I was playing a gig the other night and I played this turnaround idea over a slow blues and thought, “that was cool, I should do a video of that move.”

So I did. And here it is. Enjoy!

And if you need the TAB for that pattern it’s here.


    139 replies to "Bluesy Major Pentatonic Turnaround Lick"

    • TSGordon

      It is with some trepidation that a chef from Memphis would dare discuss BBQ with a lesser colleague outta Texas. However, when it comes to playin’ the BLUES, need one even try to ‘outdistance’ the likes of GH who seems to carry an eternal torch for the legendary Houstonite, SRV??

    • lee

      If you’re playing blues in A, And you are done playing A Major Pentatonic during the Tonic portion -when you switch to D and E, Are you still playing the A Minor Pentatonic notes or do you switch to D and E Pentatonic patterns? SHAFERLEE@AOL.COM anyone?

      • benj1707

        Either. From A Major Penta you could go to A minor penta for the D and E or you could use the D minor or the E minor pattern with the D and E. Could be difficult though.

    • rich cibelli

      thank you Griff, will use this as wwll!

    • Jean

      Thank you Griff.

    • Tony

      Thanks Griff, great as usual. How would you do this for a blues in E/

      • HotLks

        This run (pattern) starts on the root note G.
        Start on the root note E (open 6th string) and play the PATTERN from there.
        PATTERNS are a very important tool for Blues players, for all guitar players.
        Stay Well!

    • Marv Murray

      Great as always Griff

    • ray

      gr8 lesson……was wondering if you could implement that progression on a jam track……..thanks, Ray

    • Bill

      Yeah, that’s a sweet run that the Allman Brothers employed many times, like on Mountain Jam.

    • Dave B

      Great lesson, thank you,
      You grow younger by the day. 🙂

    • Jeff

      wow great old video, slide this up to A and use it to play riff to cross cut saw.

    • simon joint

      That’s a fantastic lesson & very similar to a turnaround that I’ve seen used a lot but never seen a lesson anywhere on what it is,let me know how to send you a video example of it & I will tell you how far into the clip the phrase starts,hope you can help,I’ve got your 5 solos course on dvd & love i,Regards Simon

    • Mark Arnold

      Thanks Griff I’ve been using this idea of climbing and descending through the octaves for some time now it’s a great way to move up and down the fretboard and bust out of just playing vertical pentatonic scales great lesson as always !

    • STEVEN TANNER

      Hi Griff, you just keep coming up with great ideas for BGU folks. And I know you are a blues guru, but would you ever consider doing an Allman Bros type series of lessons, I saw your demo in this video and just love that Southern Rock sound. Please consider doing at least a few of these if you can squeeze it in.

      Thanks, Steve

    • jim

      Can’t thank you enough for all of these great tips. No one else does this. Very much appreciated.

    • John Jopling

      Great lessons as always!! Just getting started on Unleased but having fun with it and this little lick can be immediately employed. If you have time someday could you demonstrate how to go into the minor pentatonic on the 4 and 5 from that lick or tell where to go in the lessons to find it. Cold over here even in the south. Thanks

    • Michael Chappell

      Hey Griff Great little Turnaround Lick, it would be good to get the TAB sheet for the progression up the neck. Unless it is in 5 Easy Solos which I have the course but not yet at that stage. Still going through BGU V 2 and some other email lessons you have sent through.

      All Good

      Michael-Sydney- Australia

    • Thatman

      This is a great little ditty to add to my warm up schedule, and as you show in the video it’s great in reverse too.

    • DaveyJoe

      Thanks Griff! Marty left a cool jam track.

    • Bill45

      A great explanation of a little pattern that can take you up the neck easily. It is interesting to note, however, that this lick does start on beat 1 (generally Griff says NEVER start a lick on beat 1), but as Griff also says sometimes the rule does not apply. This lick obviously works!

    • Sherman Homan

      Great lesson! It pulls so many good things together! Thanks Griff!

    • moodygra

      Thanks Griff. This has helped me immensely in playing major pentatonic over I and minor pentatonic on IV and V. Hope all are having a great festive season.

    • Mark

      Thanks Griff

    • PETER SPENCER

      Griff,Thank you for my Chrismas box

    • kathie

      Merry Christmas! Thank you for sharing, you have helped me so much with playing. I am not very fast, but very persistent to learn.I know with practice every day I can do this. Thank you!

    • Krzysztof Chmiel

      Hi Giff ! Thank you for your simple but very clever major blues pattern. It is very useful thing indeed. I wish you Very Merry Christmas and Rich New Year for developing your Talented Blues Skills !
      Warmest Holiday season regards:
      Krzysztof Chmiel.

    • Jeremiah Gee

      Tanks for the lesson Griff Merry Xmas and Happy New Year From Gee family.

    • Ray Jackson

      Hi Griff. I learnt this useful piece off you some while ago and it’s so simple to master but gives a great confidence boost to see how easy it is to get up the scales on the fretboard with speed and ease. I use it a lot in my warm up routine and when playing different tunes, cos’ it sounds good no matter what tempo you play it in. I like the Allman Bros, twist on it also. Have a Happy and Peaceful Christmas and New Year. Ray, (UK).

      • Fran Mercuri

        Thanks and Merry Christmas Blues Man for a great year of sample blues lessons. I really dig the BGU course and its book plus many DVD’s.

    • serge

      Just another learning material which is great to practice.
      Keeping with little tutorials like these might get me somewhere,
      Leaving for holidays in the Seychelles, might be able to check the locals bands with the african beats (sega dance) wishing you and your family
      happy XMAS AND A PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR.

      ,

    • Sandra Mahony

      Thanks griff, love that lesson especially the allman bros style lead you played.MERRY XMAS to you and all your family.Have a great day playing at disney land.

    • tim

      Griff,
      Can’t say I write you much. Don’t see how you got the time to read all these emails. but if you read this email I wish you a very merry xmas and happy new year. Got a few of your courses and…………..still tryin’. But MUST say you are the most go to guy I look at!!!Please keep on Bluesen.
      Love the blues and you too!
      take care,eh
      Tim

    • Roy

      Thanks Griff.
      I still suck at this, but suck a little less than before.
      Happy Holidays

    • Jean Dominique

      So much creativity in this beautiful, simple arrangement. I enjoyed it .And Merry Christmas.

    • Kevin

      Great video Griff
      Have a great Xmas & New Year to you & your family.

    • Len

      Thanks Griff,I just LOVE your teachings,its like you can READ minds,Len.

    • Greg

      Hey Griff this is exactly the same run I do in E minor pentatonic

    • Charles Snyder

      Merry Christmas to you and your family Griff. You’ve brought much joy and inspiration to thousands of guitar pickers.

    • Alexander Blue

      Merry Christmas from my family to yours Griff … Been following you and learning from your courses for a number of years now … Great stuff … Your my Blues Guru Brah … Please keep up the good work.

      A.B.

    • Pat Patterson

      I heard a bit of Tulsa Time with that Major intro.
      We always get surprised when we hear something we aren’t looking for!
      Thanks for all you do Griff!
      Merry Christmas

    • Alan

      Will you have a special on your immediate blues ?

    • Freddybsharp

      Hey Griff:
      Great stuff, easy and very cool!.

      Mele Kalikimaka from Maui

    • Robert D.

      Griff
      Merry Christmas to you and your Family.
      Disneyland is in for a treat.
      Thanks for all you provide in teaching/ sharing. Awesome video.

    • David Robbins

      Wishing you and your family a very merry christmas and a happy new year from Dave Robbins and family England.

    • tony

      this is one good lesson it answered some very interesting questions . actually bust out a guitar for the very first time since so way back can not remember when . these lessons really paid off glab to have found Griff . Do you always keep that action where ya like it? ON THE GUITAR BRAH BUZZ BUZZ . love ta have you check mine out i would be ya alls luthier

    • jim

      Another Griff Gift! (a Grift?) Thanks and Merry Xmas!
      I’ve always played in the minors. Griff is my best chance to break into the Majors!

    • Mike Skyba

      A Merry Christmas to you and your family. And always thank you for these great teaching methods.

    • Maurice Mousseau

      Thank you Griff. Merry Christmas to you and yours.

    • Ron Harling

      Very nice, love the way it runs up the neck. Thanks for these gems. A good teacher seems to have to hammer home multiple ideas, over and over and eventually some of them stick. Thanks for your persistance. Hope you and your family have a Joyous Christmas!

    • Pat Witteek

      Thanks Griff and Merry Christmas!

    • Gerald & Cleopatra Hughes

      Wishing you and your family a Very Merry Christmas! Thanks for the great lessons.

    • Frank Lombardi

      Griff Wishing you and your Family MerryChristmas Thanks

    • Raymee

      I hope you and your family have a nice Christmas. Yes, I am still plugging away on the first two BGU lessons. Enjoy my Theory Lessons……Yea. wonder about myself….HaHa

    • tony

      It is the nuts and bolts of the major penatonic scale . Now I have been following You now for awhile and this is something that I sorta got down already . Likely because I play alot of allman brother songs . I do not really ever have a question ,but, the last video with the albert king thing . I realize that if you do not have permission to copywrite a song it has to be done diffrent than the original artist . I have a copywrite redone of the tune born under a bad sign . There are no seventh cords in the song . Am E and D are used in my copy done again in 72 and was copywrited from a 67 production . Yeah I am a old musician . I guess the question is did You change it to avoid copywrite laws ? I am assuming that you did . I do play the lic the same way . That may be the albert king way but I know that I have the clapton (cream) verison. HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS !

      • Camcoop25

        To the best of my knowledge, a chord progression cannot be copyrighted – otherwise some rich fella would own the blues. Copyright pretty much comes down to the melody, lyrics and little else – even a riff may not count- you’d have to argue it in court…

        It is fortunate for Keith Richards that he gets an automatic writing credit on the Jagger-Richards songs, regardless of who wrote the melody and lyrics, because by his own admission, Jagger has written far more of the melodies and lyrics than he has, despite the fact that Jagger has often built those on top of a chord progression and killer riff that Keith spent hours coming up with. To me though, this seems fair, as there wouldn’t be much to those songs without the Keith riffs (one only has to listen to Jagger’s solo work to confirm this).

        As another example, Roger Waters gets the lion’s share of the Pink Floyd writing royalties. Now, fair enough, he has written most of the lyrics and the melodies, but the band has always contributed so much… without the sweet as pie Gilmour solos, where would those songs be? That plus the overall sound – the band playing as a unit and the production also play a major part in composition and the final product, and to my mind, those involved with that should share in the writing royalties to some degree. But copyright law has a narrow definition of creative input, and doesn’t take this into account.

        Actually, with “Great Gig in the Sky”, the singer, Clare Torry successfully sued Floyd many years later for a writing credit. She was paid a paltry sum to come in and improvise… got her 50 pounds or whatever and off she went – and the song made a fortune for the band and Richard Wright got the songwriting credit for coming up with the chord progression. It was settled out of court, so the details were never disclosed, but her lawyers most likely argued that she “wrote” the melody of the song by improvising it – there was no actual melody otherwise. She now has a shared credit with Richard Wright.

    • Chris hutchison

      Thanks Griff,love these guitar gems. Happy Christmas to you and your family. Watching Joe Cocker at Woodstock tonight. Regards,Chris hutchison.

    • Chris hutchison

      Thanks for another fruitful year Griff. Great lessons(thankfully they don’t feel that way) and so look forward to all these gems. The best of Christmas greetings to you and your family. Will be watching Woodstock tonight and dear old Joe. Regards,Chris.

    • Graeme H

      Thanks Griff, hope to master that one real soon. Season greetings to you an your family.
      Graeme

    • Bob JK

      Thanks Griff. Merry Christmas from us to yours.
      Your on my bucket list to see you perform live.

    • geoff

      Many thanks, griff. All the best to you and yours. Thank you for the past year. Iooking forward to next year, and all its developments. Cheers.

    • Jim Morris

      Griff: As I listen to your licks and watch as you easily and quickly demonstrate them I think to myself. “Where was stuff like this as I spent hour upon hour with a guitar in my hand trying to figure out a turnaround from a Freddy King or a Otis Rush song.

      I guess I am showing my age here, but truth be told, I wouldn’t have traded all of those hours and all of that work…. Woodshedding to really learn my instrument. Still, this is a great site for people to learn on. Keep up the good work

    • Grady Burgie

      I loved as a good deal as you will accept conceded outdated decent at this juncture. The sketch is attractive, your authored subject be important classy. nonetheless, you command get got an edginess above that you wish be delivering the next. ill indubitably come additional formerly again as just the unchanged practically a lot repeatedly inside holder you defend this hike.

      • jim

        …I think your translator needs a new Thesaurus!

    • Karl Maj

      How can I move firefox settings from one processor to another?

    • Michael Bellanger

      Mii-Gwich Griff,

      I really enjoy your riffs,you share with us.the only thing is I wish

      you would share some funkier riffs,also with us.

      Mii-Gwich from MCB

    • ed

      Thanks for the licks in Major Pentatonic. I need some work with using the Major Pentatonic scale.

    • Frankie

      Great patern lesson … Really appreiciate it , Thanks Griff

    • rakin

      Thanks for the great tips. I will be using them in my wood shading over the coming weeks.

    • James.J

      Thank you Griff,I cant believe how helpful these videos are.All the best,James.

    • Dandiller

      Great stuff Griff. I really enjoy your vids. You have a cool teaching style. I look forward to your lessons! THANKS.

    • Joe (Bud)

      Good stuff….As much as I tinker around on the fretboard…I always pick up something from U…Mr.Griff Riff !!!

    • Manuel Hernandez

      Your TAYLOR GUITAR SOUNDS LIKE FRET BUZZOR THE QUALITY OF YOUR STRINGS ARE JUST LITTLE UNDER PAR. NOTHING PERSONAL.

      • Jimi

        This video? Fret Buzz?
        It’s a Suhr (Classic), not a Taylor. (Suhrs start around $4,000).
        Griff uses Ernie Ball, regulars. A good, standard string for many guitarists.
        I think he just turned his amp down a little for this one.

    • Jerry

      Griff,

      Is the lower tab supposed to have

      3 3/7 6th string

      5 7 3 3 7 on 5th string

      5 7 5 on 4th string

      on the major-pentatonic-lesson.pdf

    • blackcoffeeblues

      sounds cool man, i’m all over it.

    • Friend -

      Junot341

      Hey Grif sensational and so simply that I can understand it.
      I love the way you always show up man, I get sidetracked because I’m really concentrating on vocal. But I will be hanging out with you and telling friends about it.
      Thanks Junot341 aka Sam

    • Jerry StCroix

      Thanks Griff . You are by far the best instructor/teacher. And as I learn more from the tutorials tips & tricks to express myself with the blues…My purchase of the BGU is a tool most people should own!

    • Paul Spiel

      I bought a few blues products off Griff and really like the way he comes across in his teaching style…Griff also will throw you a lot of free videos to learn from, which I like! I’m a much better guitar player because of his approach to the guitar.

    • steve

      never new playing base was same as lead guitar licks

      cool

    • tonythebluesman@gmail.com

      sorry had to comment about your guitar . its not you but a fret buzz that drives me crazy . i rebuild guitars and thats because i guess i am alot like a famous guitarist he didnt like many guitars so he made his own used a radio tuner for a knob on his guitar . any way seems the ole axe needs a neck tweek or a bridge adjustment or a tenation adjustment . or maybe ya got the wrong size strings on it bub too small . any one out that needs help just ask ive been doing it for over 40 years an seen it all . just wish that i didnt throw the dobro it was vintage with a hole in it what a dumb thing to do .

    • tonythebluesman@gmail.com

      thats good stuff and i hadnt seen this. chomping at the bit waiting for the mailperson to drop off my dvds that i purchased.

    • mc.parsons@sympatico.ca

      Thanks Griff-always like the new ideas!!!!

    • Bruce Sankey

      l have heard the ABB use that riff on their 1st album the song before , lt’s not my cross to bear,and also it is prominent in their Good clean fun , song where they W haynes , and D Betts play it in unison in a cool double lead fashion.

    • a.pofi@worc.ac.uk

      Great sliding moves Griff! I just need to create more time and will be ready to buy a complete package of your tutorials at the end of my PhD study.
      You are a star!
      Pofi.

    • Stephen Joshua

      fantastic Griff this is a weakness of mine I get lost and dont know whare to go next, so this will help Thanks

    • Keith Dunn

      very nice griff..thank you

    • Doug Feinholz

      Love it when it all comes together …..ahhhh the light! Also the tab would help shed some light on it..

    • ericlehtonen@gmail.com

      Thanks Griff! Very nice. I can see where I might be able to use this in a variety of ways. Cheers Eric

    • Art Martinez

      Always the ultimate teacher of the Blues! Thanks for the great turnaround video tip.

    • Gordon Greaves

      This was an excellent lesson! Thank you for taking the time to do this!

    • Patricia Lollis

      Fantastic Griff! Great way to start the week. Keep ’em coming. Even though I have your DVD course, these snippets are invaluable!

    • Joseph Padgette

      Thanx Griff, Another fine one

      • Ron Hocking

        Love your videos ! Even though I have 4 of your courses keep em coming !

    • James E Anderton

      Another great way to start the day. Thanks Griff.

    • Michael J. Zeoli

      Griff,I love this lesson. I really enjoy these examples. It helps a lot when you break them down. Thanks, Mike

    • Robby Melnick

      Thanks for the video I’m still on blues unleashed beginners which I played so well,stayed away for awhile and forgot much of what I memorized. I really upsets me I can play well when I’m at it everyday but took much time off 4 months. But I’m back now . Again thanks for thinking of your followers . Robby

    • little2acres@alaska.net

      Thanks Griff.

      Great little turn around lesson. I am having a great time with blues guitar unleashed,and these added little lessons are always fun to recieve.Thanks again

      Bernie P. Alaska

    • Friend -

      G and l

    • Sgwalker@blueyonder.co.uk

      Hi Griff. Really cool and easy to learn lesson it also switched on that light which says ” hey this really makes sense” good example using Allman Brothers – immediately brings “Jessica” to mind. Thanks Griff – you are the man!

    • Michael Souther

      another great video Griff. I use these little lessons all the time, and string a couple together….BAM! you have a great run playing! Thanks!

    • Robert Ivey

      Griff,

      Thanks for this lesson. I got part of it but I must be a bit dense. The downloaded tab does not seem to follow what you are playing and I can’t tell for sure how you are fingering the turn around chords. Do you have another tab for this?

      Thanks

    • Joe Scislowicz

      Well done, love these small lessons!

    • Stanley Kava

      Thanks Griff, love all the info.Keep it coming.

    • allenfamily01@optusnet.com.au

      Griff, thanx for this tutorial, it was really interesting. I require more practice. Thanx again.

    • Lance Dolbeck

      Thanks Griff, always great teachings. Lance

    • mikewelsh283@btinternet.com

      Think this riff was used in Peter Green’s “Oh Well”

    • Robert Stroup

      Thanks, Griff. I have to practice more!

    • jcnique7@gmail.com

      I enjoyed this .Thank you.It is as if I had a teacher in front of me. That is the difference.

    • Barry Himes

      Really enjoyed this one. Ties together some previous solo ideas with a great turn turn around. Very handy!

    • Chris

      So useful Griff,thankyou. Likewise the sliding minor scale is also so handy,regards,Chris.

    • Mark Corbett

      Thanks Griff this is GREAT STUFF! It’s just what I need as a beginner. It keeps me focussed and motivated. Keep up the good work. You really do a conscientious job taking care of your customers (students ) after the sale, I for one applaud you. Thanks, Mark Corbett.

    • William

      Excellent video griff. Hope you’ll leave it up for us because it takes me a little time to pick things upu

    • Paul Hachey

      Another short but great lesson!!! Thanks for showing me quick little runs that help a beginner like myself learn to utilize a little more of the neck. Thanks & PLEASE keep them coming!!

    • Dave AKA Bluewater

      These are great mini lessons that really work well with your courses.

    • Len - Winter Park, Fl

      Thanks Griff … I appreciate the turn around.

    • Colin Campbell

      Thanks Griff for yet another excellent lesson that students can use immediately and it will sound good!

    • Jay

      Great turnaround option, but an even greater explanation and teaching of the like. As usual, clear and thorough. Thanks.

    • DaveyJoe

      Excellent, Griff! A nice variation to the 3+2 Move in the B.G.U. Bonus Material. I’ve actually been working on that lately too. Thanks for giving me some new ideas and ways to apply the lessons.

    • Tom Whitworth

      I have known this “lead pattern” for some time now and forgot to make use of it. Correct me if I’m wrong, but there is another parallel pattern in a different form. Might that be the minor pent? I realize it is all relative to the root note position.
      Anyway, thanks again. It is really refreshing to get professional help that is easy to understand and ready to put directly to use. I appreciate the time you set aside to help all of us without pushing the commercials. I have purchased your material before but these quick tips really help!

    • Tom Hopsicker

      Thanks Griff. A guy can get a lot of mileage out of that and it’s variations.

    • Pasquale Pietramala

      cool!…..thank-you.

    • lj musall

      You explain so ,clearly”.
      Thxs

    • Lep

      What i am aalways looking for……more ways to play up and down the neck….THANKS !

    • Clintt

      Cool and easy, thanks Griff!

    • Demetrious

      Thank you griff, you always come up with something cool and smooth! And excellenct for extending that follow through.yeahhhh!!

    • Mr B. Massah

      Thanks Griff for posting these very helpful tutorials.
      You explain in an easy way the most important points to produce good sounds and to feel it. My Appreciation!!
      Most guitar players with many years of experience and good technique and feeling are not as well good guitar teachers.

    • Alan Laursen

      Excellent little lesson. I have been noodling around quite a bit lately using what you have called the 3+2 and 2+3 patterns [and if I am correct, this lesson is in fact a 3+2 pattern] and have found them to really open up the fretboard for me. And this lesson has really reinforced that for me. Many thousand thanks!!!

    • cowboy

      nice sounding and easy to do…thanks…later.

      cowboy

    • Pablo

      cool, very useful, combining major and minor makes it special. thanks

    • Gennaro Palladino

      Very good lesson. I’d been using this pattern for a while but I didn’t understand why it worked. I think of it as a boogie bass pattern that I’ve heard of in 100’s of 50’s rock songs.

    • John Yates

      Way cool – thanks Griff.

    • Russell Grice

      nice little addition to the arsenal. thanks Griff

    • fenderman1976@talktalk.net

      another great example of sounding good with only a few notes
      i like how you keep us all interested and looking forward to the next lesson!!
      regards
      rich in uk

    • jmzhofman@gmail.com

      Gee I wish I had the time to try some of these things you’re posting, Griff, I just might have to retire to get back together with my guitars;-)

      • jim

        Retirement is HIGHLY recommended!

    • rearsbygolf.cook@gmail.com

      Nice one Griff. JC.( UK )

    • Phillip Harrison

      Even though I have some of your courses Griff I still enjoy these little tutorials.

      • Tom Whitworth

        I agree, the learning material is great but sometimes you just need a little reminded to use what is being taught.

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