Mike's Master Classes

Open String Voicings for Guitar

Steve Herberman·
5.0 (1 review)·INTERMEDIATE·Chord Voicings·1 lesson
$11.95
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Using chord voicings that feature open strings can help create a rich and complex atmosphere for comping, chord-melody playing and soloing. They are a perfect way to enhance a composition with textural nuance and are adaptable to fit any style of music. While many guitarists know a handful of useful open string voicings there always seems to be new ones waiting to be discovered. This unique class deals with the principles and theory involved with building these voicings, using them in a standard progression (ii-v-iii-vi) with chord substitutions in all major and minor keys. Most every chord quality is addressed with hundreds of useful voicings shown in progressions in all 12 keys as well as several sample sheets devoted to inversions of specific chords. Moveable diminished/dominant seventh voicings using open strings are shown alongside specific chord shapes that work for each of the three diminished families. This class comes with 12 pages of written material that feature rich, open string voicings often with clusters imbedded in the chords. Everything from big, expansive chords to smaller voicing types. Though the emphasis is on larger chords with low roots (often useful for solo guitar and comping without a bassist) many inversions are included. The progressions shown exhibit melodic continuity, and where possible, close voice-leading that help the voicings gel as a whole. Each written example is recorded on the video with either an even eighth note feel, swing feel, ballad etc. Every guitarist is sure to benefit from this detailed look at open string voicings. 90 minutes, with written examples notated in chord diagram form for 6 string guitar in standard tuning.

Course Content

Lessons

  • Open String Voicings for Guitar5340

Reviews & Ratings

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james seaberry
Verified Purchase
7/19/2010

Another tremendous class. I have not gone wrong yet with his teachings. This is a very advanced class, but very informative, and a subject/approach I have not seen duplicated elsewhere; the closest would be some of John Stowell's ideas. Highly recommended.

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About the instructor

Steve Herberman →
Steve Herberman is an exceptional guitarist…known for his deft counterpoint" –Downbeat Magazine. "The clarity and balance Steve gets with his right hand is amazing". – Jim Hall. "Steve’s improvising is uniquely fresh with melodic ideas that twist and turn and perk your interest with occasional elements of humor as well. There is a constant groove in his solo lines. He shows prowess harmonically and linearly with an abundance of chops and with an exceptional clarity to it all." – Gene Bertoncini Steve Herberman taught jazz guitar on the faculty of Towson University near Baltimore MD for 14 years and is presently teaching guitar at Sidwell Friends School, Washington Conservatory and is an ensemble coach for the Jazz Band Masterclass. He has presented guitar masterclasses in Italy and the U.K. and at many universities across the U.S. Steve has written instructional material for Downbeat magazine, Mel Bay’s Guitar Sessions, Just Jazz Guitar, Fingerstyle Guitar Journal and Fingerstyle 360 webzines. Steve Herberman is a graduate of Berklee College Of Music and has performed with renowned musicians such as Keter Betts, Buster Williams, Gary Bartz, Drew Gress, Chuck Berghofer, Harvie S, Mark Ferber, Jim Snidero, Ali Ryerson, Steve Williams, Steve LaSpina, Jeff Hirshfield, John Pisano and many more. Steve Herberman has recorded three CDs as a leader; Thoughtlines (2001) Action:Reaction (2006) and Ideals (2008.) In 2014 Steve recorded a live duo album with fellow guitarist Steve Abshire titled "Between Friends.” In 2017 Steve recorded a duo CD with award-winning vocalist Lena Seikaly, set for a Feb. 2018 release.