Fundamentals On Guitar / Bass

GUITAR FUNDAMENTALS

How to read TAB
EADGBE = Eddie ate dynamite good bye eddie
Turn guitar so fretboard up when you are holding it = tab view
Guitar notes either singular or chordal (written above each other)
0 = open string

Chromatic Scale
A A# B_C C# D D# E_F F# G G# Sharp
A Bb B_C Db D Eb E_F Gb G Ab Flat (Used a lot in Jazz for Horns)

*Practice going up the fretboard on all things naming each fretted note.
*Pick a note (e.g. C#) and find it on each string starting with low E to high E.

Don t memorise the notes, get fast at counting chromatic scale and string names.

2) OPEN CHORDS

Melody = scales modes, single notes. Harmony = chords, simultaneous notes.
Contain open strings. Barre chords do not.
Jazz = Don t play open chords, prefer bar chords.
First learn the rules, then break them.
Pay attention to how many of the strings you are strumming e.g. Am = Not outside E strings

Don t use your pinky unless you have to! Why? Makes you stretch out your hands. Only use on 4 note chord.

3) BARRE CHORDS

Redundancy = Different musical options to communicate an idea.
Root note = note that tells you name of the chord or scale.
Keep Index 1st finger straight.
Grip with pressure between thumb and index.
Moveable cords - just need root note.
2 Types of Barre - Root E / Root A Major / Minor variations
Major to minor = flatten 3rd

*Practice picking Root note (e.g. C#) and play it rooted on E string and A string.
* Play Open + 2 Bar shapes for chords that can be played open = 3 positions.
* Try to play open chords on different parts of the neck

4) ARPEGGIOS

Main foundation of jazz. Identify notes that make up chord and play them in order of scale.
Arpeggio only has the notes of the chord we are playing.