Chord Tone Approaches and Blues Scale: Lesson 3 In these 4 video lessons we will be looking at and discussing some simple concepts for creating grooves and groove solos. The 4 Lessons will focus on

• Using Major Pentatonic Scales • Using the Minor And Major Pentatonic Scales combined • Using the Blues Scale, Approach Notes and targeting Chord Tones • Creating Groove Solos with these concepts

Lesson 3 Over a Dominant 7 Chord another great way to add color to your sound is to approach the Chord Tones different ways. In any musical situation Melodic or Groove based it’s all about the intention and the strength of the line you are playing. We will look at some different ways of building patterns by approaching Chord Tones, as nothing spells out the harmony better than a Chord Tone, we can create some strong lines with this simple concept. Pattern 1 Double Chromatic Approach From Above To Chord Tone

This is a pattern can be great tool for Grooves, Fills and Solos. In the Video I will be demonstrating different ways of applying Pattern 1.

 

Pattern 2 Scale Above, Chromatic Below Approach To Chord Tone

This pattern is a great tool for soloing but the approach to the 3rd (E) can be used to a very strong effect as a fill or the main groove. The Scale we are drawing notes from is the Mixolydian Mode. C Mixolydian Scale Here is the same ascending C Mixolydian Scale in notation with a fingering pattern. The Letter tells us the String the note is played on and the number above tells us which finger to use.

Here is the Fingerboard diagram of the C Mixolydian Scale starting on the 3rd fret of the A String.

The Mixolydian is a useful Scale to understand as it works great over a Dominant 7 Chord. In the Video I will be demonstrating different ways of applying Pattern 2.

 

The Blues Scale I just want to add once more concept to this Course on Groove Concepts for the Dominant 7 Chord and that’s the Blues Scale. The Blues Scale is a 6 note Scale containing notes known as (Blue Notes). These are alternative notes used to create a tension. They are notes a Chromatic (Half Step) below the 3rd and 5th degrees. The Blues Scale is an extension to the Minor Pentatonic Scale. There is jus the extra note added between the 4th and 5th degree. This is like an approach to the 5th degree, which is what we looked at in Pattern 2 Here is the same ascending C Mixolydian Scale in notation with a fingering pattern. The Letter tells us the String the note is played on and the number above tells us which finger to use.

Here is the Fingerboard diagram of the C Blues Scale starting on the 3rd fret of the A String.

Learn the Blues Scale in all Keys be musical with it as you learn it. Learn how to hear it. In the Video I will be demonstrating different ways of applying The Blues Scale in a Groove or Solo setting.

 

How do I practice this lesson?

• Have fun and try to combine the patterns to create new ideas for Grooves, Fills and Solos.

• Keep the Strong Beat Weak Beat concept in mid from Lesson 2

• Keep your ideas simple and melodic

• Start at a slow tempo make sure you can feel and hear it In Lesson 4 we will be looking at ways to incorporate all of these ideas into a groove-based solo.