Adding Extra Notes to A Chord
A fingerpicking pattern can be enhanced by altering the chord shape with the addition of other notes based around the chord. The notes that can be added to a chord shape are normally taken from the respective Major and Blues scales. For information on scales see the back of this book. The term lick is used to describe a fingerpicking pattern that incorporates the use of other notes based around the chord.
Basic G Chord Licks
The following diagram highlights the common notes often incorporated into a fingerpicking pattern over a basic G chord. The basic chord shape is only the 3rd finger on the root bass note (6th string) and the fourth finger on the first string. Note that it is not necessary to fret the 5th string bass note (2nd fret). The recommended fingering for the other notes is also shown.
The following example is based upon a basic G chord. Extra notes are incorporated into the fingerpicking pattern to create a G chord lick. Special attention should be given to the suggested left hand fingering.
In order to get the correct effect for the following lick do not let the open second string(B) and the note on the third string, 3rd fret(Bb) ring together. Immediately after the Bb note is sounded lift the fretting finger of the string.
Basic C Chord Licks
This next diagram highlights the common notes often incorporated into a fingerpicking pattern over a basic C chord. The basic C chord is fretted as normal with most of the extra notes played with the fourth finger.
To play the next example hold a basic C chord shape throughout. The other fretted notes in the lick are played with the fourth finger.
Picking Four Notes Together
It is also common practice to pick four strings simultaneously. This is when the right hand fingers pick three treble strings at the same time a bass note is picked.
In exercise 71, the i, m and a fingers pick the first three strings at the same time. It is important to pick all strings as evenly as possible so each string has the same volume and tone.
The following C chord lick features the picking of four strings at the same time. A small bass run has also been incorporated in the lick.
Basic D Chord Licks
Basic D chord licks are based upon several left hand fingering options. Two options are shown here. The first diagram is the standard D fingering with the F# bass note. The second option uses a half bar on the first three strings.
The slides in the following D chord lick are quick slides. The first note in each slide contains no time value. Both notes are played within the same beat.
The following example uses both of the previous D chord shapes. The bracket at the beginning of the third bar indicates a bar across the first three strings.
Combining Chord Licks
Example 75 combines G licks, C licks and D licks.
Basic E Chord Licks
The diagram highlights the extra notes that can be added to an alternative fingering for the basic E chord. This fingering allows the 3rd and 4th fingers of the left hand to play the extra notes.
The next example is an E chord lick in ^ time.
The next E chord lick incorporates a B seventh chord.
Basic A Chord Licks
Basic A chord licks are based upon two left hand fingering options. The first diagram shown is the standard basic A chord fingering. The second option uses a half bar on the first four strings.
The first A chord lick is based upon the basic A chord fingering. Pull-offs are also featured throughout this lick.
The next A chord lick is based upon the second A chord option shown in the previous diagram. The first finger bars across the first four strings.
F Chord Licks - Root Six Major Bar Chord
F chord licks are based upon the alternative fingering for the root six major bar chord (see diagram). This fingering frees the 4th finger of the left hand, allowing this finger to fret the other notes based around the chord to create licks.
The root note of this chord shape is located on the 6th string which determines the name of the chord depending on which fret the chord shape is fretted.
The next example is an F chord lick. All the extra notes that can be added to the F bar chord are fretted with the 4th finger of the left hand.
In the following example the root six major bar chord shape is used for the F bar chord (1st fret), A bar chord (5th fret), Bb bar chord (6th fret) and the G bar chord (3rd fret). For more information on Bar chords see Progressive Guitar Method: Bar Chords.
B Chord Licks - Root Five Major Bar Chord
B chord licks are based upon the alternative fingering of the root five major bar chord. The notes within the chord shape on the 2nd and 3rd strings are played with either the third or fourth finger, depending on the lick. The next diagram illustrates this chord and highlights the additional notes based around the chord that may be used to create licks. The root note of this chord shape is located on the 5th string which determines the name of the chord depending on which fret the chord shape is fretted.
In this example the previous chord shape is used for the B chord (2nd fret).
