Brown Eyed Girl Intro Tab

The guitar introduction to "Brown Eyed Girl" by Van Morrison features major scale patterns played in thirds. The first phrase is played over a G major chord and uses the G major scale starting with G at the 12th fret of string 3. The second phrase is played over a C major chord and uses the C major scale starting with C at the 13th fret of string 2. The very last phrase is part of a D major barre chord and requires a bit of finger or hybrid (pick and finger) picking.

Brown Eyed Girl Intro Tab

E--------------------------12--13--15--13--12---------|
B----12--13--15--13--12----13--15--17--15--13---------|
G----12--14--16--14--12-------------------------------|
D-----------------------------------------------------|
A-----------------------------------------------------|
E-----------------------------------------------------|

E-----------------------------------------------------|
B----12--13--15--13--12----10----------10-------------|
G----12--14--16--14--12--------11--12-----------------|
D--------------------------12-------------------------|
A-----------------------------------------------------|
E-----------------------------------------------------|


Playing major scale patterns in thirds is covered in Fretboard Theory Chapter 9: Intervals.

Play Until Yer Fingers Bleed!
Mr. Desi Serna
Website: http://Guitar-Music-Theory.com
YouTube: http://youtube.com/GuitarMusicTheoryTab
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Confused About Guitar Modes

Why am I having a hard time understanding modes and modal guitar scales?

Guitar modes is a very misunderstood topic. The reason is because it's a music concept that stems from others. If you don't know the others, then you're not going to get it.

If you truly want to understand music modes and how they relate to popular music and guitar playing, then I suggest you first study chord progressions and playing by numbers. I cover this in Fretboard Theory Chapter 6. I also have a DVD entitled Guitar Chord Progressions and Playing by Numbers.

Also, modes are based on major scale patterns for guitar (which are taught in Fretboard Theory Chapter 5). Make sure you understand how to cover the whole guitar fretboard with major scale patterns and can play major scale songs.

After you have developed a good working knowledge of chord progressions and major scale patterns you'll be ready to explore the modal scale concept (which I have covered in the book and on DVD). I actually get you started on it in chapter 7 which is about roots, keys and applying scales (the heart of guitar modes). But I don't put it into modal terms until chapter 8.

With learning music theory for guitar, it's critical to completely master the fundamentals before venturing into more complicated and advanced subjects. Be sure to take things one step at a time as each concept prepares you for the next. Walk before you run!

Play Until Yer Fingers Bleed!
Mr. Desi Serna
Website: http://Guitar-Music-Theory.com
YouTube: http://youtube.com/GuitarMusicTheoryTab
Twitter: http://twitter.com/MrGuitarTheory
Facebook: http://facebook.com/desi.serna
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/guitarmusictheory
Podcast: Search Desi Serna at iTunes

Roxanne CAGED Chords and Guitar Tabs

"Roxanne" by The Police is a great example of using partial major and minor shapes based on the CAGED guitar chord system. This song also includes suspended 4 chords. See the Roxanne chords and guitar tabs below.

Opening Verse Chord Progression
Gm ("Em form")
Dm ("Dm form")
Gm ("Dm form")
F ("C form")
Eb ("C form")
Fsus ("E form")
Gsus ("E form")

E----3----1----6----5----3----1----3------------------|
B----3----3----8----6----4----1----3------------------|
G----3----2----7----5----3----3----5------------------|
D-------------------7----5----3----5------------------|
A-----------------------------------------------------|
E-----------------------------------------------------|

To learn more about the guitar CAGED system see Fretboard Theory Chapter 3 or the CAGED Template Chord System DVD. Chord extensions such as sus4, maj7, and add9 are covered in Fretboard Theory Chapter 10.

Play Until Yer Fingers Bleed!
Mr. Desi Serna
Website: http://Guitar-Music-Theory.com
YouTube: http://youtube.com/GuitarMusicTheoryTab
Twitter: http://twitter.com/MrGuitarTheory
Facebook: http://facebook.com/desi.serna
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/guitarmusictheory
Podcast: Search Desi Serna at iTunes

Guitar 7sus4 Chords

"Hard Day's Night" by The Beatles and "Is She Really Going Out with Him?" by Joe Jackson are currently the only songs I know of where the guitar uses this fingering to play a 7sus4 chord. In "Hard Day's Night" it's a G7sus4 and the very first chord you hear before the verse begins. "Is She Really Going Out with Him?" uses the same chord along with an F7sus4 two frets lower during the bridge.

E----3------------------------------------------------|
B----3------------------------------------------------|
G----5------------------------------------------------|
D----3------------------------------------------------|
A----5------------------------------------------------|
E----3------------------------------------------------|

The most common type of 7sus4 chord is A7sus4 played in the open position. You can hear this exact fingering used in "Wish You Were Here" by Pink Floyd, "Tom Sawyer" by Rush, and "Closer I Am to Fine" by the Indigo Girls (capo 2).

E----3------------------------------------------------|
B----3------------------------------------------------|
G----0------------------------------------------------|
D----2------------------------------------------------|
A----0------------------------------------------------|
E-----------------------------------------------------|

To learn more about chord construction, intervals, and chord extensions see Fretboard Theory chapters 6 and 9.

Play Until Yer Fingers Bleed!
Mr. Desi Serna
Website: http://Guitar-Music-Theory.com
YouTube: http://youtube.com/GuitarMusicTheoryTab
Twitter: http://twitter.com/MrGuitarTheory
Facebook: http://facebook.com/desi.serna
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/guitarmusictheory
Podcast: Search Desi Serna at iTunes