Planxton's Farewell Part 1 | Free Online Guitar Lesson

lesson summary

Lesson 5 of 14 in our Fingerstyle Series: Planxton's Farewell Part 1

"Planxton's Farewell" is an original piece of music by Steve Eulberg. In this lesson he teaches you how to play the first half of this wonderful tune.
Chapter 1: (00:53) Intro Music Welcome back to the Phase 2 Fingerstyle Guitar series with Steve Eulberg! Steve begins lesson 5 with a performance of an original piece entitled "Planxton's Farewell." In the scenes that follow, Steve will explain the techniques essential to this piece. Chapter 2: (05:36) Start Planxton's Farewell Techniques Involved in the Piece

-Unlike "Freight Train," an alternating bass pattern is not used to accompany the melody. The accompaniment consists of an arpeggio figure that is applied to each chord in the progression. Chords are occasionally strummed with the thumb to add variety.

-Similar to pieces discussed in previous fingerstyle lessons, the melody line is played by the middle and ring fingers on the second and first strings.

-Some rather advanced chords that may be new to you occur throughout the progression. Challenging chords such as diminished chords and minor seventh chords are used. Steve will break down the appropriate left hand fingering of these difficult chords. In addition, chord diagrams with proper left hand fingerings are included under the "Supplemental Content" tab.

Chord Progression

"Planxton's Farewell" is played in the key of D major. As expected, the song begins with a tonic D major chord. The tried and true "open" voicing is used for the tonic chord throughout the piece.

For the most part, "Planxton's Farewell" uses chords that are diatonic to the key of D major. Common diatonic chords are the I, IV, V, ii, and vi chords. Respectively, these chords are D, G, A, Em, and Bm in the key of D major. However, non-diatonic chords are occasionally used to add extra color to the progression. For example, the second chord in the progression is A fully diminished seventh (Ao7). This chord is not diatonic to the key of D major. It contains an Eb note, which is not within the key signature.

Diminished Chord Voicings

Steve plays the diminished chords in this piece with a common movable voicing. This voicing is played on the upper four strings.

Typically, this diminished voicing is fingered as follows:

6th String: omitted
5th String: omitted
4th String: 1st finger, 4th fret
3rd String: 3rd finger, 5th fret
2nd String: 2nd finger, 4th fret
1st String: 4th finger, 5th fret

Use this fingering when playing the diminished chords in "Planxton's Farewell." It is most conducive to playing the melody in a smooth, legato fashion.

Note: For more information about diminished chord voicings, refer to lesson 47 of Brad Henecke's Phase 2 Classic Rock series.

Function of Diminished Chords

Diminished chords either function as dominant chords or as embellishing chords. When a diminished chord tonicizes the chord that follows, it carries out a dominant function. When a half step movement occurs between the root note of a diminished chord and the chord that follows, it carries out a dominant function. In this scenario, the diminished chord is said to "tonicize" the chord that follows. In other words, the diminished chord makes the following chord tonic, or home base. For example, in the progression Bo7 - C major, Bo7 carries out a dominant function. A half step occurs between the root notes of these chords. Bo7 tonicizes C major.

A diminished chord is embellishing in function when it share ones or more common tones with the chord that it follows. In the case of the first measure, Ao7 embellishes the first chord, D major. Both D major and Ao7 contain the notes F# and A.

Symmetrical Nature of Diminished Seventh Chords

A fully diminished seventh chord is formed by stacking minor third intervals above the root. This gives the chord a symmetrical structure. Due to the symmetrical nature of diminished chords, there are only three possible diminished chords available. When a specific diminished chord is shifted up or down three frets, the chord is simply inverted. The Ao7 chord that is used in the first measure is later shifted down the neck three frets to first position. When the chord is played in this position, it still contains the same notes. The notes are simply stacked in a different order. Diminished chords built on the roots C, Eb, F# and A are identical. Since these chords are identical, any note within the chord can be referred to as the root note.

Compare the spellings of the following diminished chords below.

Co7: C, Eb, Gb, Bbb(A)
Ebo7: Eb, Gb, A, Dbb(C)
F#o7: F#(Gb), A, C, Eb
Ao7: A, C, Eb, Gb

As you can see, these chords contain the same notes.

Practicing the D to Ao7 Change

During the first measure, Steve arpeggiates the D major chord with his right hand. Remember the right hand rules that have been discussed in past fingerstyle lessons when performing all arpeggios. The thumb plucks all notes located on the three bass strings. The index finger plays all notes on the third string. Second string notes are played by the middle finger. Finally, the third finger plays all notes on the first string.

After the arpeggiation of the D chord on beat 1, the chord is strummed with the thumb on beat 2. Steve uses the fleshy pad of his thumb to produce a soft timbre. This chord can also be plucked with all of the right hand fingers. Compare the sound of these two techniques to determine which sounds best to you.

A similar arpeggio pattern is also applied to the Ao7 chord. This right hand pattern occurs frequently throughout the A section of "Planxton's Farewell." Subsequently, significant practice time should be devoted to mastering it. Steve breaks down this arpeggio figure in detail at 04:25 in the lesson video. Practice the D to Ao7 chord change along with Steve to ensure that your rhythm remains accurate. Also, make sure that your right hand remains accurate.

our genre lessons

Phase 2, Genre-Based Guitar Lessons

Phase 2 of our teaching method focuses on genre specific techniques and skills. After you have mastered all of the lessons and topics covered in Phase 1, you then move onto your preferred genre of music. Our phase 2 lessons are taught with the overall idea that you are already equipped with a basic understanding of the guitar, how to play notes, read tablature, and position your finger correctly.

about Steve Eulberg

Steve Eulberg: Award-Winning Songwriter & Instrumentalist

join jamplay!