Mike's Master Classes

Pedal Points Part 4: Upper Pedals

Steve Herberman·
0.0 (0 reviews)·ADVANCED·Chord Voicings·1 lesson
$12.95
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The study and practice of employing upper pedal points is an extremely valuable technique for the harmonic guitarist. In many tunes melody notes are sustained, often at the end of a phrase. While those melody notes are ringing it's a nice touch to add a chord below it, or play a single note or contrapuntal fill. This class is an in-depth study of the many possibilities and textures a player can employ below an upper pedal. Whether it's melody playing, soloing, comping, composing/arranging or chord melody playing, developing the techniques to improvise below a pedal point is worth its weight in gold. This class features 77 useful exercises over important progressions that cover the many harmonic and melodic scenarios a guitarist faces when incorporating upper pedals. The five chapters of the class include (but are not limited to) these subjects:
  1. Tunes Rhythm Changes, Blues and Solar using lower lines played in contrary motion as well as III-VI-II-V-I patterns with bop lines beneath a pedal.
  2. Diatonic Cycles using inner line motion below pedal points
  3. Open String Pedals on the upper half of the instrument
  4. Triad Enclosures: Approach note patterns that resolve into triads beneath an upper pedal
  5. Parallel Intervals below sustained melody notes
Working with upper pedal points will expand ones chord vocabulary and technique while adding to the player's palette of textures on the guitar. Once the concepts and techniques are in the mind and fingers than true improvisation can transport them to another level, beyond exercises, into art!
  • Running time: 2 hours, 13 min.
  • 21 pages of PDF examples in standard notation and TAB
Complete Pedal Points Series from Steve Herberman

Course Content

Lessons

  • Pedal Points Part 4: Upper Pedals133

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About the instructor

Steve Herberman →
Steve Herberman is an exceptional guitarist…known for his deft counterpoint" –Downbeat Magazine. "The clarity and balance Steve gets with his right hand is amazing". – Jim Hall. "Steve’s improvising is uniquely fresh with melodic ideas that twist and turn and perk your interest with occasional elements of humor as well. There is a constant groove in his solo lines. He shows prowess harmonically and linearly with an abundance of chops and with an exceptional clarity to it all." – Gene Bertoncini Steve Herberman taught jazz guitar on the faculty of Towson University near Baltimore MD for 14 years and is presently teaching guitar at Sidwell Friends School, Washington Conservatory and is an ensemble coach for the Jazz Band Masterclass. He has presented guitar masterclasses in Italy and the U.K. and at many universities across the U.S. Steve has written instructional material for Downbeat magazine, Mel Bay’s Guitar Sessions, Just Jazz Guitar, Fingerstyle Guitar Journal and Fingerstyle 360 webzines. Steve Herberman is a graduate of Berklee College Of Music and has performed with renowned musicians such as Keter Betts, Buster Williams, Gary Bartz, Drew Gress, Chuck Berghofer, Harvie S, Mark Ferber, Jim Snidero, Ali Ryerson, Steve Williams, Steve LaSpina, Jeff Hirshfield, John Pisano and many more. Steve Herberman has recorded three CDs as a leader; Thoughtlines (2001) Action:Reaction (2006) and Ideals (2008.) In 2014 Steve recorded a live duo album with fellow guitarist Steve Abshire titled "Between Friends.” In 2017 Steve recorded a duo CD with award-winning vocalist Lena Seikaly, set for a Feb. 2018 release.