By Ken Volpe
This is Lesson #17 in a series on Guitar Improvisation. Last week in Lesson #16 we finished up learning about note bending.
So far in this lesson series we have covered Pentatonic Scales in 12 keys, rhythm, licks, and note bending. The next few lessons will be dedicated to theory pertaining to the guitar.
I wanted to mention a few items before we get started. Learning music is an extremely vast subject. I have been teaching guitar for over 25 years, which amounts to over 35,000 lessons…yikes! During this time period I have come to really understand how people learn. What are the pitfalls that hold them back and what is really effective in helping them achieve their musically potential.
Here are a few widely held beliefs about learning to play the guitar:
1. A guitarist should study all aspects of music.
2. A guitarist should never skip over or rush through when learning the fundamentals of music.
3. A guitarist should always work on new and challenging areas of study.
*Later we will talk more on this topic as well as time management and good practice habits.
Okay, let’s get to the theory. We are going to use the following 8 bar chord progression throughout our next few lessons on theory.
A MAJOR / D MAJOR / A MAJOR / A MAJOR
E MAJOR / D MAJOR / A MAJOR / E MAJOR
Please record a background track using these chords at a slow tempo. This progression should be repeated many times on your recording or use a delay looper.
Here are the notes of the 3 chords:
A MAJOR = A, C#, E
D MAJOR = D, F#, A
E MAJOR = E, G#, B
These 3 chords are derived from the A Major scale. The notes in the A Major scale are as following: A, B, C#, D, E, F#, G#, A. Take notice that the notes found in all 3 of our chords are found in the A Major scale as well.
I would like you to memorize the notes of the above 3 chords and of the above A Major scale. Also, I would like you to practice 3 different chord sets for the above chord progression. You should be able to locate a variety of chord voicings in a good basic chord book.
In next week’s lesson we will discuss what scales we can improvise with that will fit our chord progression. I’ll see you all at the next lesson.
Contact Ken: [email protected]
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