Playing Blues Guitar – The Blue Note and Beyond
Sunday, January 3rd, 2010
Generally, playing the Blues is an emotional high for most guitarists. When one perfects the techniques necessary in order to execute guitar solos in this particular idiom of music, audiences perk up and really get into the groove. The Blues can certainly move people. The chord changes, pertaining to the Blues, are also very moving to most audiences.
As we all know, there many forms and styles of the Blues. Delta, Mississippi, and the Chicago Blues are just a few that come to mind. Many guitarists and artists have devoted their entire lives to perfecting their presentation of the Blues. Once again, this is well known by all. Most of us are thankful that they did.
This article is intended to explain a few approaches to playing contemporary Blues guitar. Here, the guitar chord and guitar scale application is quite different from the above referenced forms of Blues. Further, this article is not intended to teach any particular style of Blues. The intent here is to merely examine some contemporary approaches to playing the Blues.
Many guitarists think in terms of utilizing pentatonic scales when approaching a Blues situation. Further, many guitarist, in the contemporary sense, utilize the I- IV- V progression as their fundamental harmonic approach. The I- IV- V progression can be major chords (generally triads), dominant chords (7th’s, 9th’s, 11th’s, 13th’s), minor chords (minor triad, minor 7, minor 9, minor 11, minor 13, etc.), or a combination of all of these chords (and sometimes more).
A common approach to a I-IV-V Blues progression (all major chords), is the use of a minor pentatonic scale over all three chords. For example, a chord progression utilizing an A7 (I chord), progressing to a D9 chord (IV chord), and then using an E9 chord as the V chord would generally dictate the use of an A minor pentatonic scale (played at the 5th fret; A) for all three chords. This type of chord progression is considered standard Blues I-IV-V. However, the guitar scale approach can be anything but standard. It’s all open to interpretation as a guitarist or any instrumentalist. The interpretation is where the fun comes in.
Now, we all know that a true pentatonic scale consists of a root note, b3rd, 4th, 5th, and b7th. Therefore an A minor Pentatonic Scale would contain the following notes: A (root), C (b3rd), D (4th), E (5th), and G (b7th). Once again, this A minor pentatonic scale works great when played over the A7, D9, and E9 chords. However, it’s fun to experiment and switch things up a little bit when performing for an audience. This is where clever departure from the anticipated and standard really pays off. Think about this concept for a minute (wish I could remember where I heard this). If we change the way we look at things, then the things we look at change. It’s a simple, but a very profound lesson in life and in music.
The next time you bump in to this type of progression, experiment with sound. For example, play the A minor pentatonic scale over the I chord (A7). When you progress to the D9 chord (IV chord), play an A Dorian Scale (Dorian Mode). The Dorian Mode works well against the sound of the D9 chord. Why? Here’s a good field trip for some of you. Go back and read my article entitled The Dorian Mode-What Every Guitarist Should Know. Look for the most characteristic element of the Dorian Mode. Then, analyze the D9 chord. Is there something that both the Dorian Mode (played at 5th fret; A) and the D9 chord have in common? Of course there is. You really didn’t think you’d get out of this article without putting in some work, did you?
Another fun approach to the D9 (IV chord) chord, is to play a D Mixolydian Scale (no substitutions) against the D9 chord, but only against the D9 chord. The Mixolydian Scale is a dominant scale. Therefore, it works and sounds great against the D9 chord, which is a dominant chord. The sound of this particular combination is very uplifting to an audience. It also contains an element of surprise. Surprise is a good thing in music.
Let us not forget the blue note. It’s best to think in terms of that minor pentatonic scale again (played at the 5th fret; A) in order to analyze the blue note. The blue note occurs by lowering the 5th of the A minor pentatonic scale by a half step. Therefore, the actual blues scale would now contain the following notes: A-C-D-Eb-E-G. The Eb isthe blue note. The strict theorists have an obsessive need to hear the blue note. I agree with their obsession. The blue note (lowered 5th of the A minor pentatonic scale) sounds great played against the A7 chord, D9 chord, and the E9 chord. This is the authentic blues scale.
As a general rule, less is more when playing the Blues. The chords referenced above are extended chords. While they may be used in a Blues scenario, it’s best to keep the chord progressions and the actual chords simple. Simplicity is the essence of the Blues. The beauty is in the scale selection (melodic solo application). When the actual chords are 3 or 4 part chords, the scale tones (whether pentatonic or diatonic) can imply different things for different listeners. Once again, this implication is what makes the movement of Blues attractive and emotional.
Try playing an E Mixolydian Scale (Mixolydian Mode) against the E9 chord (V chord). This also adds an element of surprise for the listener. There are literally hundreds of options and choices that we could analyze for a blues progression. It’s all about the choices. Knowledge is king. Application is just a simple matter of choice.
The truth is that one could literally employ several altered chords, altered scales, and imply different key signatures all day and all night (including traditional minor keys and scales). That is, those who are well schooled in theory and application.
Can you imagine approaching a simple Blues progression with hundreds of choices to throw at the progression? If not, then you’re limiting yourself. It’s really that simple. When the thirst for authentic education hits, progress is inevitable.
Playing Blues guitar can be fun and rewarding for those who choose this particular style. While Blues is a standard part of my teaching curriculum, my personal favorite and style is progressive Pop-Rock. The challenges, for me, are much greater and the choices are endless.
Could this article have contained references to key signatures and almost every melodic and harmonic approach to playing the Blues? The answer is yes. However, the true intent here is to help those who need a little motivation, not to spoon-feed.
Whatever your style, it’s important to develop an awareness of music theory. Through this awareness, you’ll develop the ability to make choices. This is a winning scenario.
Printable Guitar Chords – Find Guitar Chords and Tabs Online
Tuesday, December 8th, 2009
The guitar is one of the most popular instruments. Many people would like to learn how to play but lack the time, resources for professional lessons, or believe it would be too hard. However, learning to play the guitar doesn’t have to be hard. In fact, it is easier than ever. Now there is a way for almost everyone to teach themselves to play the guitar anytime they want. What is the secret? It is printable guitar chords. These simple to use and easy to understand chords can be printed right from any computer.
You will be playing the guitar in no time with this simple but ingenious concept. The benefits include:
o Learn at your own pace
o No extra fees for instructors
o Easily accessible
o Inexpensive
o Easy to understand
For those would be musicians who just cannot find the time to learn the guitar, using printable guitar chords are just what you need to help you accomplish your goal. All you have to do is print the chords and then you can practice anytime you wish. Whether it is late at night, early in the morning or on your lunch break they are ready whenever you are because they are printed right from your home or office computer.
These guitar chords can also save you money. Guitar lessons can be expensive, especially if you are learning for a hobby. Therefore, if you decide to learn the guitar entirely on your own, by using these chords, you will not have to incur the extra costs of a professional instructor. Thus saving you hundreds of dollars.
However, if you decide that you want to be a little more serious about learning the guitar these chords can also be used as a supplement to instruction. Practice makes perfect and printable guitar chords can help achieve that perfection. If you forget the chords that you learned in your lesson all you have to do is print them out.
Guitar chord pages can be found by simply searching for them on the internet. Find the ones you need, print them out and you will be playing your favorite songs in no time. Many sites even offer them for free while others ask only a small fee for the service. The choice is yours.
Finally, the chords are very easy to understand. The simple grids clearly show finger placement for each chord. It is also common for the pages to show alternative ways to play the same chord if the first way is too awkward or hard for the player.
Now with printable guitar chords anybody can teach themselves to play the guitar at their own pace and in their own home. Then when people ask who taught you to play, you can say, “I taught myself.”
Learn Guitar Chord CAGED System Theory
Sunday, May 17th, 2009
Guitar Chord Shapes
There are thousands of different kinds of chords and chord shapes that guitarists use, but nearly all of them can be traced back to just five basic forms. In the open position, the five basic forms are C, A, G, E, and D. This spells “Caged” and creates the so-called CAGED System. With the proper Theory, each one of the CAGED forms can be turned into a barre chord and moved up the neck. Each barre can be played as an arpeggio pattern which includes even more notes. These arpeggio patterns can then be broken up into all sorts of unique shapes, voicings and inversions.
Guitar Arpeggios
Each major chord in the CAGED system is made up of three notes. With each chord, notes can be repeated, stacked in any order, and played anywhere on the fretboard. Just like learning guitar scales, guitarists must learn how to map out chord-tones on the neck. These patterns of chord-tones are called “arpeggios.” Arpeggios are an important piece to the theory puzzle, specifically learning the guitar caged system.
Chord Inversions and Voicings
Guitar arpeggio patterns show you where all the chord notes are located in each position on the neck. By visualizing all the notes of a chord in a position, a guitar player can then can grab the notes in a variety of ways creating unique shapes and fingerings, inversions and voicings. An inversion, in practical music theory terms, is simply a re-arrangement of the notes from one shape to another. For example, a C major includes the notes C-E-G. These notes are available in this order but only in some spots. In other areas you might find them stacked E-G-C or G-C-E. Each combination produces a slightly different sound or “voicing.”
CAGED Guitar System
When players map out all the notes of a chord across the entire fretboard they end up with a big pattern of notes that covers five positions. This giant pattern runs the whole length of the guitar neck and is very hard to follow. But when this pattern is played one position at a time, practical arpeggio patterns emerge. Reduced to a fundamental chord shape, each arpeggio pattern becomes a common open form. One position resembles an open C chord, the next an open A chord, followed by G, E and D. Hence, the CAGED Template Chord System. So, a little bit of good theory really helps to unravel the mystery to building and playing chords on the guitar neck.
Rhythm Guitar Techniques
Great rhythm guitar players don’t necessarily use strange chords, they just spice up common progressions with unique shapes and voicings. Consider the song “Jack and Diane” by John Mellencamp for example. Each section of this tune sounds different but all sections are variations of the same three chords (A, D and E). By applying a little theory, changing up the inversions and progression, each section has a fresh sound. Understanding this theory and the guitar caged system enables players to learn chords across the whole neck and squeeze new life out of old shapes.
Basic Guitar Chords: How to Easily Master the Guitar Chords You Must Know
Tuesday, February 24th, 2009
One of the first challenges faced by the advancing guitar player is learning a core group of basic guitar chords. Why is it so important to learn these basic chords? Chords form the backbone of most rock and pop songs, and provide the harmonic accompaniment to the melody and instrumental solos.
Rhythm guitar based on basic chords provides many of the most memorable rock riffs… think AC/DC’s “Back in Black” or The Who’s “Won’t Get Fooled Again”. What’s really amazing is that by learning no more than 10 to 15 basic guitar chords, you will be equipped to play thousands of rock and pop songs!
First let’s establish the definition of a chord. A chord is three or more different musical notes played together. In the case of the guitar, this means that at least three strings are strummed or plucked simultaneously to sound three or more notes. Since the guitar has six strings, the maximum numbers of notes in a guitar chord is six. All chords can be placed in one of three groups based on the musical structure of the chord: Major, Minor, or Seventh. Each of these chord groups has its own “sound” or “feel”. Major chords sound stable and complete. Minor chords can evoke a more somber or pensive mood, and Seventh chords are jazzy and somewhat incomplete sounding.
There is no standard list of “basic guitar chords” that every one agrees to. However, there is general agreement that there is a list of somewhere between 8 and 18 basic guitar chords (open string) that every guitarist must know cold. These chords are used in all musical styles from rock and pop to country, jazz, and classical. No matter where you are on your guitar-playing path, you should take the time to learn and master the basic chords. Getting these right will ensure you have the basic tools and skills to learn many songs and increase your playing enjoyment.
So what are the basic guitar chords? Our basic stable includes the major and minor chords from four common musical keys, A,G,C, and D. They are played as “open chords”, that is at least one string in the chord is not fretted (pressed down with a finger). Open chords are easier to learn and play than more advanced chords such as Barre chords, or complex chords further up the guitar neck. Our list of basic major and minor chords is:
A Major (or A), A Minor (or Am), C, D, Dm, E, Em, F, G
These chords can be best learned as chord “families” (by key) that can be combined into great-sounding chord sequences that make up lots of popular songs. Using this chord family approach is much more interesting and useful than just memorizing a bunch of chords in random order!
These chords grouped by chord family (key) are as follows:
A Family (Key of A): A, D, E
D Family (Key of D): D, Em, G, A
G Family (Key of G): G, Am, C, D, Em
C Family (Key of C): C, Dm, Em, F, G
Tips for Learning the Basic Chords:
1. Pick a Chord Family and master it. This will give you quick success and let you play great sounding progressions right away.
2. Use a Guitar Chord Chart as a reference tool. A chord chart shows each chord as an easy to read “chord diagram” with exact finger positions. See this example of a chart of basic guitar chords.
3. Find the chords and lyrics for an easy song that is based on the chord family so you can apply your skills. Many great songs are based on only three chords!
4. Ensure each string sounds right. Take care to make sure that each string is sounding clearly, and that only the strings that should be played are played.
5. Practice, practice, practice! Every day, practice continually change from one chord to another until you can do it rapidly. Learn the chord families one at a time.
6. Master all the basic chords first. Only then move on to Barre chords and other more complex chords. First things first!
7. Expand with 7th chords. As a next step you can easily expand on your basic chord knowledge by adding 7th and minor 7th chords based on the nine basic major and minor chords.
8. Have fun using your new skills! Enjoy your musical ability by applying it to learning a small set of 5-10 songs you know really well and can confidently play at any time.
Copyright 2005 Peter Bussey of http://www.guitar-players-toolbox.com
This article can be reprinted freely online, as long as the entire article and the resource box are included.