TLDR;
This video by Ricky Comiskey discusses how to connect guitar box patterns (E, A, D shapes) to solos, enhancing the player's navigational skills on the fretboard. The tutorial emphasizes root notes within these shapes as starting points for string-pair patterns, particularly focusing on the major pentatonic scale, and introduces various techniques to incorporate blues notes and 7th chords for a more versatile playing style.
- Understanding the connection between chord shapes and solos.
- Using root notes to create patterns for enhancing lead playing.
- Adding blues notes and 7th chords for richer melodic expression.
Why box patterns and chord shapes feel disconnected [0:00]
Ricky begins by explaining that many guitar players struggle to connect their solos played in box patterns with chord shapes, leading to inefficiency in their playing. He identifies the E, A, and D chord shapes as essential navigation tools on the guitar neck. By highlighting the importance of the root note within these shapes, he prepares to demonstrate how to form solos that naturally flow from the chords being played.
E, A and D shapes as your solo map [0:09]
In this segment, Ricky elaborates on the E, A, and D shapes, urging players to see them as guides for solo navigation. He points out the locations of various root notes within these chords while explaining how they serve as launch points for string pair patterns, specifically in the major pentatonic scale. By mapping these shapes, players can better understand where to initiate their solos and link them with chord progressions.
How to find the root inside each shape [0:39]
Ricky dives deeper into identifying root notes in each shape, illustrating that these notes can often be hidden within clusters of fingers. He explains the five R3 concept, which identifies the fifth, root, and third in each shape. By recognizing these root notes, players can effectively use them as starting points for their solos, allowing for more cohesion between their lead playing and rhythm chords.
The 5 R 3 rule in E, A and D [2:02]
The video covers the five R3 rule comprehensively, showing how to locate the relevant notes in each chord shape. Ricky specifically discusses the E shape first, highlighting the finger positioning necessary to identify the root note. He reiterates this approach for the A and D shapes, emphasizing the importance of knowing these root notes for creating efficient and connected solo patterns across the neck.
The E shape string-pair pattern [3:14]
Ricky illustrates how to apply the E shape to create a string-pair pattern. He walks through a series of steps for constructing patterns that start from the identified root note, explaining how to extend those patterns up the neck. By visualizing the movement across strings, he demonstrates how this approach opens up new possibilities for playing lead lines that align with chord changes.
The A shape pattern and string compensation [6:11]
Focusing on the A shape, Ricky shows how to create a corresponding string-pair pattern. He emphasizes the need for compensating the movement between certain strings (from G to B) to maintain proper intervals. This attention to detail ensures players can maintain harmonic integrity when shifting between chord shapes, allowing for smoother transitions in their playing.
The D shape pattern and movable idea [7:36]
Ricky discusses the D shape and underscores its versatility as a movable pattern. He explains how to shift the D chord up the neck while maintaining its string-pair patterns. By understanding how to recognize the five R3 rule in the D shape, players can apply the same principles used with the E and A shapes, expanding their improvisational range significantly.
Add blues notes and 7th colours [9:21]
This chapter highlights how to enrich playing by incorporating blues notes and 7th chords. Ricky explains how to modify the major pentatonic scale to produce a bluesier sound and showcases techniques for adding seventh chords for greater musical depth. He demonstrates how these additional notes can alter the feel of solos for more expressive playing.
Apply the idea to A and D shapes [11:43]
Ricky applies the previously discussed concepts to the A and D shapes, illustrating how to find and utilize root notes for crafting solos. He provides specific examples of maintaining the integrity of the chord shapes while integrating the new patterns, emphasizing the flexibility that arises when players learn to adapt their shapes across the fretboard.
Link the shapes across the neck [13:28]
In the final segment, Ricky demonstrates how to connect the E, A, and D shapes seamlessly across the guitar neck. He emphasizes their function as launchpads for both major and blues lines, showing how mastery of these shapes can lead to more fluid improvisation. By learning to link these shapes, players can navigate the fretboard more effectively, allowing them to explore a wider range of musical expression in their solos.
