Unit 2: Over The Viaduct

Section A Part 1

We'll first take a look at the first part of the chord progression for Section A, which looks like this:

The next step is to work out what each CAGED chord shape will be within this set of chords. The CAGED chord we use will dictate the type of lick we play as we are using different shapes for different chords (as we spoke about in unit 1). So, let's take a look at the Fretboard Diagrams for the shapes we will be using, and the pentatonics that work with them!

A good way to start thinking about this is to visualise the chord moving with the scale shape! As long as you are playing that chord shape, for example, the E shape, you can bosh out a lick in pentatonic box 2 underneath! Simple as that! Take your time to learn the set of licks in this first part of section A, and in the next lesson, we'll look at the second part of section A and put it all together with a cool drum loop.

Section A Part 2

In the second part of section A, we use exactly the same chord progression and chord shapes as in the previous lesson. As a reminder, here are those chords:

This second part of section A is almost identical, but we are adding in the C major chord as well, very briefly! Check out the shapes in the Fretboard Diagrams!

Our aim by the end of this lesson is to be able to play through the whole of section A, with the licks as well. It doesn't have to be up to speed, but we do want to focus on getting it in time! Here is the full part:

Section B Part 1

In section B we will move to two chords and lots of cool new licks! These licks are way more developed than the previous licks, taking up a lot more of the bar! So, once again, here is the chord chart:

So, let's first discuss the chord shapes and scale shapes that we are using to find these licks. They are drawn out in the Fretboard Diagrams

Section B Part 2

For the final section of the song, we simply need to repeat the previous section, but make some very subtle changes! This is an important skill to learn when it comes to songwriting:

"Take the same base theme, but change it slightly as you develop it."

This is exactly what we do in this section, and it sounds great. Try to get the whole track pieced together at a slower speed before moving on.

Application

Now we have the whole song learnt, it's a great time to see what else we can do with our new knowledge. Something we see Frusciante do a lot is to change up sections in the track by working with CAGED shapes in different positions on the neck to deliberately create a different feel and movement in the track. Dion very much improvises this idea on the fly in the lesson, so strap in, watch carefully and enjoy! Once you've absorbed a few ideas, give it a try yourself!