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GUITAR TECHNIQUE TIP OF THE MONTH Your Personal Guitar Lesson |
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| BE SURE TO VISIT DOUG'S "SECRET VAULT" It contains many of Doug's Previous Guitar Technique Tips of the Month |
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Connecting A Single Melody Note To A Strummed
Or Arpeggiated Chord
By Douglas Niedt
Copyright Douglas Niedt, All Rights Reserved. This article may be reprinted, but please be
considerate and give credit to Douglas Niedt.
You are on DouglasNiedt.com
Below are the opening measures of Prelude No. 3 by Heitor Villa-Lobos.
Ex1.
What is wrong with the way I am playing the single note F on the first string at the end of the
second measure going into the strummed Cmaj7 chord of the third measure?
Yes, there is a gap between the F and the high open E of the chord. These are both melody
notes and should be seamless. There should be no dead space between them.
A lot of people lift the first-string F as soon as the thumb begins to play the fifth string C:
Ex. 2
In slow motion, the correct execution of the transition from the first-string F to the open E looks
like this:
Ex. 3
At tempo, this is what the actual execution would look like on the printed page:
Ex. 4
Notice that the transition from the single F to the open E of the chord is now seamless.
So here it is. This is the Technique Tip of the Month:
You are on DouglasNiedt.com
Let's look at another example from the introduction of Capricho Arabe by Francisco Tarrega:
Ex. 5
There is a large gap between the 16th note E to the C# of the A major chord in measure four.
Because these are the melody notes, they should be connected or legato. (I am assuming we
want the A major chord to be strummed or "rolled." If we pluck the notes of the chord
simultaneously, there is no problem connecting the melody notes.)
Let's look at it in slow motion. Many people would incorrectly lift the E on the second string as
they began to play the fifth string open A of the A major chord:
Ex. 6
In slow motion, correct execution looks like this:
Ex. 7
The actual execution of measures three to four would be notated like this:
Ex. 8
Correct execution of measure 3-4 at tempo sounds like this (soundclip 8). (A separate window
will open that you can minimize in order to still see the written musical example as you listen.)
Just to be sure, let's look at one more example. This is from Maria, also by Francisco Tarrega.
Ex. 9
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Again we are assuming the final chord will be "rolled" or arpeggiated. If the notes were played
simultaneously, connecting the melody notes would be easier.
and notice the gap in the melody from the high D at the end of the first measure going to the
high F of the chord in the second measure.
Incorrect execution in slow motion looks like this:
Ex. 10
Correct execution in slow motion looks like this:
Ex. 11
Correct execution at tempo would be notated like this:
Ex. 12
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Just a couple caveats. Yes there are always those pesky caveats. This technique applies only
when going from a single note to an arpeggiated ("rolled") or thumb- strummed chord. If the
notes of the chord are plucked simultaneously, there is usually no problem connecting the
single note to the chord. We are also assuming we want the single note to melt seamlessly into
the top note of the following chord. But there may be instances where a break in the sound is
desired and this technique would not be applied.
Try out these examples and look for others in the music you are playing. You will definitely hear
a more legato and more musical melody.
You are on DouglasNiedt.com
Or Arpeggiated Chord
By Douglas Niedt
Copyright Douglas Niedt, All Rights Reserved. This article may be reprinted, but please be
considerate and give credit to Douglas Niedt.
You are on DouglasNiedt.com
Below are the opening measures of Prelude No. 3 by Heitor Villa-Lobos.
Ex1.
What is wrong with the way I am playing the single note F on the first string at the end of the
second measure going into the strummed Cmaj7 chord of the third measure?
- Listen to sound clip 1. (A separate window will open that you can minimize in order to still
see the written musical example as you listen.)
Yes, there is a gap between the F and the high open E of the chord. These are both melody
notes and should be seamless. There should be no dead space between them.
A lot of people lift the first-string F as soon as the thumb begins to play the fifth string C:
Ex. 2
- In slow motion, this incorrect execution sounds like this (sound clip 2). (A separate
window will open that you can minimize in order to still see the written musical example as
you listen.)
In slow motion, the correct execution of the transition from the first-string F to the open E looks
like this:
Ex. 3
- Correctly played, this is how it sounds in slow motion (soundclip 3). (A separate window
will open that you can minimize in order to still see the written musical example as you
listen.)
At tempo, this is what the actual execution would look like on the printed page:
Ex. 4
- Correctly played, it sounds like this (soundclip 4). (A separate window will open that you
can minimize in order to still see the written musical example as you listen.)
Notice that the transition from the single F to the open E of the chord is now seamless.
So here it is. This is the Technique Tip of the Month:
- When you want to connect a single note (usually the melody) to the high note (again,
usually the melody) of a strummed or argeggiated ("rolled") chord, do this: keep the
single note held down until the moment when the right-hand thumb plays the high note of
the chord (in the case of a thumb-strummed chord) or until the moment when the right-
hand finger plucks the high note (in the case of a "rolled" chord).
You are on DouglasNiedt.com
Let's look at another example from the introduction of Capricho Arabe by Francisco Tarrega:
Ex. 5
Listen to the melody played with incorrect execution (soundclip 5)in measure 3 to 4. (A
separate window will open that you can minimize in order to still see the written musical
example as you listen.)
There is a large gap between the 16th note E to the C# of the A major chord in measure four.
Because these are the melody notes, they should be connected or legato. (I am assuming we
want the A major chord to be strummed or "rolled." If we pluck the notes of the chord
simultaneously, there is no problem connecting the melody notes.)
Let's look at it in slow motion. Many people would incorrectly lift the E on the second string as
they began to play the fifth string open A of the A major chord:
Ex. 6
- That sounds like this (soundclip 6). (A separate window will open that you can minimize in
order to still see the written musical example as you listen.)
In slow motion, correct execution looks like this:
Ex. 7
- It sounds like this (soundclip 7). (A separate window will open that you can minimize in
order to still see the written musical example as you listen.)
The actual execution of measures three to four would be notated like this:
Ex. 8
Correct execution of measure 3-4 at tempo sounds like this (soundclip 8). (A separate window
will open that you can minimize in order to still see the written musical example as you listen.)
Just to be sure, let's look at one more example. This is from Maria, also by Francisco Tarrega.
Ex. 9
You are on DouglasNiedt.com
Again we are assuming the final chord will be "rolled" or arpeggiated. If the notes were played
simultaneously, connecting the melody notes would be easier.
- Listen to this example (soundclip 9). (A separate window will open that you can minimize
in order to still see the written musical example as you listen.)
and notice the gap in the melody from the high D at the end of the first measure going to the
high F of the chord in the second measure.
Incorrect execution in slow motion looks like this:
Ex. 10
- Incorrect execution in slow motion sounds like this (soundclip 10). (A separate window will
open that you can minimize in order to still see the written musical example as you listen.)
Correct execution in slow motion looks like this:
Ex. 11
Correct execution in slow motion sounds like this (soundclip 11). (A separate window will
open that you can minimize in order to still see the written musical example as you listen.)
Correct execution at tempo would be notated like this:
Ex. 12
- Correct execution at tempo sounds like this (Soundclip 12). (A separate window will open
that you can minimize in order to still see the written musical example as you listen.)
You are on DouglasNiedt.com
Just a couple caveats. Yes there are always those pesky caveats. This technique applies only
when going from a single note to an arpeggiated ("rolled") or thumb- strummed chord. If the
notes of the chord are plucked simultaneously, there is usually no problem connecting the
single note to the chord. We are also assuming we want the single note to melt seamlessly into
the top note of the following chord. But there may be instances where a break in the sound is
desired and this technique would not be applied.
Try out these examples and look for others in the music you are playing. You will definitely hear
a more legato and more musical melody.
You are on DouglasNiedt.com
BE SURE TO VISIT DOUG'S "SECRET VAULT"
It contains many of Doug's Previous
Guitar Technique Tips of the Month
It contains many of Doug's Previous
Guitar Technique Tips of the Month
Have a comment?
Question?
Suggestion for the website?
We would love to hear from you.
Question?
Suggestion for the website?
We would love to hear from you.
We have a Printer Friendlier (PDF) version of this article that's also easier on the eyes.
It's SO much easier to read a printed article than to read it from the computer screen.
It's SO much easier to read a printed article than to read it from the computer screen.
Have a comment?
Question?
Suggestion for the website?
We would love to hear from you.
Question?
Suggestion for the website?
We would love to hear from you.
We have a Printer Friendlier (PDF) version of this article that's also easier on the eyes.
It's SO much easier to read a printed article than to read it from the computer screen.
It's SO much easier to read a printed article than to read it from the computer screen.
Have a comment?
Question?
Suggestion for the website?
We would love to hear from you.
Question?
Suggestion for the website?
We would love to hear from you.
We have a Printer Friendlier (PDF) version of this article that's also easier on the eyes.
It's SO much easier to read a printed article than to read it from the computer screen.
It's SO much easier to read a printed article than to read it from the computer screen.
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| These are my very detailed, in-depth articles and high-def videos on how to play the classical guitar. It's like getting your own private guitar lesson every month. Need info on classical guitar right hand technique? Guitar scales? How to play bar chords? Harmonics? Looking for a classical guitar practicing routine? Tips on performing onstage? How to tune a guitar? Looking for easy Christmas guitar arrangements? Chances are, I have covered it, or will soon. The tips are by subscription only. |
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Internet. No one else's technique articles and videos even come close. Most of the written tips run
over 20 pages. Most of the videos run from 15-30 minutes. The tips are thorough and the
production is excellent. Check out the free tips in Doug's Vault for a sampling.
A one-year subscription (12 tips) is only $24. That is only $2 per tip.
Purchase a ONE-YEAR SUBSCRIPTION to:
DOUGLAS NIEDT'S GUITAR TECHNIQUE TIP OF THE MONTH
Doug's Guitar Technique Tip of the Month will be sent to you monthly. These are the best on the
Internet. No one else's technique articles and videos even come close. Most of the written tips run
over 20 pages. Most of the videos run from 15-30 minutes. The tips are thorough and the
production is excellent. Check out the free tips in Doug's Vault for a sampling.
A one-year subscription (12 tips) is only $24. That is only $2 per tip.
Be a better guitar player or teacher. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
Purchase a ONE-YEAR SUBSCRIPTION to:
DOUGLAS NIEDT'S GUITAR TECHNIQUE TIP OF THE MONTH
Doug's Guitar Technique Tip of the Month will be sent to you monthly. These are the best on the
Internet. No one else's technique articles and videos even come close. Most of the written tips run
over 20 pages. Most of the videos run from 15-30 minutes. The tips are thorough and the
production is excellent. Check out the free tips in Doug's Vault for a sampling.
A one-year subscription (12 tips) is only $24. That is only $2 per tip.
Purchase a ONE-YEAR SUBSCRIPTION to:
DOUGLAS NIEDT'S GUITAR TECHNIQUE TIP OF THE MONTH
Doug's Guitar Technique Tip of the Month will be sent to you monthly. These are the best on the
Internet. No one else's technique articles and videos even come close. Most of the written tips run
over 20 pages. Most of the videos run from 15-30 minutes. The tips are thorough and the
production is excellent. Check out the free tips in Doug's Vault for a sampling.
A one-year subscription (12 tips) is only $24. That is only $2 per tip.