My method for learning to solo over complex chord progressions

[jzucker]

I have taught intermediate students how to play over Giant Steps and Countdown using this technique.

Start with a simple chord progression and once it starts making sense, apply to other tunes like Giant Steps, Countdown, etc.

|: Dm7 | G7 | Cm7 | F7 | Bbm7 | Eb7 | Abm7 | Db7 | Gbm7 | B7 | Em7 | A7 :|

The basic idea is:

• improvise over it using (mostly) scale tones with occasional chromatics.
• Start at the lowest non-open string (CAGED) scale position for the given chord.
• Improvise using 8th notes only.
• When the key changes (every 2 bars in this case) you can only move up and only one position.
• Once you move up, you cannot move back down
• You should see yourself progressing through each logical caged position each time the progression repeats.
• After 5 times through the progression, you should be ready to repeat the original position but be up an octave from where you started.
• Once you are at this point, work you way back down the neck using the same formula except this time, you can only move down and only down one position. After 5 times through, you will be in the original position.

Look for a video demo of this technique soon.

[jzucker]

anyone?

[JakeAcci]

Seems like a neat idea, Jack, thanks for sharing.

There's a lot of stuff I do in this vein* as well.

With tough changes one could:

1. Play a few choruses on each individual string

2. Cover position playing (Ex frets 1-5 then frets 2-6 then frets 3-7 etc) playing a few choruses in each position

3. Do the "continuous scale exercise" as I heard it once called - start with the lowest available note on the guitar for the chord scale for the first chord of the tune, and basically from there play only ascending until you get to the top of the guitar, playing through the appropriate chord scales for the changes of the tune. Then of course, at the top, drop back down. I like doing this in quarter notes. This is also cool to do on each individual string

4. Pick a random range on a random spot on the guitar, maybe an octave, and try to play through the changes in just that octave.

5. Play through the tune using only 8ths...then only quarters, then only halves, the only wholes, then only q note triplets, then only 8th note triplets, etc.

etc. Just throwing other stuff into the ring. Assimilating tough changes is definitely more of a math/science than an art, at the initial stages. It's hard to say anything poetic if the fretboard isn't mapped out properly...


* too lazy to look up which spelling of vein I should actually use.

[Philco]

I think it's a great idea.
But what I have found is that I need to continually wake myself up and remember the chord that I'm playing over and the one that is coming. To picture IT and not the scale......but to employ the notes from the scale.

I find it very easy to fall into that catatonic mesmerised state where you don't really think about what your doing and just play. Normally that would be a good head space but one ends up just getting comfortable with certain patterns and handy moves. The chord progression no matter how complex becomes one big cliche or a set of them.

You have to keep the brain working on 2 levels it would seem. As soon as I get that discipline working then I find the ideas and phrases become more interesting and I discover new things. Little corners that were always under my nose but somehow out of view because I was in zombie mode.

I think that from years of being a rock player and noodling with the brain turned off or idling in pentatonic mode, I really have to hone in on a whole different more disciplined approach.
But the brain just wants to find a comfortable way out. Like water finding it's lowest point.
So I do this thing where I see a picture of the chord for a nano second on the fretboard no matter what position I am in. Then I can either ignore it or use it, like jumping between the raindrops......sort of.

[FatJeff]

As with the identical thread over on TGP, I'm interested to see what comes up here

[Sandor]

It's a good technique, but I thought everyone already did this. To me this is a basic part of learning any tune. I was expecting something unusual based on the title.

[brwnhornet59]

Originally Posted by jzucker

I have taught intermediate students how to play over Giant Steps and Countdown using this technique.

Start with a simple chord progression and once it starts making sense, apply to other tunes like Giant Steps, Countdown, etc.

|: Dm7 | G7 | Cm7 | F7 | Bbm7 | Eb7 | Abm7 | Db7 | Gbm7 | B7 | Em7 | A7 :|

The basic idea is:

• improvise over it using (mostly) scale tones with occasional chromatics.
• Start at the lowest non-open string (CAGED) scale position for the given chord.
• Improvise using 8th notes only.
• When the key changes (every 2 bars in this case) you can only move up and only one position.
• Once you move up, you cannot move back down
• You should see yourself progressing through each logical caged position each time the progression repeats.
• After 5 times through the progression, you should be ready to repeat the original position but be up an octave from where you started.
• Once you are at this point, work you way back down the neck using the same formula except this time, you can only move down and only down one position. After 5 times through, you will be in the original position.

Look for a video demo of this technique soon.

Great approach Jack. I find myself doing this all of the time. It is something that helps me internalize the changes in all positions.

On a side note, the more I play through your books examples, the more I see that of all of the approach's, exercises, concepts etc...that I have studied, your style and thinking process is the closest to what I do already. That is a cool insight.

I would like to see more of your ideas written out.

[Reg]

Sounds good to me... the goal is to be able to play anything anywhere... which leads to that moment when you choose where to play because of a specific sound... or a certain fingering which helps create a specific sound. As opposed to playing somewhere because you don't have other options.
I dig your exercise also because it's might help with motivation... great mechanical method of training ears and fingers etc... The constant structure approach is nice training concept... quick... I hope guitarist take advantage of your ideas... Reg

[chancho]

Wow! After reading the posts in this website Im humbled. Im still learning Autumn Leaves and just cant get into the rhythmic or solo smooth enough......

[AmundLauritzen]

I've learned a lot from your previous lesson videos on YouTube. I'm the kind of guy who learns best from watching others do it, so I look forward to your upcoming video though I get a general idea from the text.
Just want to let you know your work doesn't go by unnoticed.