Hi all,
Just wanted to share my notes on these lessons. I'll provide practice video later as my own "baseline" and to track progress regularly (due to allergies-induced hiatus for 3 - 4 weeks; still figuring solutions). Welcome any feedback/your own understanding/comments on how to approach this important topic. Thanks.
Referred lesson: FTR 01 Triads and Inversions for 5th, 4th, 3rd strings
Subtitle / Objective:
1. Triads on strings 5 4 3; also on strings 6 5 4 (as the "shapes" are the same)
2. "Transposing" the shapes to F and G chords
3. Practice of right-hand muting between chord transitions
Pre-requisites: C Major Scale learnt; understand that E~F, B~C are half-steps
1. “Basic” triads
a. Composed of Root, 3rd and 5th
b. Root, 1st and 2nd inversion versions (think about ordering Do, Me, So differently)
c. Memorization is OK BUT may lead to wrong direction when mixed with other (concepts)
2. Know the C Major Scale on 2nd string, 5th string – i) run the one finger test and ii) run:
a. 2nd string: C on 1st Fret
b. 5th string: C on 3rd Fret
c. Also, recognize the “distance”/intervals that/between C – E is Major 3rd; E – G is Minor 3rd; G – C is Perfect 4th (because of 2 whole step + 1 half step)
3. Traids and Inversions in String 5, 4, 3 and details on how to practise
a. [Overarching importance] fingerings; do not press too hard with fretting hand
b. 5th string:
i. Root position: x 3 2 0 x x | F: x 3 2 0 x x
ii. 1st inversion: x 7 5 5 x x | F: x 3 1 1 x x [Don’t press too hard.]
iii. 2nd inversion: x 10 10 9 x x | F: x 3 4 2 x x
iv. Root position (repeat, as 12th fret mirrors 0 fret): x 15 14 12 x x | F: x 4 3 1 x x [NOTE: fingering is different though.]
v. Details: Thumb does NOT need to go up and mute the 6th string, as we are only playing the 5th string onwards.
c. During practice
i. Right hand is used for muting all notes before the fretting hand’s shift to the next chord.
ii. Think about the individual notes (e.g. Me, So, Do) and how they form the 3 positions of the chord.
iii. It’s about the (good) sound, not the shape.
iv. Use less pressure on fretting hand
v. No fretting hand finger/string noise
vi. Play softly and be mindful of sustain
vii. Play softer starting from 7th fret
d. Application: Key of C with chord progression of C G F C (i.e. I V IV I)
i. G chord (G-B-D) | V Chord:
(1) 1st inversion: x 2 0 0 x x | F: x 2 O O x x
(2) 2nd inversion: x 5 5 4 x x | F: x 3 4 2 x x [Note: Fingering is the same as C chord.]
(3) Root position: x 10 9 7 x x | F: x 4 3 1(barre) x x
(4) 1st inversion (12th fret onwards): x 14 12 12 x x | F: 3 1(barre) 1(barre) x x
ii. F chord (F-A-C)
(1) 2nd inversion: x 3 3 2 x x | F: x 3 4 2 x x
(2) Root position: x 8 7 5 x x | F: x 4 3 1(barre) x x
(3) 1st inversion: x 12 10 10 x x | F: x 3 1(barre) 1(barre) x x
(4) 2nd inversion: x 15 15 14 x x | F: x 3 4 2 x x
iii. Now run the chord progression I V IV I of the C Key with all root and inversions.
4. Strings 6 5 4
a. Key: the “fingering” is the same as with 5 4 3 strings
b. C chord
i. 2nd inversion: 3 3 2 x x x
ii. Root position: 8 7 5 x x x
iii. 1st Inversion: 12 10 10 x x x
iv. 2nd Inversion: 15 15 14 x x x
c. G chord
i. Root position: 3 2 0 x x x
ii. 1st Inversion: 7 5 5 x x x
iii. 2nd inversion: 10 10 9 x x x
iv. Root position: 15 14 12 x x x [Note: Index finger barre]
d. F chord [Same as above, where Index finger needs to barre at places necessary.]
i. 1st Inversion: 5 3 3 x x x
ii. 2nd Inversion: 8 8 7 x x x
iii. Root position: 13 12 10 x x x
iv. 1st Inversion: 17 15 15 x x x
5. Bad example/reminder: NO finger/string noise; Should use right hand to mute between chords.
Referred lesson links:
FTR 01: https://tomovhxtv.vhx.tv/foundation-triads/videos/ftr-01-triads-on-strings-5-4-3-and-learning-the-fretboard
Great job Hugo for a lot of details. No need to write those fingerings/numbers. I think if you write all those, that's too much work for you. Maybe you can take some nots with much more simplicity. Not bad idea to limit about size of writing notes. Great way to think note names/intervals/DoMiSo etc. Yes! Goal is no fingering noises/no string noises. Soft touch & soft picking.
Thank you for sharing!
Tomo
Thanks much Tomo. Will omit the fingerings later on and focus on the important bits. I'll get my practice video up, probably in the next week (or two) when my hands are alright to play. In the meantime, more listening and learning about theory!
Hugo
My pleasure! Good job! Looking forward to your practice video soon! This is a reminder for everyone about posting a video. 1) Limit under 2 minutes. (This was it is easier for many members can review a video) 2) One video for every two weeks. So please do not post a few videos. Only one video so we can focus one topic.
Tomo