Sample Lesson: Pedal Tones

In this lesson we'll be demonstrating how you can incorporate any of the Chords with pedal tones.

In all styles of music the use of a single note (pedal tone) held or repeated against a series of chords has been a very important and widely used technique in composing. With the use of pedal tones you can develop countless background pads on which you can compose melodies, improvise solos, or create chord melodies. As the pedal tone is sounded, the chords (traditional or 21st Century) will pass under, through, or over it. The resulting effect is one of shifting tonal colors, and varying degrees of tension as each chord interacts with the pedal tone. On the guitar, open strings offer great potential for truly colorful pedals. The following examples illustrate the use of pedal tones set against a mixture of traditional and 21^st Century chords.

Suggested Guidelines:

1. Play example as written in whatever rhythm you prefer.
2. Choose groups of 2 or 3 chords and improvise various progressions, letting each chord's sound-color dictate direction and duration.
3. Use your favorite traditional chords with various pedal tones in similar fashion.
4. Combine 21^st Century and your own traditional chords into various progressions over, under, and through pedal tones.
5. Let your ear and imagination guide you.

PEDAL E - 6th STRING