Guitar lessons, music theory, improvisation, creativity and essential listening.
The Dorian Minor scale is commonly used in improvisation. This position ( personal opinion ) lends itself nicely to working up speed. Remember that these scales can be played anywhere on the neck. In the case of this scale, if you were to start the same shape (pattern) one fret higher (6th fret) it would become the Ab Dorian Minor scale. One fret lower and it becomes the Gb Dorian Minor scale. Also notice that this position DOES NOT start on the root of the … [Read more...]
More often called the Melodic Minor scale, this scale is commonly used in improvisation. This position ( personal opinion ) lends itself nicely to working up speed. Remember that these scales can be played anywhere on the neck. In the case of this scale, if you were to start the same shape (pattern) one fret higher (4th fret) it would become the Ab Melodic Minor scale. One fret lower and it becomes the Gb Melodic Minor scale. Also notice that this position DOES … [Read more...]
Major scales are one of the most commonly used scales in improvisation. Shown below are 2 positions of the G Major scale. The second position allows for greater movement up the neck. Both positions lend themselves well to working up speed. Remember that these scales can be played anywhere on the neck. In the case of this scale, if you were to start the same shape (pattern) one fret higher (4th fret) it would become the Ab Major scale. One fret lower and it … [Read more...]
Here is a blank chord block you can use to mark out chords you discover as you explore your instrument. Just download it on to your system and print it. If you prefer, you can download the MS Word document (version 2003) which has several of these already neatly laid out on a page for you to use. Download the MS Word 2003 file here © Synaptic Systems Inc., 2001 … [Read more...]
Here is a blank scale block you can use to mark out scales you discover as you explore your instrument. Just download it on to your system and print it. If you prefer, you can download the MS Word document (version 2003) which has several of these already neatly laid out on a page for you to use. Download the MS Word 2003 file here © Synaptic Systems Inc., 2001 … [Read more...]
If you took all the notes from all the 5 positions shown in the A Minor Pentatonic lesson and placed them into one block, this is what you would end up with. This is a great exercise to do with any of the scales we (or anybody else) show you in multiple positions. By doing this, you can now see all of the notes of that scale across the neck. Often, when learning a new scale, I will do this. I sit with my guitar in front of this scale block and play the … [Read more...]
© Synaptic Systems Inc., 2000 … [Read more...]
One of the most commonly used scales in improvisation is the Minor Pentatonic scale. Shown below are 5 positions of the A Minor Pentatonic scale. The second position shown is probably the most commonly used shape of this scale. While learning all five is highly recommended, start off by learning the adjacent positions (1 and 3) as this will offer you far more variety in your playing. Remember that these scales can be played anywhere on the neck. In the case of … [Read more...]
This page is a quick reference to all the chords at this site. Click here if you’re not sure how to read the chord blocks. Basic Open Chords Click on the diagrams for an MP3 audio example. Chords with their roots on the E (6th) string Click on the diagrams for an MP3 audio example. E7 #9 .. the ( Purple Haze ) Hendix Chord Chords with their roots on … [Read more...]
C Major 7 and D Minor 7 are two very commonly used chords. Notice the ellipse around the 1st finger in the chord diagrams. It should be laying flat on the neck, as a bar, playing the notes not sounded by the other fingers. If you move the Dm7 chord down 2 frets (towards the tuning pegs) , it becomes a Cm7. Practice shifting from the CMaj7 shape to the Cm7 shape. Do this slowly remembering that clean tones are what you want to hear. Click on the diagrams for an MP3 audio … [Read more...]
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