7. Double Notes
What You’ll Learn in This Lesson
There’s one simple but powerful way to blues up a melody: double notes.
To show how effective this is, I’m using the most boring melody I could think of:
Here’s how it works:
You can add either the root (E), or 3rd (G) on top of each note in the scale.
Every scale note has an E added above it.
Every scale note has a G added above it.
A good question to ask is: When do I use the root, or the 3rd as the top note?
The short answer: whichever is easiest to play.
And what’s easiest? The note right under your fingertips.
If it feels easy, it will sound effortless.
And if it sounds effortless, it will sound good.
A Small Detail That Changes Everything
Look at Exercise 6.
The scale runs straight down from E to E.
But at one point, a single note breaks the pattern.
That note is called a pivot note.
It’s very subtle, almost like a ghost note.
You barely notice it, but it gives the line character.
When Are You Done With This Lesson?
You’re done when you can play the full video from start to finish without mistakes.
Ok, if you feel inspired, stay a little longer and experiment with double notes and ghost notes.
Overdo it on purpose. Make every note a double note to really feel the effect.
Not sure where to start?
Take this single-note melody and transform it using double notes and ghost notes.
(I’ve hidden my solution in the Materials tab so you don’t see it right away.)
Here is my solution to the additional exercise:
