Alex Skolnick on chord extensions with melody
Chord names like Am13 and F#maj7#11 are pretty scary; they sound as though they'd be hard to play and impossible to use musically. While we can't promise that these chords are easyto play, there is an easier way to use them.
Ignore the crazy chord names and make up your own melodies around simpler chord shapes instead. The melodic notes in jazz are usually responsible for these chord names. As the melody notes change, they imply a new harmony in relation to the chord; hence, you get loads of chords with confusing names.
If you look at Example 1, the melodic notes create loads of different chords, but they're all related to simpler barre chords you've probably seen before.
As you play through Alex's solo, try to think of the basic chord shapes, not their confusing names!
Next page: video examples tabbed
Example 1: Am extended chords
(Click tab to enlarge)
Each chord has its own sound. Most importantly though, you can see each one as a relatively simple extension to a more familiar chord shape.
Example 2: solo with extended chords
(Click tab to enlarge)
Get the MusicRadar Newsletter
Want all the hottest music and gear news, reviews, deals, features and more, direct to your inbox? Sign up here.
If you're daunted by the whole piece, try playing just the chords one bar at a time. If you've got the chords nailed, adding the melody won't be so hard.
Total Guitar is Europe's best-selling guitar magazine.
Every month we feature interviews with the biggest names and hottest new acts in guitar land, plus Guest Lessons from the stars.
Finally, our Rocked & Rated section is the place to go for reviews, round-ups and help setting up your guitars and gear.
Subscribe: http://bit.ly/totalguitar
"When it comes down to chords, we don’t often spend much time talking about Brian May – until now": learn 4 from his Queen classics
His musical career has taken him from blues to pop, reggae, country and back again as we hone in 4 key chords from the career of old Slowhand himself to help you mine some inspiration for yourself