Melodic Invention/Technique (Guitar Lesson)
What are you waiting for? Get your membership now!
Melodic Invention/Technique
Chris Liepe introduces his third Vai lesson with a deep explanation in creating Vai-like melodies. Covering techniques and some "inventing" concepts, Chris presents many different ideas for you to add to your Steve Vai toolbox.
Taught by Chris Liepe in Style of Steve Vai seriesLength: 32:32Difficulty: 4.0 of 5
In this lesson, we explore two of the many characteristics that are found in Steve Vai's melodies. First, we look at the the 5th and 9th intervals as examples of the way Vai tends to create melodies around larger intervals.
Next, we go over two positions of both Major 7 and minor 7 arpeggios and then we look at how playing these arpeggios over different basic chords creates various tonalities. Vai will often create a song out of a simple groove, or a few basic chords, but the notes he chooses when he’s soloing extend the meanings of the chords.
Check the supplemental content for the arpeggios and get comfortable with them. Written below is an explanation of what chord tonalities are created when you play a G Major 7th arpeggio over common chords. For example, when you play a G Major 7 arpeggio over an E minor chord, you combine the G Major 7 notes ( G, B, D and F#) with the Em notes (E, G and B) and you get E, G, B, D, and F# which creates the new, summed sound of an Em9 chord. Check out the other "chord equations" and then see if you can come up with some of your own after you've watched the demonstrations in the video.
Notes: GBDF#
played over Em: EGBDF#: 1b35b79: Em9 tonality
played over C Major: CEGBDF#: 13579#11: CM9#11 tonality
played over D Major: DF#AGB: 1 3 5 11 13: Dadd11add13 tonality
It is important when thinking in the way demonstrated in this lesson, that you are thinking musically. Use the theory as a starting point, but make sure and target notes that sound strong to you as you are playing. Create melodies, use repetition so that the notes you play are memorable.
Also, just as I demonstrated in the lesson, as you are practicing this concept, make sure you are recording yourself so you can listen back and think critically about your own playing.
This lesson intentionally does not demonstrate anything with the minor 7 positions. I have included the minor 7 positions so that you have something to work on and apply the concepts you have learned here. Have fun! Let me know if you have any questions!
Video Subtitles / Captions
Supplemental Learning Material
Style of Steve Vai
Found in our Beginner Lesson SetsTake a look at this series to learn many different tips and techniques to the Style of Steve Vai.
Lesson 1
Steve Vai Series Introduction
Chris Liepe takes moment to introduce his lesson series on Steve Vai. He demonstrates a Vai-like instrumental and explains what the following lessons will cover. For now, just sit back and enjoy Chris...
Length: 2:47 Difficulty: 0.5 Members OnlyLesson 2
Steve Vai Playing Techniques
Chris kicks off this lesson series with an in depth look at many different techniques Vai uses in his playing. From rhythmic moving 5ths, legato variations, interval sliding to multi-string tapping techniques,...
Length: 36:49 Difficulty: 4.0 FREE
Melodic Invention/Technique
Chris Liepe introduces his third Vai lesson with a deep explanation in creating Vai-like melodies. Covering techniques and some "inventing" concepts, Chris presents many different ideas for you to add...
Length: 32:32 Difficulty: 4.0 Members Only
Vai Licks and Riffs
Chris presents an information packed lesson on many different Vai-inspired guitar licks and riffs.
Length: 24:59 Difficulty: 4.0 Members Only
Rhythm Techniques
Time to get some Vai-inspired rhythm into your playing! Chris jumps into some power chords, clean rhythms, and everything in between to help demonstrate the unique sound of Vai.
Length: 12:59 Difficulty: 0.5 Members Only
Guitar Effects
Chris Liepe explains how Steve Vai achieves his unique tone.
Length: 20:05 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Central Lick Idea
Chris Liepe rounds out this Steve Vai Series with a concept called the "central lick idea." This idea can be used to explore new solo possibilities around a central thematic idea.
Length: 8:57 Difficulty: 4.0 Members Only
About Chris Liepe
View Full Biography
Chris Liepe was born on September 17th, 1981 in Portland OR. His first instrument was piano which he pursued until discovering his love for the electric guitar in high school. He became fans of such groups as Soundgarden, Collective Soul and U2 inspiring him to start singing, songwriting and helping others in their musical endeavors with teaching, co-writing and album production.
Having moved to Colorado with his family, he began gigging, recording and teaching in a number of music stores as well as out of his apartment until deciding to pursue music full time. He moved to Denver, CO to complete a Bachelors in Music Technology and was then hired on by Sweetwater Productions, a division of Sweetwater Sound and one of the largest, most successful recording studios in the Midwest.
Chris spent nearly 4 years at Sweetwater as a producer, recording engineer, studio musician and writer. During this time he had the privilege of working with many artists including Augustana, Landon Pigg, Jars of Clay, and Mercy Me. He also wrote for and played on numerous independent albums and hundreds of radio/TV commercials.
Wanting to get back to his favorite State in the world (Colorado) and feeling the urge to 'go freelance', Chris moved to Greeley, CO and opened his own recording and teaching studio. He continues to write and produce music for artists and agencies and is happy to be among the proud JamPlay.com instructors.
Acoustic Guitar Lessons
Our acoustic guitar lessons are taught by qualified instructors with various backgrounds with the instrument.
Don Ross
New fingerstyle instructor Don Ross introduces himself, his background, and what you should expect in this series.
Free LessonSeries Details
Pamela Goldsmith
Pamela brings a cap to her first 13 JamPlay lessons with another original etude inspired by the great Leo Brouwer. This is...
Free LessonSeries Details
Trace Bundy
Trace Bundy talks about the different ways you can use multiple capos to enhance your playing.
Free LessonSeries Details
Tyler Grant
Tyler Grant is back with an introduction to his new series "Classic Country Chops." In this series, Tyler goes in-depth...
Free LessonSeries Details
Dave Yauk
Learn a simple mini song that illustrates just how intertwined scales and chords really are. Dave uses a G chord paired...
Free LessonSeries Details
Nick Amodeo
Nick explains how to play some of the most commonly used chords in the bluegrass genre.
Free LessonSeries Details
Marcelo Berestovoy
Marcelo teaches the eight basic right hand moves for the Rumba Flamenca strum pattern. He then shows you how to apply it...
Free LessonSeries Details
Robbie Merrill
JamPlay welcomes bassist and founding member of Godsmack, Robbie Merrill. In this short introduction lesson, Robbie showcases...
Free LessonSeries Details
Freebo
In this lesson, Freebo covers the basics of right hand technique. This lesson is essential for all up and coming bassists.
Free LessonSeries Details
Erik Mongrain
Erik expounds on the many possibilities of open tunings and the new harmonics that you can use in them. He explains what...
Free LessonSeries DetailsElectric Guitar Lesson Samples
Our electric guitar lessons are taught by instructors with an incredible amount of teaching experience.
Chris Liepe
Chris brings his ingenuity to this lesson on the American folk song called "Where Did You Sleep Last Night?" Also known as...
Free LessonSeries Details
Lita Ford
Lita Ford, guitarist for The Runaways, presents a fantastic and in depth series on what it was like and what it took professionally...
Free LessonSeries Details
David MacKenzie
David MacKenzie introduces the tapping technique and teaches a fun exercise. This lesson includes a backing track.
Free LessonSeries Details
Brad Henecke
Free LessonSeries Details
Bryan Beller
Bryan Beller of the Aristocrats, Dethklok, and Steve Vai takes you inside his six step method to learning any song by ear....
Free LessonSeries Details
Will Ripley
Join Will Ripley as he gives us all the details of his series, "Rock Guitar for Beginners". You'll be playing cool rock riffs...
Free LessonSeries Details
John March
Take a new look at the fretboard and learn where to find a voicing that works. There are techniques that simplify the fretboard...
Free LessonSeries Details
Allen Van Wert
Allen shows you the 24 rudiments crucial to developing finger dexterity. This is a short lesson but the exercises here can...
Free LessonSeries Details
Joel Kosche
Joel Kosche talks about creating and composing a guitar solo. He uses his original song "Sunrise" as an example.
Free LessonSeries DetailsJoin over 522535 guitarists who have learned how to play in weeks... not years!
Signup today to enjoy access to our entire database of video lessons, along with our exclusive set of learning tools and features.
Unlimited Lesson Viewing
A JamPlay membership gives you access to every lesson, from every teacher on our staff. Additionally, there is no restriction on how many times you watch a lesson. Watch as many times as you need.Live Lessons
Exclusive only to JamPlay, we currently broadcast 8-10 hours of steaming lesson services directly to you! Enjoy the benefits of in-person instructors and the conveniences of our community.Interactive Community
Create your own profile, manage your friends list, and contact users with your own JamPlay Mailbox. JamPlay also features live chat with teachers and members, and an active Forum.Chord Library
Each chord in our library contains a full chart, related tablature, and a photograph of how the chord is played. A comprehensive learning resource for any guitarist.Scale Library
Our software allows you to document your progress for any lesson, including notes and percent of the lesson completed. This gives you the ability to document what you need to work on, and where you left off.Custom Chord Sheets
At JamPlay, not only can you reference our Chord Library, but you can also select any variety of chords you need to work on, and generate your own printable chord sheet.Backing Tracks
Jam-along backing tracks give the guitarist a platform for improvising and soloing. Our backing tracks provide a wide variety of tracks from different genres of music, and serves as a great learning tool.Interactive Games
We have teachers covering beginner lessons, rock, classic rock, jazz, bluegrass, fingerstyle, slack key and more. Learn how to play the guitar from experienced players, in a casual environment.Beginners Welcome.. and Up
Unlike a lot of guitar websites and DVDs, we start our Beginner Lessons at the VERY start of the learning process, as if you just picked up a guitar for the first time.Our teaching is structured for all players.Take a minute to compare JamPlay to other traditional and new methods of learning guitar. Our estimates for "In-Person" lessons below are based on a weekly face-to-face lesson for $40 per hour.
 |
||||
| Price Per Lesson | < $0.01 | $4 - $5 | $30 - $50 | Free |
| Money Back Guarantee | Sometimes | n/a | ||
| Number of Instructors | 92 | 1 – 3 | 1 | Zillions |
| Interaction with Instructors | Daily Webcam Sessions | Weekly | ||
| Professional Instructors | Luck of the Draw | Luck of the Draw | ||
| New Lessons | Daily | Weekly | Minutely | |
| Structured Lessons | ||||
| Learn Any Style | Sorta | |||
| Track Progress | ||||
| HD Video | - | Sometimes | ||
| Multiple Camera Angles | Sometimes | - | Sometimes | |
| Accurate Tabs | Maybe | Maybe | ||
| Scale/Chord Libraries | ||||
| Custom JamTracks | ||||
| Interactive Games | ||||
| Community | ||||
| Learn in Sweatpants | Socially Unacceptable | |||
| Gasoline Needed | $0.00 | $0.00 | ~$4 / gallon! | $0.00 |
Mike H.
"I feel like a 12 year old kid with a new guitar!"
I am 66 years young and I still got it! I would have never known this if it had not been for Jamplay! I feel like a 12 year old kid with a new guitar! Ha! I cannot express enough how great you're website is! It is for beginners and advanced pickers! I am an advanced picker and thought I had lost it but thanks to you all, I found it again! Even though I only play by ear, I have been a member a whopping whole two weeks now and have already got Brent's country shuffle and country blues down and of course with embellishments. Thank you all for your wonderful program!
Greg J.
"With Jamplay I can fit in a random session when I have time and I can go at my own pace"
I'm a fifty eight year old newbie who owns a guitar which has been sitting untouched in a corner for about seven years now. Last weekend I got inspired to pick it up and finally learn how to play after watching an amazing Spanish guitarist on TV. So, here I am. I'm starting at the beginning with Steve Eulberg and I couldn't be happier (except for the sore fingers :) Some day I'm going to play like Steve! I'm self employed with a hectic schedule. With Jamplay I can fit in a random session when I have time and I can go at my own pace, rewinding and replaying the videos until I get it. This is a very enjoyable diversion from my work yet I still feel like I'm accomplishing something worthwhile. Thanks a lot, Greg
Bill
"I believe this is the absolute best site for guitar students."
I am commenting here to tell you and everyone at JamPlay that I believe this is the absolute best site for guitar students. I truly enjoy learning to play the guitar on JamPlay.com. Yes, I said the words, ""enjoy learning."" It is by far the best deal for the money.
Member Comments about this Lesson
Discussions with our instructors are just one of the many benefits of becoming a member of JamPlay.Just want to say Thank You. As a rock/Metal Guitarist I find myself often locked in the world of dark minor scale's. It was wonderful to see you display Beautiful uses of Major scale. You have definitely opened door's for me as to rethinking my note selection and the order it is done.
You can tell Vai was well taught by Satch
can't wait for the next great lesson, no seriously i can't wait, i've only got 6 more days in my trial.
One of the very best lessons on the site. This is just amazing!
Great lesson!!
wonderful as always!