Apply This Magic Pattern To Help You Understand the Guitar Much Better (For All Guitar Players)

Introduction

Are you ready to unlock a magic pattern that will revolutionize the way you think about the guitar neck and music in general? Whether you're a beginner or an advanced player, this pattern will significantly improve your understanding of the instrument. In this blog post, we will explore the concept of a magic pattern that appears all over the fretboard, helping you effortlessly navigate between major and minor chords. Brace yourself for a mind-blowing revelation that will enhance your improvisation, notating, ear training, and songwriting skills.

Unveiling the Magic Pattern

After over thirty years of teaching and playing guitar, I stumbled upon a pattern that had never been explicitly taught to me. This pattern is a simple yet profound concept that exists on the guitar neck, waiting to be discovered. The pattern can be summarized as follows: wherever there is a major chord, there is always a minor chord three half steps behind it. Similarly, wherever there is a minor chord, there is always a major chord three half steps above it. This pattern holds true for every major key in every genre.

Understanding the Major Scale

To fully grasp the magic pattern, it's essential to have a basic understanding of the major scale. The major scale serves as the benchmark for measuring music theory. By assigning numbers to each note of the scale, we can identify the chords built off these degrees. For example, in the key of C major, we have the following degrees: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 1 (C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C). This diatonic structure provides the foundation for chords in various genres.

Unlocking the Magic Pattern in Chord Progressions

The magic pattern allows guitarists to instantly identify alternative chords within a progression. By recognizing the relationship between major and minor chords, you can easily switch between them. For instance, when playing a minor chord, you will always know where a major chord is located, and vice versa. This knowledge opens up seemingly endless possibilities for chord progressions, making your compositions more dynamic and interesting.

Exploring Chord Substitution

Chord substitution is a technique widely used in jazz and other genres to create unique sounds and progressions. The magic pattern serves as a valuable tool for chord substitution, enabling you to replace chords with related alternatives. The author explains the concept of relative major and minor keys, where the same notes are used but with a different tonal center. By recognizing the relationship between chords in related keys, you can confidently substitute chords to add flavor and complexity to your playing.

Unlocking Melodic Possibilities

The magic pattern not only applies to chords but can also be applied to melodies. By combining the major and minor forms of a chord, you can access a broader range of melodic possibilities. This understanding allows for improvisation and the creation of unique melodies within a given key.

Applying the Magic Pattern to Different Chord Forms

The CAGED system provides various ways to play the same chord shape across the guitar neck. By applying the magic pattern to different chord forms, you can effortlessly extract notes and create melodies. This technique empowers you to explore the fretboard, experiment with different chord voicings, and express your musical ideas with confidence.

Conclusion

The magic pattern revealed in this blog post is a game-changer for guitarists of all levels. By understanding the relationship between major and minor chords, you gain a powerful tool for chord progressions, chord substitution, and melodic exploration. The pattern unlocks a new dimension in your guitar playing, enabling you to see the instrument and music from multiple angles. Embrace this magic pattern, and watch as your understanding of the guitar expands, enhancing your musical journey.