chord chops help plz

[ajdowton]

My teacher recently commented to me that in practising alternate and sweep pickiing fanatically I have let my chord chops decrease. I am looking for song recommendations, or maybe somebody could make a pwrtab etude for improving chord chops. I don’t mean like metally powerchords, but clean stuff.

Thanks

[metaljustice83]

I think the best way to learn some new chords is to learn some jazz, I mean there are chord solos, so if you can find some chords outta that to learn,....I dunno, I guess you can't, but you get what I'm sayin.

[ajdowton]

Ok. Could you maybe suggest a jazz song that would be good and isn't too hard (and not in frig weird timing please!)

[Schooligo]

Hi,

could you be more specific as to your Teachers EXACT concerns?

What did he/she say about the concerns?

what concerns does he/she have?

and what did your teacher recommend so that you can work & overcome these issues?

[ajdowton]

Well, I’ve got guitar exams coming up, and I was just strumming a few chords when he said that my chord chops weren’t quite were they should be at, probably because I’ve been practicing alternate picking. Because we had exam stuff to go to on with he didn’t elaborate. He just said that I should find a chordy song or etude and use that. He said stuff like that chord changes weren’t clean enough, and that some notes weren’t sounding quite right. That kinda stuff

[Danster]

Hey there ajdowton,
There is a book on ebay by Al DiMeola called "Scales, Chords, and Arpeggios" that will get you some good practice on chord chops. Buy it now for $7.99.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2566471797&category=38104

Incidentally, its not my book. I do have the book, but I'm not selling mine.

[Schooligo]

well since you have access to your teacher I would ask him the EXACT 3 questions(and maybe more, but those 3 are a good start!) I asked you on the previous reply post

"I was just strumming a few chords when he said that my chord chops weren’t quite were they should be at,"

this statement could be a HUGE topic, and therefore you need to have more specifics as to his concerns,
& if a style of music is what he is referring to:
ie. you need to work on applying & improving your knowledge to embellishing chords, learning new chords such as Minor7b5 chords, Dominant7#9b5,
concerns with fingerings, positions, etc.

but in general:
study ALL the articles & forum questions at IBreathe.com pertaining to these issues.

There is ALOT of awesome knowledgeable advice, and musicians at this site!!!

"He said stuff like that chord changes weren’t clean enough, and that some notes weren’t sounding quite right."

general advice
Regarding rhythm & chord progressions:

if necessary break down each individual part required by each individual hand.
(I'm right handed so I'll describe this as a right handed guitar player uses the instrument)

ie.(without even fretting on the fingerboard,
though if you want you can lay your left hand on the fretboard so it is muting ALL strings)

play the particular rhythm to the song by working on the strumming rhythmic aspect, be aware of these 3 considerations- actually the attack, sustain, and decay.
especially concentrate on ACCENTING when playing any rhythm
(this also helps to be more conscious of dynamics & possibly increased uses of dynamics when playing)

It's been said so many times, I'll say it again

Practice with a Metronome,

1. concentrate on just the right hand:
ie. practice so that you can play the right hand rhythm to the tempo of the metronome IN TIME.

when fingering chords for the left hand,
if there is a concern about the chord not sounding properly
play the chord as an Arpeggio

ie. After fingering the chord on the left hand,
play each INDIVIDUAL string seperately (via your picking hand) so that each individual note is sounding & sustaining
regarding when appropriate to the song & chord your playing.

2. concentrate on just the left hand:
ie. practice with the metronome setting the tempo at a pace so that you can change/finger chords with the left hand per the chord progression IN TIME to the beat of the metronome

Be familiar with the Chord Progression:
if you familiar enough with the chord progression you may use the same voicings of the chord but a different fingering which is strategy so that you can more efficiently change to the next chord.
ie. see this thread
http://www.ibreathemusic.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=16728#post16728


3. Putting both hands together & it all together:

set the metronome at a SLOW tempo, so that you can change chords with the left hand, play the rhythm with the right hand, and play it so that the tempo is such that you can play the song, rhythm, & chord progression without errors.




"I am looking for song recommendations,"

some helpful cool songs just "off the top of my head" are

in no particular order though some will be more challenging than others
(I'll limit this list to rock for now)

bush(machinehead)
taproot (poem)-very similar to Boston's piece of mind which you could also play along with)
semi charmed life-I think it's 3rd eye blind
tonic(if you could only see)
incubus(Drive)
doobie brothers(long train running)
led zeppelin(Gallows pole)
extreme(hole hearted)
goo goo dolls(Slide)

for the "gallop type" rhythms & chords
I recommend listening & playing
Iron Maiden(trooper, hallowed be thy name, etc),
Queensryche(queen of the ryche)
etc.

there are many many others but those are a few with cool rhythms, chord progressions, etc.


Hope this has been helpful!!!

[Shaun]

Hey, ajdowton, try checking out Mr. Big's to be with you. The solo can also teach diads and triads. Hope this helps. :D

[ajdowton]

I actually have learnt this solo. It was on one of his vids (Terrifying Guitar Trip). Thanks

[ajdowton]

Thanks. This is really helpful. Especially the song suggestions, as I find it easier to work on some technique in a song context.