Developing riffs from Chords:
We played a song in G and D, the 1 and 5 chords.
To achieve the Blues sound (or mountain sound) riffs should be developed using the Minor Pentatonic scale of a note.
You can create riffs from a chord i.e. D chord, by using the Minor Pentatonic scale of D
1 - b3 – 4 – 5 - b7 – 1(8-R)
D - F - G – A – C – D
Since the chord of D is composed of A, D and F#, the F# note is not in the Minor Pentatonic scale, therefore you can:
- change it to a 4 (G) by making a Dsus, or 5 (A) by changing the finger on the high e-string or
- by muting the note/string.
The same theory works for other chords. You do not want to play or strum a 3 note!
Example of a D chord riff: 5-b7-1-b3-4-5-b3-1 (hope this is right)
Example of a G chord riff: 1 - 4 – b7 – b3
G Minor Penta: G – Bb – C – D – F - G
G chord: you can change the open B string to a D note by putting a finger on the 3rd fret and making D note.
For next class: Practice the lead for “You Can Shake It You Can Brake It”.
