Guitar...On the Spot!

Transcription

1 Making Up Songs is as Easy as Rolling a Die Guitar...On the Spot! Free E-Book Make Up Songs On the Guitar...On the Spot! Jesse Hunt

2 Guitar...On the Spot! Free E-Book Make Up Songs On the Guitar...On the Spot! Jesse Hunt Copyright On the Spot Publishing All Rights Reserved

3 Guitar On the Spot - The System Overview This e-book is a free introduction to the guitar. If you ld like to know more and discover how easy it is to jam all over the guitar using one simple code you can check out Guitar On the Spot - The System at Click here to learn more about Guitar On the Spot - The System. Guitar On the Spot Using the Code Guitar On the Spot II Expanding the Code Guitar On the Spot III Commanding the Code INTRODUCTION 3

4 Introduction - Part I Dear Friend, Congratulations! You ve taken your first step towards making your guitar playing career a reality! Get ready to make up songs right now. Even if you re a complete beginner. It s as easy as rolling dice! The secret is knowing the Key Concept. You just follow three simple steps: 1 MAKE UP SONGS BY ROLLING A DIE PICK a Key for Your Song! 2 ROLL a Die to Select Chords from that Key! 3 PLAY Your Song! You can play guitar and make up songs right away without having to read a ton of stuff first. Just roll the die! It s an Endless Song Making Machine! You don t need to take years of lessons You don t need to read musical notes You don t need a good ear You don t need any guitar experience In Guitar On the Spot you ll discover how to: Play guitar right away Make up songs right away by rolling a die Make up solos off the top of your head Create emotions in your songs Create melodies that you can sing 4 GUITAR ON THE SPOT - FREE E-BOOK - MAKE UP SONGS

5 You ll also find out how to make up your own: Reggae Songs Rock Songs Spanish Songs Jazz Songs Blues Songs If you ve got the ambition to play guitar, but you re having a hard time making sense of it, I feel your PAIN! I struggled for years until I FINALLY discovered the Key Concept. Then it all made sense and I could make up my own songs, solos and riffs on the spot. That s when I knew I had to share this with you! Because there s no reason you should have to go through what I went through. When you know the Key Concept practicing the guitar is no longer a chore. It becomes fun because you re always making stuff up off the top of your head! After you start making up your own songs you ll realize that The song you ve been dying to hear is the one created by YOU! ********************************** Hi my name is Jesse Hunt and I could never make sense of the guitar. I always wanted to make up my own songs, but I found the process really frustrating. When I finally figured it out, I realized it s really simple. The secret is the Key Concept. Once you know it, you can make up your own songs on the guitar on the spot. It s really easy. Note: If you re a complete beginner, check out the Guitar Basics section first. If you can already strum some chords continue on to Step 1. But before you do anything make sure your guitar is in tune, or else your songs won t sound very good. I suggest you buy a guitar tuner at first. Then learn how to tune a guitar without a tuner. You can learn how to tune a guitar with or without a tuner in the Appendix. INTRODUCTION 5

6 Here s an overview of the 5 steps that you can follow to get started right away: Step 1 - Discover the Secret to Making Up Songs First discover the secret to playing the guitar and making up your own songs called the Key Concept. Step 2 - Make Up Songs Right Away by Rolling a Die Make up your own songs right away by rolling a die. Step 3 - Song Making Tips Then learn some song tips that you can use to spice up your songs. This step contains these chapters: Tips to Create Emotions in Your Songs, Make Up a Song With a Verse and a Chorus, The Secret Is in the Numbers, Song Making Tips and Make Up a Melody. Step 4 - Make Up Different Types of Songs Discover how to make up different types of songs including reggae, rock, spanish, jazz and blues songs. Step 5 - Make Up Solos On Lead Guitar Then you re ready to make up solos on lead guitar. You ll discover one simple pattern that you can use to solo over any song. And then learn how to move up the guitar neck using 4 other patterns. Step 6 - Make Up Riffs On Guitar Make up your own riffs on guitar by playing parts of chords and mixing in notes from the simple solo pattern. I created this course because it s exactly what I wish I had in my hands when I first started playing. Unfortunately, I learned the hard way, but you don t have to. I wish you the best and look forward to hearing your songs! Have Fun! Jesse Hunt If you have any questions or comments please me at guitaronthespot@hotmail. com. I d love to hear from you. 6 GUITAR ON THE SPOT - FREE E-BOOK - MAKE UP SONGS

7 Guitar On the Spot - Free E-Book Make Up Songs On the Guitar...On the Spot! CONTENTS Guitar On the Spot - The System - Overview 3 Introduction - Note from Jesse 4 Start Here If You re A Complete Beginner GUITAR BASICS Basics 1 - Parts of the Guitar 10 Basics 2 - How to Hold and Strum a Guitar 12 Basics 3 - How to Play Chords in Three Steps 14 Basics 4 - You Can Make Up Songs Using Chord Progressions 18 Basics 5 - All You Need To Know About the Notes On the Guitar 19 Start Here If You Can Already Strum Some Chords STEP 1 DISCOVER THE SECRET TO MAKING UP SONGS Chapter 1 - The Secret to Making Up Songs - The Key Concept 26 STEP 2 MAKE UP SONGS RIGHT AWAY BY ROLLING A DIE Chapter 2 - Make Up Songs Right Away in Three Steps by Rolling a Die 32 TABLE OF CONTENTS 7

8 STEP 3 SONG MAKING TIPS Chapter 3 - Tips to Create Emotions in Your Songs 38 Chapter 4 - Make Up a Song With a Verse and a Chorus 41 Chapter 5 - The Secret Is in the Numbers 43 Chapter 6 - Song Making Tips 46 Chapter 7 - Make Up a Melody 47 STEP 4 MAKE UP DIFFERENT TYPES OF SONGS Chapter 8 - Make Up a Reggae Song 52 Chapter 9 - Make Up a Rock Song 53 Chapter 10 - Make Up a Spanish Song 54 Chapter 11 - Make Up a Jazz Song 55 Chapter 12 - Make Up a Blues Song 58 STEP 5 MAKE UP SOLOS ON LEAD GUITAR Chapter 13 - How to Jam With Other People 64 Chapter 14 - Make Up Solos on Lead Guitar 67 Chapter 15 - Make Up Solos Up And Down the Guitar Neck 73 STEP 6 MAKE UP RIFFS ON GUITAR Chapter 16 - Make Up Riffs On Guitar 76 APPENDIX Appendix A - How to Tune Your Guitar 80 8 GUITAR ON THE SPOT - FREE E-BOOK - MAKE UP SONGS

9 Guitar Basics

10 BASICS 1 Parts of the Guitar STEEL STRING ACOUSTIC GUITAR Body Sound Hole Fretboard Nut Headstock Neck Fret Markers Frets Tuning Pegs Bridge Pick Guard The bridge holds the ends of the strings in place. The guitar body amplifies the sound and sends it out through the sound hole. The pick guard protects the guitar body from getting scratched by a pick. The frets are the metal ridges embedded in the guitar neck. There are anywhere from 19 to 24 frets on a guitar neck. The fretboard is the front of the neck where you place your fingers on the strings. The small dots on the fretboard are fret markers for reference so you know where you are. The nut is the top edge of the guitar neck and guides the strings. The headstock holds the six tuning pegs in place. 10 GUITAR ON THE SPOT - FREE E-BOOK - MAKE UP SONGS

11 ELECTRIC GUITAR Nut Tuning Pegs Body Pick-ups Fretboard Bridge Neck Fret Markers Frets Headstock Whammy Bar Output Socket Volume & Tone Controls Pick-up Selector An electric guitar is plugged into an amplifier in order to make the sound louder. The electronic pick-ups pick up the vibrations of the strings and convert them into an electronic signal, which is then sent to the output socket. Each pick-up sounds different because of its location on the guitar body. You use the pick-up selector to choose which pick-ups to turn on. The back pick-up sounds twangy and vibrant (good for lead guitar), while the front pick-up sounds full and rich (good for rhythm guitar). The body holds the pick-ups in place. The volume control knobs control the volume for each pick-up and the tone control knob controls the brightness of the sound. Some electric guitars have a whammy bar connected to a floating bridge to change the tension in the strings while playing so you can make cool sounds. The neck and headstock on the electric guitar are basically the same as the acoustic guitar, however the tuning pegs on this electric guitar are all on one side. PARTS OF THE GUITAR 11

12 BASICS 2 How to Hold and Strum a Guitar SITTING There are right-handed and left-handed guitars. These pictures show righthanded playing. Rest your inner right elbow on the edge of the guitar body as a stabilizer for your arm. Use your right hand to strum the strings of the guitar. Use the fingers of your left hand to push down the strings on the fretboard. Be sure that your left elbow is not resting on your left thigh so that your left hand is free to move up and down the neck. Playing the guitar while standing is more fun, but more difficult. Adjust the strap to a comfortable length. If your left wrist hurts, make the strap shorter or tilt the neck upwards. STANDING 12 GUITAR ON THE SPOT - FREE E-BOOK - MAKE UP SONGS

13 STRUMMING THE GUITAR Use your right hand to pluck or strum the strings Strum downwards with your index fingernail, and upwards with your thumbnail. Practice strumming downwards and upwards four times each. Strum downwards with your index fingernail Strum upwards with your thumbnail USING A PICK You can use a guitar pick instead of your fingernails Hold the pick between your thumb and index finger. Thin picks are good for strumming. Thick picks are good for plucking strings one at a time and for soloing. I personally use Fender medium picks for everything. Alternate picking strokes between downstrokes Hold the pick between and upstrokes to keep your picking consistent. your thumb and This is called alternate picking. index finger HOW TO HOLD AND STRUM A GUITAR 13

14 BASICS 3 How to Play Chords in Three Steps NOTES Each fret on the guitar is one note To play a single note: Push down one string right above any fret with one finger. Then pluck that string with a finger of your other hand. Pluck the string over the sound hole on an acoustic guitar or over the pick-ups in the body of an electric guitar. Single Note G The Note G Nut Frets CHORDS Three or more different notes played at once is a chord You play chords by reading chord diagrams. See the G Major chord diagram on the right. There are two main types of chords: Major chords and minor chords. The next page shows you how to play chords in three steps. The Chord G Major G Major chord diagram Nut Nut 14 GUITAR ON THE SPOT - FREE E-BOOK - MAKE UP SONGS

15 1 G Major Chord HOW TO PLAY CHORDS LOOK AT the numbers on the top of the chord diagram Nut Nut You play chords by reading chord diagrams (see left). The black dots represent your fingers. G Major chord diagram The numbers on the top of each chord diagram tell you which fingers to use on each string according to the Fingering Key in step 2. Chord diagrams with a double line on the top are played near the end of the guitar neck. The double line is the nut. 2 LOOK AT the Fingering Key Fingering Key Strum Without Fingers X Do Not Strum Each finger is represented by a number in the Fingering Key. You use the corresponding finger on each string. A string that doesn t have a black dot on it has either a 0 (zero) or a X on the top. If it has a 0, you strum that string without putting any fingers down. If it has a X, you don t strum that string. 3 PUT your fingers in the right spots and strum the chord G Major Fingering Key G Major + = G Major 0 Strum Without Fingers X Do Not Strum HOW TO PLAY CHORDS IN THREE STEPS 15

16 TIPS TO PLAY CHORDS Place your thumb on the back of the neck. Arch your fingers and bend the first knuckle of each finger to press down only one string per finger. Place your fingers as close as possible to the frets, but not on top of them. This will make the strings sound best and keep them from buzzing. To learn chords quickly, practice fingering them 20 times without strumming. OPEN CHORDS Chords can be played in many different places. The versions of G Major and D Major below are called open chords because you strum at least one string open (the strings with the 0s). G Major and D Major Open Chords Open Strings Don't strum X X G Major D Major Notice that in the G Major chord diagram (above left) there are three 0s and no Xs. This means that you strum all six strings even though you re only pushing down three strings. The D Major chord (above right) has two Xs and one 0. Remember, don t strum the strings with the Xs, but do strum the string with a 0. When you play D Major, you only strum four strings. 16 GUITAR ON THE SPOT - FREE E-BOOK - MAKE UP SONGS

17 HOW TO PLAY BAR CHORDS Chords can be played in many different places on the guitar neck as bar chords When you play a bar chord, you use one finger as a bar to push down more than one string at a time. This is represented by the bar chord symbol in the diagram on the right. Look at the index finger in the photo ( G Major G Major Bar Chord Bar Chord Symbol 3 fr Fret Number Index finger pushes down all strings The 3 fr on the right side of the G Major diagram above, tells you which fret number the chord is played on. At first, playing bar chords can be tiring for your hand, but after some practice you ll get used to it. ALTERNATE FINGERINGS Some chords have an ALTERNATE FINGERING to give you an option to use different fingers An Alternate Fingering The alternate fingering is noted in parenthesis on the top of the B Major chord diagram on the right. The photo shows this alternate fingering. Alternate Fingering X ( X X) ( Alternate Fingering B Major HOW TO PLAY CHORDS IN THREE STEPS 17

18 BASICS 4 You Can Make Up Songs Using Chord Progressions CHORD PROGRESSIONS You can make up songs using chord progressions A sequence of chords is called a chord progression. Chord progressions are the building blocks of songs. Sample Chord Progression XX X Staff Strumming Strokes Beat Count G Major D Major E minor C Major \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ One Measure - one unit of time Strum each chord four times Chord progressions can be drawn above a staff. A staff is split into measures that mark off equal units of time. A measure is one unit of time. The four slashes below each measure in the figure are strumming strokes. The numbers below each strumming stroke are the beat count. In this example, there are four beats per measure. Tap your foot as you count in your head 1, 2, 3, 4 over and over again. Then play the chord progression above by strumming every time you tap your foot. Since each chord has four strumming strokes, you strum each chord four times. 18 GUITAR ON THE SPOT - FREE E-BOOK - MAKE UP SONGS

19 BASICS 5 All You Need To Know About the Notes On the Guitar THE 12 NOTE CYCLE There are 12 Repeating Notes: A# BH C# DH D# F# EH GH A B C D E F G G# AH A Some notes have two names. They are called sharps (#) or flats (H). For example, A# (A sharp) is the same note as BH (B flat). NO SHARPS OR FLATS BETWEEN CERTAIN NOTES There are NO sharp or flat notes between B and C, or E and F A# BH C# DH D# F# EH GH A B C D E F G G# AH A No Sharps or Flats ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE NOTES ON THE GUITAR 19

20 HALF STEP = 1 NOTE WHOLE STEP = 2 NOTES A distance of one note is called a half step and distance of two notes is called a whole step A# BH C# DH D# F# EH GH A B C D E F G G# AH A Half Step (1 Note) Whole Step (2 Notes) ONE OCTAVE = 12 NOTES A distance of 12 notes is called an octave A# C# D# F# G# A# BH DH EH GH G AH A BH A B C D E F From A to A is one octave 20 GUITAR ON THE SPOT - FREE E-BOOK - MAKE UP SONGS

21 THE SIX STRINGS Each string is tuned to a note The thickest string is tuned to the note E, the lowest note on the guitar. The next string is tuned to the note A, then D, G, B and the thinnest string is tuned to the note E again, but two octaves higher than the low E string. 1 2 B E 3G 4 5 A D 6 E Thinnest String Thickest String The strings are numbered from 6, the thickest string, to 1, the thinnest string. When you pluck a string without pushing it down with a finger, you are playing the string open. For example, when you pluck the D string without pushing it down, you are playing the D string open. See Appendix A to learn how to tune a guitar. THE NOTES ON THE LOW E STRING To figure out the notes on the low E string use the 12 Note Cycle Start on the note E, at the nut of the low E string, and call out the rest of the notes as you go up the guitar neck: E, F, F#/GH, G, G#/AH, etc. Look at the figure below to see the notes on the low E string. The small black dots on the middle of the guitar neck are fret markers for reference. Notice that there are two dots on the 12th fret where the 12 note cycle repeats over again. Headstock 1 2B E 3G 4 5A D 6E Nut Fret Numbers F# G# GH AH 3rd 5th 7th 9th 12th 15th 17th 19th A# C# D# F# BH DH EH F GH F G A B C D E G# AH A# BH G A B High String Low String 12 Note Cycle Repeats Over 12 Notes Repeat ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE NOTES ON THE GUITAR 21

22 THE NOTES ON EACH STRING OVERLAP You can play most notes in more than one place Most notes can be played in at least two places, some in three places, some in four places and some even in five different places. This is because the notes on each string overlap each other. The A note, played by placing a finger on the 5th fret of the low E string, is the same A note played by plucking the A string. See the figure on the right E B G D A E F 3rd F# G# GH G AH Same Note A 5th THE NOTES ON THE A STRING To figure out the notes on the A string use the 12 Note Cycle The notes following A are the same on both strings. See the diagram See the next page to learn how the notes on the rest of the strings overlap. A 3rd 5th 7th 9th 12th A# C# D# BH B C DH D EH E A# C# D# BH DH EH These are the same notes A B C D E 22 GUITAR ON THE SPOT - FREE E-BOOK - MAKE UP SONGS

23 THE OVERLAPPING NOTES D to D The D note, played by placing a finger on the 5th fret of the A string, is the same D note played by plucking the D string E B G D A E A# C# BH DH 3rd 5th B C D Same Note G to G The G note, played by placing a finger on the 5th fret of the D string, is the same G note played by plucking the G string E B G D A E D# F# EH GH 3rd 5th E F G Same Note B to B The B note, played by placing a finger on the 4th fret of the G string, is the same B note played by plucking the B string E B G D A E G# AH A A# BH 3rd B Same Note 5th E to E The E note, played by placing a finger on the 5th fret of the B string, is the same E note played by plucking the E string E B G D A E C# D# DH EH 3rd 5th C D E Same Note ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE NOTES ON THE GUITAR 23

24 Summary: THE OVERLAPPING NOTE PATTERN With each pair of strings, the note played on the 5th fret of the thicker string is the same as the thinner string played open, except for the 3rd string where the note B is on the 4th fret. With this information, you can figure out the name of any note on the guitar E B G D A E 3rd B Same Notes E G D A 5th ALL THE NOTES ON THE GUITAR You can name all the notes on the guitar 1 E 2 B 3 G 4 D 5 A 6 E 3rd 5th 7th 9th 12th 15th 17th 19th F F# GH G G# AH A A# BH B C C# DH D D# EH E F F# GH C C# DH D D# EH E F F# GH G G# AH A A# BH B C C# DH G# AH A A# BH B C C# DH D D# EH E F F# GH G G# AH A D# EH E F F# GH G G# AH A A# BH B C C# DH D D# EH E A# BH B C C# DH D D# EH E F F# GH G G# AH A A# BH B F F# GH G G# AH A A# BH B C C# DH D D# EH E F F# GH G# A# BH G AH A B D D# EH E F A# BH D F A C D E G A B B C C# DH F# GH G G# AH C# DH D# EH G# AH A# BH F# GH But you don t need to memorize them. You only need to know the notes on the low E (6th) and A (5th) string so you can play chords and jam up and down the guitar neck. You can learn how in Guitar On the Spot - Using the Code. Click here to learn more about Guitar On the Spot - Using the Code. 24 GUITAR ON THE SPOT - FREE E-BOOK - MAKE UP SONGS

25 Step 1 Discover The Secret to Making Up Songs

26 CHAPTER 1 The Secret to Making Up Songs - The Key Concept THE SECRET - THE KEY CONCEPT When you make up a SONG, you mainly play NOTES and CHORDS that belong to the same KEY. So you might be wondering, What s a note, a chord and a key? Read on for an explanation. 26 GUITAR ON THE SPOT - FREE E-BOOK - MAKE UP SONGS

27 NOTES Notes When you play one string on the guitar, you re playing a note. Each fret on the guitar is one note. Notes are named using some of the letters of the alphabet. There are 12 different notes that repeat over and over again. The pictures below show the note G on the guitar. To play a single note: Push down one string right above any fret with one finger. Then pluck that string with a finger of your other hand. Pluck the string over the sound hole on an acoustic guitar or over the pick-ups in the body of an electric guitar. Single Note G The Note G Nut Frets See Basics 5 to learn more about the notes on the guitar. THE SECRET TO MAKING UP SONGS - THE KEY CONCEPT 27

28 CHORDS Chords When you play three or more strings on the guitar at once you re playing a chord. Chords have names like C Major, A minor or G Major. You play chords by reading chord diagrams. See the G Major chord diagram on the right. There are two main types of chords: Major chords and minor chords. See Basics 3 to learn how to play chords in three steps. The Chord G Major G Major chord diagram Nut Nut CHORD PROGRESSIONS Chord Progressions An easy way for you to start making up your own songs is to play chords one after another in a chord progression. You could play G Major, then D Major, then E minor, then C Major. See Basics 4 to learn more about chord progressions. Chord Progression XX X G Major D Major E minor C Major 1st Chord 2nd Chord 3rd Chord 4th Chord So the question is: How do you know which chords to play to make up songs? The answer is the Key Concept. Here it is again: You mainly play chords that belong to the same key. Read on to learn more about keys. 28 GUITAR ON THE SPOT - FREE E-BOOK - MAKE UP SONGS

29 KEYS Keys A key is basically a group of notes and chords that go together. Keys have names like the key of G or the key of D. Songs are played in different keys, which means that they mainly use the notes and chords that belong to that key. For example, you may have heard titles of classical songs like, Mozart s Symphony No. 38 in the Key of D. This means that Mozart is mainly using the notes and chords in the key of D for his symphony. Now notice that I said mainly. The idea here is to get started by mainly using the notes and chords from one key and then experiment from there. Just keep in mind, there are no rules. You can play notes and chords from different keys or switch keys in the middle of a song. The key concept is simply a guideline to get you going. The next page shows you the six main chords in the key of G and the key of C. THE SECRET TO MAKING UP SONGS - THE KEY CONCEPT 29

30 KEYS You can make up songs by picking one of these keys and choosing from the six chords in that key I put a picture of a die above each chord so you can just roll a die to choose from them if you want to. Read on to see an example. Chords in the Key of C I IIm IIIm IV V VIm X XX XX X C Major D minor E minor F Major G Major A minor Chords in the Key of G I IIm IIIm IV V VIm X XXX X XX G Major A minor B minor C Major D Major E minor Note: There are 12 keys total. These are only two of them. You can discover how to create these chord diagrams yourself using a simple code in Guitar On the Spot - Using the Code. Click here to learn more about Guitar On the Spot - Using the Code. 30 GUITAR ON THE SPOT - FREE E-BOOK - MAKE UP SONGS

31 Step 2 Make Up Songs Right Away By Rolling a Die

32 CHAPTER 2 Make Up Songs Right Away in Three Steps By Rolling a Die 1 MAKE UP SONGS BY ROLLING A DIE PICK a Key for Your Song! 2 ROLL a Die to Select Chords from that Key! 3 PLAY Your Song! 32 GUITAR ON THE SPOT - FREE E-BOOK - MAKE UP SONGS

33 1 Example 2.1 MAKE UP SONGS BY ROLLING A DIE PICK a Key for Your Song! Pick a key for your song from Jesse s Easy Chord Chart on the next page. See the example below. Remember, the secret to making up songs is to play chords that belong to the same key. Jesse s Easy Chord Chart The Six Main Chords in Five Major Keys I IIm IIIm IV V VIm X X X X X X X X X X X For this first example I m going to pick the key of G because it has the easiest chords to play. Key of A Key of C Key of D 2 fr 4 fr A Major B minor C#/DH minor D Major E Major F#/GH minor X X X X X X C Major D minor E minor F Major G Major A minor X X X X X X X X fr D Major E minor F#/GH minor G Major A Major B minor X X X X X X X X X X X Key of E 4 fr 4 fr E Major F#/GH minor G#/AH minor A Major B Major C#/DH minor X X X X X X X Pick the Key of G Key of G G Major A minor B minor C Major D Major E minor Chords in the Key of G 2 fr I IIm IIIm IV V VIm X XXX X XX Key of G G Major A minor B minor C Major D Major E minor MAKE UP SONGS RIGHT AWAY IN THREE STEPS BY ROLLING A DIE 33

34 Example continued MAKE UP SONGS BY ROLLING A DIE Jesse s Easy Chord Chart below shows you an easy way to play the six main chords in five popular keys Jesse s Easy Chord Chart The Six Main Chords in Five Major Keys I IIm IIIm IV V VIm X XXX XXX XX XX Key of A 4 fr A Major B minor C#/DH minor D Major E Major F#/GH minor X XX XX X Key of C C Major D minor E minor F Major G Major A minor XX XX X XXX Key of D D Major E minor F#/GH minor G Major A Major B minor XX XX X XXX XXX Key of E 4 fr 4 fr E Major F#/GH minor G#/AH minor A Major B Major C#/DH minor X XXX X XX Key of G G Major A minor B minor C Major D Major E minor You can discover how to create this chart yourself using a simple code in Guitar On the Spot - Using the Code. Click here to learn more about Guitar On the Spot - Using the Code. 34 GUITAR ON THE SPOT - FREE E-BOOK - MAKE UP SONGS

35 2 MAKE UP SONGS BY ROLLING A DIE ROLL a Die to Select Chords from that Key! Example continued Roll a die as many times as you want to select chords from the key of G. Chords in the Key of G I IIm IIIm IV V VIm X XXX X XX Key of G G Major A minor B minor C Major D Major E minor Roll a Die to Make Up Your Song This example has four chords. Roll Look Up Each Chord in the Chart 1st Roll 2nd Roll 3rd Roll 4th Roll I V VIm IV XX X G Major D Major E minor C Major 1st Chord 2nd Chord 3rd Chord 4th Chord 3 PLAY Your Song! Play the chords in the order that you rolled the die. Play Your Song Roll Strum each chord four times and repeat your song as many times as you like. Look Up Each Chord in the Chart Play 1st Roll 2nd Roll 3rd Roll 4th Roll I V VIm IV XX X G Major D Major E minor C Major 1st Chord 2nd Chord 3rd Chord 4th Chord \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ One Measure - one unit of time Strum each chord four times MAKE UP SONGS RIGHT AWAY IN THREE STEPS BY ROLLING A DIE 35

36 1 MAKE UP SONGS BY ROLLING A DIE PICK a Key for Your Song! Worksheet 2.1 The Six Main Chords in Five Major Keys I Jesse s Easy Chord Chart IIm IIIm IV VIm X XXX XX XXX XX V Key of A 4 fr A Major B minor C#/DH minor D Major E Major F#/GH minor X XX XX X Key of C C Major D minor E minor F Major G Major A minor Pick a key for your song from Jesse s Easy Chord Chart. See page 36 for the larger version. Key of Key of D Key of E Key of G XX XX X XXX D Major E minor F#/GH minor G Major A Major B minor XX XX X XXX XXX fr 4 fr E Major F#/GH minor G#/AH minor A Major B Major C#/DH minor X XXX X XX G Major A minor B minor C Major D Major E minor 2 ROLL a Die to Select Chords from that Key! Roll a die as many times as you want to select chords from that key. This worksheet has four chords. Roll Roll a Die to Make Up Your Song 1st Roll 2nd Roll 3rd Roll 4th Roll Look Up Each Chord and Write it s Name in the Blanks 1st Chord 2nd Chord 3rd Chord 4th Chord 3 PLAY Your Song! Play Your Song Roll Play the chords in the order that you rolled the die. To Play Each Chord Refer to Jesse s Easy Chord Chart Play 1st Roll 2nd Roll 3rd Roll 4th Roll 1st Chord 2nd Chord 3rd Chord 4th Chord \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ 36 GUITAR ON THE SPOT - FREE E-BOOK - MAKE UP SONGS

37 Step 3 Song Making Tips

38 CHAPTER 3 Tips to Create Emotions in Your Songs CHANGE YOUR STRUMMING You can make the same chord progression sound different just by changing your strumming The following examples are in the key of G. 1. Change the NUMBER of times you strum each chord. Ex Change the Number of Strums per Chord I V VIm IV XX X Staff Strumming Strokes Beat Count G Major D Major E minor C Major \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ Strum 4X Strum 2X Strum 4X Strum 2X 2. Change the VOLUME of your strumming so some chords are louder. Ex Change the Volume of Your Strumming I V VIm IV XX X Staff Strumming Strokes Beat Count G Major D Major E minor C Major \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ Strum Louder Strum Louder 38 GUITAR ON THE SPOT - FREE E-BOOK - MAKE UP SONGS

39 CHANGE YOUR STRUMMING CONTINUED 3. Change the SPEED of your strumming. Start playing this chord progression slowly and then increase the speed by tapping your foot faster. This is called increasing the tempo. Ex Change the Speed of Your Strumming I V VIm IV XX X G Major D Major E minor C Major Strumming Strokes Beat Count \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ Speed up as you play NOW CHANGE THE NUMBER OF CHORDS Now, change the number of chords in your progression Play only three chords but continue to strum each chord four times. This chord progression will feel like it keeps rolling along because three is an odd number. Ex Play Only Three Chords I V VIm XX Strumming Strokes Beat Count G Major D Major E minor \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ TIPS TO CREATE EMOTIONS IN YOUR SONGS 39

40 MAJOR CHORDS SOUND HAPPY Major chords sound BRIGHT and HAPPY Chords I, IV, and V are Major chords. To create a feeling of HAPPINESS, strum a Major chord LOUDLY and to create a feeling of peace strum it softly. Chords in the Key of G I IIm IIIm IV V VIm X XXX X XX G Major A minor B minor C Major D Major E minor MINOR CHORDS SOUND SAD Minor chords sound DARK and SAD Chords IIm, IIIm, and VIm are minor chords. To create a feeling of ANGER, strum a minor chord LOUDLY and to create a feeling of despair strum it softly. Chords in the Key of G I IIm IIIm IV V VIm X XXX X XX G Major A minor B minor C Major D Major E minor You can create many more feelings by using the chord variations you learn about in Guitar On the Spot II - Expanding the Code. Click here to learn more about Guitar On the Spot II - Expanding the Code. 40 GUITAR ON THE SPOT - FREE E-BOOK - MAKE UP SONGS

41 CHAPTER 4 Make Up a Song With a Verse and a Chorus MANY SONGS HAVE TWO PARTS Most songs have two parts with different chord progressions: a verse and a chorus The lyrics in the verse usually change each time you play it, while the lyrics in the chorus usually stay the same. A common song format is to alternate between the verse and the chorus. Example Play a Verse and a Chorus Verse Repeat this verse as many times as you like before moving on to the chorus I V VIm IV XX X G Major D Major E minor C Major \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ Chorus Repeat this chorus as many times as you like before going back to the verse VIm E minor V XX D Major \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ Verse Chorus G Major D Major E minor C Major \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ E minor D Major \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ MAKE UP A SONG WITH A VERSE AND A CHORUS 41

42 MAKE UP A VERSE AND A CHORUS Just like you did in the previous examples, roll a die to select chords for your own verse and chorus from the key of G Chords in the Key of G I IIm IIIm IV V VIm X XXX X XX Key of G G Major A minor B minor C Major D Major E minor Worksheet Make Up a Verse and a Chorus Verse 1. ROLL a Die 2. LOOK Up the Chords 3. PLAY and Repeat Your Verse 1st Roll 2nd Roll 3rd Roll 4th Roll 1st Chord 2nd Chord 3rd Chord 4th Chord \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ Chorus 1. ROLL a Die 2. LOOK Up the Chords 5th Roll 5th Chord 6th Roll 6th Chord 3. PLAY and Repeat Your Chorus \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ Repeat your verse and chorus as many times as you like. You can add more chords to each part if you want to. 42 GUITAR ON THE SPOT - FREE E-BOOK - MAKE UP SONGS

43 CHAPTER 5 The Secret Is in the Numbers THE NUMBER SECRET If you play and compare two chord progressions with the same numbered chords, but in different keys, they will sound relatively the same. THE SECRET IS IN THE NUMBERS 43

44 SAME SONG, DIFFERENT KEYS If you play the chord progression below in different keys, you will notice that it sounds relatively the same I IV V \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ See the example on the next page 44 GUITAR ON THE SPOT - FREE E-BOOK - MAKE UP SONGS

45 SAME SONG, DIFFERENT KEYS Play and compare this chord progression in the two keys below Be sure to play Chord V for two measures. You might notice that they sound relatively the same even though they use different chords. It s because they have the same roman numerals I-IV-V. You can discover how to play the same song in any key using a simple code in Guitar On the Spot - Using the Code. Click here to learn more about Guitar On the Spot - Using the Code. Example Key of G Key of G I IV V X XX G Major C Major D Major Strumming Strokes \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ Example Key of C Key of C I X IV XX V Strumming Strokes C Major F Major G Major \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ THE SECRET IS IN THE NUMBERS 45

46 CHAPTER 6 Song Making Tips ORGANIZING CHORD PROGRESSIONS You ve probably found that you like some chords better than others There are no rules, but here are a few tips to help you organize the chords in your songs: Tips The most common chords in any key are I, IV, V and VI. Chord I is the main chord of any key, therefore it is a good chord to start or end your chord progressions on. Chord IV is versatile and can be used virtually anywhere. Chord V likes to be played right before Chord I. Chord VI is another good chord to start or end your chord progressions on. It s a minor chord, so use it to create a darker sounding song. Chords II and III have unique minor sounds and are usually used as transitional chords between the other four chords. Each chord has its own unique sound. A song centered around Chord V will have a totally different sound than one centered around Chord II. Experiment all day long. You ll develop favorites depending on what kind of sounds you like. When you get bored of using only six chords you can learn how to switch and mix keys in Guitar On the Spot - The System. Click here to learn more about Guitar On the Spot - The System. 46 GUITAR ON THE SPOT - FREE E-BOOK - MAKE UP SONGS

47 CHAPTER 7 Make Up a Melody A MELODY A melody is a sequence of single notes played one after another. AN EASY WAY TO MAKE UP A MELODY Here s an easy way to make up a melody Start by playing a chord progression, but instead of strumming all of the strings at once, play some of the strings in each chord one at a time. Read on to see an example. MAKE UP A MELODY 47

48 PLAY SINGLE NOTES TO MAKE UP A MELODY Play single notes by following a picking order A picking order tells what order to pick the strings in. You just finger a chord and play some of the strings one at a time. You don t need to play all of the strings. The three diagrams below show you a way to depict a picking order. Use a pick or the fingers of your right hand (if you re right handed) and play each string in the order specified. If you re using a guitar pick, you can pick the strings using all downstrokes, all upstrokes, alternating strokes or anyway that feels comfortable. Three Examples of Different Picking Orders You only pick the strings that are numbered in the picking order. Example 7.1 Example 7.2 Example 7.3 G Major G Major G Major Picking Order Picking Order Picking Order Play this string 1st Play this string 2nd Play this string 3rd Play this string 4th Play this string 1st Play this string 3rd Play this string 4th Play this string 2nd Play this string 3rd and 4th Play this string 2nd Play this string 1st 48 GUITAR ON THE SPOT - FREE E-BOOK - MAKE UP SONGS

49 MATCH YOUR PICKING TO THE BEAT COUNT Match your picking to the beat count The strumming strokes in the diagram below are now picking strokes. Pick each string as you tap your foot along with the beat count, 1, 2, 3, 4. Pick One String Per Beat Count G Major Match your Picking to the Beat Count Picking Strokes Beat Count Picking Order \ \ \ \ There are six strings to choose from in this chord, but only play four of them since there are only four beats per measure in this example. MAKE UP A MELODY 49

50 PLAY A MELODY Pick single notes throughout your entire chord progression to play a melody Play the melodies below by following the picking order for each chord. Example Sample Melody I V VIm IV X X X Picking Order Picking Strokes Beat Count G Major D Major E minor C Major \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ Example Sample Melody 2 I V VIm IV X X X Picking Order Picking Strokes Beat Count G Major D Major E minor C Major \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ Now make up your own melody. 50 GUITAR ON THE SPOT - FREE E-BOOK - MAKE UP SONGS

51 Step 4 Make Up Different Types of Songs

52 CHAPTER 8 Make Up a Reggae Song MAKE UP A REGGAE SONG Playing reggae is all about the way you strum the strings and your strumming pattern You only need to know two things: 1. Don t let the chords ring out, dampen them. Keep each chord from ringing out by muting the strings with the palm of your strumming hand. This makes that chk sound you hear in reggae songs. 2. Strum on the off-beats, beats 2 and 4. Tap your foot 1, 2, 3, 4, and only strum on beats 2 and 4. Notice that there are strumming strokes only on beats 2 and 4 in the sample song below. When I play reggae I usually strum using upstrokes, but you can use either up or downstrokes. Here s a sample reggae song in the key of G. Be sure to play Chord V for two measures. Example Reggae Song in the Key of G I IV V X XX G Major C Major D Major Strumming Strokes Beat Count \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ GUITAR ON THE SPOT - FREE E-BOOK - MAKE UP SONGS

53 CHAPTER 9 Make Up a Rock Song Rock Chord Progressions MAKE UP A ROCK SONG Rock is a pretty broad category of music so you can pretty much use any of the six main chords in any key and create a good sounding song. If you want to create an aggressive darker sounding sound I suggest centering your chord progression around Chord VIm, which is E minor in the key of G below. When I say center around I mean start and/or end on that chord or generally play it the most often. If you have an electric guitar, you can put your amp on the distortion setting to get an agressive sound. Also, try strumming faster and louder. Here s an example using chords in the key of G. Be sure to play Chord VIm for two measures. You can also play Chord V, D Major as a Dominant 7th chord, D7. Example Sample Rock Song in the Key of G VIm IV V X XX E minor C Major D7 Strumming Strokes Beat Count \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ You can create different moods in rock music by using the different codes you learn about in Guitar On the Spot III - Commanding the Code. Click here to learn more about Guitar On the Spot III - Commanding the Code. MAKE UP A ROCK SONG 53

54 CHAPTER 10 Make Up a Spanish Song MAKE UP A SPANISH SONG Spanish Chord Progressions The secret to playing spanish sounding songs is to play Chord IIIm as a Major chord instead of a minor chord. So in the key of C, Chord IIIm is E minor, so play E Major instead. Spanish Chords in the Key of C I IIm III IV V VIm X XX XX X C Major D minor E Major F Major G Major A minor Example Spanish Song in the Key of C VIm X III IV III XX A minor E Major F Major E Major Strumming Strokes Beat Count \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ To really give your song that spanish flavor, strum downwards slowly so you hear each string played individually then upwards the same way. You can learn how to play any chord as a Major or minor chord in Guitar On the Spot - The System. Click here to learn more about Guitar On the Spot - The System. 54 GUITAR ON THE SPOT - FREE E-BOOK - MAKE UP SONGS

55 CHAPTER 11 Make Up a Jazz Song JAZZ CHORD PROGRESSIONS Jazz Chord Progressions A standard jazz chord progression uses the IIm, V and I chords of any key. Standard Jazz Progression IIm V I Another jazzy chord progression that I like uses the I, VIm, IIm and V chords of any key. Read on to see these examples in the key of G. Another Jazz Progression I VIm IIm V Jazz Strumming Tips When you play the next examples, instead of strumming the strings, pluck some of the strings with your fingers at the same time to really give your song that jazz flavor. The more advanced way of plucking is to pluck the lowest string in the chord first with your thumb, then pluck the higher strings all at once with your other fingers. MAKE UP A JAZZ SONG 55

56 MAKE UP A JAZZ SONG Here are these examples in the key of G Chords in the Key of G I IIm IIIm IV V VIm X XXX X XX G Major A minor B minor C Major D Major E minor Example Standard Jazz Progression in G IIm V I X XX A minor D Major G Major Strumming Strokes Beat Count \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ Example Another Jazz Progression in G I VIm IIm V X XX G Major E minor A minor D Major Strumming Strokes Beat Count \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ GUITAR ON THE SPOT - FREE E-BOOK - MAKE UP SONGS

57 MAKE UP A JAZZ SONG Now use these jazzy chords in the key of G instead Jazz Chords in the Key of G Imaj7 IIm7 IIIm7 IVmaj7 V7 VIm X X X X XX Gmaj7 (G Major 7) Am7 (A minor 7) Bm7 (B minor 7) Cmaj7 (C Major 7) D7 (D Dominant 7) Em7 (E minor 7) Example Standard Jazz Progression in G IIm7 V7 Imaj7 X XX Am7 D7 Gmaj7 Strumming Strokes Beat Count \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ Example Another Jazz Progression in G Imaj VIm IIm7 V7 X XX Gmaj7 Em7 Am7 D7 Strumming Strokes Beat Count \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ You can find out how to create these chords in Guitar On the Spot II. - Expanding the Code. Click here to learn more about Guitar On the Spot II - Expanding the Code. MAKE UP A JAZZ SONG 57

58 CHAPTER 12 Make Up a Blues Song BLUES CHORD PROGRESSIONS Blues Chord Progressions A standard blues chord progression uses the I, IV, and V chords of any key. See the next page for an example in the key of G. 12 Bar Blues I IV I V IV I V 58 GUITAR ON THE SPOT - FREE E-BOOK - MAKE UP SONGS

59 BLUES CHORD PROGRESSION Blues in the Key of G This example has an advanced strumming pattern that sounds something like this: bump-ba-bump-ba-bump-ba-bump-ba, but just strum it normally at first. Be sure to continue to play each chord until you get to the next one. Example Bar Blues in the Key of G I G Major Strumming Strokes Beat Count \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ IV X I C Major G Major Strumming Strokes Beat Count \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ V IV I V XX X XX D Major C Major G Major D Major Strumming Strokes Beat Count \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ MAKE UP A BLUES SONG 59

60 BLUES CHORD PROGRESSION 2 Here s another blues chord progression format You just play Chord IV for the second measure. Everything else is the same. Here s an example in the key of G: Example Bar Blues Format 2 I IV X I G Major C Major G Major Strumming Strokes Beat Count \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ IV X I C Major G Major Strumming Strokes Beat Count \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ V IV I V XX X XX D Major C Major G Major D Major Strumming Strokes Beat Count \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ GUITAR ON THE SPOT - FREE E-BOOK - MAKE UP SONGS

61 TRY THESE BLUESY CHORDS Try these bluesy sounding chords Use the blues chords in the key of G below. See the next page for an example using these chords. Blues Chords in the Key of G I7 IIm7 IIIm7 IV7 V7 VIm X X X X XX G7 (G Dominant 7) Am7 (A minor 7) Bm7 (B minor 7) C7 (C Dominant 7) D7 (D Dominant 7) Em7 (E minor 7) You can find out where these chords come from and how to make up blues solos in Guitar On the Spot II. - Expanding the Code. Click here to learn more about Guitar On the Spot II - Expanding the Code. MAKE UP A BLUES SONG 61

62 BLUESY SOUNDING CHORD PROGRESSION Here s blues chord progression using the bluesy sounding chords in the key of G Example Bar Blues with Bluesy Chords I G7 Strumming Strokes Beat Count \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ IV7 X I C7 G7 Strumming Strokes Beat Count \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ V7 IV7 I7 V7 XX X XX D7 C7 G7 D7 Strumming Strokes Beat Count \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ GUITAR ON THE SPOT - FREE E-BOOK - MAKE UP SONGS

63 Step 5 Make Up Solos On Lead Guitar

64 CHAPTER 13 How To Jam With Other People HOW TO JAM WITH OTHER PEOPLE 1 PICK a Key for Your Jam! 2 RHYTHM Person Strums Any Chords From That Key! 3 LEAD Person Plays Any Notes From that Key! 1 PICK a Key for Your Jam! PICK A KEY Pick a key for your jam from the five popular keys on the next three pages. For this example, let s pick the key of C. KEY OF A RHYTHM Guitarist plays any of these chords Chords in the Key of A X XXX XXX XX XX fr A Major B minor C#/DH minor D Major E Major F#/GH minor LEAD Guitarist plays any of these notes Note Pattern in the Key of A 1 E 2 B 3 G 4 D 5 A 6 E 3rd 5th 7th 9th 12th 64 GUITAR ON THE SPOT - FREE E-BOOK - MAKE UP SONGS

65 KEY OF C RHYTHM Guitarist plays any of these chords Chords in the Key of C X XX XX X C Major D minor E minor F Major G Major A minor LEAD Guitarist plays any of these notes Note Pattern in the Key of C 1 E 2 B 3 G 4 D 5 A 6 E 3rd 5th 7th 9th 12th KEY OF D RHYTHM Guitarist plays any of these chords Chords in the Key of D XX XX X XXX D Major E minor F#/GH minor G Major A Major B minor LEAD Guitarist plays any of these notes Note Pattern in the Key of D 1 E 2 B 3 G 4 D 5 A 6 E 3rd 5th 7th 9th 12th HOW TO JAM WITH OTHER PEOPLE 65

66 KEY OF E RHYTHM Guitarist plays any of these chords Chords in the Key of E XX XX X XXX XXX fr 4 fr E Major F#/GH minor G#/AH minor A Major B Major C#/DH minor LEAD Guitarist plays any of these notes Note Pattern in the Key of E 1 E 2 B 3 G 4 D 5 A 6 E 3rd 5th 7th 9th 12th KEY OF G RHYTHM Guitarist plays any of these chords Chords in the Key of G X XXX X XX G Major A minor B minor C Major D Major E minor LEAD Guitarist plays any of these notes Note Pattern in the Key of G 1 E 2 B 3 G 4 D 5 A 6 E Play string open (with no fingers down) for these notes 3rd 5th 7th 9th 12th 66 GUITAR ON THE SPOT - FREE E-BOOK - MAKE UP SONGS

67 2 HOW TO JAM WITH OTHER PEOPLE RHYTHM Person Strums Any Chords From That Key! Once you pick a key for your jam, the person playing rhythm guitar can just strum any chords from that key in any order. If you don t have another person to play with you can just record yourself playing a rhythm part and then play along with it. If you find yourself getting stuck always playing the same chords, try rolling a die to choose the next chord. Chords in the Key of C X XX XX X C Major D minor E minor F Major G Major A minor Rhtyhm Person Strums Any Chords Strum any Chords in the Key of C X C Major G Major X A minor XX F Major 1st Chord 2nd Chord 3rd Chord 4th Chord HOW TO JAM WITH OTHER PEOPLE 67

68 3 HOW TO JAM WITH OTHER PEOPLE LEAD Person Plays Any Notes From that Key! Make up a solo as you play along with the back-up song by playing any notes in the solo pattern. As the rhythm person plays chords from the key of C (step 2), the lead person plays notes from the key of C note pattern. See below to learn how to play the note pattern. Note Pattern in the Key of C 1 E 2 B 3 G 4 D 5 A 6 E Fret Numbers Play 11th Play 9th Play 7th Play 5th Play 3rd Play 1st 3rd 5th 7th 9th 12th Play 12th Play 10th Play 8th Play 6th Play 4th Play 2nd Index Finger Ring Finger Pinky } Fingers To play the 1st note, place the index finger of your left hand (if you re right handed) on the thickest string (the low E string, string 6) just behind (to the immediate left of) the 5th fret (frets are the metal ridges in the guitar neck) and pluck that string with the thumb of your right hand. You can also use a pick instead of your thumb. To play the 2nd note, place your pinky finger just behind the 8th fret on the thickest string (the low E string, string 6) and pluck that string. To play the 3rd note, place your index finger just behind the 5th fret on the second thickest string (the A string, string 5) and pluck that string. To play the 4th note, place your ring finger just behind the 7th fret on the second thickest string (the A string, string 5) and pluck that string. To play the rest of the notes just follow the diagram. Then play the notes in the reverse order. Once you get comfortable playing the notes forward and backward in order, then you can skip around. If you really want to make up mind-blowing solos, I recommend learning the code I teach in you in Guitar On the Spot - Using the Code. Click here to learn more about Guitar On the Spot - Using the Code. 68 GUITAR ON THE SPOT - FREE E-BOOK - MAKE UP SONGS

69 CHAPTER 14 Make Up Solos On Lead Guitar MAKE UP SOLOS IN ANY KEY Now it s time to learn how to solo in any key In the last chapter on jamming you might have noticed that the note pattern you used to play lead always looked the same it was just in a different location on the neck. To solo in different keys you just move the super simple solo pattern to different locations on the guitar neck. It s easy. You just need to know the names of the notes on the low E string. If you want to solo in the key of C, you just anchor the super simple solo pattern on the note C. If you want to solo in the key of D, you just anchor the super simple solo pattern on the note D. Check out the example. Here are the three steps to make up solos in any key: MAKE UP GUITAR SOLOS IN ANY KEY 1 CREATE a Back-Up Song in Any Key! 2 ANCHOR the Super Simple Solo Pattern! 3 MAKE UP a Solo! MAKE UP SOLOS ON LEAD GUITAR 69

70 1 Example 14.2 MAKE UP SOLOS IN ANY KEY CREATE a Back-Up Song in Any Key! Create and record a back-up song in any key like you did in Chapter 2. If you don t have the means to record a back-up song you can solo along with any song. Click here to go to a page on my website that shows you how. Here s a song in the key of C using chords from Jesse s Easy Chord Chart. Record this song on a tape or have a friend play it so you can solo along. Create a Back-Up Song to Solo Over Roll Look Up Each Chord In Jesse s Easy Chord Chart Play 1st Roll 2nd Roll 3rd Roll 4th Roll I V VIm IV X C Major G Major X A minor XX F Major 1st Chord 2nd Chord 3rd Chord 4th Chord 70 GUITAR ON THE SPOT - FREE E-BOOK - MAKE UP SONGS

71 2 ANCHOR the Super Simple Solo Pattern! Example continued MAKE UP SOLOS IN ANY KEY Super Simple Solo Pattern The super simple solo pattern that you learned in the previous example is actually a movable pattern that you can use to solo in any key. Root Note R Vertical = R Horizontal You just move it up or down the guitar neck to the correct location depending on the key. Solo Pattern Play each note one at a time Solo patterns can be drawn vertically or horizontally. See the top diagram. Play 11th Play 9th Play 7th Play 5th Play 3rd Play 1st R Play 12th Play 10th Play 8th Play 6th Play 4th Play 2nd Every solo pattern has a root note, R. Index Finger Ring Finger Pinky Whatever note you anchor note R on, is the key that you re soloing in. In this example the backup song is in the key of C. So anchor note R of the super simple solo pattern on the note C. Anchor Note R on the Root Note 1 E 2 B 3 G 4 D 5 A 6 E F# GH 3rd 5th 7th 9th 12th G# AH A# BH F G B C Solo Pattern R Solo Pattern in the Key of C R Anchor Note R on C MAKE UP SOLOS ON LEAD GUITAR 71

72 3 Example continued MAKE UP SOLOS IN ANY KEY MAKE UP a Solo! Make up a solo as you play along with the back-up song by playing any notes in the solo pattern. Make Up a Solo Over Your Back-Up Song Back-Up Song in the Key of C 1st Roll 2nd Roll 3rd Roll 4th Roll I V VIm IV X C Major G Major X A minor X X F Major 1st Chord 2nd Chord 3rd Chord 4th Chord Solo Pattern in the Key of C 1 E 2 B 3 G 4 D 5 A 6 E 3rd 5th 7th 9th 12th C Solo Pattern in the Key of C R This chapter is just an introduction to soloing. There are four other solo patterns, (you ll learn them in the next chapter) but this one is the easiest to play. For more information see Guitar On the Spot - Using the Code. Click here to learn more about Guitar On the Spot - Using the Code. 72 GUITAR ON THE SPOT - FREE E-BOOK - MAKE UP SONGS

73 CHAPTER 15 Make Up Solos Up and Down the Guitar Neck THE MAJOR PENTATONIC SCALE The solo pattern you used in the last chapter is just one pattern of what s called the Major Pentatonic Scale. Scales are 12 frets long and repeat themselves. The Major Pentatonic Scale can be divided into 5 Patterns and numbered 1 thru 5 for reference. Notice that the notes in each pattern overlap. The Major Pentatonic Scale R R R R R R R R R R R Pattern 1 R R Pattern 2 R R Pattern 3 R R Pattern 4 R R MAKE UP SOLOS UP AND DOWN THE GUITAR NECK IN THREE STEPS 73 R Pattern 5

74 MAKE UP SOLOS UP AND DOWN THE GUITAR 1 CREATE a Back-Up Song in Any Key! Follow the steps in Chapter 2 to create a back-up song and record it. This example is in the key of C. Roll Look Up Each Chord In Jesse s Easy Chord Chart Play X C Major Create a Back-Up Song 1st Roll 2nd Roll 3rd Roll 4th Roll I V VIm IV G Major X A minor XX F Major 1st Chord 2nd Chord 3rd Chord 4th Chord 2 ANCHOR a Scale Pattern on the Root Note of that Key! Anchor Note R on the Root Note Major Pentatonic Scale Pattern 5 R Anchor note R of the scale pattern on the root note of that key. Anchor note R of Pattern 5 of the Major Pentatonic scale on note C because the back-up song is in the key of C. 1 E 2 B 3 G 4 D 5 A 6 E F# GH 3rd 5th 7th 9th 12th R G# AH R A# BH R F G B C R R C Major Pentatonic Scale Anchor Note R on C 3 MAKE UP a Solo! Once you ve anchored Pattern 5, you can branch off into all the other patterns. Remember the notes in each pattern overlap. You can play any notes in this scale over your back-up song and they will sound good. Solo Up and Down the Neck 3rd 5th 7th 9th 12th 1 E R 2 B R R 3 G R 4 D R 5 A R 6 E C R C Major Pentatonic Scale R 74 GUITAR ON THE SPOT - FREE E-BOOK - MAKE UP SONGS

75 Step 6 Make Up Riffs On Guitar

76 CHAPTER 16 Make Up Riffs On Guitar MAKE UP RIFFS Add more variety to your songs by playing riffs To make up riffs, you just play parts of chords and mix in notes from the super simple solo patten. The Key of G is the easiest key to start making up riffs in so that s the key we ll use in this example. You could make an entire album just by using the chords in the Key of G and this super simple solo pattern. It s that easy. If you want to make up riffs anywhere on the guitar neck in any key you just use the code that you learn in Guitar On the Spot - Using the Code. Click here to learn more about Guitar On the Spot - Using the Code. Note: This chapter is almost the exact same as the first half of the previous chapter. To make up riffs in the key of G just follow three simple steps: MAKE UP GUITAR RIFFS IN THE KEY OF G 1 CREATE a Chord Progression in the Key of G! 2 DISCOVER the Super Simple Solo Pattern! 3 MAKE UP Riffs! 76 GUITAR ON THE SPOT - FREE E-BOOK - MAKE UP SONGS

77 Example 16.1 MAKE UP RIFFS IN THE KEY OF G 1 CREATE a Chord Progression in the Key of G! Create a chord progression in the key of G just like you did in Chapter 2. Just follow the steps in the example on the right. Roll a Die Look Up Each Chord in the Key of G in Jesse s Easy Chord Chart G Major Create a Back-Up Song 1st Roll 2nd Roll 3rd Roll 4th Roll I V VIm IV X X D Major E minor X C Major 1st Chord 2nd Chord 3rd Chord 4th Chord 2 DISCOVER the Super Simple Solo Pattern! To make up riffs in the key of G learn the super simple solo pattern on the right. When you first play this pattern, play the notes one at a time in the order shown in the diagram on the far right. Use the specified finger for each note. To play the notes along the top of the diagram you just play the string by itself (as an open string without any fingers on it). Solo Pattern in the Key of G E A D G B E 3rd Solo Pattern in the Key of G Play each note one at a time Play Open String Index Finger Middle Finger Play 1st Play 2nd Play 3rd Play 4th Play 5th Play 6th Play 7th Play 8th Play 9th Play 10th Play 11th Play 12th 3rd So to play the first note, just pluck the low E string by itself. To play the second note, place your middle finger on the 3rd fret of the low E string and pluck that string. To play the third note, pluck the A string by itself. To play the fourth note, place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the A string and pluck that string. To play the rest of the notes just follow the diagram. Then try playing the notes in the reverse order. Once you get comfortable playing the notes in order, then you can skip around as long as you only play the notes in this pattern. MAKE UP RIFFS ON GUITAR 77

78 3 Example continued MAKE UP RIFFS IN THE KEY OF G MAKE UP Riffs! First make up riffs by alternating between strumming each chord and soloing like you did in the previous chapter. In other words, strum the first chord once or twice, then solo by playing any notes in the solo pattern. Do the same thing for the second, third and fourth chords. Once you ve gotten the alternating down then just play parts of each chord, like only two strings at once. And then mix in individual notes from the solo pattern between playing the chord parts. See the example on the right. You can play any notes in each chord or in the solo pattern G Major E A D G B E Solo Pattern 3rd Alternate Alternate between strumming and soloing Strum Solo Strum Solo Strum Solo Strum Solo I V VIm IV 2 1 X X X X G Major 1st 2nd Solo Pattern X X D Major E A D G B E Solo Pattern 3rd E minor E A D G B E Solo Pattern Make Up Riffs X X X 1 3 X 1st 2nd Solo Pattern X X X 2nd 1st 3rd 3rd Solo Pattern X C Major Play parts of chords then notes from the Solo Pattern Strum these two strings twice } Play these notes one after the other. The 1st note is an open string Strum these two strings twice } D Major Play these notes one after the other Strum these three strings once } E minor Play these three notes one after the other Strum these three strings three times } X X X C Major E A D G B E Solo Pattern Play this note once 3rd Solo Pattern You could make an entire album just by using the chords in the Key of G and this super simple solo pattern. It s that easy. You can make up riffs up and down the guitar neck using the code that you learn in Guitar On the Spot - Using the Code. Click here to learn more about Guitar On the Spot - Using the Code. 78 GUITAR ON THE SPOT - FREE E-BOOK - MAKE UP SONGS

79 Appendix

80 APPENDIX A How to Tune Your Guitar HOW TO TUNE A GUITAR Each string is tuned to a note The thickest string is tuned to the note E, the lowest note on the guitar. The next string is tuned to the note A, then D, G, B and the thinnest string is tuned to the note E again, but two octaves higher than the low E string. E B G D A E Thinnest String Thickest String Using a Guitar Tuner Using a guitar tuner is the easiest way to tune your guitar. It s a little electronic device that you can buy at the music store. Set the switch on your guitar tuner to the low E string. Pluck that string and turn the tuning peg so that the needle on the guitar tuner goes to the middle of the meter. On some tuners there is a light that turns green. Do the same process to tune the rest of the strings. On some tuners you need to change the switch for each string. Using a Pitch Pipe If a tuner doesn t fit in your budget, buy a pitch pipe. A pitch pipe is like a harmonica, except it only has six notes, one for each string on the guitar. Blow into the low E note on the pitch pipe and at the same time play the low E string on your guitar. If the string is out of tune with the pitch pipe you will hear a subtle wah wah wah sound. Try to eliminate the wah wah wah sound by turning the tuning peg of the E string either clockwise or counterclockwise. The wah wah wah sound slows down as you get closer to being in tune. It may take a little practice to be able to hear the changes in the wah wah wah sound. 80 GUITAR ON THE SPOT - FREE E-BOOK - MAKE UP SONGS

81 HOW TO TUNE A GUITAR BASED ON ONE STRING If you can get at least one string in tune, you can tune the rest of the strings 1 Tune the low E string using a tuning fork, a pitch pipe, piano or another guitar by playing the E note on one of those devices while plucking the low E string at the same time. Listen for a wah wah wah sound and adjust the E string tuning peg to eliminate the sound. The wah wah wah sound slows down as you get closer to being in tune. E B G D A E 3rd 5th Tune the low E string to a device such as a tuning fork or a piano Play the A note on the 5th fret of the low E string and at the same time pluck the A string. These are the same notes. Listen for the wah wah wah sound and adjust the A string tuning peg to eliminate the sound. Tune each string using the previous string. With almost every pair of strings, the note on the 5th fret is the same note as the next string. The only exception is the 3rd string where the note B is on the 4th fret. See the diagram on the right. E B G D A E 3rd A 5th Tune the A string using the A note on the 5th fret of the low E string E B G D A E 3rd B E G D A 5th Tune each string using the previous string HOW TO TUNE YOUR GUITAR 81

82 Dedication & Acknowledgments This book is dedicated to my mom and editor, Joyce Hunt. You wouldn t be reading it if it weren t for her. Without her motivation and expertise I would ve never finished. Thanks Mom! I would also like to thank my dad, Bill Hunt for his support, patience and guidance along the way and my two sisters Malia Kakos and Makena Hunt for their editing expertise. Thanks to Charles Gerstner for his help with designing the Guitar on the Spot logo. A special thanks to Matt Meyer, the best guitarist I ve ever met, who convinced me to start playing the guitar. Thanks to Jesse Aukeman who lent me his guitar for 6 months so I could get started without buying one at first. Thanks to Jadranko Brkic for his deep analysis of this book. Thanks also to Dr. Jon for making sure this made sense, Andrew for testing out the product, Tamarie Wilderman, Mike Brunet, Dave Zell, Jeff Flowers, Dave Wang, Myka and Santiago for their editing help and input. And everyone else who pointed me in the right direction. Thank you! Jesse 82 GUITAR ON THE SPOT - FREE E-BOOK - MAKE UP SONGS

83 About the Author Jesse Hunt grew up playing the piano and saxophone but all he could do was play other people s songs. What he really wanted to do was make up his own songs, he just didn t know how. Eventually he quit both instruments out of frustration. It wasn t until later in life that he was inspired to play the guitar. He learned some chords and some songs but was again faced with the same problem, How to make up his own songs? He bought tons of guitar books and waded through pages and pages before he finally understood the Key Concept. Then it all made sense. Now he makes up his own songs and experiments all he wants. He wrote Guitar On the Spot - The Song Making System to simplify all of the information that he had learned so anyone could make up their own songs on the guitar. ABOUT THE AUTHOR 83