Major + Minor Triads Pt. 2

In this masterclass led by Jack, the focus is on expanding guitar playing skills through the understanding and application of major and minor triads, as well as non-diatonic chord progressions. Jack begins the session by playing a rhythm guitar piece to lay the foundation for the discussion. Despite being under the weather with a cold, he seamlessly introduces the concept of triads, explaining how they are constructed and how they fit into diatonic and non-diatonic chord progressions. He uses the piano as a visual aid to further illustrate these concepts, making it easier for viewers to grasp the theoretical aspects of music theory related to guitar playing.

Throughout the masterclass, Jack demonstrates various triad shapes across the guitar fretboard, emphasizing the importance of understanding these shapes in order to improve improvisation skills and chord progression comprehension. He explains the significance of chord tones (root, third, and fifth) and how targeting these tones can enhance soloing and melody creation. Jack also delves into the concept of spread triads, showing how rearranging the order of triad notes can yield interesting and musically rich results. This portion of the masterclass is particularly hands-on, with Jack providing numerous playing examples to illustrate his points.

As the masterclass progresses, Jack discusses the practical applications of triads and spread triads in creating guitar parts that complement songs and other instruments. He encourages experimentation with the triad shapes and concepts discussed, suggesting that viewers apply them to different chord progressions to see what they can come up with. Despite some technical difficulties with his camera, Jack remains focused on delivering valuable guitar insights and tips. The session wraps up with Jack reminding viewers to explore these triad-based concepts further in their practice, promising to delve deeper into such topics in future live streams.

Transcript Summary

  • Introduction and Health Update (00:00:03 - 00:00:46)
    • Jack greets his viewers and mentions that he is under the weather with a cold.
    • He plays a rhythm guitar piece to lay the foundation for the lesson.
  • Recap on Major and Minor Triads (00:03:21 - 00:05:14)
    • Jack discusses major and minor triads from the previous week.
    • He introduces the concept of non-diatonic chord progressions.
    • Explains diatonic means, using the C major scale as an example.
  • Understanding Chord Numbers and Transposing (00:06:42 - 00:09:54)
    • Jack explains the numbering system for chords and its usefulness in jazz and Nashville music scenes.
    • He emphasizes the importance of understanding chord relationships for easy transposition between keys.
  • Applying Triads in Non-Diatonic Progressions (00:15:21 - 00:24:24)
    • Jack plays a chord progression demonstrating non-diatonic chords.
    • He analyses the progression, highlighting how certain chords don't fit within a single key, but can still be understood through triads.
    • Discusses the concept of 'tonal center' and how it influences soloing and chord progression.
  • Expanding on Triads and Scale Integration (00:30:07 - 00:51:25)
    • Jack explores different triad patterns across the fretboard.
    • He demonstrates how to move through chord progressions using triads.
    • Discusses mixing triads with scales for more complex solos.
  • Creating Melodic Lines with Triads (00:58:10 - 01:04:58)
    • Shows how to connect triads melodically over a chord progression.
    • Jack plays a rhythm track to demonstrate applying triads for creating solos.
    • He stresses the importance of hearing and intent in musical improvisation.
  • Spread Triads and Voicings (01:08:03 - 01:33:43)
    • Jack introduces spread triads and their application in creating atmospheric parts.
    • He demonstrates various spread triad voicings across the fretboard.
    • Concludes with how these concepts can be creatively applied to generate unique guitar parts.