darial
01-13-2005, 04:35 PM
This is so simple, but diabolically hard at high speed and/or with complicated chords:
Take the chord changes to any piece of music. This works best in songs with slower changes - 4 beats per chords for example. Figure out what the key the song's in and find the box-style major scale form for that key that falls closest to the nut.
Now put on a backing track with the changes. On each chord, arpegiate it within that scale pattern in quarter notes, not skipping any chord tones, going from lowest tone to highest tone until you run out of box patern and then back down again as available beats permit. For bonus points, say the names of the notes as you play. When the chord changes, start over with the lowest new cord tone in that position and go up again.
Try doing it in 8th notes, then for more bonus points 16ths :eek:. When you've mastered it in one box pattern, move on to the next. Try it on songs with complicated chords. For double bonus points, every time the chord changes do a position change up or down one box pattern. For tripple bonus points, do it using 3 note per string patterns, with and without legatto.
The interesting thing is that you get all sorts of unexpected finger twisters by doing this, especially just as the choird changes. It really teaches you to think ahead and choose fingerings that won't jam up your left hand a few notes down the line. And finding chord tones when imrovising will never be a problem again. Non-diatonic chord changes throw in another wrinkle. And every chord chart you own generates a new and chalenging excercise. It's also a GREAT way to get a handle on an unfamiliar or awkward key.
Take the chord changes to any piece of music. This works best in songs with slower changes - 4 beats per chords for example. Figure out what the key the song's in and find the box-style major scale form for that key that falls closest to the nut.
Now put on a backing track with the changes. On each chord, arpegiate it within that scale pattern in quarter notes, not skipping any chord tones, going from lowest tone to highest tone until you run out of box patern and then back down again as available beats permit. For bonus points, say the names of the notes as you play. When the chord changes, start over with the lowest new cord tone in that position and go up again.
Try doing it in 8th notes, then for more bonus points 16ths :eek:. When you've mastered it in one box pattern, move on to the next. Try it on songs with complicated chords. For double bonus points, every time the chord changes do a position change up or down one box pattern. For tripple bonus points, do it using 3 note per string patterns, with and without legatto.
The interesting thing is that you get all sorts of unexpected finger twisters by doing this, especially just as the choird changes. It really teaches you to think ahead and choose fingerings that won't jam up your left hand a few notes down the line. And finding chord tones when imrovising will never be a problem again. Non-diatonic chord changes throw in another wrinkle. And every chord chart you own generates a new and chalenging excercise. It's also a GREAT way to get a handle on an unfamiliar or awkward key.