Adding Single Note Fills Between Chords

Today's article is about how to add single notes in between chord changes. There is an easy way to do it and use it in all kinds of music as long as the timing of the next chord to be played falls exactly when it is supposed to. In a particular key of a song, there is a set of chords that are played. The key of that song has a corresponding scale. For instance, if you are playing in the key of A major, you can play the single notes out of an A major scale (A, B, C#, D, E,F# and G#). It will always work. Although it can get more complex than that, sticking to that simple rule will always be true.

If you are playing in the key of A minor, you can play any note from an A minor scale, which also includes the A minor pentatonic scale. For the example, we will use the A minor pentatonic scale for the single-note fills between the chord progression in the key of A minor.

As a refresher, or for those not familiar with the A minor pentatonic scale, this is how it is played:

1. Play your first finger on the 5th fret on the 6th string and then play your fourth finger on the 8th fret on the same string;
2. Play your first finger on the 5th fret on the 5th string and then play your third finger on the 7th fret on the same string;
3. Play your first finger on the 5th fret on the 4th string and then play your third finger on the 7th fret on the same string;
4. Play your first finger on the 5th fret on the 3rd string and then play your third finger on the 7th fret on the same string;
5. Play your first finger on the 5th fret on the 2nd string and then play your fourth finger on the 8th fret on the same string;
6. Finally, play your first finger on the 5th fret on the 1st string and then play your fourth finger on the 8th fret on the same string.

This is the scale from which to pull the single notes. Use the chord progression of A minor to C and then to G. Start with playing the A minor chord and then pick a few notes out of that A minor pentatonic scale. Put them in between playing the A minor chord and the C chord. Play the single notes again between the C chord and the G chord. The chord changes are now very tricky. You have to make sure that the timing of landing on the next chord happens when it's supposed to happen. It is almost as though you are cutting the chord short by playing a few notes but then still coming in on time for the next chord change. The timing is actually very difficult. If you are having a hard time switching between single notes and strumming, you can do a simpler exercise. Try strumming once and then playing two notes a couple of times, strum once again and play the same two notes again. Get used to having your hand move back and forth. This way, you can ease into it, and soon enough, you will be playing all over that particular scale once you become familiar with it.

Click on this link to download a free resource that will make this lesson even simpler. It has diagrams that clearly explain which notes to play:

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Remember … always have fun with your guitar!

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Have you ever heard extra notes played between chords and wondered, "Why do THESE notes sound good?" or, "How can I do that?".

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About Mark Turko: Mark Turko is a professional guitar player and instructor with over 30 years of experience and teaches guitar lessons online.