Too Many Notes! Part 2

Too many notes!

Now that we’ve worked out the melody reduction and cross-picking arrangement in the upper register, it’s time to drop it down an octave and repeat the process. First off we have the melody reduction. Here it is with the melody, and chords:

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Since we’re in the lower register we’ll be using the forward-roll for the cross-picking. If you’re not sure what that is here’s an explanation, and a few exercises. We’ll use the melody note as the starting point of the forward-roll, and then pick through the chord above that.

One thing I haven’t talked about is accenting the melody notes. What I mean by that is that we have to play them just a little louder than the extra chord tones, that way they stand out, and help the melody to be heard. Both of the recent arrangements can sound a little dull if you don’t pay close attention to making sure the melody notes are accented. If everything is the same volume then it just sounds like you’re picking through chords. Here is the forward-roll version of the melody reduction:

Once again – the melody reduction, and then the cross-picking arrangement based on it. Next we’ll explore ways to not only add more variation, but also a little more excitement to the arrangements using slurs in Hammer-ons, pull-offs, and slides. Oh my!

Beautifully printable PDFs here and here.

Thanks for your time and attention. I hope you enjoyed it. If you feel like this post added value, then please share it, and like us on Facebook. Thanks again, ’til next time, Happy pickin’!