Chord Melody with Peter Einhorn

Skill Building Guitar Course from Peter Einhorn

Peter Einhorn takes a look at chord harmonization in this lesson series. Instead of the more traditional method of harmonizing the bass notes, he teaches a reverse method to harmonizing the melody.

10 Lessons

Complete course with step-by-step lessons and practice examples.

Multi-Camera

Course filmed with 6 cameras for the perfect angles.

Guitar Pro

All tabs and notation provided in PDF and Guitar Pro formats.

Tabs & Info

Download tabs, helpers, JamTracks and docs included with lessons.

Included

Access this course, along with all other courses with Membership.

Full Course Breakdown

Want to add a bit more spice to your playing? Why not try harmonizing based off the melody notes? In this series, Peter shows you how.

1

Series Introduction

In this lesson series, Peter Einhorn is going to be discussing harmonization based off of melody notes. Most traditional learning for harmonization utilizes the bass notes. As a result you'll gain more freedom, flexibility and color in your playing.

6:00 Runtime

0.5 Difficulty

View this Lesson
2

Learning Melody

To get you started in your chord melody journey, it's first necessary to learn a few melodies. In this lesson, Peter provides instruction on melody using the 1st string for which you'll be harmonizing in later lessons.

5:20 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

3

Scales

In order to harmonize a melody and create chords, you need to know what scales you're using. In this lesson, Peter discusses harmonization using the major, Dorian and Mixolydian scales.

8:57 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

4

Transposing Shapes

In this lesson, Peter discusses how the shapes you've learned for the G major scale can be transposed or used in other keys. You will also start harmonizing scale tones in the second scene.

10:29 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

5

Using Pivot Fingers

So you've learned the basic chord melody shapes and you're wanting to apply that to music. How do you get from one shape to the next? In this lesson, Peter discusses and demonstrates the use of pivot fingers for connecting chords.

6:46 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

6

Combining Techniques

Now that you've learned how to harmonize chord and scales tones and connect chords, it's time to start putting those techniques to use. In this lesson, Peter demonstrates these techniques as applied to the song "Jingle Bells". He also discusses the art of muting and how to incorporate it to create a clean, but loose sound.

11:09 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

7

Oh! Susanna

Now that you've taken a look at combining all the techniques of chord melody playing, it's time to start applying it further. In this lesson, Peter demonstrates musicality while playing. You'll learn to play the song "Oh! Susanna".

9:31 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

8

Chromaticism

In the eighth lesson of his chord melody series, Peter discusses the use and harmonizing of chromatic notes. You'll then put these concepts to use and learn the song "When Johnny Comes Marching Home".

13:37 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

9

Go Tell It On The Mountain

In this lesson you'll learn the song "Go Tell It On The Mountain". Peter uses this song to discuss and demonstrate relative keys and how they apply to playing in the chord melody style.

9:31 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

10

St. James Infirmary

Delivering on the promise made in the lesson introduction, Peter demonstrates how to play "St. James Infirmary" in the chord melody style. He also introduces the shuffle rhythm which is needed to play the tune correctly.

8:53 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

Let's Start. Together.

Setup your account and explore our courses, teaching tools and resources.

Get Started
  • Huntington, New York
  • Playing since 1962
  • 33 lessons at JamPlay
Peter has performed and / or recorded with Joe Lavono, Jimmy Cobb, Steve Swallow, Placido Domingo, John Abercrombie, Steve Kuhn, Eddie Daniels, Roland Hanna, Walter Booker and many others.

Peter has honed his teaching skills from 20 years of service at the National Guitar Workshop, 10 years teaching guitar students and ensembles at Bard College in N.Y., and, to this day, maintains some private students. As a professional jazz & latin musician in New York City and Miami he has played in many top venues. His work at the Metropolitan opera in New York City over a period of three years should be noted. He has written for network television (NBC, ABC)) and for video (History Channel) and has over 25 scores to his credit. Peter has performed and / or recorded with Joe Lavano, Jim Hall, Steve Swallow, Placido Domingo, John Abercrombie, Steve Kuhn, Eddie Daniels, Roland Hanna and many others. Peter is licensed in Instrumental Music, K-12 in New York State. His guitar improvisational instruction books; "Introducing the Dorian Mode" and "Introducing the Mixolydian Mode", are currently available from Alfred Publishing. He lives in Woodstock, NY with his wife and two children.
Reviews & Feedback 73/100 with 22 ratings
jgmurphy33

At last, the mystery explained. Wonderful teaching. Love it.