Neoclassical guitar is often associated with lightning fast shred runs. Even though this undoubtly is a part of the genre - this lesson aims at showing you some neoclassical solo basics, such as pedal note licks and the harmonic minor scale.
Make sure to jam with the scale over the backing tracks - this is the best way to get familiar with a new scale.
Let's start things off with an octave interval. We are then playing a smooth flowing legato phrase, produced by using hammer-ons ("h" in tab) on the g-string. This phrase is played in out trusty E minor/aeolian box.
Notice how the index finger can be used as a "mini-barre" - when playing two notes on the same fret. Be sure to angle your finger differently when going from the d string to the g string - otherwise you will get two notes ringing at the same time. With a distorted sound this can be quite noisy - you don't want that!
We are now repeating the hammer-on notes seen earlier - but adding different ending notes. Creating a variation can be as simple as this! (More about this in the phrasing lesson)
Here is a neat trick you can use to get that typical Bach feeling... It's produced by repeating a so called pedal note (in this case E - 17th fret b string).
This technique can be a little tricky - you need to be careful with the strings skips (I find this particularly hard for the picking hand). Also, I find it hard to stay "clean" with this kind of lick.
A typical scale used in neocalssical guitar music is the harmonic minor scale. This scale will generally suit most minor chord progressions where you normally use the the minor/aeolian scale. This example pedal lick uses E harmonic minor.
Notice how I am using the right hand ring finger to facilitate the string skip. Even though this technique - hybrid picking - is most commonly associated with country music, it works nicely anywhere you need it!
just a short notice, would've been sooo fun if you had that ending "?pleasure moment?" in one of the short instruction videos , like how to look the "right" way after you play this piece hahahah
kris this website rocks..i feel like i am improving everyday which didnt happen for the last 3 years i believe..you rock!..maybe if i become good enough i could be an instructor here dont you think? haha totally kidding