions. I’ll explain everything about this scale and why it’s such a remarkable asset to you your playing routines. You can play this dreamy, uplifting and futuristic sounding lydia scale in different situations over different chords. That’s what you will learn in this video by examples and well known songs in different styles with tablature on screen. You can support me on my patreon page (also for tabs of the licks played in this video): www.patreon.com/QJamTracks Artwork: (c) 2019) Rob van Hal Photos used in the artwork are Public Domain, CCO licensed (pixabay.com). Backing track for practising the Phrygian Dominant scale: 1001 Arabian Nights - E Phrygian Dominant Backing Track ( https://youtu.be/7THCne3rXsM ) Used: Ibanez JEM 7vb (www.Ibanez.com) Ibanez SD GR Bass (www.Ibanez.com) Takamine GD930 (www.takamine.com) Castilla Classical Guitars Samson Concert 99 Wireless system Rode Microphone Axe FX II (www.fractalaudio.com) Social Media/contact: www.patreon.com/QJamTracks www.facebook.com/QJamTracks www.instagram.com/QJamTracks www.youtube.com/QJamTracks (c)2019 Rob van Hal, Netherlands$ $Dominant 9 Arpeggios: Transform Minor to Dorian Gold! Unlock the Dorian sound on guitar with this clear, step-by-step lesson! In this video, you’ll learn how to use dominant 9 arpeggios over minor chords to create exciting, modern improvisations. Perfect for intermediate guitarists who want to level up their soloing skills. Using crystal-clear graphics and animations, I’ll break down exactly how to apply these arpeggios so you can improvise confidently in the Dorian mode without confusion or guesswork. Whether you’re jamming, writing solos, or just exploring new sounds on guitar, this technique will give your playing that fresh, jazzy edge. ✅ What you’ll learn: • Why the Dorian mode is a go-to for modern improvising • How dominant 9 arpeggios create Dorian colors over minor chords • Practical tips to integrate this sound into your guitar solos • Visual demonstrations and easy-to-follow diagrams Level 5 (of 6) 🎶 Grab your guitar and start improvising with Dorian like a pro! #Dorian #GuitarImprovising #GuitarLesson #Dominant9 #GuitarTheory #IntermediateGuitar #improvisation Tablature, diagrams, examples and backing tracks will be available on my Patreon page: https://patreon.com/QJamTracks *Chapters:* 0:00 Introduction 0:39 Concept explained 2:58 The sound 3:54 Superimpose explained 4:33 Using it over minor chords for Dorian 7:30 Using Dom9 over minor & dominant 8:24 Practical take away 9:00 Final Thoughts *Crystal Clear E-BOOKS with audio files:* https://qjamtracks.shopify.com *Social Media/contact: * https:// facebook.com/QJamTracks https:// instagram.com/QJamTracks https:// youtube.com/QJamTracks *Strandberg Guitars* https://strandbergguitars.com *Fractal AxeFx II* https://www.fractalaudio.com Neural DSP Plini X Plugin https://neuraldsp.com/ (c)2025 Rob van Hal, Netherlands$

How to write complex Prog Rock with Polymeter and Polyrhythm

$Gentle Backing Track Steve Vai Style in Em and D An educational and enhanced guitar backing track in E minor and D major for guitarists who want to improvise with the natural minor scale, pentatonic minor scale and major 7 arpeggio. The Backing track is based on the song ‘Gentle Ways’ by master guitarist and virtuoso Steve Vai. You can also play the B minor pentatonic scale (as a substitution for Em pentatonic) over this guitar Jam track. Excellent for improvising, learning modes, scales, chords, licks and arpeggios in A minor. This Q JAM TRACKS jam track in provides a visual representation of the chords and scales in diagrams as they appear in the music. Extra theoretical information is shown in the video. It is a high quality backing track and handy tutorial (lesson) at the same time. Artwork: (c) 2019) Rob van Hal Photo of Steve Vai and Jeremy Colson: René van de Pol @ Arrow Classic Rock Festival (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Steve_Vai_at_Arrow_classic_rock_festival.JPG) Used gear: Ibanez JEM 7v (www.Ibanez.com) Ibanez SD GR Bass (www.Ibanez.com) Takamine GD930 (www.takamine.com) Castilla Classical Guitars Rode Microphone Axe FX II (www.fractalaudio.com) Social Media/contact: www.patreon.com/QJamTracks www.facebook.com/QJamTracks www.instagram.com/QJamTracks www.youtube.com/QJamTracks (c)2018 Rob van Hal, Netherlands$ $Creative solos with TRIAD PAIRS for MODAL and EXOTIC sounds Follow this guitar tutorial and get creative by improvising with triad pairs for modes and even exotic sounding guitar licks. “Triad pairs” is a soling technique that comes from Jazz, but can be used in other styles of music too. By using two simple triads you can construct a hexatonic scale that outlines any scale you want. From modal sounds like Dorian, Lydian and Mixolydian to altered sounds with triad pairs in the melodic minor scale and exotic sounds like the Dorian #4 scale and harmonic minor scale. All with a pair of two simple triads! 0:00 Introduction 0:30 What are triad pairs? 2:25 Horizontal and vertical approach 3:39 How to use triad pairs 5:30 Rhythmic variations 6:46 Imply scales and modes 7:16 Dorian triad pairs 8:01 Lydian triad pairs 8:43 Mixolydian triad pairs 9:21 Exotic triad pairs 10:12 Harmonic minor triad pairs 10:45 Melodic minor triad pairs 11:27 Altered triad pairs 12:52 Example: II-V-I 14:44 Conclusion *Crystal Clear E-BOOKS with audio files:* https://qjamtracks.shopify.com *Tabs and tracks at PATREON:* http://www.patreon.com/Qjamtracks *Social Media/contact: * https:// facebook.com/QJamTracks https:// instagram.com/QJamTracks https:// youtube.com/QJamTracks *Strandberg Guitars* https://strandbergguitars.com *Fractal Audio (FM9)* https://www.fractalaudio.com (c)2024 Rob van Hal, Netherlands$ $Enhanced Satriani and Steve Vai style backing track in G Lydian An uplifting, educational and typical Satriani and Vai style backing track for guitarists who want to shred in the Lydian Mode. You can also play pentatonic scales over this guitar Jam track. Excellent for improvising, learning modes, scales, chords, licks and arpeggios in the Lydian Mode. This Q JAM TRACKS jam track in provides a visual representation of the chords and scales in diagrams as they appear in the music. Extra theoretical information is shown in the video. It is a backing track and tutorial (or lesson) at the same time. Its also a play along video for learning exiting and beautiful chords. Photos: Joe Satriani: By LivePict.com, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8400888 Steve Vai: Toglenn [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], from Wikimedia Commons Used: Ibanez JEM 7v (www.Ibanez.com) Ibanez SD GR Bass (www.Ibanez.com) Takamine GD930 (www.takamine.com) Castilla Classical Guitars Rode Microphone Axe FX II (www.fractalaudio.com) Social Media/contact: www.facebook.com/QJamTracks www.instagram.com/QJamTracks www.youtube.com/QJamTracks (c)2018 Rob van Hal, Netherlands$ $Daily PRACTICE ROUTINES and EXERCISES for SCALES & MODES This is a guitar lesson about practice routines to get a feel and ear for modes and scales in the most efficient way possible. In a few dense exercises containing three ways to study a scale or the modes of the major scale you grasp the essence of that scale by training your ears and technique. Every routine consists of a (modal) progression (chords with inversions), triad arpeggios of a characteristic chord progression, and a scale run. In this guitar tutorial we look at exercises for the modes of the major scale, the harmonic minor scale, the Phrygian dominant scale and the melodic minor scale. Youll find an e-book with audio examples in my e-book store at: QJamtracks.myshopify.com Chapter selection: 0:00 Introduction 1:26 What defines a scale 3:15 Modal Trigger Notes 6:51 Chords that outline the mode 9:55 Routines for studying 10:50 Technique 12:00 Practice Routine Ionian mode 12:37 Practice Routine Dorian mode 13:13 Practice Routine Phrygian mode 13:45 Practice Routine Lydian mode 14:23 Practice Routine Mixolydian mode 14:59 Practice Routine Aeolian mode 15:29 Practice Routine Locrian mode 16:09 Other scales 16:27 Harmonic Minor scale exercise 17:11 Phrygian Dominant scale exercise 17:55 Melodic Minor scale exercise 18:41 Conclusion Tabs, examples and backing tracks: https://www.patreon.com/Qjamtracks E-books with audio files: https://qjamtracks.myshopify.com Artwork: (c) 2021) Rob van Hal B-roll photo’s: Pixabay.com & Pexels.com Gear: Strandberg Boden Prog 6 NX (www.strandbergguitars.com) Ibanez JEM 7vb (www.Ibanez.com) Ibanez RT Ibanez AZ Ibanez SD GR Bass (www.Ibanez.com) Takamine GD930 (www.takamine.com) Castilla Classical Guitars Mic: Oktava MK-012-01 Axe FX II (www.fractalaudio.com) Neural DSP Archetype Plini & Archetype Petrucci Plugins Social Media/contact: www.patreon.com/QJamTracks www.facebook.com/QJamTracks www.instagram.com/QJamTracks www.youtube.com/QJamTracks (c)2022 Rob van Hal, Netherlands Subjects in this video: Modes of the major scale, Practice routines, Practice, Exercise, modes for guitar, Arpeggios, Scale, Guitar technique, Ionian mode, Dorian mode, Phrygian mode, Lydian mode, Mixolydian mode, Aeolian mode, Locrian mode, Harmonic minor scale, Melodic minor scale, Phrygian Dominant scale, Chords and inversions, Modes for guitar, Guitar improvising, Jazz guitar lesson, Music theory lesson guitar, Music theory, Guitar tutorial, Guitar lesson, Rob van Hal, QJamTracks, Q Jem tracks,$