| Guitar players are often called upon to create | | | | need more mystery to captivate our listener's ear. |
| introductions and endings on the spot; the problem is, | | | | Changing the texture of certain notes in the scale by |
| very few guitarists know how to practice this aspect | | | | using open strings will do the trick nicely, here's how |
| of their guitar playing. | | | | we do that. |
| An effective introduction leads seamlessly into the | | | | Try the following to create a descending G |
| song leaving no question in the singers mind as to | | | | Mixo-Lydian mode using the cascading scale approach. |
| when they should begin singing. Unfortunately, many | | | | Play the note 'G" on the second string 8th fret; |
| times the guitarist uses this opportunity to show off | | | | pull-off to the note 'F', second string 6th fret; now |
| his or her's latest bag of hot licks and tricks; | | | | play the note 'E' first string open. |
| predictably with disastrous results. | | | | Over to the third string seventh fret for the note 'D', |
| Here's a simple yet effective way to create | | | | pull-off to the 'C' third string, fifth fret and then play |
| interesting and exciting introductions without | | | | the note 'B' second string open. |
| distracting the audience from the main theme; which | | | | Finally, play the 'A' note on the fourth string, seventh |
| is the story the singer is telling. | | | | fret and finish on the 'G' open third string. |
| Remember music is about storytelling not hot licks! | | | | This is how it would look on the guitar fretboard: |
| Step 1. Let's say we have a song in the key of C | | | | G Mixo-Lydian mode descending: |
| major; the first step is to select a chord that leads | | | | -----------0--------------------------- |
| naturally into the C chord. Notice I said a chord that | | | | --8---6----------------0--------------- |
| leads 'into' C; if we begin on a C chord our | | | | ---------------7---5-----------0------- |
| introduction will be "as dull as dishwater". | | | | ---------------------------7----------- |
| The obvious chord to introduce the C chord would | | | | Compare that cascading sound to the standard way |
| be the fifth chord in the key of C major... G7. | | | | of playing... |
| Check this out for yourself play a G7 chord; let it ring | | | | Standard G Mixo-Lydian mode (descending version): |
| for four beats then play a C chord, listen to how the | | | | --8---6----5--------------------------- |
| two chords flow naturally together. | | | | ---------------7---5---4--------------- |
| Step 2. Select the scale that accurately defines the | | | | ---------------------------7---5------- |
| musical mood of the G7. In this instance the scale | | | | For best results with the cascading scale leave your |
| would be G Mixo-Lydian mode. | | | | finger on the 'F' note while playing the 'E' open note; |
| G Mixo-Lydian contains the following notes: | | | | then, when you get to the 'C' note leave your finger |
| G-A-B-C-D-E-F-G As you can see the notes of the G | | | | on the 'C' while playing the 'B' note and finally leave |
| Mixo-Lydian mode are the same notes as the notes | | | | your finger on the 'A' note while playing the 'G'. |
| that naturally occur in the C major scale (C- | | | | The idea is to create tension be causing a |
| D-E-F-G-A-B-C) only arranged in a different sequence. | | | | bittersweet dissonance between the last fretted |
| Step 3. Use the unique open string qualities of the | | | | note and the next open string note. |
| guitar to create a 'harp like' effect that will intrigue | | | | Finally here is your introduction: |
| the listen and lead them gently into the song. | | | | Play one strum on 'G7', followed by your cascading |
| Since it's more common to hear a scale being playing | | | | version of the G Mixo-Lydian mode... then the first |
| ascending. let's start by playing our Mixo-Lydian scale | | | | chord of your song 'C' chord and you are on your |
| descending. | | | | way! |
| G Mixo-Lydian descending: G-F-E-D-C-B-A-G | | | | By re-thinking basic musical raw materials you will |
| O.k. that's more interesting than ascending but we'll | | | | discover countless ways to play creative guitar. |