Dear Guitarist,
This page features a chord melody solo of the classic standard
"Moonlight in Vermont" arranged by jazz guitarist Stacy McKee. This arrangement
is from the Lifeworks Collection by Stacy McKee
and is written in block chord diagram form for easy learning.
To view the entire
collection of hundreds of chord melody solos by Stacy -
Click Here
Stacy played "Moonlight In Vermont" using a pick although you could
also play it fingerstyle using your right hand fingers instead. Here are some hints which will help
out your pickstyle playing considerably. Hold your pick between your right hand thumb and
the left side of your index finger tip, keeping your thumb perfectly straight so that it
is tension free.
The pick should be held loosely enough that there is a little give and
take when you strike a string. This way you won't feel like you're digging in or dragging
across the string. The pick should strike each string perpendicularly or straight on, as
opposed to striking the string at an angle. You will get a fuller sounding note this way.
Also, only the tip part of the pick needs to strike the string. There is no need to dig
your pick down between the strings. This creates too much resistance.
When you use a pick,
your up and down picking motions come from your hand, wrist and forearm at the exact same
time. They move as 1 unit in a rotary motion and your wrist stays perfectly straight. Keep
your middle, ring, and little fingers loosely held back in the palm of your hand - don't
give in to the temptation of resting your little finger on the pick guard or the face of
your guitar. This will only serve to glue you into 1 position and will cut down on your
mobility and freedom of motion.
Remember to keep your left hand thumb straight, pointing towards
the ceiling and in the middle of the back of the neck. Resist the temptation to hang your
thumb over the top of the guitar neck. Your left wrist should be slightly arched and
directly underneath the guitar neck itself. Play on the tips of your fingers, close to the
fingernails, being sure that the right side of the palm of your left hand is the same
distance from the fretboard as the left side of the palm of your left hand.
This will balance and center your left hand so that all of
your fingers have an equal and fair reach advantage. Never lift a left hand
finger more than 1/2 inch away from the strings. This alone will improve your
accuracy because now you have less chance of missing the next note, since you
won't be traveling a great distance to find it.
If you are interested in
seriously pursuing the fascinating art of chord melody solo playing and comping,
I would recommend that you take a look at Steven Crowell's 4 part college level
jazz guitar course located on the
Jazz Guitar Music Course page of our website. Another excellent DVD series for chord
melody solo playing and comping is by Robert Conti and is located on the
Robert Conti Guitar Music page of our website.
Warm Regards,
