[mojorider]

my dad tells me that chords have their place, but i need to mix in other things, like single notes, etc- i want to impress him next time we meet, so im trying to figure out what he means, and how to go about it- im assuming that he is saying play a chord, then 'other stuff' and then another chord, but i dont really know what 'the other stuff' would be- any advice

(examples would be awesome if anyone has any)

[mojorider]

namigushin- exactly correct on the dad part- i want him to know i took his advice-

and yeah, using individual notes between chords is kind of what im looking for- so if i go between two chords, im looking for something to play between them- just need an idea so that i can get started-

...and iltpff, im not sure what that means exactly, but if it sounds good, im interested-

[Anthony_iltpff]

Originally Posted by mojorider

namigushin- exactly correct on the dad part- i want him to know i took his advice-

and yeah, using individual notes between chords is kind of what im looking for- so if i go between two chords, im looking for something to play between them- just need an idea so that i can get started-

...and iltpff, im not sure what that means exactly, but if it sounds good, im interested-

mojor, what I mean by chord melody is that while you are playing the chord, you are playing the melody, which can sound like if you were singing..

[mojorider]

"""mojor, what I mean by chord melody is that while you are playing the chord, you are playing the melody, which can sound like if you were singing.."""


i like the sound of that, but how does that work, exactly- am i playing more than one thing at a time- (some of these questions make me feel stupid)-

[Anthony_iltpff]

I found this guy does a pretty good job at explaining it.

http://www.ibreathemusic.com/article/179

[namiguShin]

I think that's very advanced technique, playing chords and melody of a song... Then you just need bassing and you're... Tommy Emmanuel What am I saying... Kirk Lorange... But I don't want to be blamed for discouraging anybody... Give it a try... I just think you won't achieve it in a couple of weeks, 'till you meet your dad...

All best

[Stratrat]

Another much simpler example of something similar is to use a "walking bass line" between your chords. Say you're going from an 'E' to an 'A' to a 'G' chord - you could do something like:

e---------------------------3----
B---------------3----------------
G------1--------3---------------
D------2--------3---------------
A------2----0--------------2----
E--0------------------3----3----

In this example, you're hitting the 'E' note before the chord, the 'A' before the 'A' chord, and the 'G' note before the 'G' chord. Very simple example, but it spices it up a bit more than just straight strumming.

[Doug]

I apologize for my earlier comment about handing the guitar to your Dad. I guess I thought your father was being negative about your playing - just a misunderstanding on my part, sorry.
Lots of good advice about connecting chords with runs and passing notes. And good examples of walking bass lines. Another way to start is to play the chord and while letting it ring, play the notes of the chord as single notes and try to approximate the melody line with the notes of the chord. Sometimes the melody line is not in the chord itself so try to find these notes and play them by moving your fingers out of the chord position or maybe use your pinky. As you prgress, you can find other voicings for the chord that have the melody notes in them or are closer to where the melody notes can be played. It takes time, be patient, have fun.

[Anthony_iltpff]

Doug, excellent explanation and advice like all others here. Some people expalin things very well, thank you.

[Laney1566]

I take it that you are not up to playing Sweet Emotion by Aerosmith?
Seriously.....Sweet Emotion is a prime example of Picking and chords. You may not be up to that level yet.....But it answers your question... Good Luck

[mojorider]

guys, this is all GREAT stuff-

doug, no sweat on the dad comment- i never even thought anything about it- also- thats some great advice-


stratrat- awesome, brutha- thanks man-

all of this stuff is great- ive been remodeling my house the last couple of days with my father in law, so ive not been able to get on here, but by the end of the weekend, all should be back to normal- i can tell you right now, that when i get into the suggestions above, i will have more questions-