PRESENCE - Volume 4
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.
The Looper Pedal – The Ultimate Practice Tool & How to Use It
If I had to pick one practice tool that every guitarist should have, it would be a looper pedal—hands down! I spend a huge chunk of my practice time with one, and for good reason.
Last week, I wrote about what I call the Three Universal Skills—the foundational skills that every guitarist, regardless of style, should develop:
✅ Knowing what chords are in a key (The Number System)
✅ Playing those chords all over the neck (The CAGED System)
✅ Soloing all over the neck (The 2 “Landmark” Pentatonic Shapes & Their Diagonal Extensions)
A looper pedal is the perfect tool to practice all three skills at once—and have fun doing it!
How to Use a Looper to Level Up Your Playing
Here’s a simple but powerful way to use a looper pedal in your practice:
Step 1: Create Your Foundation Loop
🎯 Pick a Key – Let’s use C Major as an example. Ask yourself: “What are the chords in the key of C?” If you’re unsure at first, that’s fine! Regularly doing this will help you memorize chords in different keys and recognize the sound of common progressions.
🎯 Build a Chord Progression – Music is built on repeating cycles (4, 8, 12, or 16 bars). Start simple with a 4-bar progression, such as:
C - Am - F - G (each chord lasting one bar)
🎯 Loop It! – Play the progression cleanly and record it into your looper. This is your foundation track.
Step 2: Expand with the CAGED System
Now that you have your chord progression looping:
🎯 Find Alternate Shapes – Use the CAGED system to locate different positions for each chord across the neck.
🎯 Think Like a Studio Pro – Instead of just strumming the same way, experiment:
✔ Arpeggiate the chords
✔ Play whole-note sustains
✔ Syncopate with the snare drum
✔ Use double-stops or embellishments
🎯 Refine & Layer It – Craft a unique rhythm guitar part and practice it before recording it as a second layer in your looper.
Step 3: Soloing Across the Neck
Now it’s time to unlock the fretboard using the Landmark Shapes of the Pentatonic Scale.
🎯 Find Your Root Notes – In C Major, locate C on both the E string and A string.
🎯 Position Your Hands – Since we’re in a major key, place your pinky on the root note and:
✔ Play Pentatonic Shape #1 from the E-string root
✔ Play Pentatonic Shape #4 from the A-string root
🎯 Expand with Diagonal Extensions – Use diagonal connections to move seamlessly between shapes and solo across the entire neck.
Why This Works So Well
By looping your own chord progressions, you're reinforcing:
✔ Chords in different keys (instant fretboard fluency)
✔ The sound of chord progressions (ear training on autopilot)
✔ Creativity & composition (develop your own style)
✔ Rhythm guitar skills beyond basic strumming (play like a pro)
✔ Improvising all over the neck (total freedom to solo anywhere)
Which Looper Pedal Should You Get?
A looper pedal doesn’t need to be fancy—simple is best!
🎛 Multi-FX Users – Many pedals, like the Line 6 Helix (what I use), already have a built-in looper.
🎛 Standalone Loopers – If I were buying one today, I’d go with either:
✔ TC Electronic Ditto – Simple, easy-to-use, one knob and one switch
✔ Boss RC-1 – Another solid, no-frills option.
Neither of these pedals store loops, but I actually prefer it that way. I treat loops like sand mandalas—beautiful, but temporary. You create, explore, then erase and start fresh, making every practice session a new musical experience.
Want to See This in Action?
I recorded a video walking through this exact process—check it out here:
Click below to book a personalized one-on-one session to work on this or anything that you would like to explore.
Give this a try in your own practice and let me know how it works for you!
Rock on,
Dustin