Embellishing a Melody: A Music Lesson

Introduction

So the next approach I want to talk about is taking a melody. We're going to use the same melody over and over again and start thinking about ways that we can embellish that melody.

What is Embellishment?

An embellishment could be something as simple as:

• Adding vibrato
• Approaching a specific note differently:
  • Sliding into it
  • Picking it
  • Playing legato with hammer-ons and pull-offs
  • Tapping the note
  • Bending up to the note

There are lots of different ways to approach playing just one single note on the guitar.

Example Melody: Sweet Child of Mine

What I thought would be a good idea is if we take a melody that many of you will know: the vocal melody from Sweet Child of Mine by Guns N' Roses.

1. Key: D Major
2. Starting Point: On the B string with your little finger, picking it three times.
3. Notes: Descend down and then across the G string for the last two notes.

It's a really simple melody to play at the moment, but it sounds a little flat, as I'm not adding any articulation or embellishment to those notes, so it sounds a bit stale.

Your Task

What I'd like you to work on is playing that same melody, but thinking about different ways of approaching various notes within it.

Suggestions for Embellishing:

• Bending Up: Perhaps you might bend up to that third note you're repeating.
• Adding Slides: Incorporate some slides to give it movement.
• Vibrato: Introduce vibrato where it counts, especially on sustained notes.

You might also:

• Change the position of the melody for a different tone, maybe play it higher up the neck for a warmer sound.

One Technique at a Time

Start by restricting yourself to just one technique at a time. For example, if you focus on slides:

• It might seem like overdoing them, but it will give you an idea of where they fit musically.

Remember, not every note needs embellishing, find spots where it suits the music.

Combining Techniques

Let's look at combining a few different techniques:

• Some slides and bends can be quite cool together.
• You can also do pre-bends and add vibrato on those bends.

Infinite Possibilities

There are almost infinite ways to play that melody just by changing your approach. It's a great exercise because it allows you to think like a vocalist would in terms of your phrasing.

Vocal Phrasing Concept

When you play your notes as a guitar player, you can keep going up and down shapes all day without needing to take a physical breath. However, a vocalist has to breathe and create gaps when performing.

Applying This Concept:

• Play a little, breathe, and let it sit.
• Next phrase: play a bit and let it breathe.

By combining these elements, your improvisations will start to sound much more musical, rather than just playing up and down familiar shapes from scales.

Final Thoughts

Do give this a try and experiment with your own melodies as well, not just from songs you like.

Encourage Creativity:

• Come up with your own melodies using the methods we've talked about previously.
• Keep those melodies consistent while varying how you embellish them, considering bends, slides, and vibrato.

This is a fantastic opportunity for experimentation, so good luck with it!