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MB99224BCD MEL BA Y PUBLICA TIONS , INC .I
STEPHEN
DELACH
DELACH
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# 4 IN D U S TR IA L D RIVE • PACIFIC, MO 630 69 ®GETTI
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M EL B A Y’ S • • • •• • •ROCK
ROCK
GUITAR
GUITAR
I N C L U D E D
CD
CD
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by Stephen Delach
© 2002 BY MEL BAY PUBLICATIONS, INC., PACIFIC, MO 63069.
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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 1.5 1:19 2 1.6 0:14 3 1.7 0:17 4 1.8 0:14 5 1.9 0:11 6 1.10 0:13 7 1.11 0:10 8 1.12 0:14 9 1.13 0:07 10 1.14 0:12 11 1.15 0:12 12 1.16 0:56 13 2.2 0:19 14 2.3 0:21 15 2.4 0:22 16 2.5 0:15 17 2.6 0:13 18 2.7 0:21 19 2.8 0:13 20 2.9 0:13 21 2.10 0:21 22 2.11 0:27 23 2.12 0:15 24 2.13 0:28 25 2.14 0:22 26 2.15 0:32 27 3.1 0:14 28 3.2 0:16 29 3.3 0:23 30 3.4 0:20 31 3.5 0:23 32 3.6 0:16 33 3.7 0:17 34 3.8 0:29 35 3.9 0:51 36 4.3 0:21 37 4.4 0:22 38 4.5 0:12 39 4.6 0:20 40 4.7 0:15 41 4.8 0:25 42 4.9 0:20 43 4.10 0:20 44 4.11 0:20 45 4.12 0:18 46 4.13 0:21 47 5.1 0:26 48 5.2 0:26 49 5.3 0:28 50 5.4 0:24 51 5.5 0:29 52 5.6 0:15 53 5.7 0:15 54 5.8 0:27 55 6.1 0:16 56 6.2 0:13 57 6.3 1:00 58 6.4 0:13 59 6.5 0:13 60 6.6 1:10 61 25 Pentatonic Licks 2:37 62 8.3 0:08 63 8.4 0:09 64 8.5 0:08 65 8.6 0:08 66 8.7 0:53 67 Phrasing 1:11 68 25 Blues Licks 3:07 69 25 Bends 3:23 70 Eddie from Etna 1:38 71 Deli boy Blues 2:53 72 Funktion 1:49 73 Riff Raff 1:42 CDContents
Introduction . . . .3
Section One – Rhythm Guitar
Getting Started . . . .4 Rhythm Intro . . . .9 Power Chords . . . .10 Intervals . . . .17 Inversions . . . .24 Riffs . . . .30Tricks of the Trade . . . .35
E7
#
9 . . . .40Section Two – Lead Guitar
Lead Introduction . . . .44Pentatonics . . . .45
Double Stops . . . .59
The Blues Scale . . . .63
Bends. . . .78
Play- Alongs . . . .90
Suggested Listening . . . .94
Acknowledgements . . . .96
Most of the ways guitarists learn are from watching others, listening, reading instructional books etc. We pick up different ideas then try to emulate them. Players have learned from listening and watching each other since the beginning. Learning to play rock guitar is no different.
When you’re fi rst starting it’s important to realize there are only a handful of scales, chords and techniques that make up rock’s underlying foundation. Learning these fundamentals will pro-vide you with a solid structure from which to build upon.
“Getting into Rock” will guide you through the basics that are essential to any rock guitar-ist, simple but effective. This book is divided into two sections. The fi rst section covers rhythm while the second concentrates on playing lead. When learning any of the examples try to expand on them, Rock is about being creative.
To get a feel for the examples, be sure to go through the book with the CD. Rock is an aural form of music and should be listened to in order to capture its nuances. Use the play-along tracks to improvise over, using the material you’ve acquired. This book will provide the tools, what you do with them will shape your musical future. Have fun and enjoy.
Steve Delach
Getting Started
When learning any new style of music, a basic knowledge of your instrument is essential. Learning a few fundamentals such as the names of the strings and how to fi nd the notes on the guitar will greatly help in mastering the material in this text. With the information provided in this section you will gain a solid background to build upon, and get down to what it’s really about--making music.
Learn Thy Notes
How often have you been jamming with your friends and you start playing a cool lick, and the bass player yells “What Key?” while you’re so shaken - trying to count the frets to tell them what number fret to play on. This section shows how you can avoid this embarrassing scenario all together. Sure learning where all the notes on the guitar can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be.
First lets look at the names of the six strings starting from the lowest to the highest. (fi g. 1)
Figure 1
In music there are 7 diatonic notes (no sharps or fl ats).
A B C D E F G
To break down the neck and fi nd all the diatonic notes let’s use just one string at a time.
When concentrating on one string at a time you will be able to visualize the fretboard in a clearer fashion. Start with one string a week until you can identify the notes on all six. This knowl-edge will greatly speed up the learning process and impress your friends. Here, they are laid out.
1. Only use your fi rst fi nger for this entire exercise (the idea is to identify where the notes are on the fretboard).
2. Start with the low E string, play and say the name of each note up the string. For example the notes would be as follows E, F,
G, A, B, C, D, E repeat this process on the next fi ve strings.
The notes will always follow alphabetically.
3. Only go up to the 12 fret (after the 12 fret all the notes repeat up an octave higher in pitch)
4. B to C and E to F have 1/2 steps between them, all other notes will be in whole steps
&
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7 9 10 12Single String Notes
6th String E
5th String A
To sharp (
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) a note - move down a 1/2 step from the note you’re on.&
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2nd String B
1st String E
Tips to Make the Most of Your Practice / Playing Time
Listening
An important aspect of learning rock guitar is listening. When you listen to other players you pick up different ideas, techniques, but mainly inspiration. Finding a player you like and emulating his tone or feel is not a bad thing. Take an idea and make it your own
Practicing
1. When you learn any new material be sure to play it slowly to ensure accuracy. This will help when trying to play faster.
2. Use repetition-keep repeating a lick or chord that is giving you trouble. I guarantee that after fi ve minutes you’ll have a pretty good handle on it.
Playing
1. A good thing to keep in mind when playing is--nothing. You want to practice your chords or scales so well that they become second nature. If your playing sounds sterile it’s probably because you’re ing way too much.
2. Use play-alongs, these are defi nitely a Godsend. A solid rhythm tion to practice over is essential for developing good timing as well as learning how to improvise and construct solos. Be sure to check out the play-a-long tracks at the end of the book.
Rhythm Guitar
A crucial part of rock guitar is rhythm. If you’re like me the fi rst thing you did when you got your fi rst guitar was tried to play lead. But, what can really make a tune interesting is the rhythmic aspect of it. Your job as a rock guitarist is to lock in with the rhythm section (the drums and bass). The importance of the rhythm section as a whole is to hold everything together, create a cushion for the vocalist or soloist. In this fi rst section we’ll explore some different facets of rhythm guitar.
The Power Chord
The power chord has been in existence since the beginning of rock. Without it we would all sound like Jewel (not that there’s anything wrong with that) but you get the picture. Made up of just 2 notes (root and 5th) the power chord can produce a really big sound with little effort. Figure 1.A – 1.C show different fi ngerings using open strings. While fi gures 1.D – 1.F show movable shapes. The bottom note is the root (where a chord or scale gets its name).
Open Position Power Chords
Movable Power Chords
x x o x x x x o x x x x o x x x x x 1 1 1 3rd 13rd x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x 1 3 1 3 3 5th 1
E
A
D
G
C
F
1. A
1. B
1. C
1. D
1. E
1. F
3rd 3rd 3rd Root RootEx. 1.5
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G’ ’ ’ ’
C’ ’ ’ ’
G’ ’ ’ ’
& ’ ’ ’ ’
C’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
G’ ’ ’ ’
&
’ ’ ’ ’
..
D’ ’ ’ ’
C’ ’ ’ ’
G’ ’ ’ ’
D#1
Progressions
Here are some progressions to get you moving around (ex. 1.1 - 1.5), see whether you can play them in different areas of the neck. Remember the lowest note in the power chord is the root-where the chord gets its name. Pay close attention to example 1.5, it’s a twelve bar blues progression. This progression is used in all areas of rock, and it makes for a good vehicle to jam on. We’ll be expanding upon it throughout the book.
& 44 ..
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G’ ’ ’ ’
F’ ’ ’ ’
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’ ’ ’ ’
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A G’ ’ ’ ’
F’ ’ ’ ’
A C’ ’ ’ ’
F Ex. 1.1 Ex. 1.2 Ex. 1.3 Ex. 1.4Rhythms
Rhythms are an integral part of rock guitar. Examples 1.6 - 1.10 show mixed rhythms using only the open E power chord. You can produce a lot of rhythmic variety from one simple chord.
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Ex. 1.6 Ex. 1.7 Ex. 1.8 Ex. 1.9#2
#3
#4
#5
Power Chord Add Ons
Some players will double the 5th in a power chord (fi g. 1. G). Hendrix used this technique in “The Wind Cries Mary.”
x o x x x x 3rd 3rd 3rd 1 3 1
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Ex. 1.11#7
1. G
5th RootAnother popular note you can add to the power chord is the 9th (fi g. 1.I - 1.J). Dave Mathews and The Police use this sound exclusively.
x o x x x x o x x x x x 2.B 3rd 3rd 3rd 3rd 3rd 3rd 1 2 2 1 4 4
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Badd 9 F#5 6 4 2 4 21. I
1. J
Ex. 1.12#8
Ex. 1.13#9
9th 9th 3rd 3rdAdding notes to the E power chord will give it more of a bluesy sound as in examples 1.14 and 1.15. Listen to the CD to get a feel for the rhythm.
x o o x x x x o x x x x x 2 2 2 2 2 2.B 3rd 3rd 3rd 3rd 3rd 3rd 3rd 3rd 2nd 3rd 3rd 3rd 1 3 1 3 4 x o x x x x o x x x x x 2.B 3rd 3rd 3rd 3rd 3rd 3rd 3rd 3rd 1 3 1 3 4 4
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2 2 4 4 2 2 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0& 44
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9 9 11 11 9 9 11 11 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 01. K
1. L
1. M
1. N
Adding Two Notes
Ex. 1.14
#10
Ex. 1.15
#11
Here’s a twelve bar blues in E using this type of chord movement.
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E 2 2 4 4 2 2 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0œœ œœ œœ# œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ
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2 2 4 4 5 5 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0& œ
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2 2 4 4 5 5 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0œœ# œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ
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E 2 2 4 4 2 2 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0‰ jœœ# œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ
B 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 2 2 2 2 2 2 2Power Trip
Ex. 1.16#12
Intervals
You have probably played intervals before without ever realizing what they were called. In fact, we’ve already played an interval last chapter, the power chord. Just two notes but intervals have created countless classic guitar licks. In this section we’ll look at some common intervals found in rock.
What is an Interval?
If you’ve ever been confused about what a 5th or a root is then this section will help clear it up. Here’s a simple way of creating intervals (the distance between two notes). First lets start with the C major scale. This scale is the building block of music (fi g. 2).
There are 7 notes in this scale plus the octave = 8 notes. Starting from C the fi rst note of the scale is called the root. From C to D is a 2nd, from C to E is a 3rd, C to F is a 4th, etc. Every time you go up a note from C (the root) this note will get a number. So what’s this have to do with rock? Knowing how to communicate with other musicians is key in expressing your musical ideas for tunes, rhythms etc. This can also avoid many band fi ghts.
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 3rd 2.A 2.B 2.I 2nd 2 3rd 3rd 3rd 3rd 3rd 3rd 3rd 3rd 2nd 3rd 3rd 3rd 1 2 3 4 4 4
C Major Scale
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T A B Root 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th Octaveœ
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2 4 5 2 3 5 3 5 Figure 2 Ex. 2.1 Root Root 3rdx x x x x x x x x x x x 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 3rd 2nd 3 3rd 3rd 2nd 3rd 3rd 3rd 2nd 3rd 3rd 3rd
Major 3rd
& 44
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T A Bœœ# ‰ jœœ ˙˙
E C 6 2 2 7 3 3ww
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4 5& 44
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T A Bœœ ‰ jœœ ˙˙
Em C 5 2 2 7 3 3œœ ‰ jœœ
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Em C 5 2 2 7 3 3œœ ‰ jœœ
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G F#m 9 7 7 10 9 9Major and Minor 3rds
To make a minor 3rd, fl at the E. Learn to visualize the shapes and hear the sound.
Minor 3rd
Ex. 2.2#13
Ex. 2.3#14
2. A
2. B
3rd 3rd 3rdb
3rdSome players will raise the third up an octave.
You can also use the open G string in combination with 3rds. The Beatles used this technique in “Blackbird.”
This example would make a good ending for a tune in G.
x x x x x x x x x x o x 3 2 2 2 2 1 4 2nd 1 3rd 3rd 3rd 2nd 3rd 3rd 3rd 3rd 2nd 3rd 3rd 3rd x x x o x x x x x o o x 3 2 2 2 2 2 1 4 2nd 1 3rd 3rd 3rd 2nd 3rd 3rd 3rd
& 44
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12 0 10Major 3rd
Minor 3rd
2. C
2. D
2. E
2. F
Ex. 2.4#15
Ex. 2.5#16
3rdb
3rd 3rd 3rdEx. 2.7
#18
Ex. 2.6
4ths
4ths can produce everything from roots rock to the heaviest of metal. The guitars bottom four strings are tuned in fourths, so open strings work quite well, not to mention you can easily grab them with just one fi nger. Deep Purple’s “Smoke On The Water” is one of the most famous rock tunes that uses 4ths.
4th Shapes
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x o o x x 1 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 3rd 2nd 1 3rd 3rd 3rd 3rd 2nd 3rd 3rd 3rd 2nd 3rd 3rd& 44
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T A Bœœ
‰ jœœ ‰
jœœ ‰ jœœb
0 0 5 3 0 0 5 3œœ
‰ jœœ ‰
jœœ ‰ jœœb
0 0 5 3 0 0 5 3& 44
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jœœ œœ œ
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Key of G Minor
Key of A Minor
2. G
2. H
2. I
#17
3rd 3rd#21
Ex. 2.10 Ex. 2.9
#20
b
5
Ah, the
b
5, without this interval we would not have metal.x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x o x x 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 3 2 1 3rd 2nd 1 3rd 3rd 3rd 2nd 5th 3rd 3rd 3rd 2nd 3rd 3rd 3rd
& 44
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5 4 3 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Key of A or A Minor
Ex. 2.8#19
Key of C Minor
Key of E Minor
2. J
3rdb
5th6ths
This sound can be heard in more of the blues and soulful side of rock. Early Rolling Stones and The Black Crowe’s have used this sound extensively.
x x x x x x x x x o x x 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 2nd 3 3rd 3rd 3rd 3rd 2nd 3rd 3rd
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2. K
2. L
Ex. 2.11#22
Ex. 2.12#23
3rd 5thOctaves
Though long associated with jazzers. Rock musicians such as Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan have used octaves as part of their musical arsenal.
x x x x x x x x x x 1 3 2nd 5th 3rd 3d 3rd 2nd 3rd 3rd 3d 1
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Ex. 2.13#24
Ex. 2.14#25
Ex. 2.15#26
3rd Root OctaveInversions
Watch any professional play rhythm guitar and I highly doubt you’ll see many barre chords being played. Players tend to use 3, or 4 note inversions of chords (a different order of playing the notes in a chord). When you need a different fl avor other than power chord, inversions can’t be beat. They also work great when playing with other guitarists to fi ll out a rhythm part. To get a more mature sound with a lot less effort, inversions are the way to go.
Here are some frequently used inversions for A Major.
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x o x x 2 2 2 2 1 3 2 3rd 3 3rd 3rd 2nd 5th 3rd 3rd 2nd 1 1 1 1 1 1 x x x x x x x x x o x x 2 2 2 2 2 2nd 3rd 3rd 9th 5th 3rd 3rd 1 3 4 2 1 3 2 1
A Major Inversions
Middle Strings
3. A
3. B
3. C
3. D
3. E
2nd 2nd 5th 10th 5thA Major Inversions
Top Strings
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x o x x 2 2 2 2 2 1 3 4 2nd 3rd 3rd 5th 5th 3rd 3rd 2nd 1 2 2 1 1 1Check out the examples for some different uses. Expand upon them and make them your own.
& 44
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3. G
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Ex. 3.1#27
Ex. 3.2#28
5th 9th 12th& 44
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Ex. 3.4#30
Ex. 3.5#31
A Minor Inversions
Top Strings
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x o x x 2 2 2 2 1 5th 3rd 3rd 5th 5th 3rd 3rd 2nd 1 3 3 1 2 1 2 3 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x o x x 2 2 2 2 2 1 3 2 2nd 3rd 3rd 5th 5th 3rd 3rd 2nd 2 3 1 1 1 13. I
3. J
3. K
3. L
3. M
3. N
Middle Strings
2nd 5th 10th 5th 8th 12thPlaying on the up beats produces this Police inspired example.
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C A 5 5 5 5 5 5 6 6 5 5 7 7 7 7 0 0 Ex. 3.6#32
Ex. 3.7#33
Ex. 3.8#34
Finally, here’s a short piece illustrating how to use inversions over a simple chord progression.
& 44
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Ex. 3.9#35
Riffs
Along with power chords, intervals and inversions another key ingredient of rock rhythm guitar are riffs. Riffs are not chords but scale based playing, usually played off the lower strings to create a more driving rhythm part. With riffs you can achieve a heavier sound or provide a catchy hook to a song. Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath are some of the great riff oriented bands.
The Blues Scale
To get us started lets look at an E blues scale in two different positions. We’ll concentrate on only the bottom three strings using just one octave (fi g. 4.A - 4.B). In the next section of the book we’ll discuss how to use the blues scale in your lead playing.
x x x x o x x x x x o o o x x x 2 2 2 2 2 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 5th 2nd 3rd 3rd 5th 2nd 1 3 2 2 8th 5th 3rd 3rd 1 1 1 2 3 3
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4. B
Ex. 4.1E Blues Scale
(First Position)
5th Root RootE Blues Scale
(Second Position)
Ex. 4.2
You can play the same lick using a different position for a tighter sound.
Riffs for the E The Blues Scale
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Ex. 4.4#37
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Ex. 4.5#38
Ex. 4.6#39
Ex. 4.7#40
Ex. 4.8#41
You can use riffs in any key or with any scale. Here are some using the A Blues Scale.
Riffs for the A The Blues Scale
x o o x x x 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 5th 4.A 2nd 3rd 3rd 1 3 2 3rd 1 1 1 2 3 3 x o x x x x
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4. D
Ex. 4.9#42
Ex. 4.10#43
5th Root RootDrop D
Another technique that has been known to conjure up some bodacious riffs is the drop D tuning. Simply tune your low E string a whole step lower to D, the other strings remain in standard tuning. Everyone from Van Halen to the 90’s grunge movement has used the drop D tuning.
& 44
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5 5 6 7& 44
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Ex. 4.12#45
Ex. 4.13#46
Tricks of the Trade
Students often tell me they have their fi rst position chords down, but what can they do with them to make their playing more interesting? In this section we’ll discuss a few “tricks of the trade” using fi rst position chords.
I have always been a fi rm believer in watching the way others play. Most method books will tell you to play an A chord with three fi ngers, but playing an A chord with just your fi rst fi nger (fi g. 5.A) is how Pete Townsend and Keith Richards would play it, and that’s the seal of approval. “Keep things simple” is a good motto to follow in rock music.
To break out of mundane strumming patterns, arpeggiating chords is a good way to add some momentum to a rhythm part (ex 5.1)
x o x x x x 8th 5th 5th 3rd 3rd 1 1 1 Root
& 44
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A
Ex. 5.1#47
Chord Movement
Moving one note inside a G chord can add a variety of tonal colors (ex. 5.2).
Here are some examples using an A chord.
& 44
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Ex. 5.2#48
Ex. 5.3#49
Ex. 5.4#50
D shape
Taking one shape and moving it around the neck will create a lot of different sounds (ex. 5.5). This technique was really popular in the 70’s arena rock era.
A helpful way of learning and remembering a new chord is through recognition. A player might use the same chord in many of his or her tunes. You can benefi t from being able to identify the chord with that player. Even if you don’t know the name of it, visualize the shape and hear the sound. Don’t worry, you can always learn the names of chords later. This is how it’s been done since the beginning.
o x x o x x x 2 2 2 2 5th 2nd 3rd 3rd 8th 5th 5th 3rd 3rd 1 1 3 2 1 2 3 Root
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9 10 12 14 10 11 13 15 9 10 12 14 0 0 0 05. B
D
Ex. 5.5#51
D/F
#
- The “Clapton Chord”
D/F
#
is a D chord with an F#
in the bass and has been played in an abundance of Eric Clapton tunes. It’s also made its way into quite a few Beatles and Zeppelin tunes as well. Here are some examples demonstrating the D/F#.
o x x x x x x x o x x x 2 2 2 2 2 5th 5.B 4.B 2nd 3rd 3rd 8th 5th 5th 3rd 3rd 5 2 1 1 3 2 2 3 3 3 Root
& 44
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#
(Movable Shape)
5. C
5. D
Ex. 5.6#52
Ex. 5.7#53
& 44
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Am 1 2 2 0 Ex. 5.8#54
orE7
#
9
So far we’ve covered a lot of material found in rock rhythm. In this section we’ll look at a few other chords that have made their way into the rock repertoire.
The E7
#
9 chord has affectionately been know as the Hendrix chord since it has been a mainstay in much of his playing. (fi g. 6.A)E7
#
9 Examples
x x o x x x 2 4 3 1& 44
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Ex. 6.2#56
Ex. 6.1#55
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.
Here’s a short etude utilizing the 7
#
9 chord over a twelve bar blues.& 44
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B7#9 3 3 2 2 1 1 7 2 2 5 6 0Jerky
Ex. 6.3The Funky Side of Rock
The funk rock movement credited mainly to the Red Hot Chili Peppers has also popularized the 7
#
9 chord.The rhythm for this type of playing requires a very relaxed picking hand. Listen to the CD to hear how the examples should be played.
Another chord that has been frequently used in the funk rock genre is the 9th.
& 44
..
..
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E7#9 8 8 8 8 7 7 7 7 6 6 6 6 7 7 7 7œœœœ# œœœœ ‰ ‰ œœœœ œœœœ Ó
8 8 8 8 7 7 7 7 6 6 6 6 7 7 7 7& 44
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T A Bœœœœ# œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ ‰ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ ‰ Œ
E7#9 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7œœœœ# œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ ‰ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ ‰ Œ
8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 x x o x x x 8 5 5 3 3 2 3 3 1E9
6. B
Ex. 6.4#58
Ex. 6.5#59
7th#60
And fi nally another etude using 9th and 7
#
9 chords, entitled “Funk in A.”& 44
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..
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T A Bœœœœn# œœœœ ‰ ‰ œœœœ œœœœ Ó
A7#9 13 13 13 13 12 12 12 12 11 11 11 11 12 12 12 12œœœœn# œœœœ ‰ ‰ œœœœ œœœœ Ó
13 13 13 13 12 12 12 12 11 11 11 11 12 12 12 12œœœœn# œœœœ ‰ ‰ œœœœ œœœœ Ó
13 13 13 13 12 12 12 12 11 11 11 11 12 12 12 12&
œœœœn# œœœœ ‰ ‰ œœœœ œœœœ Ó
13 13 13 13 12 12 12 12 11 11 11 11 12 12 12 12œœœ
œœ#
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œœœœn# œœœœ ‰ ‰ œœœœ œœœœ Ó
A7#9 13 13 13 13 12 12 12 12 11 11 11 11 12 12 12 12œœœœn# œœœœ ‰ ‰ œœœœ œœœœ Ó
13 13 13 13 12 12 12 12 11 11 11 11 12 12 12 12œœœ
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A7#9 13 13 13 13 12 12 12 12 11 11 11 11 12 12 12 12œœœœn# œœœœ ‰ ‰
J
œœœœn# ˙˙˙˙
E7#9 13 13 8 8 12 12 7 7 11 11 6 6 12 12 7 7Funk in A
Ex. 6.6Lead Introduction
In the second part of this book entitled “Lead Guitar,” we’ll put to use a few scales and techniques that have defi ned the rock sound.
Soloing is like telling a story. There’s an opening, middle and closing. We use scales and other techniques to solo (improvise) with. When learning the scales in this section try to play them in a musical fashion. Don’t just play up and down the scale. Create melodies and expand upon the examples.
Note; When fi rst starting out there’s a natural tendency to want to play fast. Speed will come from practicing material slowly. But, more important is the melodic (emotional) element players possess. It’s as if they are singing through the instrument. Try to balance between the technical (fast playing) and melodic (emotional) side. This will make your playing sound more professional.
Pentatonics
As with the power chord, without the pentatonic scale rock would not exist. Made up of fi ve notes (R, b3, 4, 5, b7) the pentatonic originated from Chinese music and has somehow managed to become rock’s most popular scale. To get us started with this scale let’s break it up into two sections (ex. 7.A - 7.B). Learning a scale this way will help you visualize it clearer. Another element to mastering the pentatonic; rock guitarists mostly use their fi rst and third fi ngers to play this scale. Experiment playing the scale with different fi ngerings
.
A Minor Pentatonic
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T A Bœ
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œ
œ
œ
5 7 5 7 5 8&
T A Bœ
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œ
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5 8 5 8 5 7 7 x x x x x x x x o x x x 2 2 2 2 2 5.B 2nd 3rd 3rd 5th 5th 3rd 3rd 3 1 4 1 3 3 3 Root D/F# Movable Shape 3 3 1 1 1 1 4 47. A
7. B
Ex. 7.1 Ex. 7.2 Root Root 5th 5thTo use the minor pentatonic over a major sounding progression play the minor pentatonic down a minor 3rd. For example, if playing in C use an A minor pentatonic to solo with. The Allman Brothers and Grateful Dead used this sound a great deal.
Here are a few more ways of fi ngering an A Minor pentatonic scale. (ex. 7.D and 7.E) These positions will help break you out of the traditional “box” shapes and get you moving more along the neck. Watch any of the greats play from Eddie Van Halen to Eric Clapton to Stevie Ray; they all play up and down the neck in addition to the box shape.
A Minor Pentatonic
(Full Scale)
x x x x x x x x o x x x 2 2 2 2 2 5th 2nd 3rd 5th 5th 3rd 3rd 2 1 3 1 3 Root D/F# Movable Shape Root 1 1 1 1 1 3 3 3 3 x x o x x x 2 2 2 2 2 2nd 3rd 3rd 1 4 1 Root Root Root 3 3 1 1 1 1 3 4 4& 44
T A Bœ œ œ œ
œ œ œ œ
5 7 5 7 5 7 5 8œ œ œ œ Ó
5 8 5 87. C
Ex. 7.3 5th Root 5th 5th Rootx x x x x x x x x x 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 5th 5th 3rd 3rd 5th 2nd 1 1 F# Movable Shape 1 3 1 7.D 3 1 3 1 1 3 3
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T A Bœ
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5 7 3 5 7 5&
T A Bœ
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8 8 10 5 7 9 7& 44
T A Bœ œ œ œ
œ œ œ œ
5 7 5 7 3 5 7 5œ œ œ œ Ó
8 8 10 97. F
A Minor Pentatonic
(Full Scale Up the Neck)
Ex. 7.4
Ex. 7.5
Ex. 7.6
5th Root
This is the second most common position rock players use for the A Minor Pentatonic. x x x x x x x x x o x x 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2nd 3rd 5th 5th 3rd 5th 2nd 2 3 1 Root D/F# Movable Shape Root 3 1 1 4 4 3 1 3 2 2 1
&
T A Bœ
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12 14 12 14 12 15&
T A Bœ
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12 15 17 13 15 147. G
7. H
Ex. 7.7 Ex. 7.8 Root 12th 12th RootA Minor Pentatonic
(Full Scale)
Here are some patterns using the A minor pentatonic scale.
x x x x x x 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 Movable Shape 1 1 3 3 1 4 1 4 3
& 44
T A Bœ œ œ œ
œ œ œ œ
13 15 12 14 12 14 12 15œ œ
J
œ
‰ Ó
12 15 17& 44
T A Bœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
5 5 7 5 8 5 8 8œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
5 5 7 5 7 5 7 7œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
5 5 5 7 5 7 7 7œ œ œ œ ˙
5 5 8 5 87. I
Ala Jimmy Page
Ex. 7.9
Ex. 7.10
12th Root
.
& 44
T A Bœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
5 8 5 8 5 5 7 7œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
5 7 5 5 7 7 5 7& 44
T A Bœ œ œ œ œ
œ œ œ
5 7 5 7 5 7 5 8œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
œ
5 8 5 7 5 7 5 7& 44
T A Bœ œ œ
œ œ œ œ œ
5 5 7 7 5 7 5 8œ œ œ œ œ
œ œ œ
5 5 8 7 5 7 5 7& 44
Tœ
œ œ œ œ œ œ
œ
œ œ œ
œ œ œ œ œ
5 8 Ex. 7.11 Ex. 7.12 Ex. 7.13 Ex. 7.1425 Pentatonic Licks
Finally, here are 25 licks using the A minor pentatonic. Learning licks will help you when improvising and constructing solos. You can play them over any A chord.
& 44
T A B 3 1 3 1 4 1 3 1œ œ œ
œ œ œ œ œ
5 8 5 5 7 7 5 7 3 1 4œ œ
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Œ
8 8 5 7~~~~~~~~~
& 44
T A B 1 4 1 1Ó
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œ
œ
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5 8 5 5 3w
7~~~~~~~~~~
& 44
T A B 1 4 1 1 4 1 1 4 1 3 1 3œ œ œ
3œ œ œ
3œ œ œ œ œ
5 5 5 8 5 8 5 8 5 7 5 3 1 3 1 2œ œ œ œ
˙
5 5 5 7 7~~~~~~~
& 44
T A B 3 1 3 1 3 1 3‰
jœ œ œ œ œ œ œ
5 5 7 5 7 7 7 1 3 1œ œ œ
˙
5 7 5 5~~~~~~~~~~~
Ex. 7.15#61
Ex. 7.16 Ex. 7.17 Ex. 7.18& 44
T A B 1 2Ó
Œ
œ
5w
5~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
& 44
T A B 1 3 1 3 1 3 1‰
jœ œ œ
jœœ œ œ œ
5 3 5 3 5 7 7 5 1w
3& 44
T A B 1 1 4 1 3œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œ œ œ
5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 8 5 7 1 1ww
5 5~~~~~~~~~
Two notes can say a lot, just listen to B.B. King and Carlos Santana.
Here is a Chuck Berry inspired riff. Ex. 7.19
Ex. 7.20
& 44
T A B 3 1 3 1 3 3 3‰
jœ œ œ œ œ œ œ
5 7 5 7 7 7 7 1 3 4 3 1œ œ œ œ ˙
5 5 8 7 7~~~~~~~~~~
& 44
T A B 1 1 3 1 3 1 1‰ Jœ
œ
œ œ œ œ œ
5 5 5 5 7 5 7 3 1 3œ œ œ
Ó
5 7 7~~~~~
& 44
T A B 3 1 3 1 1 1 3 3œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
5 7 5 7 5 5 7 7 1 4 1œ
œ œ ˙
5 8 5~~~~~~~~~~
Ex. 7.22 Ex. 7.23 Ex. 7.24& 44
T A B 3 3 1 3 1 1 1‰
jœ œ œ œ œ œ œ
5 5 7 5 5 7 7 3 1 1 4 1œ œ
œ
œ œ œ
5 8 5 5 5 7& 44
T A B 1 3 1 3 1 4 1 4œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
5 5 5 8 8 5 7 7 1 3 1 3 3œ œ œ
œ œ
Œ
5 7 5 7 7& 44
T A B 4 1 3 1 4 1Ó
3œ œ œ
3œ œ œ
5 8 5 8 5 7 1w
5~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ex. 7.25 Ex. 7.26 Ex. 7.27& 44
T A B 1 3 1 1 3œ
œ
œ œ œ
Œ
5 5 5 7 7 3 1 1 3œ
œ œ
œ Ó
5 5 7 7& 44
T A B 1 4 1 3 1 3 1‰
j
œ œ œ œ
œ œ œ
5 5 7 5 7 5 8 1 1 3œ œ œ
˙
5 5 7 7~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
& 44
T A B Let Ring 3 2 3 2Ó
œ
œ
œ
œ
8 8 9 9 3 2 3 1 3œ
œ
œ
œ
˙
8 9 7 5 7 Ex. 7.28 Ex. 7.29 Ex. 7.30& 44
T A B 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2Œ
3œ œ œ
3œ œ œ
3œ œ œ
10 8 10 8 10 8 9 9 9 1 3 jœœ œ Œ
Ó
7 5 7& 44
T A B 1 4 3 1 3 2 1 2œ œ œ
œ œ œ œ œ
12 13 13 12 14 14 12 15 3 1 3 4 1œ œ œ œ ˙
14 12 14 15 12& 44
T A B 3 1 4 1 3Ó
3œ œ œ œ œ
14 12 12 14 15 2 3œ
œ
Œ
Ó
13 14Using a Different Position
Ex. 7.31
Ex. 7.32