Progressions

Progressions

It's time to learn a few progressions and play some lead. Usually a blues progression would use the Gm7 or 7 chords, but we need to learn these first.

This exercise will help you build up those movable E type or root 6 bar chords. This progression will help you use those chords and start to see how progressions work.

Count slowly and evenly from 1 to 4 playing the indicated chord on the indicated count.

G major root 6 bar chord at the 3rd fret.

	This is the root 6 major type bar chord. You can play this progression using this fingering pattern at the 3rd, 8th and 10th frets.
	The G major chord would have the index finger covering the 3rd fret.
	The C major chord would have the index finger covering the 8th fret.
	The D major chord would have the index finger covering the 10th fret.

Drum Track

Repeat the whole progression over from the beginning.

Listen to this 12 bar blues type progression using the chords G7, C7 and D7. Even though these are major types of chords, you can use minor scales to play over them. Try to play Gm pentatonic which has the same notes as Bb major pentatonic over the G7 or G chord. Play Cm pentatonic over the C7 chord Cm pentatonic has the same notes as Eb major pentatonic. You can also play the Dm pentatonic over the D7 chord. Dm pentatonic has the same notes as F major pentatonic.

Remember, once you learn the Am pentatonic scale root note fret, you can use that same fingering to play in other keys. For Gm pentatonic, start on the 3rd fret low E string, look below. For Cm pentatonic use the same fingering below, but start on the 8th fret. Dm pentatonic would use the same finger, but start on the 10th fret. All the pentatonic minor root note fret positions use the 1-4 1-3 1-3 1-3 1-4 and 1-4 fingering.

	Here's a sample lead using the G blues type rhythm and lead. I've used the three illustrations above for the lead guitar part.
	Try another progression starting with the A chord.
	Use the blank illustrations to fill in each scale completely on the whole fretboard. Start with just the notes of the Cm pentatonic. Then fill in one of the illustrations of just the Gm pentatonic scale. Do the same thing with the Dm pentatonic scale. By doing this you will learn all the different positions to play each scale, just like we did with the Am pentatonic scale.
	Practice the major pentatonic scales.
	Practice the major progressions.
	Practice the minor progressions.

Good luck,

From the Jam Room