Printable Version of Topic

Click here to view this topic in its original format

GMC Forum _ PRACTICE ROOM _ Playing Around The Chord

Posted by: mhskeide May 15 2010, 06:20 PM

I can both sweep and speed pick fairly well, but when people ask me if I`m a good guitar player, I tend to always answer: "not a particularly good one", because of this major weakness I have regarding playing around the chord.

Everytime I try to learn songs in the style of John Mayer, Jimi Hendrix (and many artists like those), it comes to my attention that they play chords and improvise over them, rather than playing "strict note patterns".

Are here any good lessons or do anyone have some tips have to approach this weakness of mine and develop it? It shines annoyingly good through when I`m jamming at bars etc, so it`s time to do something!

Posted by: Joe May 15 2010, 06:43 PM

You might try Pedja's triads in major scale series, basically covers all triads and inversions in a major scale across the neck. You learn that and you'll see that there is always the chord you're looking for no more than about a fret or a string away.

Posted by: jafomatic May 15 2010, 10:25 PM

Lessons "in the style of" the artists that you've mentioned will yield similar results. Also, because you used the exact phrase, I figure we shouldn't overlook the actual http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/arpeggio-etude-around-the-chord/ by Piotr.

If you don't find enough lessons to your liking, I would also suggest that you can make your own exercises in this concept. Pick three chords in a key (I, IV, V being easiest) and load up even the simplest of drum loops. You can then play the first chord for a bar, phrase with that chord's notes over the next bar, rinse and repeat.

I've been meaning to suggest this exercise for someone specific, but it sounds like you'd benefit from it as well.

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic May 17 2010, 09:27 PM

First learn the basic chords, I recommend my Chord Workshop series here on GMC. You can start with triads, and work your way to barre chords in different areas of the fretboard. After you learn that, it will be much easier to form connections between your regular licks and chords.

Posted by: ruben_mcn May 17 2010, 10:48 PM

Learn a lot off hendrix stuff .. and try to see the theory behind them..

Posted by: Keilnoth May 18 2010, 08:19 AM

Triads lesson by Pedja really helped me a lot to improve my chords vocabulary. The exercise jafo mentioned is good as well.

Posted by: Staffy May 18 2010, 08:41 AM

I think it all lies in ear training. If You can really hear the chord You're playing upon and move the fingers to play the notes that You hear in Your head, then it will sound good. Playing triads is a good starting point, but also to learn to sing intervals and chords, and learn the connection between them. Also studying rhytmic motives would be a great help, since a lot of phrases can be played interesting with just a few notes.

//Staffay