Tomo Fujita Guitar Wisdom

Hi Tomo,

Please excuse me if you have already explained this and I missed it. I’m working on Lesson AT20 – Phrasing in Thirds.

I understand ascending in thirds: the notes follow the root and third of the ascending diatonic chords corresponding to the chord being played in the progression. For example:
• Over G: G – Am – Bm
• Over C: C – Dm – Em

When descending, however, I notice:
• Over C, the thirds are based on the diatonic chords for F (C-Bb-Am-Gm-F)
• Over D, the thirds are based on the diatonic chords for G (D-C-Bm-AM-G)

Is there a theoretical rule or principle that determines which key or chord the descending thirds reference?

Thank you for your help.

Brian

Thank you Brian for working in this topic.

In 3rds... simply start with C to E, D to F, E to G, F to A, G to B. A to C, B to D.... C
Please sing Do Mi, Re Fa, Mi So, Fa La, So Ti, La So, Ti Re.... Do.

Only using one string one finger approach first when you learn anything here.

Then you do backwards for descending.

It's very simple! Phrasing in 3rds... You can apply any keys.
Do in C... Do in F... Do one more! 3 keys so good!

Tomo

Thank you, Tomo, for your response.

I think I may not have expressed my question clearly. In Lesson AT20, the phrasing in thirds is applied to a G blues progression. I understand the ascending pattern — using the root and 3rd notes of the corresponding scale (for example, over G: G–A–B–C–D).

What I was hoping to understand is the descending pattern. For example:
• Over C, the descending notes are C–Bb–A–G–F, which outline the notes of an F scale rather than C.
• Over D, the descending notes are D–C–B–A–G, which outline the notes of a G scale rather than D.

My question is: Is there a principle behind why the descending thirds reference those particular keys (so I can adapt the idea to other keys), or is it more a matter of phrasing and voice leading?

Thank you again for your guidance,
Brian

You’re very welcome Brian!

Blue Monk phrase you can use it too.

You can add 3rd on G…… so you get 3rds.

Going down for G blues. You can use G F E D… so you can add 3rds… B A G F

So you can think all intervals.
G F E D = R b7 M6 5 (bottom notes)
B A G F = M3 9 R b7 (top notes)

For C7… same intervals.
Top = R b7 M6 5
Bottom = M3 9 R b7

Same as D7.
But there are many possible positions so you can learn all.

This case. All 7th chord. Mixolydian scale.
You can do all 3rds or all 6ths.
Blue Monk melody is so useful.

Please let me know.

Tomo