4 chord rock n roll in G – Lesson 7

Subjects Covered

Chords
- 50s rock in G major (G, e minor , C, D). Some people call this doo wop.
Scales
- The G major pentatonic scale in open position and on the 3rd fret with a new pattern
Musicality
- Coming up with simple melodic solos
Exercises
- Volume exercises, the new pentatonic scale and more chord picking patterns
- Play along with Last Kiss (Pearl Jam version)

Table of Contents

The main points for the beginner guitar course:

Chords – 50s rock in G

Points to remember

keeping the rhythm is more important than playing all the notes
play in time (check out better time)
play one chord per measure

Learn 50s Rock n Roll in G

Watch this video on YouTube

| G | e minor | C | D |

G major

E minor

C major

D major

The G major pentatonic scale using open strings

This is the same pattern that we used for the other major pentatonics but instead of using the index finger, we use the open strings.

The G major pentatonic scale on the 3rd fret – a new pattern

There are other ways to play the same scale. In this case we are going to learn a new pattern to play the G major pentatonic scale.

Musicality

Phrasing

When a person speaks english they do not speak like this:

“HellomyisJosephandIamveryhappytomeetyou!”

Or rather not many people would understand them. This would not be pleasant to hear either:

“He lo my name is Joe an d I am ve ry hap py to mee t you”

Most do not really talk like they write (and hopefully they do not write like they talk):

“Heyy how yadoin Chaarlie?Howzda fam?” or

“I do undouttadly have an idear about gravity!”

You get the idea. Music is like talking. Two notes can be played all sorts of ways. That is what phrasing is in music and it is what makes all sorts of music a certain style. Imagine if B.B. King played a solo like Eddie Van Halen or Mozart. It would not really be blues any more, at least as we know it.

One of the most overlooked ways to add depth and substance to music is to be aware of the phrasing you want to use.

And one of the most rewarding ways to add phrasing to music is to add dynamics. Here is a list of elements that can be used to change the feel of a song:

dynamics
accents on certain notes
changing lengths of notes
playing the same notes at a higher or lower pitch
doing things like bending notes

Dynamics

Dynamics are awesome.

What are dynamics?

Dynamics mean changing the volume of the music. All good music has dynamics. And it is probably one of the main things beginning musicians forget to incorporate into their playing. Dynamics occur over the course of a song as well as in all melodic phrases of a song.

If we take the talking analogy another step further, imagine someone saying “Hello”. Now imagine ten more ways that you could say hello. Certainly a lot of different ways have to do with the changing in volume of the greeting. And each way affects the significance of the greeting. Yelling “HELLO” is a lot different than whispering it.

Sing two notes. Now sing those two notes ten different ways. See how the dynamics affect the feel of the melodic nugget? Awesome.

Phrasing and dynamics are where it is at!

Next time you listen to all those great musicians out there listen to how they use phrasing and dynamics and how it really helps to make the song and the solos. You probably have heard the blues guitar solo where they play a simple little phrase, but keep on altering just a little bit. Sometime before March, I will have an example of that here.

Exercises

Chords

Take the G chord and down pick using this pattern : String : 6 , 5 , 4 , 3 , 2 , 1 , 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6
Play slowly and in time!
Add changes in volume to accentuate different notes.

Strumming

You can practice strumming the chords.
Set the metronome to about 60 bpm.
Strum each chord 3 times.
On the 4th beat, change chords.
If you need more time to switch chords, strum for 2 beats, then use 2 beats to change chords.

Using the G major pentatonic scale

Practice the two types of scales (open strings and 3rd position) with a metronome.
Play the one note per beat
Now play the same note twice. Then play two notes per beat.
Make a solo that sounds like a melody to a 50s rock n roll song.

Dynamics exercises

Pick a note in the scale. Play along to the recorded track and play a one note solo. Use bending and dynamics. How long can you go? Focus on feel.
Now repeat with pick two notes.
Now repeat with four notes.
Remember to keep good time and to keep your melodic ideas simple.

Play Along With Songs

Pearl Jam’s version of Last Kiss uses the same chords for almost all of the song. G e minor, C, and D. If it’s too fast, you can slow down the video by going to the settings button at the bottom right of the video.

Pearl Jam-Last Kiss