Active Melody

Learn to play blues guitar.

  • Log In
  • Weekly Lessons
  • Take The Tour
  • Forum
  • Hear From Our Members
  • Membership Sign Up

MicroLesson: 043 – Embellishments over a G and C chord

Description

In this MicroLesson (ML043) I’ll show you how to play some simple, but powerful embellishments over a G and C chord. The goal of this lesson is to make your rhythm playing more interesting.

Free Guitar Lesson

Slow Walk-Through

Only available to premium members.
Register for premium access

Video Tablature Breakdown

Only available to premium members.
Register for premium access
Curious about the benefits of
Premium Membership?
Try it for FREE!
arrow_downYou need to be logged in as a premium member to access the tab, MP3 jam tracks, and other assets. Learn More

Add to "My Favorites"

You need to login or register to bookmark/favorite this content.

Comments

  1. Aussie Rick says

    November 28, 2017 at 6:17 pm

    Wow – another great little MicroLesson. As a result of these lessons I’ve begun to really enjoy rhythm playing – an area in which I had little interest and even less ability. Thanks Brian; your efforts have made playing even more fun and has gotten me on track to becoming a more complete guitar player.
    Rick

    Log in to Reply
    • pheartscott says

      December 31, 2017 at 4:45 pm

      I agree, rhythm is fun when your learning more than just basic strumming. I like it as much as lead and much of it incorporates lead work anyhow.

      Log in to Reply
  2. PJR says

    November 28, 2017 at 10:23 pm

    Thanks Brian. I’ll be using this a lot.

    Log in to Reply
  3. frankie05 says

    November 29, 2017 at 7:02 am

    Love these chord embellishments!! And I like the way the micros break things down into bite size pieces. Thanks so much!! Is the next step the three positions up the neck of minor chords and the embellishments on those?

    Log in to Reply
    • Brian says

      November 29, 2017 at 9:48 am

      Sure πŸ™‚

      Log in to Reply
  4. mcnessa says

    November 29, 2017 at 8:09 am

    Sweet! Looking forward to trying this one in different keys.

    Log in to Reply
  5. Raymond P says

    November 29, 2017 at 10:40 am

    Great lesson Brian, and very sweat sounding chord embellishments
    Thanks
    Ray P

    Log in to Reply
  6. townheadbluesboy says

    November 29, 2017 at 11:38 am

    This is exactly the stuff I want to be playing – breaking out of the standard chords. Thanks a lot.

    Log in to Reply
  7. Tom l says

    November 29, 2017 at 2:08 pm

    another great lesson Brian ! thanks Love the sound of your Ceo-7
    I’m a big Martin fan. So big I went to Nazareth in september to visit the Martin factory (and bought another Martin)
    greetings from Belgium

    Log in to Reply
  8. Ian M says

    November 30, 2017 at 2:10 am

    Bit of an esoteric question but does the fourth of the fourth work because it’s the dominant seven of the root?

    Log in to Reply
  9. Jack J says

    December 1, 2017 at 4:27 pm

    EXCELLENT LESSON. EXCELLENT. Love it. In case anyone is unaware this is a perfect example of using the CAGED system for improvising chords. I understand this even though I’m lacking in the ability to use it like Brian does. I have not joined this site yet but I am repeatedly seeing lessons that are very usable. Some teachers show different things that are great but due to my lack of experience with improvisation I don’t know how to use the great information. Learning another lick is fine but when you can actually use that lick in real music (you know, songs, etc. πŸ™‚ ) that ‘s when it gets great. Everyone knows songs in G. Using this chord lick in a song I already know should be pretty easy as well as make it more interesting. In addition to that, as Brian says “using the 4 chord of the 4 chord” is a piece of music theory I was unaware of. Maybe it isn’t in a theory book but still it is a guideline to remember. Thanks Brian. You are gradually sucking me into being a full fledged member of your site. What I like is having the tabs to what I just learned. I could write the tabs myself but that is time consuming. Being able to see them download them, print them, etc. makes it possible to always have them to reflect on later. I can’t count the times I’ve learned something and then as I learn other things that one thing gets forgotten about. With the tabs or access to different lessons as a full member makes stumbling upon an old lesson easy AND great. It’s like finding that $50 in the sock drawer you forgot about. πŸ™‚ Thanks Brian.

    Log in to Reply
    • Ray B says

      December 11, 2017 at 7:39 pm

      Hey, just jump on with both feet. It’s awesome! I did the free portion of the lessons for a couple of months before signing on. I’ve learned more usable tips and techniques in the last 8 months than all the chord plunking and memorizing I’ve done in the past 40 years. My friends hear me play now and ask me, “what happened? Man that sounds great”. It’s Active Melody…that’s what happened!! Finally I can start piecing together little instrumental breaks and fills for songs I’ve been strumming for years that I could only dream of doing before….and shoot it isn’t that hard when it finally starts to click.

      Log in to Reply
    • garry p says

      August 23, 2018 at 10:49 am

      It’s very inexpensive to get one of the best players on the web to show you his style. IDK what it is about this style I like so much…But it always makes me just smile…I’m learning a new way after 25years…

      Log in to Reply
  10. Johnny D says

    December 3, 2017 at 12:01 pm

    Really a lot of useful stuff packed into a short lesson…very very cool.

    Log in to Reply
  11. Michael H says

    December 23, 2017 at 9:56 am

    Great lesson Brian! I noticed in your strumming patterns the way you use rests can you do a lesson maybe start simple on counting the strumming pattern out and using rests to get that consistent melodic feel that you always play with. Thanks.

    Log in to Reply
  12. Chris Rogers says

    January 14, 2018 at 11:06 am

    Awesome! Thanks Brian! This also sounds so awesome when incorporating ml044! When I learn how to post videos properly, I’d love to share what I’ve came up with using these two ml!

    Log in to Reply
  13. Waseem says

    March 16, 2018 at 10:46 am

    True not only for this micro lesson but so many more as well as weekly lessons: I signed up only about a month ago and learned so much more than in years! – In all fairness to other teachers, I just wasn’t ready for this universe to which Brian is now opening the door to.

    By the way, I play most of this with and without a pick (finger style and alternate picking like similar to Ry Cooder, Mark Knopfler, J.J. Cale). Give it a try too if you are looking for extra spectrum.

    Log in to Reply
  14. garry p says

    August 23, 2018 at 10:46 am

    Love your lessons…You play and bar the top 4 string a lot…D G B E and create great things with that bar. I’m trying to get that down, but I’m not there yet as I seem to be muting strings in the process. can’t figure that out but I’m working on it. Great Lesson again Brian. Well Done.

    Log in to Reply
  15. Michael R says

    November 23, 2018 at 7:14 am

    Just found the ML lessons–excellent. Lots of good stuff packed into a short lesson. Keep em coming…

    Love the guitar–I have a CEO 7

    Log in to Reply
  16. Norman M says

    July 31, 2019 at 1:24 pm

    If the four of the target four chord can be substituted for, or used as a transition to, the target chord, can lead work notes, theoretically, be used the same way? In other words, if the lead work notes, for example, are around an F chord can those same notes be used if the song changes to a C chord? Just wanted to know before I tried.

    Log in to Reply
  17. Julie I says

    July 31, 2019 at 2:38 pm

    Brian,
    I signed up a few weeks ago and just love your lessons. I was ready for a site like yours and have gathered so many small wins in the ones I have done so far. Thank you so so much!

    Log in to Reply
  18. Michael W says

    October 22, 2019 at 4:34 pm

    I’ll take a simple C to G and feel brand new about it- Alan Toussaint

    Log in to Reply
  19. Michael W says

    October 22, 2019 at 5:04 pm

    4 chord of the 4 chord Franklin’s Tower all the way for my fellow Deadheads

    Log in to Reply
  20. Robert M says

    May 27, 2020 at 9:43 pm

    I don’t own an acoustic but I do have a hollow body Gretsch electric so I have the best of both worlds. Love this MicroLesson and the theory behind it. I’m hearing a bit of James Taylor in that 4th of the 4 chord descension Brian!

    Log in to Reply
  21. Walter S says

    September 2, 2020 at 2:44 pm

    Sounds like the beginning of a CSN song, the name of which escapes me at present.

    Log in to Reply
  22. Marlon C says

    September 2, 2020 at 6:23 pm

    Wow, Brian! This micro lesson was a MAJOR lesson! Enlightful and inspiring! Thank you!

    Log in to Reply
  23. Jack F says

    September 3, 2020 at 5:47 pm

    Just want to say thank you. Sheltering in pace ; the micro lessons are fantastic. And free too, you sir are are a generous soul.
    A gentleman and a scholar, and there only a few of us left.
    Regards and much thanks

    Log in to Reply
    • Julian S says

      November 24, 2021 at 8:11 pm

      And the best way we can repay Brian the generous soul for all of the knowledge he shares with us is to sign up and become a paying member. πŸ™‚
      Thanks Brian for all that you do.
      Jules

      Log in to Reply
  24. Lynne R says

    March 25, 2021 at 10:09 am

    Hi Brian.
    Thanks for these great tips!
    How about doing a micro lesson on Sus2 and Sus4 chords along with chord diagrams for the various shapes.

    Log in to Reply
  25. Drew D says

    March 25, 2021 at 1:04 pm

    once again, excellent tips for learning this lovely instrument.

    Log in to Reply
  26. Robert R says

    September 23, 2021 at 1:27 pm

    Hi Brian. Would you explain the strum tablature?
    Thanks.
    Reuven

    Log in to Reply
  27. Chris H says

    February 9, 2022 at 5:14 pm

    Very cute, Brian … always pick up a neat trick or two from your lessons!

    Log in to Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Don’t have an ActiveMelody account? Sign Up.

Links

  • Blog
  • Resources
  • About
  • Contact
  • FAQ
  • Refunds & Cancellations
  • Sitemap

Recent Lessons

Looking for rhythm ideas? – Guitar Lesson EP465

Connect simple fill licks to the E, A, and D chord shapes – Play in ANY key! – EP464

Visualize and use 3 minor scales when improvising lead – EP463

Contact

For all support questions email: [email protected]
For all other inquires email: [email protected]
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

© 2022 · Active Melody LLC. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use

Free Weekly Guitar Lessons
Enter your email address below to have the weekly guitar lesson delivered to your email address. I take privacy very seriously and will not share your email address.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Active Melody
  • Weekly Lessons
  • Take The Tour
  • Forum
  • Hear From Our Members
  • Membership Sign Up
  • Log In