After I have learnt my phrase in every key I will now use it in context. Here I am using it on ‘autumn leaves’ every time there is a 2-5-1. of course I use it in the appropriate key, and I fill the rest of the tune with material stylistically similar. Here you’ll find the two files you’ll need to do this exercise:
Printable PDF: 2-5-1 Example Phrase Exercise
Printable PDF: Chords for Autumn Leaves
In this video I’ll show you how to ‘import’ in your playing a new phrase/ melodic snippet by analyzing its shape and transposing it in every key. This is the phrase I use:
This is a great exercise that not only will improve your articulation, but will better your understanding of 7th arpeggios and how to connect them in a musical manner. Watch the video and download the file, it is pretty much self explanatory. After you have learnt the exercise, there are two things you can do to take it to the next level: 1. transpose in all keys. 2. use a metronome to gradually increase the speed (like in the video).
Good luck!
Printable PDF: Connecting 7th arpeggios
a lesson on 7th arpeggios, here I demonstrate how to master these structures all over the guitar. I mostly play the major 7th arpeggio, but you can use any arpeggio in any key.
Printable PDF: 7th arpeggios – shapes
Like the 2-5-1 in major this is quite a reoccurring progression in many different styles. Its originates from the Harmonic Minor scale and the chords are IIm7(b5)-V7(b9)-Im(maj7). In the video I show you a scale (that really has no name) that fits these 3 chords, and if learned in all keys, will cover your basic soloing needs for this kind of progression. It is basically a natural minor scale with an added major 7th. To me it sounds a bit like a bebop scale so it naturally sounds its best when played in a descending fashion. This is the scale in Cminor:
C D Eb F G Ab Bb B (C)
You can download the printable PDF file: Minor 2-5-1/ Eight note scale.