Listen to Guitar Lesson 5: Chord melodies and interesting fills by Tune in, Tone up! Guitar Lesson Podcast #np on #SoundCloud
https://soundcloud.com/user-526803045/lesson-5-chord-melodies-and-interesting-fills
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We begin this lesson by looking at the C Major scale, then Dan explains how we can create melody over a chord by adding notes to chords in that key. We work through chords with added notes in a simple progression and build an interesting melody. This useful technique adds flavour to chord progressions and will be a useful tool for songwriting and being creative.
We then turn our attention to “All Along the Watchtower” by Dylan, although talking through Dan’s thoughts about how to build the atmosphere of Hendrix’s version into the Am/C key which Bob Dylan wrote the song in. Dan gives some useful Hendrix techniques and fills to add interest to the song. Hendrix played it in Cmin although he was actually playing in C# minor and his guitar was de-tuned a semitone – meaning that he could use the open strings with his chords.
Finally, after some discussion around these harmonic methods, we analyse and build some fills and other ideas into a version of “Like a Rolling Stone”, also by Dylan, which results in a fluid and melodic version. The chords for this song are: C Dm7 C/E F G7
I found this lesson incredibly useful and insightful about how to complement other instruments in a band setting and how to build some more advanced method into my rhythm playing to make it sound exciting and develop the dynamics in my playing. I will be studying this lesson repeatedly in order to crack the Hendrix fills and techniques and gain confidence in how to play melodies over chords. I also intend to use some of the theory discussed to analyse other songs as I teach myself how to play them and to include ascending and descending melodies and bass lines.
Good luck and let me know if you are finding these blogs useful, what you would like to see more of in them and anything you can think would be good for either this blog or the podcast itself. Happy strumming! 🙂
All Along The Watchtower [Verse 1] Am G F G Am G F G "There must be some way out of here," said the joker to the thief, Am G F G Am G F G "There's too much confusion, I can't get no relief. Am G F G Am G F G Businessmen, they drink my wine, plowmen dig my earth, Am G F G Am G F G None of them along the line know what any of it is worth." Am G F G Am G F G Am G F G Am G F G Am [Verse 2] Am G F G Am G F G "No reason to get excited," the thief, he kindly spoke, Am G F G Am G F G "There are many here among us who feel that life is but a joke. Am G F G Am G F G But you and I, we've been through that, and this is not our fate, Am G F G Am G F G So let us not talk falsely now, the hour is getting late." [Verse 3] Am G F G Am G F G All along the watchtower, princes kept the view Am G F G Am G F G While all the women came and went, barefoot servants, too. Am G F G Am G F G Outside in the distance a wildcat did growl, Am G F G Am G F G Two riders were approaching, the wind began to howl.
Like A Rolling Stone
Bob Dylan
Highway 61 Revisited
[Intro]
C Csus4 C Csus4 C Csus4 C Csus4
[Verse]
C Dm
Once upon a time you dressed so fine
Em F G
You threw the bums a dime in your prime, didn't you?
C Dm
People'd call, say, "Beware doll,
Em F G
you're bound to fall" You thought they were all kiddin' you
F G
You used to laugh about
F G
Everybody that was hangin' out
F Em Dm C
Now you don't talk so loud
F Em Dm C
Now you don't seem so proud
Dm F G
About having to be scrounging for your next meal.
[Chorus]
C F G
How does it feel
C F G
How does it feel
C F G
To be without a home
C F G
Like a complete unknown
C F G
Like a rolling stone
[Instrumental]
C F G
[Verse]
C Dm Em
Aww, You've gone to the finest school all right, Miss Lonely
F G
But you know you only used to get juiced in it
C Dm Em
Nobody has ever taught you how to live on the street
F G
And now you're gonna have to get used to it
F G
You said you'd never compromise
F G
With the mystery tramp, but now you realize
F Em Dm C
He's not selling any alibis
F Em Dm C
As you stare into the vacuum of his eyes
Dm F G
And say do you want to make a deal?
[Chorus]
C F G
How does it feel
C F G
How does it feel
C F G
To be on your own
C F G
With no direction home
C F G
Like a complete unknown
C F G
Like a rolling stone
[Instrumental]
C F G
[Verse]
C Dm Em
Aww, You never turned around to see the frowns
F G
On the jugglers and the clowns when they all did tricks for you
C Dm
You never understood that it ain't no good
Em F G
You shouldn't let other people get your kicks for you
F G
You used to ride on the chrome horse with your diplomat
F G
Who carried on his shoulder a Siamese cat
F Em Dm C
Ain't it hard when you discover that
F Em Dm C
He really wasn't where it's at
Dm F G
After he took from you everything he could steal.
[Chorus]
C F G
How does it feel
C F G
How does it feel
C F G
To be on your own
C F G
With no direction home
C F G
Like a complete unknown
C F G
Like a rolling stone
[Instrumental]
C F G
[Verse]
C Dm Em
Aww, Princess on the steeple and all the pretty people
F G
They're all drinkin', thinkin' that they got it made
C Dm Em
Exchanging all precious gifts
F G
But you'd better take your diamond ring, you'd better pawn it babe
F G
You used to be so amused
F G
At Napoleon in rags and the language that he used
F Em Dm C
Go to him now, he calls you, you can't refuse
F Em Dm C
When you got nothing, you got nothing to lose
Dm F G
You're invisible now, you got no secrets to conceal.
[Chorus]
C F G
How does it feel
C F G
How does it feel
C F G
To be on your own
C F G
With no direction home
C F G
Like a complete unknown
C F G
Like a rolling stone
[Instrumental]
C F G
Tune in, Tone up! Guitar lessons 
Hi Gary. I’ve now included you post at adamharkus.com. if you want me to include your own image please forward it to me (full size version) at adamharkus@gmail.com
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Love the podcast! Being self-taught for about 20 years primarily on acoustic, and for the better part of the past year really trying to get electric and guitar related theory sorted, I’ve found TITU invaluble. I really dig the rhythm related content. Mr. Davies has some of the best explanations and advice for gettin your chops together. I really appreciate both of you guys putting this together. Wish I was on your guys’ side of the pond for some lessons proper.
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Dear strut,
What a lovely comment! I have forwarded this onto Dan and want to let you know how hugely grateful we both are for you to take the time out to let us know that our work is helping you. Dan is a totally awesome teacher and I’m lucky to be able to have lessons in person with him – is there a topic which would be helpful for us to cover in a podcast episode for you? Listen to episode 12 or 13 and we’ll drop you a mention…
Please follow the website and stay in touch.
All the best, Gary (and Dan)
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Well deserved my friend. You guys keep it up! I always look forward to a new episode. Gary, I was actually thinking of picking up a new guitar, and the custom 24 has really got me intrigued. I’m afraid I can probably only afford the SE though. I did play one this past weekend at the shop and right when I picked it up it fit like a glove and played and sounded even better. Lets just say that the late 80’s Peavey Predator has done me quite nice but does leave something to be desired. Btw thx for the mention!
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We actually covered the topic of mid range guitars just for you mate, but the delay while I edit means that won’t be out for three weeks so I may well add an additional episode sometime before this just to help your decision 🙂 Keep listening.
My partner blogger did release this review although not particularly glowing http://adamharkus.com/prs-se-245-spalted-maple-review/. Personally, if you tried one and that one got you, then that’s very much the guitar for you, however, Dan’s idea (you’ll hear) of winner stays on test between two guitars, then the winner plus a new guitar, and so on is really great advice. Good luck with it. Gary
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Dear Strut – just to let you know that episode 15b: advice on buying a mid-range guitar was very much recorded with your purchase in mind. I hope it helps, Gary
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