Moving chord tones (part 3)

Hi!

Today we carry on with chord tones practicing in two directions:

• how to play chord tones in diatonic patterns, the direct suite of part 2
• how to play chord tones with the addition of extra notes, creating some melodies on the top and on the bass.

( fig. 1 ) shows the progression of chord tones in a 1-5 pattern.
1 is F#, first degree of F# mixolydian,
5 is C#, fifth degree of F# mixolydian,
Then this movement in fifths is transposed in ascending thirds according to F# mixolydian.
F#-C# becomes A#-E, then C#-G#, then E-A#, and so on....
This exercice is good to practice intervals (fifths and thirds) horizontally and vertically on the neck; this also allows to play 3 octaves of the guitar in just 2 bars.

( fig. 2 ) takes the approach of ( fig. 1 ) in triad patterns.
Basically, we apply a chord tones on each note of each triad of F# mixolydian, in a 1-5-3 approach.
These are the triads of the pattern:
F#, G#m, A# dim, B, C#m, E#m, E.
F# is played in 1-5-3: F#-C#-A#
G#m is played in 1-5-3: G#-D#-B
etc....
This progression is a nice way of practicing rhythm (triplets) and chords positions altogether.


Now let's see how we can come up with tools to create melodies with chord tones.
( fig. 3 ) introduces the fourth, which is half-step or half-step above the third.
Each chord tones is followed by the related fourth. I purposely grouped all chord tones positions in the same neck area, in order to display many ways of playing the fourth.

( fig. 4 ) take the idea of ( fig. 3 ) horizontally on the neck in order to reach another range.

Let's do with the root what we just did with the third.
( fig. 5 ) is a interpretation of ( fig. 4 ).
Instead of playing the fourth of the chord tones we play the second, half-step or half-step above the root.
In my opinion, this lovely approach is perfect to break down all prejudices on melodies, bass, chord progressions. Each note become a potential melody on the bottom, the middle and the top.
We'll develop this concept later on.

Have fun!

Jean-François


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