shape in HyperTab
See what you've been missing
Basic vocabulary for rock guitar, displayed in shapes. Not just
chords and scales! See it online in the Building Blocks of Rock. Watch real-world examples in HyperTab with songs from
Stevie Ray Vaughan and
(coming soon) Iron Maiden.
same shape in
Building Blocks of Rock
Playing Guitar
A lot of guitarists learn some chords, maybe a scale or two, then think: "now what?" They wonder if they're missing something. Chords alone don't seem to fully explain where great riffs and songs come from, and when they try to solo or improvise, often it just sounds like playing scales.
Hi, I'm Kevin McFarland. I've played and taught rock, blues and metal for 35 years. Chords and scales are like grammar: they're just a foundation. You didn't learn how to speak just by studying grammar. You can't make your guitar "talk" just by studying chords and scales. You need to start learning some of the "words": the common licks, riffs and patterns that form the vocabulary of rock guitar. Check them out in my software: HyperTab and the Building Blocks of Rock (under development). See what chord and scale shapes don't show you. See what you've been missing.
| Most guitarists play by earThis is true across all skill levels, from legends to bar bands to the kid next door. |
| Playing by ear is visualCommon shapes and patterns are moved around based on the chord or key. |
| You don't need to know lots of scalesMost classic rock songs used just a few. |
| What you need are new ideasAnd new ways of looking at things. |
