Modernising the Pentatonic Scale – John Connearn

Unlock the Full Potential of the Pentatonic Scale

The pentatonic scale is a staple of guitar playing, used across genres from blues to rock and metal. In Modernising the Pentatonic Scale, John Connearn takes this essential scale and elevates it to new heights, exploring advanced techniques and concepts that will transform your playing. This course is designed for guitarists looking to break out of box patterns and inject fresh, expressive ideas into their improvisation and lead playing.

By learning and applying the techniques in this course, you’ll develop a more fluid, dynamic, and technically proficient approach to the pentatonic scale, allowing you to craft more intricate and expressive solos.

Guitar Techniques Covered

Legato

Legato playing allows for smooth, fluid note transitions by minimising pick strokes and emphasising hammer-ons and pull-offs. This technique not only increases speed and efficiency but also creates a seamless, connected sound in your solos.

Alternate Picking

A foundational technique for developing precision and speed, alternate picking helps maintain consistent attack and articulation, ensuring clarity in fast, intricate phrases.

Vibrato

A vital expressive tool, vibrato adds depth and emotion to your playing. By controlling the pitch fluctuation of sustained notes, you can enhance phrasing and create a signature sound.

String Bending and Bluesy Bends

Mastering string bending is crucial for expressive soloing. This technique allows you to reach notes between frets, mimicking vocal inflections. Bluesy bends specifically introduce a soulful, dynamic feel to your lead playing.

Slides

Incorporating slides into your phrases helps create smoother transitions between notes, enhancing the legato effect and making licks feel more natural and vocal-like.

Unison Bends

A staple of rock and blues soloing, unison bends involve bending one note to match the pitch of another, creating a rich, harmonically intense sound.

Double-Stop Bends

By applying double-stop bends, you can add harmonic complexity and a thicker, more powerful sound to your playing, commonly used in blues and rock solos.

Trills

Fast, alternating trills between two notes add energy and flair to your playing, making them an excellent technique for building tension and excitement in solos.

Tremolo Picking

For rapid-fire note repetition, tremolo picking is an essential technique used in genres from metal to classical, providing a continuous flow of sound with a fast picking motion.

Pinched Harmonics

Used to create screaming, high-pitched overtones, pinched harmonics are a must-have for adding intensity and attitude to your solos, particularly in rock and metal.

Tapped Harmonics

Expanding on harmonic techniques, tapped harmonics produce bell-like tones that add unique textures to your phrasing.

Two-Handed Tapping

Taking your technique to the next level, two-handed tapping allows for complex, fluid, and rapid melodic runs that wouldn’t be possible with traditional picking techniques.

The Influence Behind the Style

John Connearn draws inspiration from legendary guitarists who have pushed the boundaries of pentatonic-based soloing. Players like Eddie Van Halen, Paul Gilbert, and Joe Bonamassa have expanded the use of the pentatonic scale with techniques such as tapping, wide vibrato, and intricate phrasing. Their influence is deeply embedded in this course, ensuring that you gain insight into the playing styles of some of the most innovative guitarists in history.

Why Learn These Techniques?

Each of these techniques enhances different aspects of your playing:

• Improved Speed & Fluidity – Legato, alternate picking, and tremolo picking allow you to play faster, cleaner licks.
• Enhanced Expressiveness – Techniques like vibrato, bending, and harmonics add character and personality to your solos.
• Greater Versatility – Expanding on the pentatonic scale with slides, trills, and tapping opens up new creative possibilities.
• Increased Confidence – Mastering these techniques builds technical proficiency, allowing you to play more complex passages with ease.

Guitar Techniques Featured in This Course

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• Tapped Harmonics
• Double-Stop Bends
• Unison Bends
• Pinched Harmonics
• Trills
• Tremolo Picking
• Slides
• String Bending
• Bluesy Bends
• Two-Handed Tapping

By enrolling in Modernising the Pentatonic Scale, you’ll gain access to expert guidance from John Connearn, enabling you to elevate your playing, develop a unique voice, and master the techniques used by legendary guitarists. Whether you're looking to enhance your soloing, improve technique, or expand your musical vocabulary, this course will provide the tools to take your guitar playing to the next level!