Al Di Meola: Scales, Improvisation & the Dominant 7th Connection

Al Di Meola is one of the most technically gifted and harmonically sophisticated guitarists in the world, and this masterclass offers a direct look into the scale choices, melodic concepts, and rhythmic ideas that define his playing.

Di Meola breaks down his approach to soloing over various chord types, with a focused section on the dominant 7th to diminished connection -- one of the harmonic devices at the core of his improvisational language. The lesson covers scales and improvisation concepts, single-string playing, muting, chordal picking, double stops, and the precise right-hand technique that gives his playing its distinctive attack and clarity. Live song breakdowns of Lustrine, Orient Blue, Perpetual Emotion, and Cielo e Terra are woven throughout, giving the technical concepts real musical context.

A companion PDF booklet is included featuring transcriptions of Al's melodic lines, licks, rhythm patterns, and solos drawn directly from the lesson.

Chapters: Opening and Tuning · Background · Scales and Concepts for Improvising · The Dominant 7th Diminished Connection · Playing On One String · Picking and Right Hand Technique · Lustrine · Rhythmic Variations · Chordal Picking · Orient Blue · Perpetual Emotion · Rhythm Playing · Cielo e Terra · Double Stops · Sound and Equipment · Conclusion

MP4 video lesson | PDF transcription booklet | Instant download