Jazz Guitar Chord Melody #1 :
Harmonizing tunes
Jazz guitarists say "chord melody" to describe the way they play a certain song. It is in fact the harmonization of a melody (aka playing chord AND melody at the same time). I like to see it as arranging for an orchestra that has six strings! This page will get you started with the basics. It can also help you refine your own concepts and ideas if you're an intermediate or advanced player. You can take a look and get general advice from this page or go directly to the jazz standards page to get my own chord melody arrangements.
0. Prelude
You must know and love a song from which you'd like to create a chord melody. It is also advisable to know what chords accompany the song. A "lead sheet" of the tune is useful because of it's visual nature.You must also be motivated enough to create your very own version of the chord melody you are working on. There's no right (...or wrong) way to do it. Often ask yourself : What works for me? Being a "do-it-yourselfer", I deeply believe in the power of self-discovery. It's much more rewarding and improvement comes faster this way. Trust me on this... Finally, this aspect of jazz guitar will quickly lead you to expand in different areas of your playing : sound, theory, technique, repertoire, overall musicality, time feel, improvisation, etc. Most of all : Have Fun !!! (-:
1. Melody
The first step is to learn the melody you are working on inside out. And I really mean it! Sing it, play it, shake it... until it becomes part of you.The theme (or "head" or melody) is always leading. It is SO important and often overlooked on guitar. I think of it like this : my playing is a car and the melody is driving it. I go where it wants to go! Also aim to play the melody mostly on the higher strings (1st and 2nd preferably). It will help later on when we harmonize with chords on the lower strings.
2. Harmony
The next step is to learn the chords you wish to use under the melody. (Yes that is right : melody on top, chords under!) Chords are important but not as important as the melody. To continue on the analogy I made earlier : The melody is driving the car, the chords are the streets. The car goes wherever it needs to (even off-road sometimes!) So harmony may suggest or guide the melody, that's all. Memorize chords and the sequence in which they appear. It's best, while not absolutely necessary, to know and understand what notes are contained in each chord.
3. Chord Melody
It is time to combine the magical ingredients!Play the melody and use appropriate chord shapes underneath. The melody will end up being the "top note" of the chord shape. That is the "big picture" of chord melody playing. What if the melody is not an available "top note" in any chord shape? This is a great opportunity for you to learn new material! You can always find a new voicing or another inversion of a well known chord. Check out this
chord melody drop 2 reference (PDF)
This task of finding your way through tunes is tremendously rewarding. By learning new ways of playing in the context of a tune, you are in fact practicing technique to serve musical needs. Exactly what the music is all about! There is much more to say on the subject. I will leave it to future articles. Meanwhile, try it! Play and have fun! Also try my arrangements on the jazz standards page.
<------ Back : Jazz Guitar Chords Lesson
<---------------------- Back to Home Page
|
