R&B Rhythm Guitar Fills Pt.2 | Guitargate

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Instructors
Jamie
Lyle
Guthrie
Jack
Michael
R&B Rhythm Guitar Fills Pt.2

In this masterclass, Jack Ruch delves into the intricacies of guitar harmony and chord progression, offering insights that aim to elevate the participant's understanding and application of music theory on the guitar. Starting with the basics, Jack explains how chords are constructed and how they interact within a chord progression. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the relationship between chords, scales, and arpeggios, suggesting that a comprehensive grasp of these elements is crucial for any guitarist looking to improve their soloing and comping skills.

Jack introduces the concept of secondary dominant chords, illustrating how they can be utilized to add tension and color to a chord progression. He meticulously explains how these chords function within the context of a progression, providing examples and suggesting exercises to practice. The discussion then shifts towards diminished chords, as Jack explains their role in creating tension and leading the progression towards resolution. He demonstrates various voicings and how these can be superimposed over dominant chords to achieve a more complex sound.

Throughout the masterclass, Jack not only shares theoretical knowledge but also demonstrates practical applications on the guitar, offering a range of examples and exercises designed to help viewers internalize and apply the concepts discussed. He encourages experimentation and personal exploration, highlighting the importance of understanding the "why" behind chord choices and progressions. This approach helps demystify complex concepts, making them accessible to guitarists at various skill levels who are eager to expand their musical vocabulary and creativity on the instrument.

Transcript Summary

  • Introduction and Casual Chat (00:00:01 - 00:00:49)
    • Greeting and checking if people are online
    • Comments on the weather in Nashville and concern for his chickens
    • Mentions having five chickens with names
  • Lesson Overview (00:00:49 - 00:01:56)
    • Discussion on the interconnectedness of music, harmony, and guitar techniques
    • Emphasis on learning chords, chord shapes, and notes within chords for understanding lead guitar and solos
    • Importance of visualizing chord shapes on the fretboard
  • Chord Theory and Application (00:03:00 - 00:04:16)
    • Explanation of how chords and notes connect with each other in music
    • Illustration of a band as a single chord with each instrument contributing a different note
    • Examples of using chords and notes for fills and solos
  • Influences and Musical Examples (00:05:00 - 00:06:16)
    • Mentions influences from Ray Charles and Dean Parks, especially in using guitar fills
    • Describes the necessity of understanding harmony to effectively use fills and connect chords
  • Secondary Dominant Chords (00:08:00 - 00:20:55)
    • Introduction to secondary dominant chords for building and resolving tension
    • Examples of reharmonizing chord progressions using secondary dominants
    • Explanation of diminished sounds over dominant chords and practical applications
  • Practical Application and Exercises (00:20:55 - 00:59:04)
    • Application of secondary dominant and diminished chords in practical scenarios
    • Exercises for integrating these chords into playing styles and improvisation
    • Discussion on the importance of experimenting and practicing to develop one's unique voice on the guitar
  • Q&A and Conclusion (00:59:04 - 01:04:44)
    • Answers to viewer questions about diminished chords, secondary dominants, and practice strategies
    • Final thoughts on the value of understanding and applying music theory to guitar playing
    • Closing remarks and goodbye

Perhaps you remember seeing the video above titled “THIS MAN is my favorite guitar player in the world right now.”

Well nothing has changed. Jack Ruch is quite simply THE player I’m aspiring to become, and he embodies EVERYTHING that I try and teach on Guitargate.

From his buttery lines and perfect voice leading - to his beyond tasteful chord tone soloing - Jack is quite simply astounding.  And he absolutely KILLS live. A total professional & Nashville staple, Jack will be teaching you all of the things that he uses in real life, each and every night. You know: TRIADS, CHORD TONES, & MELODIES!

Premium Members get access to Jack's and all our pro ZOOM Lessons.