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Home Playing Search tip: <Control + F> type subject <Enter> TAB explained

1. Blues Guitar

2. Chord Families

3. Chord Formulas

4. Circle Of Fifths

5. Less Pain

6. Blues "Harp" / Harmonica Backing

7. E5 Power Chord

8. "Jimi Hendrix" Chord E7# 9

9. Sliding

10. Reading

11. Chords A D E

12. UK National Anthem

13. Stones / Slide

14. Bar Chords

15. Picks / Plectrums

16. Pick Scraping

17. Picking Exercise

18. Last Chord Of The James Bond 007 Theme

19. First Chord Of Hard Days Night

20. 12 Bar Blues Progression In E

21. Muting

22. Capo

23. Mnemonic

24. Notes Of The Fretboard

25. Harmonics

26. CAGED Guitar Method

27. Modes

28. Plectrum Retrieval

1. Blues Guitar
The "Secret" to improvised solo / melody / lead guitar. Blues scale five note pattern / Pentatonic scale in A uses notes A C D E G. Please note that for gigging purposes it is not necessary to know the names of the notes. Learn this pattern for lead guitar soloing then move it up / down fretboard for different keys. As a general rule the ROOT (here frets 5 & 17) is used at note of key found on bottom E (thickest) string for Rock 'n' Roll / Blues and three frets down for "straight"/country tunes. If it fails at the Root position it will usually work three frets down. Green numbers indicate typical notes to bend up one tone:

e|-5-|---|---|-8-|---|-10-|---|-12-|----|----|-15-|---|-17-|---|----|-20-|----|-22-|
B|-5-|---|---|-8-|---|-10-|---|----|-13-|----|-15-|---|-17-|---|----|-20-|----|-22-|
G|-5-|---|-7-|---|-9-|----|---|-12-|----|-14-|----|---|-17-|---|-19-|----|-21-|----|
D|-5-|---|-7-|---|---|----|---|----|----|----|----|---|-17-|---|-19-|----|----|----|
A|-5-|---|-7-|---|---|----|---|----|----|----|----|---|-17-|---|-19-|----|----|----|
E|-5-|---|---|-8-|---|----|---|----|----|----|----|---|-17-|---|----|-20-|----|----|

Print the above diagram via

bluesguitar.pdf

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If chord progression uses chords A D E and is in key of A and it is a Rock / Blues song then the blues scale pattern is used at fret 5. However, if it is a "straight" song move the entire pattern 3 frets down from fret 5 to fret 2. This is what happens in "Achy Breaky Heart". The key of the song is A using just 2 chords A and E but the pattern position for soloing is fret 2. Note that the guitar fretboard repeats one octave after 12 frets.

We all have our own interpretation of this pattern.

Green numbers below indicate two extra notes F & B which create C Major scale when added to Blues scale pattern.

e|-5-|---|-7-|-8-|
B|-5-|-6-|---|-8-|
G|-5-|---|-7-|---|
D|---|---|---|---|
A|---|---|---|---|
E|---|---|---|---|

Try with House Of The Rising Sun

Consider these tabs as a "quick fix" entry into solo lead playing. Study of the above notes will open your playing to the styles of many guitarists.

The tune of Amazing Grace as shown in key of G below uses five notes which correspond to the Blues Scale pattern. Play the tune and learn the Blues Scale pattern.

[G]Amazing Grace how[C]sweet the[G]sound That saved a-wretch like[D]me
e|---------------------------------------------------------------------
B|-----0----0-----0----------------------------------0---0----0-3----3-
G|---0--2-0---------2---0----------------------0------2-0--------------
D|--0-------------------------2-----0-----0----------------------------
A|---------------------------------------------------------------------
E|---------------------------------------------------------------------

I[G]once was lost but[C]now am[G]found Was blind but[D]now I[G]see
e|-------------------------------------------------------------------
B|0-3--3----0---0----0------------------------------0-----0----------
G|-----------2-0-------2---0------------------0------2-0------2---0--
D|------------------------------2----0-----0-------------------------
A|-------------------------------------------------------------------
E|-------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Chord Families
Chord Families are constructed from notes of the major scale. Useful aid for rhythm guitarists. Here is a helpful Chord Family chart to get you started when trying to choose chords which sound good together. You can combine the I, IV, and V chords in any key and they will sound good together. You can also use the ii, iii, and vi chords together for a pleasant sound. Or if you want to try something more elaborate try using all the chords in any chosen key.

Basic Chord Family chart:

Key

C

D

E

F

G

A

I

C

D

E

F

G

A

ii

Dm

Em

F#m

Gm

Am

Bm

iii

Em

F#m

G#m

Am

Bm

C#m

IV

F

G

A

Bb

C

D

V

G

A

B

C

D

E

vi

Am

Bm

C#m

Dm

Em

F#m

Print the above chart via

chordfamilies.pdf

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3. Chord Formulas

Major

1 3 5

Minor

1 b3 5

Diminished

1 b3 b5

Augmented

1 3 #5

Major 6

1 3 5 6

Dominant 7

1 3 5 b7

Major 7

1 3 5 7

Chords may be constructed using above formulas. Numbers correspond to notes of the relevant Major scale. E.g. chord C Major uses notes 1 3 5 from scale of C Major, i.e. C E G.

4. Circle Of Fifths
This arrangement of the twelve notes of the Chromatic Scale is a useful aid to finding the three basic chords of a song in any key. Select the letter of the required key. The letter to the immediate left will be the second basic chord. The letter to the right will be the third basic chord.

A E B F#/Gb C#/Db G#/Ab D#/Eb A#/Bb F C G D A E B

5. Less Pain
The further away from the fret you place finger, the harder you need to press on string to obtain a clean note without fret buzz. Minimise playing pain by placing fingers close as possible to, but not touching, the frets.

When choosing a guitar be aware of "V" and "U" (behind fret board) profile necks as they may enhance comfort of hand that holds chords. I believe that late '50s Stratocasters had "V" profile and "U" profile was introduced in early '60s. The fretboard itself may also have a degree of shallow curvature.

The "action" of string height above fret board affects comfort and style of playing as does the bead height or actual height of the frets themselves.

Consider your playing position and use of adjustable strap whilst standing and/or sitting. The classical guitar pose (assuming right handed player) of sitting upright with guitar placed on left thigh and left foot resting on small stool or books enhances long term comfort whilst giving maximum support and relief from back ache.

6. Blues "Harp" / Harmonica Backing
Guitar chords for backing blues harmonica, such as the Hohner Special 20 Blues Harp, require "crossed keys" e.g. blues harmonica key D relates to guitar key A.

The key of the blues "harp" is usually the lowest note it can sound. The easy live gig way is to find key of blues harp on the A string then rhythm guitar plays in key of note found at same fret on E string.

I find this to be useful during Rhythm and Blues pub gigs when guest blues harpists appear.

To purchase all available keys of Blues Harp is expensive. I use Blues Harp in key of D to play with guitar in key of A. My second choice would be Blues Harp in key of A to play with guitar in key of E. For most gigs that's enough.

Don't let cross keys make you angry ;)

Blues harmonica maintenance: Soak away internal adhesions with warm solution of washing soda crystals. Rinse with clean water. Do not overblow reeds.

7. E5 Power Chord
My favourite pitch-diving power chord as in "Born To Be Wild"

E5

O_ _ _ _O_O
|_|_|_|_|_|
|_|_|_|_|_|
|_1_|_|_|_| Fret 7
|_|_|_|_|_|
|_|_2_3_|_|

Frets: 0 7 9 9 0 0

Notes: E E B E B E

The harmonics of the distorted notes blend well.

Mix a dash of delay with copious compression. Stir in overdrive and flambè on a backing of "Heavy metal thunder..."

8. "Jimi Hendrix" Chord E7# 9

E7#9

O_ _ _ _ _O
|_|_|_|_|_|
|_|_1_|_|_|
|_2_|_3_|_| Fret 7
|_|_|_|_4_|
|_|_|_|_|_|

Frets: 0 7 6 7 8 0

Notes: E E G# D G E

Try it through a wah-wah pedal, mute the open E strings, move it around;

Purple Haze Foxy Lady Stone Free...

9. Sliding
To enhance your accuracy, resist the temptation to look at your fingers when sliding up or down the guitar neck. Look at the fret you are sliding to and wait for your fingers to arrive there.

10. Reading
Position music/chord chart, off centre to your body, near fret zero. Do not keep moving your head to read and play. Just focus your eyes from music to fingers on fretboard.

Finding required fret quickly can be confusing. The position markers indicate where harmonics on the strings are located.

Apart from fret 12 and sometimes 24 (octave frets) the position markers are located on odd (not divisable by two) numbered frets.

11. Chords A D E
Learn these three chords for many "3 chord trick" songs e.g.

Amazing Grace Auld Lang Syne Happy Birthday

The graphic indicates fingers to use:
T = Thumb
X = string not played
0 = string played open
Thin string = chord grid right

Left palm

    2
  1 | 3
  | | | 4
T | | | |
| | | | |
\ | | | |

A

X_O_ _ _ _O
|_|_|_|_|_|
|_|_1_2_3_|
|_|_|_|_|_|
|_|_|_|_|_|
|_|_|_|_|_|

D

X_X_O_ _ _
|_|_|_|_|_|
|_|_|_1_|_2
|_|_|_|_3_|
|_|_|_|_|_|
|_|_|_|_|_|

E

O_ _ _ _O_O
|_|_|_1_|_|
|_2_3_|_|_|
|_|_|_|_|_|
|_|_|_|_|_|
|_|_|_|_|_|

The above are major chords.

Remove finger 1 from chord E major to create chord E minor:

E or E Major

O_ _ _ _O_O
|_|_|_1_|_|
|_2_3_|_|_|
|_|_|_|_|_|
|_|_|_|_|_|
|_|_|_|_|_|

Em or E minor

O_ _ _O_O_O
|_|_|_|_|_|
|_2_3_|_|_|
|_|_|_|_|_|
|_|_|_|_|_|
|_|_|_|_|_|

Note their different moods: major = joy minor = sad

12. UK National Anthem
Entertainers anticipating Royal British Legion social club
work may copy into their song book :

[ G ] God [ Em ] save [ Am ] our [ D ] gra [ C ] cious [ D ] Queen

[ G ] Long [ Em ] live [ Am ] our [ G ] no [ D ] ble [ Em ] Queen

[ Am ] God [ G ] Save [ D ] the [ G ] Queen

[ G ] Send her victor [ D ] i [ G ] ous

[ D ] Happy and glor [ G ] i [ D ] ous

[ G ] Long to reign o [ C ] ver [ G ] us

[ C ] God [ G ] save [ D ] the [ G ] Queen.

13. Stones / Slide
Stones rhythm and / or slide guitar tuning. Adapted from e-mail contribution by Frank (Bassman) Laughton. Want to get that authentic Rolling Stones guitar sound? OK first step:- Grab your axe - (preferably a road-worn tele), drop the top E string to D, drop the A string to G and remove the bottom E string altogether. This is essentially Open G tuning, first heard on a Stones recording on the bluesy Little Red Rooster released in 1964. It was played by Brian Jones (who is acknowledged as the first person to play slide guitar professionally in the UK).

Try this: Little Red Rooster

D| ----0----5----3----0--------------------12----
B| ----0----5----3----0--------------------12----
G| ----0----5----3----0---------------------------
D| ----0----5----3----0---------------------------
G| ----0----5----3----0---------------------------

Whilst working with the brilliant slide guitarist, Ry Cooder in 1969, Keith quickly saw the potential for using Open G tuning in a rock setting. For Keith it was a revelation: "I realised that when you electrify an Open G tuning, you have the advantage of all those drone notes that can hang through all the chord changes and really ring." He was immediately inspired to write two Stones classics - Gimme Shelter, and Honky Tonk Woman, the latter relying heavily on the underrated Mick Taylor, Brian Jones' replacement, and his inspired country-flavoured double-stop bends. Brown Sugar, Store Me Up, Jumpin' Jack Flash, all undoubted Stones classics feature the churning "Bulldozer Chords" Open G tuning. Note: Keith removes the sixth string to avoid hitting the D (the fifth of the scale) in open G tuning.

Suggested listening:
Jeremy Spencer with Fleetwood Mac.
Pickin' The Blues by Grinderswitch used by John Peel for his radio show theme.

14. Bar Chords
"Bar" chords (finger 1 across fretboard) for 3 chord tricks in E.

Note alternative fingering of E chord.

Left palm

    2
  1 | 3
  | | | 4
T | | | |
| | | | |
\ | | | |

E

O_ _ _ _O_O
|_|_|_2_|_|
|_3_4_|_|_|
|_|_|_|_|_|
|_|_|_|_|_|
|_|_|_|_|_|

A

_ _ _ _ _
|_|_|_|_|_|
|_|_|_|_|_|
1_1_1_1_1_1 Fret 5
|_|_|_2_|_|
|_3_4_|_|_|

B

_ _ _ _ _
|_|_|_|_|_|
|_|_|_|_|_|
1_1_1_1_1_1 Fret 7
|_|_|_2_|_|
|_3_4_|_|_|

15. Picks / Plectrums
Experiment with different plectrums. Material, size and thickness all affect the sound and style of playing. Tortoise shell, plastic and even metal are favoured by various guitarists e.g. Brian May of Queen uses a sixpenny coin. I prefer a new, crisp, neatly folded £50 note ;) Thank you to Hank Marvin of The Shadows for that joke found in his guitar tuition book. For rhythm and lead playing I use Jim Dunlop 0.46mm white nylon plectrum and for bass a Jim Dunlop 0.60mm grey plectrum or a Gibson medium stiffness large black triangular shaped plectrum:

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
\                /
\     Take     /
  \    your    /
   \   Pick   / ..... and practice!
    \        /
     \      /
      \    /
       \  /
        \/

16. Pick Scraping
What is pick scraping and how do i do it? Thanx in advance, Rob. Thanks for your e-mail. Scraping a round wound string with edge of plectrum produces a stunning rasping effect, try with sustain and/or delay. I love it ! ;) Best wishes, Bob #==(o ) p.s. Pick scraping may refer to artificial harmonics. The plectrum first plays the string then the thumb immediately lightly touches the string to create a "squeal" or note higher than the original. Easiest with compression and / or distortion. Great for rock guitar. Anymore suggestions from anyone?

17. Picking Exercise
Picking exercise using thumb and one finger to develop jive / blues rhythm and coordination of both hands.

e|----------------------------------
B|----------------------------------
G|--2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-
D|----------------------------------
A|-0-0-0-0-0-0-5-3-0-0-0-0-0-0-3-5--
E|----------------------------------

Left hand: finger 1 string G, fingers 2 & 4 string A.

Right hand: thumb string A finger 1 string G

18. Last Chord Of The James Bond 007 Theme

Em/Maj9

O_ _ _ _ _X
|_|_|_|_|_|
|_|_|_|_1_| Fret7
|_|_|_2_|_|
|_|_3_|_|_|
|_4_|_|_|_|

19. First Chord Of Hard Days Night

G7sus4
_ _ _ _ _
|_|_|_|_|_|
|_|_|_|_|_|
1_1_1_1_1_1 Fret 3
|_|_|_|_|_|
|_3_|_4_|_|

20. 12 Bar Blues Progression In E
Four beats to a bar.

| E | E | E | E | = 4 Bars
| A | A |         = 2 Bars
| E | E |         = 2 Bars
| B | A |         = 2 Bars
| E | B |         = 2 Bars
            Total = 12 Bars

Most useful sequence of "3 chord trick" - the basis of many Rock 'n' Roll / popular songs.

Note the "Turnaround" chord B or B7 at the end which leads back to the beginning of the sequence.

number = finger of left hand X = string not played
O = play open string T = thumb

Left palm

    2
  1 | 3
  | | | 4
T | | | |
| | | | |
\ | | | |

E

O_ _ _ _O_O
|_|_|_1_|_|
|_2_3_|_|_|
|_|_|_|_|_|
|_|_|_|_|_|
|_|_|_|_|_|

A

X_O_ _ _ _O
|_|_|_|_|_|
|_|_1_2_3_|
|_|_|_|_|_|
|_|_|_|_|_|
|_|_|_|_|_|

B7

X_ _ _ _O_
|_|_1_|_|_|
|_2_|_3_|_4
|_|_|_|_|_|
|_|_|_|_|_|
|_|_|_|_|_|

21. Muting
Palm muting enhances dynamics of playing by using plectrum holding hand to partly deaden the strings for single notes and/or chords. Particularly useful when fuzz / overdrive / compression effects are used. Try applying this technique to string/saddle area of bridge.

Carol Kaye explains that she used a strip of felt to mute her bass guitar strings at the bridge. This would produce a dampened sound as heard on many of her recordings including the Mission Impossible theme. I have tried this, using a folded paper tissue, or strip of foam rubber, with good effect. She regards this muting to be most useful when using a plectrum.

22. Capo

Capo

The capo is an extremely useful tool used creatively by musicians of all playing abilities. It is a clamp made of metal or rubber that fits across all six strings of the fretboard. It raises the pitch of the strings by reducing their length. In essence, it can be thought of as a "movable" nut much like the 1st finger "barre".

Deciding upon which key to play in will generally depend upon the vocal range of the singer. Placing the capo at a certain location on the fretboard will put the song and its accompaniment in a higher key without having to alter the first position chord forms thus retaining the full tonal characteristics of "open" strings. For example, if a song that is "pitched" in the key of D is too low for your voice, place the capo across all the strings at the 2nd fret. Playing the familiar D, G, and A chords will place the song in the key of E major. You have raised the strings (the key) by one whole step, D to E.

Many girl singer/guitarists find the capo at fret 2 most useful.

23. Mnemonic Learn note names of treble clef stave:

"F A C E in space" "Every Good Boy Does Fine on the line" TAB explained

24. Notes Of The Fretboard e = thin string E = thick string

Open Fret1 Fret2 Fret3 Fret4 Fret5

e||--- F ---|- F#/Gb -|--- G ---|- G#/Ab -|--- A ---|
B||--- C ---|- C#/Db -|--- D ---|- D#/Eb -|--- E ---|
G||- G#/Ab -|--- A ---|- A#/Bb -|--- B ---|--- C ---|
D||- D#/Eb -|--- E ---|--- F ---|- F#/Gb -|--- G ---|
A||- A#/Bb -|--- B ---|--- C ---|- C#/Db -|--- D ---|
E||--- F ---|- F#/Gb -|--- G ---|- G#/Ab -|--- A ---|

Study the above mnemonic and fretboard chart then test yourself on ten random notes. Remember ! - it is in your best interests to complete this music reading exercise diligently, if you cheat you will only be cheating yourself. You are allowed mistakes provided you correct them by referring back to the above mnemonic and chart. Any problems, refer to your tutor for guidance or consult this grading for an appraisal of your score:

10/10 = Virtuoso Steve Vai guitarist :)

5/10 to 9/10 = Social Club guitarist :-|

0/10 to 4/10 = Air guitarist ! :-(

If you need further incentive to complete this exercise then read the jokes below and consider that many a true word is spoken in jest:

How do you make a Rock guitarist play quietly?
Put a sheet of music in front of him ! ;)

How do you stop a Rock guitarist playing altogether?
Turn the sheet of music upside down ! ;)

What do you call a Rock guitarist without a girlfriend?
Homeless ! ;)

What do you call a Rock guitarist wearing a suit?
The defendant ! ;)

Why are Rock guitarist jokes always one liners?
So the drummer can understand them ! ;)

Why is the Rock guitarist bruised and in a ditch?
He told one too many drummer jokes ! :-(

And all because he couldn't read the music...

25. Harmonics
These occur naturally at frets with dot position markers e.g. 3, 5, 7, 9, 12. Hold your finger lightly on any string exactly over fret 12, the easiest place to achieve the effect. Play the string, immediately remove finger and hear a chime/bell like harmonic tone. This may require practice to achieve. The string remains calm at the fret and vibrates either side thus creating an alternative tone.

Forced harmonics are used to imitate a cry or squeal. They are "pinched" by playing with plectrum and touching string with thumb. As mentioned in the film "Rock Star" most effective for Classic Rock e.g. electric guitar using distortion compression to enhance the faint output. Takes some serious practise as the position of play on the string is critical and may also result in a sore thumb the next day !

26. CAGED Guitar Method

caged.pdf

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27. Modes

modes.pdf

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28. Plectrum Retrieval
Attach a piece of Blu-Tack or plasticine to the blunt end of a pencil to remove a plectrum from the inside of an acoustic guitar without disturbing the strings.

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