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Over the past five weeks we've studied the relationship between CAGED major chords and the major scale. Now you've gained a better understanding of the fretboard and how to visualize chord tones when soloing, it's time to apply that knowledge with a 12 keys exercise that is challenging, musical and fun!
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Before trying the exercise with a jam track in real time let's talk through the approach.
Step 1
Choose an area of the neck that spans 4 frets.
For example, I'll choose the 3rd-7th fret, or "third position" meaning first finger to fourth finger covers the 3rd-7th frets.
Step 2
Find a chord voicing for C major.
As the first key for this exercise is C major identify a C chord voicing you can play in the third position. For example, the CAGED A shape:
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Step 3
Choose your scale to solo with. I suggest using the major scale with the jam track, but it's also helpful to identify the 3 note arpeggio (R-3-5) within the chord voicing and the accompanying major pentatonic scale.
That way you're seeing 3 notes, 5 notes, then 7 notes, are aware of the intervals and how the chords and scales are connected:
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If you don't remember how to find these,
Review this lesson based around the CAGED A shape
Step 4
Play the C major scale inside the CAGED A shape. This is the scale you'll use with the jam track so make a visual connection between the the scale and the CAGED chord voicing:
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Be sure to play the full range of the major scale above and below the octave while staying in position.
Step 5
Repeat steps 1-4 for the next key and each key after that.
Prepare To Jam
The jam track modulates in 4th's so after C the next key is F major.
In the same position on the neck, look for an F major chord.
Which voicing would you play? The CAGED D shape.
Review the CAGED D shape here
Here is the F chord and major scale, CAGED D shape in the 3rd position, again playing the full range above and below the octave:
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The next key up a 4th from F is Bb major, so visualize a Bb major chord.
The shape for a Bb chord in the 3rd position is the CAGED G shape.
If you're having trouble seeing the shapes, look for the lowest root note in that position on the neck. For example, if looking for Bb major, you'll see that the lowest Bb note is on the low E string at the 6th fret.
Once you see the root note ask yourself which CAGED shapes have their root note on the low E string? That would be the E shape or the G shape. Visualize the CAGED open chord shapes.
If we used the E CAGED shape the chord would be out of third position, but The G CAGED shape for Bb starts on the 6th fret and remains in third position.
Jam!
Once you have the concept down it's time to turn our attention to quickly seeing the major scale so you can improvise over the jam track in real time.
-Take the first few keys of this jam track or if you're feeling confident try all 12!
-Stay in the third position (3rd-7th fret)
-Visualize each major scale/CAGED chord right before the chord changes. The order of keys is C-F-Bb-Eb-Ab-Db-Gb-B-E-A-D-G
-Improvise and create a melody using the major scale. Use the full range of the major scale above and below the octave while staying in position
-Try to continue your melodic idea as the key changes, while staying in the same position.
-Once you've finished all 12 keys, move to another position on the neck and repeat the whole process, staying in that position!
You can also repeat this jam exercise using the major pentatonic scale.
If you need to review the shapes:
C CAGED A CAGED G CAGED E CAGED D CAGED
Apply what you've learned and make music!
Often students are comfortable playing in a few keys but if you put the time in on this exercise you'll become fluent in all keys anywhere on the neck. Be patient - this is a practice exercise you can do for a long time and keep coming back to, but if you keep at it you will see results!
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Last Week's Email
A Musical Method For Memorizing Scales CAGED D Shape
P.S. New TrueFire Course Pre-Order- Take 5: Modal Improvisation
This course will help you quickly understand the modes and give you 5 unique applications that will show you the way they can be used to bring your soloing to life. You can PRE-ORDER the course here
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Thanks for reading! Have comments or a question? Send me an email
Now go practice soloing with the major scale in all 12 keys and I'll see you next week. Please forward these emails to friends and encourage them to subscribe.
Stay safe and take care.
-Rob
Visit me at https://www.robgarland.net and on Instagram
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