Chord Note-Substitutions

http://www.andrewwasson.com/

Andrew Wasson of Creative Guitar Studio answers questions from off of his Guitar Blog website...

Q). In my high-school jazz band we often get charts where the chords are listed with options, like instead of a Ma7, it suggests a Ma6. My jazz band teacher doesn't play guitar, but he calls these, "Chord Note-Substitutions." Could you perhaps talk about this one week on your blog? Thank you for all the great videos!
Terry -- Wisconsin, USA

A). This concept essentially revolves around finding your own distinctive chord voicings for a piece. For example, if a piece of music suggests a Dom.7 chord in one measure, you can most certainly try inserting any kind of extended chord such as 9th, 11th or 13th But, we're not just limited to that group either. We can also insert altered ideas as well, (b9, #9, b5, #5)). Many of the end use note substitutions you might perhaps try inserting will function just fine. However, the use & final application of this approach can also depend on what notes the songs' melody is giving you. If say, perhaps you get a melody tone that can relate to a Dom. 7th chord as a b9, then that's great! But, turning that same chord into a straight Dom.9th would obviously clash, as those two tones are a ½ step apart, (causing a degree of dissonance). So, in the video, I've put this idea into play with a short musical example I created for this video. In the end, the object of this note-substitution idea, is to make chord voicings unique. As long as you stick with the original chord qualities, the substitutions will normally operate just fine. Just be sure to always analyze the note-substitution against the melody and all should go well for you.

Thanks for writing in.

The Creative Guitar Studio Web-site:
http://www.creativeguitarstudio.com/

Andrew's Official Q & A Guitar Blog Website:
http://www.andrewwasson.com

Andrew's "Creative Guitar Studio" YouTube Channel:
http://www.youtube.com/creativeguitarstudio/

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[MBCplayerzoob]

let's please be civil and concentrate on learning from Andrew's awesome lessons. Thanks, Andrew!

[jippie11261]

@frwyguy, I do have to agree with "Mouthy Bob's" comment, (damn you're rude)...You should really do the overlay work yourself. You'll learn a lot more doing it as well. You can't expect others to do all the work for you. In doing it yourself you will get a lot more out of the process overall.

[ArielsSmartyPants]

Nice smile on the #9 "Hendrix" chord, thanks for this lesson.

[frwyguy]

@boblawblaws604 Lazy? I practice guitar 6 hours a day five days a week Einstien. I am not working on Andrews lessons right now, as i am in Mel Bay Modern Guitar Method Finishing grade 2. I have taught myself to read music, and i have 7 whole songs with backing that i play from memory. LAZY? I just wanted to hear the exercises in context. I do more guitar work in a week than you do in a month! How about a little one on one guitar battle bro? Let's just see who has been lazy!!

[aceoffspades1]

thanks



[singhars]

thank you w.

[capaseto]

Awesome!

[Hrv4ch]

Awsome dude!

[boblawblaws604]

@frwyguy,

Hey, ya LAZY arse... Why the heck don't YOU record the chords he's given and play his melody over them YOURSELF. Andrew already made & posted the bloody video for you - Geez, quit being so lazy... How on Earth do you ever expect to get better as a player if somebody else DOES everything 4u??? Do it yourself man. COME ON!

[frwyguy]

Could you play the examples and put the changes in context, so we can hear the substitutes in action?