Guitargate Fundamentals 202 - Closest Moves

Ok - here is a core Guitargate focal point, and you should embrace it with all of your heart. The whole concept behind learning all of the 5 shapes for every chord is so that you can access anything you need no matter where you are on the guitar neck. 

This is commonly referred to as economical playing.

In order to play economically, you need to feel comfortable in knowing your neck forwards and backwards. Here’s a little secret that masters of the neck know:

The note you are looking for is never more than 1 fret away. 

This is a big deal, so again, embrace it. It’s easy to only play pattern 2 and 4 and memorize root son the 6th and 5th string. But I implore you to not take the easy way this time.  We have learned all 5 shapes, so lets use them to really unlock the neck. 

So here’s how to practice this:

Pick a progression and a key

1. Find the lowest playable shapes for the chords in that progression
2. Play the progression 
3. Increase chord shape for each chord by one degree to reach next position of closest moves for that progression
4. Continue in this fashion through all 5 shape positions, up and down the neck
5. Try different keys and progressions

For example:

In the key of C, let’s do a 145 progression. That’s C, F, and G Major. 

• The lowest playable shapes are Pattern 1 C, Pattern 4 F, and Pattern 3 G. 
• The next position will yield Pattern 2 C, Pattern 5 F, and Pattern 4 G. 
• Then Pattern 3 C, Pattern 1 F, and Pattern 5 G. 
• Then Pattern 4 C, Pattern 2 F, and Pattern 1 G. 
• The last position will be Pattern 5 C, Pattern 3 F, and Pattern 2 G. 

Again, when working this out, always start with the octave shape and then play the chord. It’s good to get in the habit of visualizing the root movements, not just the whole chord shape. 

Dive into this with both feet. I know it’s a lot, but it will pay huge dividends. I mean it!