Archive for the 'Licks' Category

Using pull-offs, open strings, and 7/4 time

Chet June 12th, 2007

Utilizing an odd time signature is a good way to add some variety into your playing. It can give that riff you’ve been working on a little extra uniqueness. The key to doing it effectively is to make it sound natural. No calculators or Star Wars action figures are necessary. Just a little thought and a little more practice

If an idea comes to you and it isn’t quite fitting into 4/4, or you notice that your foot (because you tap your foot when you practice) is in the air instead of hitting the ground at the end of the riff, then it’s probably in an odd time. Get to know how it works first and then count it out. The riff below is one example of how to use an odd time somewhat naturally. When you listen to it, you may or may not notice that it’s in 7/4.

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a pulloffs notation

The descending notes on the 2nd string are optional. After the D on the 3rd fret I play a C on the 1st fret and then a C# on the second fret (to make an A major). I’m also using pull-offs wherever I can.

Try to come up with a few different ideas in odd time-signatures. You can start by adding or subtracting a beat from something you already know. If you do in fact want to get nerdy about it, try playing it against something that’s in 4/4 time. You’ll notice that it syncs up at the LCM of beats between the two different time signatures. 3/4 and 4/4 will sync up in 12 beats(LCM of 3 and 4) which is 3 measures of 4/4 and 4 measures of 3/4.

Am scale run – Linking 3 positions.

Chet May 1st, 2007

Anyone remember that awesome solo by Guy Awesome in CoolSong # 3? You know the one where he plays an Am scale from bottom to top and then stops?

Exactly.

Playing a scale from bottom to top is a good way to practice but it generally makes for an unmemorable solo. While the lick below doesn’t promise instant memorableness it is a much better way to get to know the Am scale. Plus you might actually be able to use the thing when you’re improvising.

Try the scale below with alternate or economy picking and pay attention to the position shifts on the 5th and 4th string. The root of this scale is an A on the 6th string 5th fret. Try playing it in a few other keys by moving the whole thing to different places on the neck. Once you can do it with a little speed try making up your own patterns.

“What’s a pattern?”, you ask. Well do you know how Am pentatonic sounds when you play each note three times before moving on? How about playing only the notes on odd numbered strings? Left handed? The point being you need make yourself think about the scales you know in different ways. Get to work. I hear Guy Awesome’s band is looking for a replacement.

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Am scale run - TAB