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MicroLesson: 049 – Learn 3 Essential Positions for Playing a 1, 4, 5 Chord Progression

Description

In this MicroLesson (ML049) you’ll learn how to play a 1, 4, 5 chord progression (used in blues, rock, and country) by playing the chords in 3 different positions up the neck. This will allow you to easily change keys and play them in any key without the need for a capo. You’ll also be able to use these positions when playing lead by targeting specific chord tones.

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Comments

  1. adam-quin says

    February 7, 2018 at 5:52 pm

    Hell yeah this is helpful thanks Brian!

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  2. BeachBill says

    February 7, 2018 at 7:38 pm

    Wow, this is one of those “light bulb” lessons for me. My understanding of the fretboard has increased a LOT over the last 30 minutes. Thank you, Brian.

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    • James T says

      February 8, 2018 at 8:04 am

      I agree! LIghtbulb moment! Simple and powerful conceptual design useful understanding! Thanks.

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  3. JoLa says

    February 7, 2018 at 10:33 pm

    This microlesson is a big “light bulb” moment for me, too! I had to look at the tabs and listen to the lesson twice to understand but I got it!
    And how come, after a few years of playing, I only now started hearing of triads…?
    Oh, there’s so much to learn! Thank you, Brian, for those short and easily digestible lessons.

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  4. scattercreek says

    February 7, 2018 at 11:51 pm

    Another great mini lesson Brian! Thanks.

    Gene

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  5. Tremelow says

    February 8, 2018 at 1:52 am

    Very helpful lesson, Brian. Thanks!

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  6. David R says

    February 8, 2018 at 4:36 am

    I’ve said it before, what a great ML this is, Thanks Brian.

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  7. Aussie Rick says

    February 8, 2018 at 4:05 pm

    Another great little lesson Brian. Love these bite-size gems.
    Rick

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  8. Aussie Rick says

    February 8, 2018 at 4:46 pm

    Brian – you mention that once you’re able to play a 1,4,5 chord progression at different places on the neck, then you can start to incorporate those chords into your lead playing. Would love to see a lesson that demonstrated this some time.
    Rick

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  9. scattercreek says

    February 8, 2018 at 5:09 pm

    Hey Brian,

    On the Soundslice it says “key of c” for all three keys if you scroll down and look just below the bpm of 85. That might be confusing to some.

    Gene

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    • Brian says

      February 8, 2018 at 9:35 pm

      Hey Gene, good catch! Thank you for letting me know. I have corrected the tabs and soundslice. You may need to refresh your browser to view.

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  10. TooSmooth says

    February 9, 2018 at 4:48 am

    I knew about the Keith Richards chords from other lessons, but this really put it together. Now I know where they are in relation to other chords. Thanks man! It’s starting to come together!!

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  11. Raymond P says

    February 9, 2018 at 8:32 am

    Another great lesson that makes the fret board easier to navigate.
    Thanks Brian

    Ray P

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  12. James F says

    February 9, 2018 at 9:18 am

    yep, “lightbulb” for me too… it’s one of those things that, in retrospect, seems so duh-obvious.. but it never, ever occurred to me. … starting on the A7 shape for I vs the E7 shape for I. Small lesson, big impact, thank you.

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  13. frankie05 says

    February 11, 2018 at 8:20 am

    So maybe we change the “micro lesson ” title to “lightbulb sessions”

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  14. wrightclick says

    February 14, 2018 at 4:26 pm

    Good quickie Brian and a nice drill . Room for expansion on this using triads 234 and 123 strings every guitarist needs to know his hers partial chords so important ..

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  15. Leslie C says

    February 16, 2018 at 3:00 am

    Great lesson Brian opened up a lot for me
    Is this an intro to the CAGED syatem
    Ive been trying to understand it and now I have
    a better idea about the CAGED system Thank you
    the stretch for the Blues shuffel is difficult wow.

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  16. bstrum says

    February 20, 2018 at 7:49 am

    Good practice,

    How about some bar chord practice exec ices?

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    • Brian says

      February 20, 2018 at 2:59 pm

      That’s exactly what the homework is for.

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  17. Guillermo V says

    February 21, 2018 at 1:58 pm

    Amazing!! What a teacher…in 1 month here I’ve learn more than in my whole life! So grateful!

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  18. Paul G says

    February 27, 2018 at 5:13 pm

    Sorry to be such a newb but what lesson can I go to to find out what you mean by saying the “1,4,5” chord progression?
    What do the numbers mean?

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    • Brian says

      February 27, 2018 at 5:59 pm

      Hey Paul, check out this lesson – it’ll clarify what the 1, 4, 5 chord progression means – https://www.activemelody.com/lesson/create-chord-arrangements-using-major-scale-ep237/

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  19. Rich F says

    March 8, 2018 at 1:57 am

    Hi Brian!

    Brilliant lesson!

    Using the L-shape, I have found that I can play two-fingered power chord versions of the 1, 4, 5…. which sound great! Could you do a lesson on that?

    Cheers,

    Rich F.

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  20. Robin S says

    March 22, 2018 at 6:58 am

    Tech Problem: When I try to use Video Tab Breakdown I get message “Your browser doesn’t support playback” Not a problem with other Lessons so far as I can see, just this one.
    I am Tech incompetent, can anyone help ?

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    • Brian says

      March 22, 2018 at 11:31 am

      Robin, this is a browser issue of some kind. It could be a setting – or something with your cache. Try clearing your cache and restarting or try using a different browser

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      • Robin S says

        March 22, 2018 at 3:13 pm

        Thanks Brian.
        Will get help !

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  21. neal a says

    April 24, 2018 at 8:23 am

    Wow, I just answered my own question. That’s a real handy lesson. Thanks, Brian

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  22. Dennis N says

    October 12, 2018 at 2:19 pm

    thank you Brianrealy turns the lit on

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  23. Dennis N says

    October 12, 2018 at 2:21 pm

    thank you Brian it realy trurns the lite on

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  24. ~ shaman says

    April 23, 2020 at 10:13 am

    Yessir… kinda like a lightning bolt striking the corpus callosum and sending a charge into both halves of the brain, pulling it all together. Thanks for the enlightening micro-lesson!

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  25. Joseph A says

    July 30, 2020 at 1:32 pm

    I don’t recognize the tablature notations, would you provide/direct me to explanation.

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  26. Pete H says

    February 24, 2021 at 2:17 pm

    Fairly new to Active Melody this year after seeing the freebies on YouTube and I sure have picked up a few lightbulbs just recently . Enough for a chandelier even !!
    It’s all maths with Triangles/Squares and L shapes., but the visualisation and patterns really helps me when on the fretboard. Thanks Brian, really worth the subscription.
    Best wishes from the UK

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  27. David C says

    February 24, 2021 at 2:27 pm

    Another way to do the I IV V is to do the C in the A shape and do the F and the G in the D shape using the top 3 strings.

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  28. Vijay P says

    May 1, 2021 at 4:22 pm

    Total unlock for me! Love this micro lesson. Super helpful. I’ve struggled a lot with true music theory and these little patterns are slowly helping my concrete brain map the fretboard. Slowly. lol

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    • Drew D says

      May 26, 2021 at 1:32 pm

      you got that right bro…. loving these lessons for sure! Absolutely amazing. cheers.

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  29. Greg W says

    September 1, 2021 at 8:05 pm

    Brian,
    Love the lesson, but when I print out the tablature the type is pretty small. Tough for these old eyes to see on a music stand.
    How can I get the lesson tabs in larger print?

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  30. Derrick S says

    December 8, 2021 at 5:49 am

    Oh my, Brian, after countless hours of watching video’s, this micro lesson has been a huge aha moment for me. It obviously took all the other videos, about chord progression, circle of fiths, caged, string notes, L shaped chords and tied them all in. This was huge for me.

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