Added by on 2013-07-17

www.fretjam.com Most guitarists learn to see chords and scales as separate entities with specific functions – chords lay down the backing progression, scales provide the lead harmony. While this is logical and can sound great, guitarists often lose sight of the intrinsic relationship between chords and scales. This lesson is about taking the first step in visualising chords and scales as the same theoretical element – both function as a means of creating melody and harmony. Scale patterns can be used not only to provide you with a convenient arrangement of tones for your solo, but also to create fresh chord voicings. From this “chord extraction” process, you soon realise that chords are nothing more than a group of harmonising intervals. Instead of always playing the same old block barre chords and scale runs, exploring the concept in this lesson will encourage you to think more carefully about note selection and the flow of harmony through your chord and lead playing. It’s not an easy concept to grasp, but I hope this video introduces you to a cool new way of finding fresh chord voicings and helps you blur the line between typical chord and scale function, which can limit [...]

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34 Comments

  • frankcarpnc 11 years ago

    Suggested videos for a beginner that took 4 or 5 lessons 20 years ago?

  • fretjamdotcom 11 years ago

    Sorry, this lesson is not for beginners. Bookmark it and come back to it when you’ve learned a few scales and basic chord construction, because those are the two elements it brings together.

  • Deus meu rey Jesus 11 years ago

    i am a beginner and i have no idea what all these numbers and letters are!! a little frustrated!

  • fretjamdotcom 11 years ago

    I know this is a pretty broad answer, but you can apply this technique however you wish, to any style of music. I think a lot of it will be down to the scale you use. For example, the major scale would be more typical of pop music, whereas the phrygian dominant scale might lend more to “alternative” styles.

    You can use powerchords in this way. Since they only contain the root and 5th, they’re pretty neutral so all the colour will come from the scale you choose.

  • baldeaguirre 11 years ago

    very useful lesson; is it really important applied this knowledge to create alternative music or it is not really necessary?.. and what about power chords; does it works the same way?.. I mean is it the same concept by mixing power chords and scales?… hope an answer please, regards!

  • Igotbadjoints 11 years ago

    Exellent lesson Just what I`ve been looking for. First time I`ve seen the relationship between chords and scales in this way…Thankyou.
    PS I subscibed…..

  • drsmith963 11 years ago

    Their are 40 people in congress – senate – pentagon . etc that have USA / ISRAEL dual citizenship !

    Same thing happened in GERMANY in 1925 – this is why Hitler did what he had to do..

    The JEWS wiped out the whole economy – this is why Hitler created AUSCHWITZ – he was just trying to preserve his own race !

    NOW NYPD is expanding into ISRAEL and GERMANY !

  • fretjamdotcom 11 years ago

    You’re welcome. Glad it helped you. The theory stuff is definitely beneficial to learn. I personally spend too much time on the theory and neglect the physical side of guitar! Getting the right balance of theory and application is the key. Goes without saying really.

  • Lampenorrbyn 11 years ago

    You are great at teaching, and this is a perfekt format for learning theory. I have looked through all your videos and they are very good.

  • Esteban Gutierrez 11 years ago

    Man! excellent lesson keep it goin’

  • fretjamdotcom 11 years ago

    Cheers. Yeh, now you mention it…! That song does have some beautiful chord sections.

  • Ryan Kirk 11 years ago

    I’m a guitar teacher, and I loved that lesson. Great job mate.P.S. I heard Diary of a madman at the end, can you hear it people? haha nice job.

  • Richard Garcia 11 years ago

    Thank You for this awesome lesson! This will definitely help me get out of my rut, and help expand my playing!

  • das250250 11 years ago

    Dude that is a serious Am major run .. You have taught thise so well and it it is the building block of all great artists ..who take scales and create melody rather than hemming together scales ..

    I now have to watch all your vids .

    TY

  • Tom Clark 11 years ago

    5*****

  • KreeptOut 11 years ago

    Many thanks for posting this video. Helps a bunch.

  • downhill240 11 years ago

    Thanks for sharing!

  • frankcarpnc 11 years ago

    Suggested videos for a beginner that took 4 or 5 lessons 20 years ago?

  • fretjamdotcom 11 years ago

    Sorry, this lesson is not for beginners. Bookmark it and come back to it when you’ve learned a few scales and basic chord construction, because those are the two elements it brings together.

  • Deus meu rey Jesus 11 years ago

    i am a beginner and i have no idea what all these numbers and letters are!! a little frustrated!

  • fretjamdotcom 11 years ago

    I know this is a pretty broad answer, but you can apply this technique however you wish, to any style of music. I think a lot of it will be down to the scale you use. For example, the major scale would be more typical of pop music, whereas the phrygian dominant scale might lend more to “alternative” styles.

    You can use powerchords in this way. Since they only contain the root and 5th, they’re pretty neutral so all the colour will come from the scale you choose.

  • baldeaguirre 11 years ago

    very useful lesson; is it really important applied this knowledge to create alternative music or it is not really necessary?.. and what about power chords; does it works the same way?.. I mean is it the same concept by mixing power chords and scales?… hope an answer please, regards!

  • Igotbadjoints 11 years ago

    Exellent lesson Just what I`ve been looking for. First time I`ve seen the relationship between chords and scales in this way…Thankyou.
    PS I subscibed…..

  • drsmith963 11 years ago

    Their are 40 people in congress – senate – pentagon . etc that have USA / ISRAEL dual citizenship !

    Same thing happened in GERMANY in 1925 – this is why Hitler did what he had to do..

    The JEWS wiped out the whole economy – this is why Hitler created AUSCHWITZ – he was just trying to preserve his own race !

    NOW NYPD is expanding into ISRAEL and GERMANY !

  • fretjamdotcom 11 years ago

    You’re welcome. Glad it helped you. The theory stuff is definitely beneficial to learn. I personally spend too much time on the theory and neglect the physical side of guitar! Getting the right balance of theory and application is the key. Goes without saying really.

  • Lampenorrbyn 11 years ago

    You are great at teaching, and this is a perfekt format for learning theory. I have looked through all your videos and they are very good.

  • Esteban Gutierrez 11 years ago

    Man! excellent lesson keep it goin’

  • fretjamdotcom 11 years ago

    Cheers. Yeh, now you mention it…! That song does have some beautiful chord sections.

  • Ryan Kirk 11 years ago

    I’m a guitar teacher, and I loved that lesson. Great job mate.P.S. I heard Diary of a madman at the end, can you hear it people? haha nice job.

  • Richard Garcia 11 years ago

    Thank You for this awesome lesson! This will definitely help me get out of my rut, and help expand my playing!

  • das250250 11 years ago

    Dude that is a serious Am major run .. You have taught thise so well and it it is the building block of all great artists ..who take scales and create melody rather than hemming together scales ..

    I now have to watch all your vids .

    TY

  • Tom Clark 11 years ago

    5*****

  • KreeptOut 11 years ago

    Many thanks for posting this video. Helps a bunch.

  • downhill240 11 years ago

    Thanks for sharing!