Ricochet Guitar Academy presents this clear, comprehensive guitar tutorial video on playing the Seven Bridges Road intro riff from their popular track “Church Of Seven Bridges Road”, helping guitarists of any level master this song. With comprehensive instructions and visual aids provided in this lesson video, this lesson can help guitarists master this tune!
Beginner guitarists can certainly impress their friends and family with a performance of this timeless classic, so grab your guitar and start strumming!
Scales
Classically speaking, chords formed from scales have meaning in terms of classical music because they are “in key”. But by adding notes outside their original key chromaticism can create chords with unique meaning that may or may not sound great depending on its application – something often found in jazz, blues, and rock music genres. Chromaticism should only ever be employed sparingly otherwise it can result in very rough and crunchy soundscapes!
Scales contain different patterns of notes that make up its structure, such as sharps (#) or flats (b). Adding or subtracting sharps or flats from any given note determines whether its pitch rises or lowers accordingly.
Another important consideration when using ascending or descending scales is whether they create intervals between steps, which will ultimately influence what type of chord is formed – for instance, a major 7th chord has three major triads with major 7th intervals as its foundations.
Chords
Chords are an essential element of music. While it isn’t essential to know all the chords for every song you want to perform, understanding them can enhance your musicianship overall. Capital letter numerals represent Major chords while small letters indicate Minor chords – however the presence or absence of thirds within a chord can alter its majorness or minorness.
Subtle changes to chord sound can also be achieved by adding a sixth. This creates a diminished triad, making the chord feel stronger.
Alterations to chords can include replacing the third with either a second or fourth note, creating an indeterminate suspended chord that does not resolve to its third tones, creating an unfamiliar tone that creates suspenseful music for the listener.
Switching up the register of a chord can also add contrast to a bridge melody. In “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” by The Beach Boys, for instance, its bridge melody moves higher up in register than either verse and chorus melody.
Verse
One way to make a bridge stand out musically is to vary its melodic ideas. Verse and chorus melodies usually feature four or eight bar ideas, whereas bridge melodies should employ shorter ideas that move back and forth between verse-style lyrics (“here’s what happened”) and chorus lyrics (“how I feel about it”).
Altering dynamics is another effective way of distinguishing bridges, as in Simon and Garfunkel’s song “America.” For instance, they used drum rolls, saxophone, guitar and voice in its verses and bridges but stripped it back for its final verse. Altering rhythmic feel also plays an integral part of distinguishing a bridge, such as how Beach Boys’ “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” has its bridge melody starting on a different beat than other parts of song – complementing daydreamy lyrics perfectly while building energy and anticipation before chorus arrives! Additionally using unresolved chords such as V or VII will also distinguish the bridge from its competitors.
Bridge
An amazing bridge can build tension and propel a song toward its finale, or can take it in an unexpected and surprising direction, creating an exciting and unique chapter of music arrangement. Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell’s “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” provides an excellent example; listen for its bridge starting at 1:18 to observe how dynamically it builds before changing tempo and reaching an explosive crescendo before ending on an unforgettable note with its last verses and chorus.
Artists sometimes switch keys during bridge sections. This can create various emotional effects for their audiences, from raising or lowering energy levels to brightening or dimming the mood. But be careful; sudden key shifts may disorient listeners and cause them to misapprehend when the chorus returns later on.