Improvvisation #2: Country

Lets see how a solo could be developed following a country-type set up, which you can listen to in mp3 format, and can then try on the base. Always remember the shuffle division of the sixteenth rhythm.

Cadd9 chord - Bars 1 and 2
In this case the melodic line starts ahead of the so-called "bar 0", more precisely on the last sixteenth of the third movement. We immediately begin with a classical country lick, using double notes in slide. The entire melodic line is based on the major pentatonic of C. Pay attention to the extended fingering of the final part in bar 2.

Am11 chord - Bars 3 and 4
Another pentatonic in C major is found in the second part of bar 3. On the fourth movement of the following bar we have another typical country lick, formed by a release of the A note that descends to G. To obtain the release effect, use the third finger that previously played the second string of the eighth fret. This phrase introduces the next chord.

Fadd9 chord - Bars 5 and 6
In the first part of bar 5 we work on the pentatonic scale of F, then a lick built on sixth intervals of the C scale (which is the tonal scale). This phrase is obtained by playing a descending series of notes on the fourth string to a descending series of notes on the second string.
In bar 6 there is an interesting vertical use of the melodic line, which is emphasized thanks to the use of the slide and the large intervals from the vertical sequence of some notes. Everything is in the pentatonic of F.

Gsus4 chord - Bars 7 and 8
Another system of vertical development similar to the previous, with a different use of the notes related to the G7sus4 chord. In bar 8 we find the pentatonic scale of G major.

Cadd9 chord - Bar 9
We finish with a classical bending and release in full country style, which on the third string carries the D note to E (bending), to D (release) and back to E (bending), while the pinky plays a barrč on the first two strings which allows us to play the C (first string) and G (second string) notes. Remember to keep the pinky pressed after playing the first two strings.

If you want, you can print the complete score. In the next page we will analyzed a modern style solo.

Score

Base mp3 (3.272 KB)

Example Country mp3 (618 KB)

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