Chord Melody flat pick v fingerpicking

[cisco kid]

I like chord melody using the flat pick but using fingerpicking for chord melody I'm lost. I have seen music written in standard notation and also tab in chord melody style for jazz standards, but I have seen also seen in the style of fingerpicking chord melody jazz standards in standard notation and tab with the chords name - that helps. Some in just tab not rhythm notation at all just tab, bummer.
If the chords grids are noted above the tabs there's a chance to figure out, but no chord grid or chord chart...just tab it can be frustrating it's no give me so to speak
My question how do you figure out to play flat pick chord melody from a fingerpicking chord melody tab with no rhythm or chord chart/grid?
I figure eliminate the bass notes and follow the lead notes and tab chord notes.
Any better techniques on this. I was told tab is for beginners ... it really great to take the time to read properly it's in the fingering I have been told in reading...but takes time. All good things take time.
Thanks!

[franco6719]

I'm not sure I understand the question, but I try to avoid ANY sheet music that is just tab myself. I find it can help out with fingerings when attached to standard notation music. But I really have trouble reading just tab alone. I can't stand the tabs for things like chord-melodies. If you can find the time though and you thinks it's that important, what I would do in the case of the charts without grids it just slowly work out your own grids and chord names that you can use with a pick. As far as fingerpicking charts, you can usually leave out some notes or find alternate fingerings. I'm not sure if this addressed your question.

[Aristotle]

Are you referring to the fact that fingerstyle arrangements have chord voicings that skip strings; and that if you strum a flat pick down a chord like that you get thumpy sounds or end up playing notes that aren't in the chord because they under the bar?

If that is what you asking, there is no good way around it that I know of.

[mr. beaumont]

work on hybrid picking, it's a good comprimise.

better yet, do your own arrangements. That's how you learn how to make music in this style, not by playing someone else's note for note.

[derek]

Know the tune. Lots of chord melody players from Joe Pass to Lenny Breau, to Jimmy Bruno, to John Stowell utilize all the above. Picks/fingers/hybrid, are just tools for getting the job done. What mood or feel do you want for the tune?

Only time I want a pick when playing chord melody, is when I am trying to play some faster lines while improvising. Otherwise, I am content to play fingers only. However, I played classical for a while, so I am comfortable with fingers. I would suggest working on all of it, so you have more options. Good luck

[cisco kid]

Thanks for the feedback - pretty good advice. My question was a bit hazy I know and I wasn't sure to ask. Just knowing how chords are constructed and some music/jazz theory and knowing how to read to a certain extent standard music notation plus your valuable advice helps to figure out how to convert fingerpicking chord melody jazz standards sheet music into flat picking chord melody style. I have to say the fingerpicking CM style sounds really full and pleasant you have your own bass playing going on...it's just getting there in that style...practice! There's gotta be some how-to-books on fingerpicking chord melody style somewhere.
Thanks again!

[Steve Cat]

" fingerstyle arrangements have chord voicings that skip strings",

work just fine as long as its one string, especially if that sting is the A string, and if you don't use a bar but fret the E with your thumb. Two intervals separated by a space don't sound too good flat pick

[Aristotle]

Originally Posted by Steve Cat

" fingerstyle arrangements have chord voicings that skip strings",

work just fine as long as its one string, especially if that sting is the A string, and if you don't use a bar but fret the E with your thumb. Two intervals separated by a space don't sound too good flat pick

Again, if that one string with the unwanted note is not under a barred finger.

IMO, the more arrangements are not just block chords in standards forms, but involve separate moving liines, all sorts of skipped-string combination will start to pop up.

[Russ Kapp]

I have been playing fingerstyle guitar for more years than I like to count, yet I am also self-taught which keeps me humble ( I hope ) and occasionally humiliated as a perpetual student from those who have had formal training and great instructors thru their years of playing....all that said I used to play acoustic celtic pieces in ensembles, but after all my associates moved away I was stuck needing to go SOLO....I inadvertently launched out into what I thought I had invented called chord-melody style playing...the BIG breakthrough camem when I ran across the CAGED sytem of arranging lead sheets for jazz guitar in that this system will increase your vocabulary of chord voicings allowing you to keep the melody on the higher strings ( most of the time when desired ) and the accompaniment and bass below it....sparing the details here i suggest going to chord melody and/or CAGED system sites ( may be something here at this site, as well ) and take what you can use....

[cisco kid]

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

work on hybrid picking, it's a good comprimise.

better yet, do your own arrangements. That's how you learn how to make music in this style, not by playing someone else's note for note.

Thanks, I believe that's the best advice because you are skipping strings and to try to convert the tune to flat picking on the spot doesn't cut it at all. One has to rearrange the tune. That's where the chord grids or charts help and some chord theory what one has learned comes into play.
I was looking at the website lick by neck and the LeWalt website nice jazz tunes but they are in fingerstyle if you don't know the style it's like trying to save some beautiful chick on the beach who's drowning but you don't know how to swim

[jazzbender]

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