PRESENCE - Volume 11
Inspiration For Guitarists
Welcome to my newsletter, Presence! My aim is simple: to share insights and techniques that have helped me grow as a musician, offering something valuable for players at every stage of their journey.
Before we dive into the lesson, I just want to say—thank you.
Last week, I hit my email limit for the first time ever, and missed sending out my newsletter. The surge in new subscribers caught me completely off guard! I’ve been teaching guitar for 30 years, logging over 30,000 lessons, helping players one by one. But in just a couple of weeks on YouTube, I’ve been able to reach more people than I have in three decades of one-on-one lessons. It’s been an incredible experience—connecting with this community, welcoming new students, and seeing so many of you improve your playing.
Honestly, it’s been a little overwhelming too. Teaching isn’t just something I do—it’s who I am. I take just as much pride in helping people learn as I do in performing and recording. Those lightbulb moments? That’s the rush. That’s why I love this.
Right now I’m pouring my energy into creating videos, courses, and e-books designed to help you reach your goals. I already have two video courses almost ready to launch—one on my Landmark Pentatonic Method and another on my EAD simplification of the CAGED system—but I want to make sure I’m giving you exactly what you need.
So tell me—what’s holding you back on the guitar right now? Hit reply and let me know!!
You Probably Learned the Major Scale the Wrong Way
One of my biggest pet peeves as a guitar instructor is the way the Major Scale is typically taught—it’s ineffective and creates unnecessary hurdles.
Most players start with the Pentatonic Scale, which makes sense. With only five notes, it’s broad, forgiving, and works over nearly any chord progression. Everyone learns this shape first:
But when it comes to the Major Scale, things take a turn. The Major Scale is essential—it’s the foundation of Western music—but it’s also more specific, meaning it only fits chord progressions that truly stay within a key.
Unfortunately, the first Major Scale shape most guitarists learn is this:
The Problem? These Two Shapes Don’t Connect!
The Major Scale shape you were probably taught is in a different position than your Pentatonic Scale shape. That means if you want to blend the rootsy, bluesy sound of the Pentatonic Scale with the melodic, colorful sound of the Major Scale, you have to jump positions—interrupting your flow.
The Fix? Learn the Major Scale Where You Already Play
Here’s what I teach my students—and what most pros actually use. The most important Major Scale shape is the one that overlaps with the Pentatonic Scale you already know:
The second most important shape is the one that overlaps with Pentatonic Shape #4—our other key landmark shape:
Why This Works
✅ You’re not learning something completely new—you’re building on what you already know.
✅ You’ll see these shapes used in countless recordings.
✅ You can easily switch between the Pentatonic and Major sounds without moving around the neck.
Start with these two shapes. Once you’ve got them down, you can expand to the other three if you want.
A Final Rant on Modes...
Another thing that drives me crazy? Guitarists being taught to name Major Scale shapes after Modes—it’s wrong. The shape itself isn’t Aeolian, Phrygian, or whatever. Modes are determined by the chord progression, not the scale shape. I’ve spent too much time helping players unlearn this mistake—but that’s a rant for another day.
More on that in future videos and newsletters.
Happy practicing,
Dustin