brett garsed masterclass Part 3
In part three of our video series with Aussie legend Brett Garsed, we examine Brett’s performance over the harmonically challenging backing track, Beyond The Void. Jon Bishop is your guide.
Welcome to this issue’s masterclass series where we are going to look at how Brett tackles the third of Jason Sidwell’s backing tracks. This particularly tricky set of changes is entitled, Beyond The Void. As Brett explains, the track has many chord changes and there’s an almost classical feel. Brett decided on a smooth but not too forceful overdrive this month, even though his legendary legato style is still to the fore.
Instead of getting too caught up in the theory side, Brett chose to use his ears to navigate the changes. As an extra help, we have placed some scale choices you could use on the accompanying chord chart – some of which Brett has used in his solo. As Brett tends to create the melody to suit the chord using broken scales and arpeggios, there are in fact no real ‘scale shapes’ to speak of. You will be best studying the solo and the possible scale and arpeggio choices and then, like Brett, using your ears. Part of the reason this piece has the advanced rating is that there is no way to play through this piece effectively just using one scale. Changing from one tonality to the next ‘in the moment’ will take a great deal of practise and planning.
In his spoken introduction, Brett hammers home the importance of leaving space and not filling all the gaps. As you study the tab take a look at how Brett plays the lines – and which notes are picked and which are plucked with the fingers. Brett’s solo is both rhythmically and harmonically advanced and it will take some time and effort to digest, but this work will be well worth it. The notation looks pretty intimidating, but the phrases are always centred around creating a strong melody and outlining the harmony. The combination of sophisticated phrasing, clever note choices and a modern-sounding tone makes this one a must-study piece. The backing track is included for you to practise over, in addition to a full transcription of Brett’s performance from the video and the chord chart with suggested scale choices.
Hopefully, there will be a new technique, lick or phrase in here somewhere for you to perfect. If you find one you like then memorise it and use it in the future, especially if the sextuplet feel is what’s required. Once you have mastered some of the concepts in Brett’s solo, why not try creating a solo of your own over the very same backing track. Check out the chord chart for the harmonic changes and scale choices and, most importantly, use your musical ear. Have fun and I’ll see you next time for some more Garsed goodness!
as brett creates the melody to suit the chord using broken scales and arpeggios, there are no ‘scale shapes’ as such