Old Tele man wrote:

but you're playing a "chordal melody" on the bass strings using 'chord fragments.'

i wish i understood that !What do you mean by this ?

I think im working it out for the blues progression

...try tackling the progression in parts: first, try playing only the three single notes on the bass (E6) string; then, try playing only the three single notes on the middle-treble (G3) string.  This will give you some "...idea..." of what the "sounds" should be like.

...I usually DO NOT tell students which fingers to use as "whatever's RIGHT for YOU" seems the best approach, but you might find it easier to use your thumb (on bass string) for the second chord (A6/F#), with your index finger on both the D4 and G3 strings at the 2nd fret; then, without moving the index finger, simultaneously place your ring finger on fret 4 of E6-string and little finger on fret 4 of G3-string for the last chord (E/G#).

   MELODY = sequential playing of single (usually) notes
CHORDAL = simultaneous playing of multiple (3 or more) notes.

may be i got it wrong but that E/G# chord sounds awful I am muting with the tip of my finger on the A5 string

is the chord pregression E/E, A6/F#, E/G#

beth wrote:

may be i got it wrong but that E/G# chord sounds awful I am muting with the tip of my finger on the A5 string

is the chord pregression E/E, A6/F#, E/G#

...yes, the chords are: E-chord (E-shape) with E-bass note, then A6-chord (A-shape) with F# bass note, and then E-chord (D-shape) with G# bass note.

thanks.. the A6/F# doesn't sound to nice though

...are you "skipping" the A5-string? remember those chords are all 3-note chords.

yes i was mutting it

...have you tried the single notes on the E6- and G3-strings?  because the next "sound-exercise" is to play the two notes (one on E6 string other on G3-string)...without playing the 'middle' E-note on the D4-string.

ok yes i have tried that

...how'd it work for you? Were you able to "hear" the blues-shuffle tones? Here's the four beats, e.g.:

  E/E   = E   on E6/fret 0  &  G# on G3/fret 1
A6/F# = F# on E6/fret 2  &  A    on G3/fret 2
E/G# = G# on E6/fret 4  &  B   on G3/fret 4
A6/F# = F# on E6/fret 2  &  A    on G3/fret 2

DO i play them   E/E   = E   on E6/fret 0  &  G# on G3/fret 1  together or Separately same for A6/F# = F# on E6/fret 2  &  A    on G3/fret 2
ect ect not grasping this sorry

...this "chord riff" is played as 3-note chords, but until you get the "hang" of this technique, I've been showing you 2-note (bass on E6 and treble on G3) versions.

what kind of strumming am i to use on this sequence

...simple 4/4 time, that is, 4 beats per measure, like this:

beat 1 = E/E,
beat 2 = A6/F#
beat 3 = E/G#
beat 4 = A6/F#.

ok and then i move to the 5th fret and the to 7th fret ?if i record it could i use the blues shuffel with it like on the A STRING alternating between 2nd and 4th fret but playing the open E as well ? not sure if youll know what i mean

i guess you dont want to answer my question old tele man, so thanks for all your help i must say i learnt a great deal from you i was great that you took the time with me cheers

...been "off-line" while the ChordBoard had problems. Will reply from home tonight.

beth wrote:

ok and then i move to the 5th fret and the to 7th fret ?if i record it could i use the blues shuffel with it like on the A STRING alternating between 2nd and 4th fret but playing the open E as well ? not sure if youll know what i mean

...yes, an excellent example, and when you switch to A-chord and play alternating 2nd & 4th frets on 4D-string and open A5-string, you play the "chord riff" from the A-position (fret 5) up the neck.

...beth, found this chart on the web, and thought it might prove useful to you. The "circled" notes represent the ROOT notes:

thats great OTM thanks check this one out is it any good http://visualguitar.com/index.php