[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)

[Dewy]

Well ,take a basic boogie rhythm structure, based on an Emaj chord and scale that has the run built into it.

e---------------------------------------
B---------------------------------------
G---------------------------------------
D--2-------------------2---------------2
A--2---------2-----4-------4---2-------2
E--0----4--------------------------4---0

Thats a rough sketch, but it starts with the E5 and uses the 3rd or 4th finger to work the 4th fret... does a run up, down, then repeats.

[Fretsource]

He also means stuff like passing notes played between the chords.
If you're playing a C major which is about to change to A minor. you could play a bass note B as a kind of stepping stone down to A minor.

Another thing you can do is decorate chords with added notes. So if you're playing a simple D major for example (XXo232) you can add the note G on string 1 fret 3 briefly, or take your finger off string 1 and play it open string, or do both - whatever sounds good.

[chuckswood2001]

try www.guitarnoise.com he has some lessons that might help u

Chuck

[mojorider]

guys- that ALL helps- thank you so much-

im gonna love this site-

im still learning what playing in a certain key means and im not sure i know what key im in, lol- i know i like the cmajor to aminor idea a lot-

i just play the basic chords as they are, so im assuming that is a specific key to start?


again thanks guys (and keep the ideas coming for my sake- )

[Fretsource]

When you're playing in a key such as C major, for example, it just means that C is the main note of the song, C major is the main chord and most, if not all, of the other notes and chords in the song will be from the notes of the C major scale.

[eddiez152]

mojo,

I think here you can observe what I think you father is looking for.
Now this may be a bit more advanced for you but a good example of playing within a chord structure.

Freight Train by Kirk

Freight Train

[Dewy]

Caution: the following is related to you from a non schooled musician's point of view. Never take Dewy's Advice literally... just think about it...

Key is used to group musical thoughts together... using the above mentioned chord, "run" and scale... its in E major.

Emajor E major scale frets 1-4
e---0--------------------------------------------------0
B---0-----------------------------------------0--2--4--
G---1-----------------------------------1--2-----------
D---2--------------------------1--2--4-----------------
A---2-----------------0--2--4--------------------------
E---0--------0--2--4-----------------------------------

Notice how the run and chord in the above post as well as the E major chord there all fit nicely into the pattern of notes? Things that sound good with this and around this I call in the key of E major.

Now songs change keys, and can be downright deceitful about their key in this day of "Modern Music". So take all you can learn and think about it... set it to one side... then pick up the guitar and play... enjoy it.

[mojorider]

guys- this serioulsy is unbelievable- thanks-

[mojorider]

"""I think here you can observe what I think you father is looking for.""""

well, its not so much finger picking (if thats whats its called) as it is 'walking' from one chord to the next- if that makes sense, lol-

[SlickCat]

Yeah...if you listen to Hendrix he uses chords and leads together. He holds a bar chord then uses pull-offs and hammer ons.

[Doug]

Originally Posted by mojorider

my dad tells me that chords have their place, but i need to mix in other things, like single notes, etc-

I suppose you can hand the guitar over to him and say "Dad, why don't you show me what you mean..."

[eddiez152]

mojo,
yes it does make sense, walking from one chord to another. Now I understand.

[namiguShin]

Originally Posted by Doug

I suppose you can hand the guitar over to him and say "Dad, why don't you show me what you mean..."

But then dad wouldn't be impressed much...

It perfectly makes sense... those are passing notes Fretsource was talking about... You said you don't know scales yet... Well, that's the easiest way to add them... Just use scale notes that are between current and next chord... (as Fretsource said C => B => A) This is not the only way, you can add chromatic pass... I don't know your terminology level... And I am a beginner too... But if this doesn't make sense, ask and I, or somebody else, would reply...

[iltpff]

Originally Posted by 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)

Maybe he is looking for a chord melody style...