Practice Log
Adding pinky accent notes to a chord progression
Lesson #190
Video Overview
Get the PDF chord sheet (3 pages)
- Support me on Patreon.com to get access to this and 200+ other PDF chord sheets I've made, plus new PDFs I make going forward (1-2 added each week).
- The cost is $3/month (one month minimum, cancel anytime). Annual plans also available. Here's a free sample if you're on the fence. Thanks!
After clicking the button and logging in to Patreon, look for the PDF attached to the bottom of the post.
Editorβs notes
I recently found myself exploring the progression C-Dm7-Am-Fmaj7 - and as I strummed along, I couldnβt but notice that there was a fun opportunity to use your left-pinky on the 3rd fret of the B-string for all four of the chords. By adding and removing this one finger, you could in fact recreate many of the vocal melodies heard throughout the Taylor Swift song βDelicateβ. Even if you donβt know that song, this lesson I put together provides a valuable explanation in show you can learn these four chords and create 3-4 different distinctive riffs (with rhythmic strumming incorporated) - all by simply adding and removing one finger (your left pinky) on to the same note (B string, 3rd fret) for each of the chords.
Learning the chord shapes
First, learn these four chord shapes. The Dm7 is probably the more exotic of these, but it isnβt terribly difficult to learn (if youβre comfortable with using your index finger to barre the thinnest two strings). Notice how your left index finger is whatβs playing the B string for each of the chords here:
βββ0βββββ1βββββ0βββββ0βββ
βββ1βββββ1βββββ1βββββ1βββ <== left index finger used here
βββ0βββββ2βββββ2βββββ2βββ on all 4 of these chords
βββ2βββββ0βββββ2βββββ3βββ
βββ3βββββββββββ0βββββββββ
βββββββββββββββββββββββββ
C Dm7 Am Fmaj7
Next, try adding your left pinky to the 3rd fret of the B string for each chord. Once you can play this, casually try removing your left pinky - but keeping the rest of the chord the same. This entire exercise to follow is based on this idea: keep your left hand in the chord shape, and then add or remove your left pinky to that note.
βββ0βββββ1βββββ0βββββ0βββ
βββ3βββββ3βββββ3βββββ3βββ <== add left pinky finger on 3rd fret
βββ0βββββ2βββββ2βββββ2βββ of the B string (keep left index
βββ2βββββ0βββββ2βββββ3βββ finger on 1st fret)
βββ3βββββββββββ0βββββββββ
βββββββββββββββββββββββββ
C Dm7 Am Fmaj7
Riff 1: Basic off-and-on
Play each chord for 8 counts as shown below - and notice how your left pinky is pressed down (on the B string, 3rd fret) for the second 4 counts. Then, after switching chords, remove your pinky for the first 4 counts before adding it again. Another way to describe this one: strum each chord twice normally, then strum it twice with your pinky down (after that, switch to the next chord and do it all again). See my video lesson for reference.
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
ββ1βββββββ1βββββββ3βββββββ3ββββββββ
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +
D D D D D D D D
> > > >
Riff 2: Bring in a strumming pattern
Same deal here: play each chord for 8 counts. This time, for each 8 count sequence youβll want to press & remove your left pinky (3rd fret of B string) to match the tab below. Use the strumming pattern shown below, which can be tricky! See my video for reference.
"Dive bar on the east side, where you at..."
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
ββ3βββββ3β1βββ3βββ3βββ1β3β3ββββββββ
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +
D U D D D D U D
> > > >
Riff 3: Practice hammer-ons
Hereβs another strummy riff that uses the hammer-on tab shown below for each of the 4 chords. This strum is a bit more straightforward - and again, see my video lesson for reference.
"Isn't it... isn't it, isn't it..."
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
ββ1h3β3βββββββββββ1h3β3βββ1h3β3ββββ
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
D D D D U D D D D U
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +
> > > >
Riff 4: Utilize the open E-string
This one is a bit more βdelicateβ, as youβre not longer strumming throughout the 8 counts. Instead, you strum once on the first β1β count, and then strum again on the next β1β count. Otherwise, you want the melody notes I tab out to ring out cleanly. Note, for the Dm7 chord youβll need to unbarre your index finger to play the open E string in the first measure (tricky).
"Is it cool that I said all that?"
ββββββββββ0ββββββββββββββββββββββββ
ββ3βββββ3βββββ1βββ1ββββββββββββββββ
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +
Parting thoughts
The main takeaway here: many times, youβll be playing a chord progression that can be spiced up by adding a single note, consistently, across all of the chords youβre playing. Another example is that of adding your left-pinky on the high-E string (3rd fret) of the C-Am-Fadd9, all of which pair nicely with a G (which requires your left pinky to be on that note anyway). Regardless of the specific example, these situations create valuable practice opportunity to combine your playing style of choice (rhythm, lead, etc) in a way that utilizes this single note and finds way to make creative sounds with it.
Enjoy my lessons? Buy me a beer!
If this and my other lessons have proven helpful to you, please consider making a one-time donation to my tip jar. Contributions of any amount help make this project possible (including the many, many hours I put into it).
You can also support me on Patreon. For only $3/month you'll get access to a print-friendly PDF of my notes for each new lesson (view free sample).
Thanks!
Subscribe to my YouTube channel
Be sure to never miss a lesson by subscribing on YouTube. I put out 2-3 new videos every week. These include full song lessons, as well as covers, practice tips, behind-the-scenes updates. Thanks!
Recent video lessons:
π Print-friendly PDFs now available for all new lessons I make, including all those listed below. Get a free sample Β»
-
Adding Pentatonic Fills over D-Cadd9-G
Warm-Up Exercise
Jan 23, 2020 β’Β Lesson #348
Watch Video & Get PDF Β»
-
7 Summers
by Morgan Wallen
Jan 16, 2020 β’Β Lesson #347
Watch Video & Get PDF Β»
-
Wellerman (Sea Shanty)
by Nathan Evans
Jan 13, 2020 β’Β Lesson #346
Watch Video & Get PDF Β»
-
Melody Notes in "Can't Help Falling in Love"
Warm-Up Exercise
Jan 10, 2020 β’Β Lesson #344
Watch Video & Get PDF Β»
-
Blank Guitar Tab Templates
Free PDF (7-pages)
Jan 9, 2020 β’Β Lesson #345
Watch Video & Get PDF Β»
-
Auld Lang Syne
traditional New Years song
Dec 30, 2020 β’Β Lesson #203
Watch Video & Get PDF Β»
-
Sunday Morning Coming Down
by Johnny Cash / K. Kristofferson
Dec 28, 2020 β’Β Lesson #98
Watch Video & Get PDF Β»
-
O Holy Night
by Sufjan Stevens
Dec 24, 2020 β’Β Lesson #343
Watch Video & Get PDF Β»
-
Nothing Compares 2 U
by Chris Cornell
Dec 12, 2020 β’Β Lesson #339
Watch Video & Get PDF Β»
-
Cats in the Cradle
by Harry Chapin
Dec 5, 2020 β’Β Lesson #341
Watch Video & Get PDF Β»
-
Sweet Virginia
by The Rolling Stones
Nov 29, 2020 β’Β Lesson #340
Watch Video & Get PDF Β»
-
Last Christmas
by Wham!
Nov 28, 2020 β’Β Lesson #200
Watch Video & Get PDF Β»
-
You've Got a Friend in Me
Toy Story / Randy Newman
Nov 22, 2020 β’Β Lesson #338
Watch Video & Get PDF Β»
-
Enough to Leave
by Billy Strings
Nov 15, 2020 β’Β Lesson #337
Watch Video & Get PDF Β»
-
Knockin' on Heaven's Door
by Bob Dylan
Nov 8, 2020 β’Β Lesson #88
Watch Video & Get PDF Β»
-
"Starlight" Riff in F#
Warm-Up Exercise
Nov 8, 2020 β’Β Lesson #336
Watch Video & Get PDF Β»
-
Thunder Road
by Bruce Springsteen
Nov 1, 2020 β’Β Lesson #335
Watch Video & Get PDF Β»
-
G finger position guide
Tips & Technique
Oct 25, 2020 β’Β Lesson #334
Watch Video & Get PDF Β»
-
Wish You Were Here
by Pink Floyd
Oct 23, 2020 β’Β Lesson #65
Watch Video & Get PDF Β»
-
Father and Son
by Cat Stevens
Oct 18, 2020 β’Β Lesson #333
Watch Video & Get PDF Β»