Chord Melody for Guitar

Chord Melody for guitar is a method of arranging jazz standards for the instrument.   For many guitarists, this an intimidating project that can seem very complex.  Where to begin?

When I began experimenting with chord arrangements for guitar I discovered that it was important to find the simplest version of a tune that I could work with.   Because jazz musicians often embellish or modify standard songs it is important to locate sheet music or find a recorded version of the piece that can serve as a template.

If a particular tune is typically played in the key of D Major, start with that key.   Play the bass line first.  Actually, play the bass movement by itself without a complicated rhythmic style or feel, half notes or even whole notes.  Once you feel that the bass movement is clear, played rubato or very slowly, begin to find the melody in the positions that work with the bass line.

Chord Melody for Guitar on Archtop or Telecaster

One thing to keep in mind in the process, is that it’s always important to make the melody slightly louder than the bass notes.   With electric guitar, your amp’s tone settings can play an important role, as well as the type of guitar that you are using.  Chord melody for guitar can happen on an archtop, a 335, a Telecaster or a nylon or steel string acoustic.   It all depends on your right hand tone production and your level of control.

Inner Voices with Chord Melody for Guitar

The next step in creating a chord melody for guitar, after you have the bass and melody working together, is to add one or two inner voices.    The inner voices fill out the arrangement and provide harmonic richness, defining the ‘quality’ of each chord.   Quality in the context of chord melody for guitar refers to whether the chord is a Maj. 7, Min.7, 9, 13, etc.

To get an idea of the possibilities, listen to recordings by Wes Montgomery, George Van Eps, Tuck Andress, George Benson, Jim Hall and Martin Taylor.   Each one of these players has a very different approach to the challenge of creating exciting arrangements. 

It will take time to develop your own process in the search for a satisfying version of a jazz standard, that will have all the elements of an outstanding arrangement of chord melody for guitar.  

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Please contact me at jgatesguitar@gmail.com for lessons or coaching.