| 1. First, here's an example of a way to deal with a common progression, and spice it up with thumbs, pops, and hammers. The example below shows you the progression G7-Am7-Bflatdim7-G/B, continuing on in a cycle of fourths (i.e., G-C-F-Bflat-Eflat, etc.) The pattern itself starts with a pop on beat 1, on the G string, then a hammer on the E string, followed by a thumb on the same note on the E string, then a pop on the D string. Repeat the same pattern for each new chord structure, continuing up the neck, until you need to transpose the pattern, register-wise. Take it very slowly to get the pattern established in your "hand's mind," then work it up to a comfortable tempo. This might be a good one to practice with a metronome or a drum machine. You need to be extra aware of your "time" when dealing with a technique so blatant, and "in your face." |
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| 2. Now let's investigate something Jeff Berlin calls "approach notes". There are several different books out on this subject, but I'll give you a few simple examples to pic your interest. Once again, the whole point to this exercise is to give you more choices of notes, and to increase your musical vocabulary. Sometimes one note is not enough to fill in the creative gap. Approach notes give you the choice of adding a note above, and a note below the chord tone you are approaching. The possibilities are almost endless! The first example shows a way to approach the chord tones in a Major chord. |
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| This next example shows approach notes for the tones in a Minor chord. |
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Until next time, may the FUNK be with you!! |
| Woody |
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