Scales on Guitar that Sound Like Beautiful Melodies. Fingerstyle Guitar Lesson

Apr 27, 2018

Scales on Guitar that Sound Like Beautiful Melodies

Fingerstyle Guitar Lesson

Hey guys, today I want to show you how you can make scales on guitar sound like beautiful melodies.

Scales are an essential tool for guitar players and music in general. Consider this; almost the entire music system is built on a major scale—chords, intervals, cadences, keys, just to mention a few.

Do you want to improve your technique? Practice scales!

Where the C major chord comes from? Scales

Time to put together a few chords and create a beautiful chord progression. You can learn that from scales.

Today we will use scales on guitar to create beautiful melodies in A minor’s key using a straightforward two-step process. 1) Learn the scale in five different positions: 2) Create beautiful melodies.

We will learn the A minor scale on the top three strings in five different positions then I will show you a few melodic ideas on each position.

We start with the A minor scale because it’s the easiest scale to learn on guitar, and the five positions are easy to memorize. It’s also easy to play the 5th open string (A) and use it as a bass note/chord.

The awesome thing about this exercise is that we can break down each position into 5/6 notes so that it’s easy for you to create simple melodies.

I consider that to be a completely different way to practice and play scales on the guitar.

Maybe we could call it a “Melodic” way to play scales on the guitar.

I hope this fingerstyle guitar lesson inspires you to practice scales more and write your own phrases.

Let’s get started.

The Video

Scales Diagram

Let me show you the five different positions you’ll have to learn to start creating your own melodies.

The scale will not necessarily start from the root note (A); in fact, only position 1 starts with the note A.

Practicing scales starting from a different note that the fundamental will give you a versatile approach when creating the melodies, so embrace the challenge and don’t give up just after a few attempts.

It might take a while before you feel confident enough to play or create the melodies. Understand that this is a pretty challenging exercise that requires fretboard knowledge and technique, and creativity.

Just take things to step by step and focus on one position before moving on to the next one.

Here’s the scale diagram.

From Scale to Melody

Once you’ve memorized all the positions, you’ll be able to play a few melodic ideas.

In this video, I will show you a few examples for each scale position so that you can get inspired. It would then help if you started creating your own melodies and slowly developing your creativity and musicality.

The most amazing this about playing melodic scales on the guitar is that you can really start creating melodies using just 2/3 notes.

Don’t play all the time! Instead, use pauses to fill in the gaps between the notes. With time, you should create more complex phrases that are rhythmically interesting and fun to play.

Fun is part of the deal!

I hope you get inspired and get to play more and more of these beautiful melodic scales on the guitar.

Amazing Fingerstyle Chords Only Possible in A major Key

Apr 24, 2018

Amazing Fingerstyle Chords

Only Possible in A major Key

Hey, guys, today I will show you this amazing fingerstyle chord progression in A major that will blow your mind.

I love experimenting with chords, and fingerstyle guitar allows you to develop unique, amazing sounding chords that are really only possible when you play in fingerstyle.

So how do we memorize new chords?

The biggest mistake you can make when learning new chords is to open a Ted Greene book, trying to memorize the chords without really put them into practice. You can read twenty chord diagrams, but as soon as you close the book, they are gone!

I use a straightforward approach to learn one/two new fingerstyle chords and combine them with one/two chords I already know.

In the beginning, it’s a nightmare, and I remember struggling a lot, even with just one new chord. Then as I learned more and more chords, the whole process became natural.

Just so you know, I don’t remember all the chords I learned, and I easily forget them.

It’s not a big deal.

They’ll come back to you when you need them, just like when you didn’t play Classical Gas for two years, but it easily came back after a few hours of practice.

I highly recommend you learn this exercise, then take one or two chords and use them in a different chord progression in A major.

Time to play! Let’s learn some beautiful fingerstyle chords in A major!

Good luck!

The Video

Fingerstyle Chords

Let’s get into details.

In this exercise, the chord progression is insanely easy.

We are in A major key, and the chorus goes as follows: A | E | D.

The A major chord will have four different voicings while the E and D only two.

The A major Chord

Let me show you why fingerstyle is so amazing when it comes to amazing chords.

The first voicing is an A major chord with the 9th and 11th. You can call it A add9/11. This chord doesn’t have the major third, so we don’t really know if it’s major or minor, but I think we can agree that it sounds pretty major. The B open string really makes this chord unique!

The second voicing is another Add9 chord with two major 3rd. The B open string gives the dreamy vibe.

The third voicing is a beautiful Amaj7(add9), and this is one of my favorite chords on the guitar.

The fort voicing is Aadd9 with a different voicing. This chord is pretty stretchy, so practice it slowly.

The E and D major Chord

We will also work on two other chords, The E major and D major chord.

Both chords sound beautiful in the A major key and are part of the amazing fingerstyle chords you’ll learn in this lesson.

Make sure you check the tab below to learn the chord progression and all the chords I am teaching in the video.

As always, make sure you take things to step by step and learn one chord at a time before you move on to the next one.

Get the TAB

Sweet Fingerstyle Melody for Beginners.

Apr 23, 2018

Sweet Fingerstyle Melody for Beginners.

Hey guys, I hope you are having a fantastic Monday.

Today i want to show you a sweet melody for beginners on acoustic guitar.

I always think that the most important thing to do when you are a beginner is to practice musical stuff.

Scales, arpeggios, and mechanical exercises are great and always useful, so I highly recommend that you spend time practicing these.

Simultaneously, though, you need musical exercise that can help you with musicality, tone, dynamics, and performance.

There are thousands of songs you can learn, and these are welcome, but you also need song-like exercises designed to help you with a specific technique.

With this sweet fingerstyle melody, I want to help to improve your musicality.

We will learn the melody twice. The first time plane simple, then we will add a few extra notes to make it sound more sweet and musical.

The second section can be challenging as you will have to learn a few stretchy chords but the challenges are necessary if you want to improve your technique and overall playing.

Take things to step by step and learn one chord at a time.

No need to rush.

Good luck, guys.

The Video

Sweet Fingerstyle Melody in D minor

Let me give you a few tips on practicing this sweet fingerstyle melody so that you can easily overcome the challenges and get the most out of the exercise.

Step 1 – Learn the melody.

When I was a beginner, I learned this approach called “melody isolation,” which changed how I learned difficult and challenging melodies.

It’s a fundamental concept in which you practice the melody without any other note or chord.

Let me show you how you can do that in this first example.

The first part of the melody is played using bass and melody. In this section, we will only play the melody in red and avoid the bass notes.

The second section is a bit more challenging because there are more notes and chords, so we have to select the one belonging to the melody only.

This is a fair example.

Step 2 – Practice one Chord at a Time

Another important step when learning a melody for beginners is to practice one chord at a time.

This is a pretty obvious thing to do, but many guitar players end up reading the exercise from top to bottom without really focusing on the challenging parts.

Isolating each chord will give you a better chance to improve your every bar better and quicker.

Get the tab here

Same Melody on Two Octaves! Easy on Piano but What about Guitar?

Apr 18, 2018

Same Melody on Two Octaves.

Not easy on Guitar!

Hey guys, today I will share with you these powerful exercises that will challenge (and motivate) many of you.

I was thinking about how easy it is to transpose the same melody on two octaves on the piano. Each octave is the same, so you can learn the melody one time and move it up and down without changing the shape or fingering.

With the guitar is a completely different story.

You can play symmetrical phrases with the same shape, but that doesn’t apply for melodies played with open strings, so everything we play in the position I (first three frets of the guitar neck) includes open strings will have a different shape when transposed one octave higher.

In this exercise, we will be learning a set of melodies on two different octaves.

It’s a great way to improve finger dexterity, musicality, and versatility, plus it’s super fun to play.

As always, take things step by step and learn one melody at a time.

Let’s get started.

The Video

How does it work?

The goal is to repeat the same melody on two octaves.

Sounds easy but trust me, it isn’t. It will take some practice before you can actually play the whole thing fluently.

Let me show you how it works.

The red square shows you the first melody. It’s a simple progression of notes using fretted notes and open strings.

The yellow square is the same melody but one octave higher.

Notice that the yellow square looks completely different from the red square even though it is the same.

How Should you Practice

There are a few things I highly recommend you do when practicing this exercise.

Left hand: Use the same fingering shown on the video. Don’t end up playing the melody with just one or two fingers. Use all four fingers.

Right hand: Always use alternate fingering.

Another thing you could do is to practice one octave at a time. In that case, you will learn all the phrases in one octave before move on to the higher melody.

Good luck.

Badass Rhythmic Chord Progression on Guitar

Apr 17, 2018

Badass Rhythmic Chord Progression

In A minor

There are days for melodies and days for rhythm!

Today we kind of combine both with this badass rhythmic chord progression in A minor.

We will be playing a bunch of badass chords that are challenging and super rhythmic.

They are also fun to play and extremely motivating, so I recommend checking the first minute of the video.

There are two different sections.

The first section includes add9 and #11 chords and a plucking pattern in 7 and 5.

The second sections will be played using simple triads and a rhythmic pattern in 3.

Such a challenging exercise requires a lot of detailed practice, so make sure you practice one thing at a time before moving on to the next thing.

Grab your guitar, and let’s get started.

The Video

The Chord Progression

Section 1

The chord progression for section 1 is Am – F – G.

We will transform the chords into something more interesting: Am (add9), F(#11), and G major.

The rhythmic chord progression will be really challenging, so I highly recommend you start by learning the chords before applying any plucking pattern.

Here’s the chord progression.

The Plucking Pattern

The right hand is going to be the most challenging part.

We will be learning two different patterns, one in 7 and one in 5. The patterns should be played as evenly as possible and with a continuous flow.

Check the tab below.

Section 2

This section will focus on simple triads to be played on three sets of strings.

This is probably my favorite part because spread triads are my favorite type of chord.

You can perform the triads in two different ways.

I highly recommend that you start with the chords only. Pluck each chord together and memorize the chord shape and changes.

Once you feel ready, try to apply the arpeggio pattern.

Here’s the tab.

Get the Tab here

Use this Badass Melody in E minor to Improve Fingerstyle Technique. Beginner Guitar Melody

Apr 14, 2018

Use this Melody in E minor to Improve Fingerstyle Technique.

Beginner Guitar Melody

Hey, guys, today I want to talk to you about improving fingerstyle technique with simple, musical, and effective exercises that are fun to play.

If you want to improve your technique, you have to practice. We all know that there is a massive difference between practicing and playing.

Practicing requires discipline, patience, and self-awareness. It would help if you also had a solid routine and focus. Playing is more instinctual and requires less focus.

Playing is a reward from practicing.

When I was practicing 6-7 hours a day, I remember thinking, “30 more minutes of practice, then I can finally play!”

My question is, “Can you combine practicing and playing?”

I started teaching in 2006, and my first year was a disaster. I lost a ton of students, and I was blaming it on them. I thought they didn’t want to practice, so it was their fault.

It took me a while to realize that the majority of people don’t care about practicing. They want to play! I realized they didn’t have 6-7 hours a day to practice.

I was selling them something that didn’t fit their lifestyle.

I changed my teaching approach in 2007, and it was the best thing I did in my life.

I would write tons of musical ideas and turn them into exercises. Each musical idea would tackle a specific technique.

Today we will focus on a practical idea in E minor that will help you develop your alternate fingering.

I hope you enjoy it!

The Video

Fingerstyle Pattern

In this fingerstyle exercise, we will be working on a symmetrical pattern that will help you with alternate fingering and finger dexterity.

The pattern is performed on two strings, B and E string, with the index finger plucking the B string and the middle finger plucking the E string.

Here’s the fingerstyle pattern we will be focusing on.

Notice that the melody will be always played on the second string.

The Melody

I highly recommend to practice the melody separately.

If you are a beginner, it is advisable to split the exercise into different steps and learn the melody. Then once you feel comfortable, move on to the next step and add the E open string.

Practicing using this system will help you to improve the fingerstyle technique faster and with less effort.

Chord Progression

One of the things I love about this fingerstyle exercise is the chord progression.

Guitar players love the E minor key. There are so many possibilities and fun patterns to play in E minor, and this exercise is the right example.

The chord progressions go as follows: Em – C – D – Em. The second part of the chord progression is C – D – Em – G/B – C – D – Em.

Spread Triads on Guitar. A new way of Playing Chords.

Apr 13, 2018

Spread Triads on Guitar

A new way of Playing Chords

Today I want to show you a new way of considering chords and triads on guitar with the concept of spread triads vs. close triads.

The triad is the most basic chord in music.

When you play a basic C major chord (and any other chord), you are playing a triad, a set of three notes from the major scale. The first note is called the root note, then the 3rd and 5th are added to complete the chord.

A triad of C major will have three notes C, E, and G. You can play these three notes in any order.

There is a very creative approach in which one of the triad notes can be played one octave higher. This approach is called the “Spread triad.”

I want to show you how they work!

We will be playing spread triads over a straightforward chord progression in C major.

For some of you, this is a new concept so take it step by step and practice one chord shape.

Let’s get started.

The Video

Spread Triads vs. Closed Triads

One of the easiest ways to go from close-triads to spread-triads is to raise the second note of any close-triad by one octave.

Check the example below.

Example 1

The C major triad II inversion is a closed triad with the notes positioned as G, C, and E. The G note is on the bass, so we call that II inversion.

We then play the same triad but with the notes positioned as G, E, and C. The C notes are now played one octave higher, so we call it “Spread triad.”

The notes are the same, but the sound of the chord is completely different.

Example 2

In this example, we are checking out an F major triad.

We start with a close triad played in I inversion with the note positioned as A, C, and F.

Then we change the C note position, and the triad becomes A, F, and C.

How to Make A Melody Sadder than Sad | Maj and Min 6th

Apr 12, 2018

How to Make A Melody Sadder than Sad

Maj and Min 6th

Hello guys, today I want to show you how to make a melody sound sadder than sad using the major 6th and minor 6th interval.

As you probably know, I really love to transform feelings into musical ideas, so today, we will take a look at what happens when you harmonize a simple melody in 6th.

We will start the lesson by learning a straightforward melody in A minor. The melody is mainly played on one string and with bass notes only.

Then we will double the melody using a lower note that matches the distance on a major 6th or minor 6th.

This interval will make the melody really sad/melancholic sounding.

If you are a beginner, start with the simple melody, then move on to the next step and double the line with the additional note.

Grab your guitar, and let’s get started.

The Video

Step 1

Melody and Bass note

We will start by learning the simple melody on one string as well as the bass note.

There are four notes for each chord.

The chord progression goes as follows: Am – F – C – G

You can really take the exercise step by step and learn the melody first before adding the bass note. Also, I highly recommend that you follow the left-hand fingering I suggest in the video so that when we double the melody, the left-hand fingering is already in place.

This is the simple melody played with a bass note only.

Step 2

Double the Melody

The next step would be harmonizing the melody using the major and minor 6th intervals.

This way of playing is more challenging as it requires finger stretch, finger dexterity, and control, so if you are a beginner, I would recommend trying to learn one chord at a time.

In the video, I explain the left hand fingering slowly, so make sure you follow that.

This is the melody harmonized in 6th.

Same Chord Different Bass Note = Amazing Chords

Apr 10, 2018

Same Chord Different Bass Note

Amazing Chords

Today I want to share a straightforward trick with you that you can use to create amazing chords on the guitar with minimal effort.

This approach is mind-blowing because it can open the door to hundreds of different chords and chord progression that sound different than anything you already play.

The goal is to keep the same chord while changing the bass note only.

This way of playing is widely used in Pop music. You can hear the chord changing, but the guitar still plays the same three notes.

The truth is, this type of guitar playing sounds awesome.

We will be working on many amazing chords in E major, and there will be two different examples set over a simple chord progression.

Some of the chords will be stretchy and challenging, so as always, make sure you take things step by step.

Once you feel ready, try to come up with your own chords and really experiment with different progressions, keys, and bass notes.

I hope you get inspired.

Grab your guitar, and let’s get started.

The Video

The Chord Progression

One thing essential you want to understand to get the exercise right is the difference between the chords and the bass.

The chords will be played on the top three strings (G, B, and E), while the Bass is always played with the thumb on the bottom three strings (D, A, and E).

This is such an important aspect to understand because it will help you to structure the exercise correctly.

The chords are E – C#m – A – B.

The Plucking Pattern

The next step would be memorizing the fingerstyle pattern.

As we are mainly focusing on the left hand, I decided to keep the plucking pattern very simple.

This is the plucking pattern: P i m i a i m i (Thumb, index, middle, index, ring, index, middle, index)

Example 1

Easy chord progression on position I. The chords are played on 3rd and 2nd string within the same fret.

Each plucking pattern should be repeated two times.

I really love the fact that even though the chord on the top three strings stays the same, we can transform it and create amazing chords that sound beautiful with a different bass note.

One of my favorites will be the Aadd9(#11), which sounds amazing and suspended.

Example 2

The second chord progression is slightly more challenging because of the finger stretch on the B chord.

We are in a high position of the neck for the other three chords. The finger stretch shouldn’t be a problem.

The chords played in such a high position are awesome when you combine them with an open string. The E open string really creates a beautiful cluster that is only possible in this special key.

The B chord is extremely stretchy, and I really apologize, guys, but there wasn’t any other option available.

Getting Started with Fingerstyle with a Simple Fingerstyle Melody

Apr 9, 2018

Getting Started with Fingerstyle

Simple Fingerstyle Melody

Hey guys, welcome to another super fingerstyle guitar lesson for beginners.

Today I want to share with you this simple fingerstyle melody I wrote a while ago for one of my Skype students who was struggling with the fingerstyle technique.

Some people struggle with plucking, especially at the beginning, and while the left hand easily develops strength and stretch, the right hand can be a real pain to deal with.

I wrote these classical exercises to practice a simple fingerstyle melody using only thumb and fingers.

As you’ll see, the melody is mostly played on the first E string, so it’s easy to visualize on the neck, and the plucking pattern is easy and straightforward.

There are a few challenging moments, but they are necessary if you really want to take a step forward in your technique.

As always, guys, make sure you take things step by step and focus on coordination, timing, and overall performance.

Once you feel comfortable with the notes, spend time working on the tone and dynamics.

Good luck!

The Video

How to Practice

Let me give you a few tips on approaching such a melody and how to get the best out of it.

It’s a straightforward fingerstyle melody that you can play for yourself and friends and family.

The more you play in front of people, the more your confidence grows and your technique and motivations.

I love to write practical exercises that sound musical because they sound like you are playing a song, so you are much more likely to practice and play the exercises if you feel like “performing” a piece.

How to Pluck the Strings

You really have to follow one rule if you want to take your fingerstyle to the next level, and this is “Alternate fingering.”

It would help if you never doubled/triple pluck with the same fingers, and this exercise is no exception.

Make sure you keep alternating the plucking fingers.

The Melody

The melody is mainly played on the E string. There are few challenging parts where the melody will be played on the higher part of the neck so take it to step by step.

It is of paramount importance that you always use all four fingers (1,2,3,4), and I highly recommend you follow the same plucking hand fingering I use.

Embrace the challenge and keep pushing forward.

That’s how you become a better guitar player.

Good luck with the exercises.