Unit 5: Channelling Hendrix!

The Backing Track

We will be applying all of our new knowledge over a cool backing track. Our first task, therefore, is to learn the backing track inside out. The chord progression is:

You can in theory play these chords wherever you like on the neck, but we recommend using one of the shapes we have been working within this course. That gives you the following options. Get familiar with these shapes first before moving onto the next lesson.

The E Minor Chord

Let’s now tackle the first chord in the progression. The first step is just to refresh ourselves with the basic theory, and then have some fun with it! So we will either be using the pentatonic box 1 over the Em CAGED chord shape, or the pentatonic box 4 over the Am CAGED chord shape. You can see these in the fretboard diagrams.

Remember Rhythm

As you try to put your own licks together over the E minor chord, remember to change which beat your lick starts on. This can make all the difference as you get creative. Give it a go! Pop the track on loop, and only on the Em try to add a few licks, for the rest, just play the chord. Have fun!

The C Major Chord

Let’s now tackle the second chord in the progression. The first step is just to refresh ourselves with the basic theory, and then have some fun with it! So we will either be using the pentatonic box 2 over the E CAGED chord shape, or the pentatonic box 5 & 1 over the A CAGED chord shape. You can see these in the fretboard diagrams.

Remember Rhythm

As you try to put your own licks together over the C Major chord, remember to change which beat your lick starts on. This can make all the difference as you get creative. Give it a go! Pop the track on loop, and only on the Em try to add a few licks, for the rest, just play the chord. Have fun!

The A Minor Section

Let’s now tackle the third chord in the progression. The first step is just to refresh ourselves with the basic theory, and then have some fun with it! So we will either be using the pentatonic box 1 over the Em CAGED chord shape or the pentatonic box 4 over the Am CAGED chord shape. You can see these in the fretboard diagrams.

Remember Rhythm

As you try to put your own licks together over the C Major chord, remember to change which beat your lick starts on. This can make all the difference as you get creative. Give it a go! Pop the track on loop, and only on the Em try to add a few licks, for the rest, just play the chord. Have fun!

All Together!

Congrats! You’ve made it to the last lesson! Let’s now put it all together and try to make a Hendrix style groove over our backing track. Let’s also reiterate a few key points here, when it comes to putting an actual piece together: 1. Lay down the main groove first, and get a good feel for it before trying to add any licks. The licks come second. 2. Once you have a solid rhythm foundation, try adding one or two licks, quite sparsely to the track. Don’t over-do-it at this point, we want to keep the rhythm grounded. 3. As you get more confident, you can start to explore more licks in more places, and before you know it, you’re starting to sound like Hendrix! 4. Finally, above all else, remember that this is a rhythm part! Don’t fly off with an across the neck lead part in the space of 2 beats... Keep it simple, but keep it rhythmical.