Brett Garsed Masterclass pt 5( of 8)
Brett Garsed showcases his astounding style on Jason’s tricky Flight Or Fight. Jon Bishop guides us through his most challenging piece yet.
If it were possible the difficulty goes up yet another notch this month with Flight or Fight a fast track to navigate! As Brett explains the track really keeps you on your toes and the chord changes are quite challenging to tie in with. Brett uses a question and answer style approach in the verse section. This leaves lots of space and is a very effective way to separate and outline the phrases.
The main scale Brett uses for these lines is F# Melodic Minor (F#-G#-A-B-C#-D#-E#). This scale provides an ‘outside’ style fusion sound and works great with the pacey tempo. We have written out a fingering for this scale so you can get it under your fingers. When the F#m chord changes to Bm, Brett tends to favour F# natural minor (F#-G#-A-B-C#D-E) but lead with his chromatic stylings which sound very sophisticated.
For the first two bars of the chorus Brett shifts to D Major (D-E-F#-G-A-B-C#). When played over the G and Em chords the G Lydian and E Aeolian modes are implied. The other chords in the chorus (Cmaj7, Bbmaj7,
Amaj7, G#m7 (or later Ebm7),
D and C# are all from different keys so Brett skilfully changes scales in order to highlight the chords in his typically ‘musical’ way.
The main rhythmic subdivision Brett employs is the semiquaver. Improvising intricate lines like these at this tempo is an impressive achievement, and being able to articulate these phrases with the fluidity that Brett exhibits is going to be a challenge.
His trademark legato technique, a combination of hammer-ons and pull-offs, is all over the track so spend time watching the video to see how he articulates the notes; often this is using hybrid picking (pick and fingers) which provides great economy and facility. Colour tones and chromatic notes abound, too. The combination of sophisticated phrasing, clever note choices and a modern sounding, overdriven tone makes this another must study piece.
Flight or Fight backing track and chord chart is included for you to practice to, in addition to a
note-by-note transcription of Brett’s performance from the video.
Hopefully there will be a new technique, lick or phrase in here somewhere for you to perfect. If you find one you like - even if it’s a single lick you might want to crack - then break it down bit by bit and use it in future, especially if the fast semiquaver legato feel is something that excites you. Once you have mastered some of the concepts in Brett’s solo, why not try creating one of your own over Flight or Fight. Remember to check out the chord chart and, as always, use your ear!
Have fun and see you next time.
NEXT MONTH Brett creates another amazing solo over Jason’s raunchy track King Bee