RIFFS:
Do the verb to be the noun.
Cooks cook.
Runners run.
Parents parent.
If you want to be a guitarist…
…play the guitar.
Coffee is for practicers.
I like to get the guitar in my hands early.
Otherwise it’s too easy for my day to get away from me. So I’m pairing the habit I want to cultivate (practicing) with a habit I already have (drinking coffee).
Easier (and more rewarding too).
RECS:
The morning has other advantages:
CHARTS:
I’ve been playing a ton of private events lately.
This Saturday’s client requested Mona Lisas & Mad Hatters:
Here’s my chart:
Sibelius, musicXML, PDF, & Ableton Live files here
SMARTS:
1/ Slash Chords
Normally, we play the root in the bass:
a C chord will have a C in the bass
a B♭ chord will have a B♭ in the bass
etc
A slash chord is when we have a different note in the bass:
an F chord, but with an A in the bass
a C chord, but with a G in the bass
Out loud, the slash is pronounced “over,” as in:
“F over A” or
“C over G”
If only the bass note changes, you don’t have to restate the numerator:
This just gives us a little extra space in the chart.
2/ Borrowed Chords
Elton John always has slick progressions.
Out loud:
“two major”
“three major”
“flat seven”
3/ That 2/4 bar
(this audio clip starts right at bar 18)
Just like with last week’s The Galway Girl…
…the 2/4 bars tend to escape our notice until we go to play along. Pulling the song into Ableton Live (and writing a chart) is always so illuminating.
That’s all I got this week.
See you next Wednesday,
Josh
In regards to the slash chords, what is best; to play that chord with the correct bass note or let the bass player handle it? My experience with this comes from playing worship, and often times, I let the bass player cover that bass note while I just play the chord voiced without the bass in the slash chord or I could even be playing a lead part there. Is that wrong? Preference? Circumstantial?
Just found your newsletter, I've been looking for some more guitar content on here, so I'm glad to have come across it! Thanks!