This summary of the video was created by an AI. It might contain some inaccuracies.
00:00:00 – 00:27:09
Justin Roth, an artist and teacher, provides a comprehensive guide to understanding Jacob Collier's chord construction and voicing techniques, specifically within the context of Collier's preferred altered guitar tuning. The video aims to demystify the complexity of Collier's music by offering practical methods for guitar players to adapt his arrangements, including tuning a six-string guitar, fundamental chord shapes, and their inversions.
The instructor starts by explaining the alternate tuning process and highlights six primary chord shapes that dominate Collier's compositions, allowing efficient playing with minimal finger movement. The video includes a free PDF of chord diagrams and focuses on the close relationship of chord shapes along the neck. Major, minor, diminished, and augmented chords are thoroughly discussed, with emphasis on smooth transitions and the use of droning strings to enrich the sound without complex right-hand techniques.
Additionally, techniques for simplifying melodies and chord progressions are covered, alongside the use of capo adjustments to accommodate vocal range. The instructor underscores the importance of originality, using Collier's chord vocabulary to inspire personal musical expression. This comprehensive tutorial aims to make Collier's intricate harmonic structures accessible while promoting creative adaptation and dynamic musicality. Upcoming tutorials will delve into specific acoustic song versions and offer further learning resources.
00:00:00
In this part of the video, Justin Roth, an artist and teacher, introduces an accessible method to understand how Jacob Collier constructs and voices his chords, particularly in his preferred altered tuning. Justin highlights that this video will serve as a supplement for all songs arranged by Jacob for acoustic guitar using this tuning. He mentions several songs where this tuning is used and encourages viewers to interact by liking the video, subscribing, and suggesting future tutorials.
The main topics covered will include an exploration of Jacob’s favorite altered tuning, tricks to adapt arrangements originally for a custom five-string guitar to a standard six-string guitar, and an explanation of how most of Jacob’s chords are built using only three strings. Justin aims to demystify the seemingly complex harmonic functions by showing that these chords are straightforward to play on the guitar. He intends to help viewers understand chord construction and their interrelated shapes, making Jacob’s music more accessible for guitar players.
00:03:00
In this part of the video, the speaker explains how to tune a six-string guitar to achieve a desired alternate tuning, starting with lowering the sixth string (low E) to D, keeping the A string the same, raising the D string (fourth string) to E, leaving the G string the same, lowering the B string to A, and lowering the high E string to D. This tuning helps to create chord shapes compatible with various song requirements, based on the relationships of fifths between the lowest three strings. They note that despite Jacob’s complex harmonic compositions, there are six primary chord shapes that cover most of his chord variations. The speaker emphasizes the simplicity and repeatability of these shapes in this alternate tuning, which allows Jacob to focus on his performance without difficult hand positions. They then instruct viewers to visit their Patreon page before proceeding.
00:06:00
In this part of the video, the instructor provides a free PDF of chord diagrams for all the shapes being demonstrated. The focus is on building chord shapes in one location on the neck to highlight their close relationships. The three major chord variations discussed are root position, first inversion, and second inversion. The root position chord has the root note as the lowest note, built on the fifth fret. The first inversion has the third of the chord in the bass, while the second inversion has the fifth in the bass. The instructor shows how these shapes can move around the neck and be used in different song contexts, and demonstrates the sound of these chords when played in sequence.
00:09:00
In this part of the video, the focus is on explaining how to form and play minor chord shapes, as well as diminished and augmented chords, in alternate tunings. The instructor explains that to make a major chord into a minor chord, you need to flatten the third note. They demonstrate this by modifying the chord on the fourth string and show both first and second inversion shapes for minor chords. Additionally, they describe diminished chord shapes, which require flattening both the third and fifth notes, and cover the first inversion of diminished chords. Finally, they introduce the augmented chord shape, noting its close relation to the major chord shape but with a sharp fifth.
00:12:00
In this part of the video, the focus is on demonstrating how to transition between various chord shapes on a guitar with minimal finger movement. The instructor explains how to easily change from a major chord to an augmented chord by sharpening the fifth fret by one half step. They emphasize the importance of small finger adjustments to simplify playing complex chords, avoiding large hand contortions. The segment showcases a cycle of transitions, starting from a major chord and moving through various inversions and diminished chords. It highlights how Jacob styles his chord transitions with minimal finger movement, aiding in more efficient playing. Additionally, the video mentions the use of droning strings, typically played open, to further ease the playing process.
00:15:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses the use of open strings as part of a fingerpicking pattern, highlighting their role in different chords and modulations. Open strings serve as extensions, adding complexity to the chord names without requiring the left hand to stretch. These droning strings change their function relative to the chords beneath them. A demonstration from “Little Blue” showcases how these droning strings work in various chords until modulation occurs. The importance of learning chord shapes with the left hand is emphasized, as it allows flexibility with the right-hand technique, catering to different levels of proficiency. The speaker clarifies that the lessons focus on left-hand chord shapes rather than right-hand techniques, which improve with time and practice. They mention that although Jacob uses a fingerpicking technique, the method taught isn’t strictly fingerstyle guitar.
00:18:00
In this part of the video, the focus is on simplifying the approach to playing guitar melodies and chord progressions. The instructor highlights the ease of using chord shapes on the lower strings, letting droning strings add floatiness without needing complex right-hand techniques. For a true fingerstyle approach, they suggest looking up Michael Hedges. Future tutorials will use the chord shapes discussed, adapted to different neck positions. Transcriptions will be available on Patreon, focusing on harmonic arrangements rather than exact note-for-note renditions, emphasizing the left-hand actions and chord changes. The instructor also advises muting the third string (often tuned to G) when it’s not harmonically appropriate, especially in relation to chord extensions.
00:21:00
In this segment of the video, the instructor discusses how to adjust the capo position and tuning of a guitar to accommodate vocal range and playability. Songs with higher capo positions can be lowered to make singing more comfortable. The instructor explains how to lower five of the six strings by a whole step to achieve a lower equivalent of a specific tuning (D A E G A D). This involves tuning the first, second, fourth, fifth, and sixth strings down a whole step while keeping the third string as it is. This adjustment allows the guitarist to use the same chord shapes and drone notes even in a different key, making it easier to play and sing along.
00:24:00
In this part of the video, the presenter discusses the relationship between the top two droning strings and the lower strings, as well as introduces two open G strings in unison which can serve as drones. They recommend checking out a JamPlay video for learning faster and more accurate tuning methods using harmonics. The tutorial emphasizes not copying Jacob’s playing style exactly, but using his chord vocabulary to develop one’s own style and emotional expression. The presenter encourages listeners to focus on dynamics and emotion rather than technique, aiming to inspire originality rather than imitation. The video mentions upcoming tutorials on Jacob’s acoustic song versions and promotes a songwriting software program with a discount for viewers.