HENDRIX-STYLE CHORD PARTIALS
(Pt. 2: MINOR)

This week's “Psycho Lick” is a continuation of the Jimi Hendrix rhythm guitar style lesson/tribute that was presented last week. Since our previous Hendrixfest revolved exclusively around the C Major Pentatonic scale (C-D-E-G-A), with the occasional “sus4” (the note “F)” thrown in, all intended for use over an implied “C” chord, this installment will focus on C Minor Pentatonic (C-Eb-F-G-Bb) Hendrixisms, as well as lines derived from the C Natural Minor scale (C-D-Eb-F-G-Ab-Bb).

This first phrase opens with few “finger-flappin'” moves within the familiar C Minor Pentatonic scale shape located in 8th position. In measure 2, the chord partial activity begins to work its way down the fret board, setting up a brief minor pentatonic outburst in 3rd position by the opening moments of measure 3. A fret-hand slide up string set 3-4 then repositions the hand, facilitating a tasty blues lick (à la Stevie Ray Vaughan) in eighth position, executed using hybrid picking (i.e., “pick and fingers”). Finally, a “sliding doublestop” move kicks off the descending phrase that punctuates the line. (Note: Every single note played in this lick is from the C minor pentatonic scale, with the exception of the Gb—11th fret, 3rd string—in the “hybrid-picking” portion.)

(*You can hear the lick FAST by clicking HERE*)

(*You can hear the lick SLOW by clicking HERE*)

Of course, when Jimi Hendrix improvises over minor chords, he doesn't stick exclusively to pitches from the minor pentatonic scale; when the spirit moves him, Hendrix occasionally borrows from the complete, seven-note minor scale that matches upwith whatever minor chord he's playing over. So logically, whenever a Cm chord is present, if Hendrix were to go into “scale mode,” notes from the C Natural Minor scale (C-D-Eb-F-G-Ab-Bb) would be used. This “scalar” concept is presented in the form of the one-bar phrase that follows—a lick capped off with a jazzy-sounding Cm9 voicing. Enjoy!

(*You can hear the lick FAST by clicking HERE*)

(*You can hear the lick SLOW by clicking HERE*)

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To help support this site's free online guitar lessons, please check out my new acoustic CD, INTERPRETATIONS—10 crazy versions of '60s and '70s classic rock cover songs (including Hendrix's “Castles Made of Sand,” Queen's “Bohemian Rhapsody” reproduced “live” with a single guitar and voice, and more!!) Thank you :)

1. “Bohemian Rhapsody” 6:03  2. “God Only Knows” 2:39  3. “Blackbird” 2:28  4. “Sweet Baby James” 3:52  5. “Hallelujah” 6:28  6. “She’s Always a Woman” 3:08  7. “Leader of the Band” 4:17  8. “Sister Golden Hair” 2:53  9. “Castles Made of Sand” 3:12  10. “Coconut” 3:44

Total playing time: 39:03 All songs used by permission. All rights reserved.

CD dedicated to my mother, Jeff Buckley, and a few of my friends.