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The Economical Intro
The intent of this "composition"
is to provide the player with an entertaining way to practice and learn:
1) chords in the key of C; 2) cross picking; 3) harmony. Before starting
this exercise, the player should review the written material on the "Chords"
page which begins with, "Some explanation..."
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Facts, Facts, Facts. Nothing but
the Facts.
The chords in the key
of C are C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am, and B dim. Each chord is built from a
different degree of the C major scale. The notes in the C major scale are
C, D, E, F, G, A, B. There are no flats or sharps. If you played only the
white notes on a piano you would be playing in the key of C. |
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To construct a chord
in the key of C, or any other major key, you would choose your starting,
or root, note. Let's say you chose the note, D. D would then be the root,
or 1st, of the chord. To obtain the 3rd of the D chord you are building,
skip over the E (because relative to D that is the 2nd and we are looking
for the third) and select the F. Relative to the note D the remaining
notes in the key of C are as follows: D = 1st or root, E = 2nd, F = 3rd,
G = 4th, A = 5th, B = 6th, C = 7th. At this point you have discovered the
root of the chord, D, and the 3rd of the chord, F.
Based on that information
you can determine if a chord with a D root in the key of C is minor or
major. If the interval from the D to the F is two steps then the chord
will be major. If the interval is one an a half steps then the chord will
be minor. This is because a major chord formula = 2 steps + 1 and 1/2 steps
and a minor chord formula = 1 and 1/2 steps + 2 steps. In this case, where
we have a D root in the key of C, the chord will be minor due to the fact
that there are only 1 and 1/2 steps between D, the root, and F, the third.
* Remember, a minor third is 1 and 1/2 steps, a major third is two steps,
and the intervals between the notes in the key of C are: C to D = 1 step,
D to E = 1 step, E to F = 1/2 step, F to G = 1 step, G to A = 1 step, A
to B = 1 step, and B to C = 1/2 step.
The fifth of the Dm chord
can now be obtained by counting up two steps from the F note. This brings
you to an A note. Therefore, it can be said that the Dm chord consists
of the following notes: D, F, A.
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Now we can begin playing
this piece, which I call (let the trumpets blare), I Am a G in a
C World. Listen to it first by clicking here
. To listen to the guitar
part you are to play minus the accompaniment, click here.
Familiarize yourself with the chords shown below. Once you've done that,
start learning the song. The tab can be found at the bottom of this page. |
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C Major Chord |
G Major Chord |
G Major Chord |
G7 Chord |
Dm Chord |
Am Chord |
Em Chord |
F Major Chord |
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Ways to Play
Cross picking is a
picking technique (duh). Specifically, it refers to a downstroke, upstroke
alternating picking technique that also involves a string change for every
note. To clarify this further, if you play a downstroke on the 3rd fret
of the 5th string (a C) and then play an upstroke on the 1st fret of the
2nd string (an octave to the previous C), you are cross picking. Utilize
cross picking when playing the "composition", I Am a G in a C World
(see tab below). As an example, to play the first four notes of I Am
a G in a C World using cross picking, play the first C note with a
downstroke, the octave of that C with an upstroke, the G note with a downstroke,
and the E note with an upstroke. Practice and learn the piece, I Am
a G in A C World, utilizing this technique.
To practice an alternative
technique, utilize the same downstroke or upstroke to play more than
one note. A situation occurs during the first four notes of the piece -
the very same four notes we discussed in the previous paragraph - that
would benefit from this approach. Execute this technique as follows: 1)
start with a downstroke on the middle C (5th string, 3rd fret); 2) play
an upstroke on the octave of middle C (2nd string, 1st fret); 3) play the
G on the3rd string with an upstroke; 4) play the E at the 2nd fret
of the 4th string with an upstroke. I've heard this picking method called
"sweep" picking or "economy" picking. I call it "any way I can get to that
note faster than I would normally be able to without breaking a sweat"
picking. Catchy, huh?
Practice I Am a G in a
C World utilizing both picking techniques. (You'll often find that
each technique produces a slightly different "feel".)
Consider learning to fingerpick
this tune, or any other tune for that matter. I am not an expert at fingerpicking
(I am barely a novice) so I won't go there. My own "technique" is fairly
common. It combines bare fingers and a plectrum (that's pick to you earthier
types). The pick is held between the thumb and forefinger. The lower notes,
or those notes located on the 4th, 5th, and 6th strings are generally played
with the pick (`er, plectrum). The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd strings are mostly
played by the middle and ring fingers. It's not a perfect arrangement,
but it gets me by. I'll be sure to check around on the net for a real finger
stylist so I won't lead you guys and gals too far astray. Maybe I'll learn
something, too. Teach an old dog new tricks, that sort of thing. You know.
Did I say that? If you are an expert finger stylist, send me your url and
I'll put the link right here. (Well, maybe a little bit more to the right.) |
I Am a G in a C World
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I want to learn
more. Next page please.
Get me out of
here. Go back.
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