Geni Swing Guitars

Theory Fretboard

"Is an E, A and B blues chord progression 1 4 5 in the key of E?"

These three chords are indeed 1 4 and 5 in the key of E, but when used in blues there is more guitar theory to understand.

The blues concept is based on dominant seven chords (which unlike major seven chords can simply be called "seven" or "7"). This means that blues vocal melodies, bass lines and guitar solos use intervals and scales that correspond to dominant 7th chords whether or not one of the instruments is physically playing them. So a progression with the chords E, A and B is treated as if the chords were E7, A7 and B7.

If you know anything about music theory, then you know that only the fifth major scale degree has a major third and flat seventh interval necessary to build a dominant seven chord. So 7th chords only occur once per key. A progression with three different dominant 7th chords is actually three different keys. E7 stems from the key of A (or A major scale). A7 stems from the key of D (or D major scale). B7 stems from the of E (or E major scale). E7, A7 and B7 is actually a 5 5 5 chord progression with each chord produce a key change. But musicians and guitar players refer to this type of blues chord progression as 1 4 5 anyway.

There are a few different ways guitar players can play over this type of blues chord progression.

The first is to ignore the whole progression and simply follow the root chord (where everything begins and resolves). In this case it's E. Since the E chord is base on an E major triad you can play the E major pentatonic scale over it. But blues players also break the rules a bit and play the E minor pentatonic instead. The tension and dissonance that results contributes to the much loved and edgy blues sound. In fact, this minor-over-major approach has become the standard in this style of music and many blues players rely on it alone. But most blues music incorporates the major pentatonic too usually by mixing it together with minor pentatonic patterns.

Another option is to use full major scale patterns. Since the E chord is treated as if it were an E7, and since E7 stems from the A major scale, then A major scales patterns are the correct ones to play. Since the fifth note E is functioning as the root this produces the fifth mode, Mixolydian (a.k.a. "Dominant scale" because it goes together with dominant chords). Full major scale patterns can also be mixed with both major and minor pentatonic patterns. Throw in some chromatic passing tones and you have quite a palette of notes to choose from!

Another option when playing over dominant seventh blues chord progressions is to follow the key changes with the scales you play. So when the progression goes to A, play A major and minor pentatonic and A mixolydian mode (D major scale patterns). When the progression is on B7 play B major and minor pentatonic and B mixolydian mode (E major scale patterns). Switching scales like this can be tricky and many blues players prefer a simpler approach. But country and jazz players, who are usually more trained in music theory for guitar, love this challenging method of playing. 

Play Until Your Fingers Bleed!

Mr. Desi Serna (Google Me!)

Author of Fretboard Theory

http://www.Guitar-Music-Theory.com

Scales, Chords, Progressions, Modes

Fretboard Theory - At a Glance $9.76 The At a Glance series pairs an instructional DVD lesson taught by a professional guitarist with a supplemental book for a comprehensive learning experience. Each book/DVD features several lessons pertaining to one topic, and the hi-def DVD lessons feature on-screen music. The lessons are loaded with valuable tips and information, and popular song examples help to demonstrate the concepts in action. Fretboard Theory features these lessons: Fretboard Navigation, CAGED Licks, Modal Soloing, and Harmonizing Lead Lines. Songs include: Aqualung * Crazy Train * Day Tripper * Hit Me with Your Best Shot * Jump, Jive an' Wail * Landslide * No Woman No Cry * Oye Como Va * Reeling in the Years * Smoke on the Water * Walk This Way * and more.

Fretboard Theory for Guitar $24.45 Fretboard Theory for Guitar: Many guitar players can spend years playing chords, riffs and scale patterns without knowing really what they are playing. It seems the beginning guitarist can go for about two to three years before falling into a rut. I find most guitarists do not actually practice. They spend the majority of their time playing songs and trying to learn the latest riff from their friend. Why is this not practicing? Because most of us just learned a pattern but missed the understanding of the music behind the pattern. This is where the rut starts. It's like memorizing a poem, regurgitating it and thinking you are a poet. You just missed all the elements that make up a great poem. This book was written in hopes of taking you to a new level. A true understanding of music and how you create it, not just repeat it. This book was designed with the absolute beginner in mind or the intermediate guitarist who is stuck in a rut.

Fretboard Theory (Mixed media product) $20.56 The At a Glance series pairs an instructional DVD lesson taught by a professional guitarist with a supplemental book for a comprehensive learning experience. Each book/DVD features several lessons pertaining to one topic, and the hi-def DVD lessons feature on-screen music. The lessons are loaded with valuable tips and information, and popular song examples help to demonstrate the concepts in action. Fretboard Theory features these lessons: Fretboard Navigation, CAGED Licks, Modal Soloing, and Harmonizing Lead Lines. Songs include: Aqualung * Crazy Train * Day Tripper * Hit Me with Your Best Shot * Jump, Jive an` Wail * Landslide * No Woman No Cry * Oye Como Va * Reeling in the Years * Smoke on the Water * Walk This Way * and more.

Fretboard Theory and Technique $9.95 (Guitar Technique). By Dan Fox and Dick Weissman. Guitar Method. 52 pages. G. Schirmer #ED3101. Published by G. Schirmer

Guitar Fretboard $34.8 Navigate the guitar neck better than ever before with this easy-to-use book! Designed from Musicians Institute core curriculum programs, it covers essential concepts for players of every level, acoustic or electric. A hands-on guide to theory, it will help you learn to build any scale or chord on your own and unleash creativity. No music reading is required.

The Bead Method of Fretboard Mastery $20.24 The BEAD Method(TM) is a revolutionary new way to understand the logic behind the guitar fretboard. There are many methods that rely on patterns of the guitar but BEAD Guitar(TM) relies on the unique tuning pattern of the guitar neck itself. In contrast you are provided with a true roadmap of the entire guitar neck. This book provides a unifying theory for understanding fret-notes, scales, modes and chords. By using this method you will be enabled to quickly find any note, chord or scale from any position on the fretboard. This perfect bound edition is fully annotated and illustrated making this a great reference book for any guitarist's library.

Bass Fretboard Basics: Essential Scales, Theory, Bass Lines and Fingerings $15.15 All you need to know about the bass fretboard, including: scales, intervals, triads, modal patterns, and fundamentals; keys, fingerings, position playing; arpeggios, turnarounds, walking bass lines; horizontal and vertical playing; and more For all styles of playing

Bass Fretboard Basics $17.99 "(Essential Scales, Theory, Bass Lines & Fingerings). By Paul Farnen. For bass guitar. Musicians Institute Press. Guitar tablature. 88 pages. Published by Musicians Institute Press"

Fretboard Theory By Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation (COR) $14.16 Author: Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation (COR) Subtitle: At a Glance Publication Date: 2011/07/01 Number of Pages: 32 Binding Type: Paperback Language: English Depth: 0.25 Width: 9.00 Height: 12.00

Musicians Institute Guitar Fretboard Workbook Book $17.99 Designed from Musician's Institute core curriculum programs, Guitar Fretboard Workbook covers essential concepts for players of every level, acoustic or electric. A hands-on guide to music theory, it will help you learn to build any scale or chord on your own and unleash your creativity. No sight reading is required.

Guitar Fretboard Workbook (Paperback) $27.28 Navigate the guitar neck better than ever before with this easy-to-use book! Designed from Musicians Institute core curriculum programs and translated into Spanish, it covers essential concepts for players of every level, acoustic or electric. A hands-on guide to theory, it will help you learn to build any scale or chord on your own and unleash creativity. No music reading is required.

Guitar Fretboard (Paperback) $27.96 Navigate the guitar neck better than ever before with this easy-to-use book! Designed from Musicians Institute core curriculum programs, it covers essential concepts for players of every level, acoustic or electric. A hands-on guide to theory, it will help you learn to build any scale or chord on your own and unleash creativity. No music reading is required.

Alfred Guitar World: Mastering Fretboard Harmony (DVD) $13.46 Mastering Fretboard Harmony gives you three hours of intense music theory lessons in one priceless crash course. Designed for beginning-to-intermediate guitar players, the guitar tutorials on this instructional DVD will teach you how to generate chords from scales, harmonize scales, play arpeggios, chord inversions, employ voice leading, and much more.3 hours of intense music theory for guitarLessons include: Generating guitar chords from scalesHarmonizing scalesArpeggios and chord inversionsStacked chord voicingsVoice leading

Alfred Guitar World: Mastering Fretboard Harmony (Dvd) $13.46 Mastering Fretboard Harmony gives you three hours of intense music theory lessons in one priceless crash course. Designed for beginning-to-intermediate guitar players, the guitar tutorials on this instructional DVD will teach you how to generate chords from scales, harmonize scales, play arpeggios, chord inversions, employ voice leading, and much more.3 hours of intense music theory for guitarLessons include: Generating guitar chords from scalesHarmonizing scalesArpeggios and chord inversionsStacked chord voicingsVoice leading

Guitar World -- Mastering Fretboard Harmony $14.95 (The Ultimate DVD Guide). For Guitar. Guitar DVD; Theory. Guitar World. Beginner; Elementary; Intermediate. DVD. Published by Alfred Music Publishing

Guitar Fretboard Workbook: A Complete System for Understanding the Fretboard for Acoustic or Electric Guitar $18.07 Navigate the guitar neck better than ever before with this easy-to-use book Designed from Musicians Institute core curriculum programs, it covers essential concepts for players of every level, acoustic or electric. A hands-on guide to theory, it will help you learn to build any scale or chord on your own and unleash creativity. No music reading is required.

Alfred 5633914 Guitar World Mastering Fretboard Harmony Music Book $29.73 Alfred Music Publishing is the world s largest educational music publisher. Alfred produces educational' reference' pop' and performance materials for teachers' students' professionals' and hobbyists spanning every musical instrument' style' and difficulty level. Mastering Fretboard Harmony gives you three hours of intense music theory in one priceless crash course. Designed for beginningtointermediate guitar players' this DVD will teach you how to generate chords from scales' harmonize scales' play arpeggios' chord inversions' employ voice leading' and much more

Bill Edwards Publishing Fretboard Logic 2 Chords Scales and Arpeggios Book $14.95 Armed with a comprehensive understanding of the guitar fretboard from Volume I, Fretboard Logic 2 explores the next area common to all styles of music and all types of guitars: the tone groups.Fretboard Logic Volume II presents the 3 basic tonal elements of music in the context of the fretboard pattern organization of Volume I. The tonal materials available to a musician come from note groupings. Groups of notes that are played simultaneously are termed chords and those that are played consecutively are called scales or modes. The third category consists of a hybrid whereby chords are played like scales, known as arpeggios. Guitar chords, scales, and arpeggios are not music by themselves but are the tonal materials that the musician uses to produce it. With Fretboard Logic 2 you are not forced to memorize thousands of patterns or stuck trying to guess on which string to look for which note as with ordinary methods. Instead, you'll be building your guitar knowledge based on the patterns already mastered in Volume I. This takes years off the learning curve. Fretboard Logic does not dictate any specific style of music, as it presents chords, scales and arpeggios as the one area which all types of music have in common. Volume II represents a full and complete toolbox of these essential musical elements and provides a means of learning them with less effort than ever before. Also the guitar lessons include introductions to theory, technique, style, lead and rhythm playing.

Alfred Guitar World Mastering Fretboard Harmony 2 DVD $13.46 Featuring more than three hours of video instruction, this extended master class picks up where Mastering Fretboard Harmony left off, delving deeper into the immense realm of music theory and harmonic principles as practiced in Western music. Instructor Jimmy Brown thoroughly discusses a broad range of harmony-related topics for intermediate to advanced players. He reveals the inner workings of the symmetrical diminished and augmented scales, explores hexatonic scale harmony, explains the chord-scale relationships that exist within the harmonic and melodic minor scales, and demonstrates their most interesting applications, particularly for soloing over exotic chords. As a bonus, Mastering Fretboard Harmony Part 2 comes with a 54-page digital TAB booklet that features 294 examples.Series: Guitar World Instrument: Guitar Level: Intermediate ISBN: 0739076736

Alfred Guitar World Mastering Fretboard Harmony 2 Dvd $13.46 Featuring more than three hours of video instruction, this extended master class picks up where Mastering Fretboard Harmony left off, delving deeper into the immense realm of music theory and harmonic principles as practiced in Western music. Instructor Jimmy Brown thoroughly discusses a broad range of harmony-related topics for intermediate to advanced players. He reveals the inner workings of the symmetrical diminished and augmented scales, explores hexatonic scale harmony, explains the chord-scale relationships that exist within the harmonic and melodic minor scales, and demonstrates their most interesting applications, particularly for soloing over exotic chords. As a bonus, Mastering Fretboard Harmony Part 2 comes with a 54-page digital TAB booklet that features 294 examples.Series: Guitar World Instrument: Guitar Level: Intermediate ISBN: 0739076736

Bass Fretboard Basics By Farnen, Paul (COP) $22.89 Author: Farnen, Paul (COP) Subtitle: Essential Scales, Theory, Bass Lines And Fingerings Publication Date: 1998/06/01 Number of Pages: 88 Binding Type: Paperback Language: English Depth: 0.25 Width: 8.75 Height: 11.50

Bill Edwards Publishing Fretboard Logic 2 Chords Scales And Arpeggios Book $14.95 Armed with a comprehensive understanding of the guitar fretboard from Volume I, Fretboard Logic 2 explores the next area common to all styles of music and all types of guitars: the tone groups.Fretboard Logic Volume II presents the 3 basic tonal elements of music in the context of the fretboard pattern organization of Volume I. The tonal materials available to a musician come from note groupings. Groups of notes that are played simultaneously are termed chords and those that are played consecutively are called scales or modes. The third category consists of a hybrid whereby chords are played like scales, known as arpeggios. Guitar chords, scales, and arpeggios are not music by themselves but are the tonal materials that the musician uses to produce it. With Fretboard Logic 2 you are not forced to memorize thousands of patterns or stuck trying to guess on which string to look for which note as with ordinary methods. Instead, you'll be building your guitar knowledge based on the patterns already mastered in Volume I. This takes years off the learning curve. Fretboard Logic does not dictate any specific style of music, as it presents chords, scales and arpeggios as the one area which all types of music have in common. Volume II represents a full and complete toolbox of these essential musical elements and provides a means of learning them with less effort than ever before. Also the guitar lessons include introductions to theory, technique, style, lead and rhythm playing.

Bill Edwards Publishing Fretboard Logic 3 Applications Book $24.95 This best-selling guitar method package brings together guitar lessons learned in the first 2 volumes of Fretboard Logic with a nonlinear approach that allows each guitarist to focus on the elements of their favorite style. Among the things discussed under Fretboard Logic III Systems are: the guitarists Menu, Analysis, Creativity and Learning & Memory. Subjects covered under Theory are: Notation Formats, Rhythm, Keys, and Intervals.Discussed under Technique are: Technical Development and Articulation Techniques.Lessons under Rhythm Playing: Forms and Progressions, Chord Progressions, Rhythms and Progressions combined.Covered under Lead Playing: Rhythmic, Iterative and Melodic Phrasing.Lessons under Styles: Classical, Baroque, Romantic, Blues, Folk and Bluegrass, Rock and Roll, Hard Rock and Metal.Discussed under Guitar Arrangement: Chord Melody and Fingerpicking. Also discussed are Sonics and the Guitar's Tuning. Included in the latest edition are the complete Transcriptions to the Video II study pieces. Where the focus of Volumes I and II were necessarily narrow, the focus of Volume III is intentionally broad.