FUSION/ROCK
BRETT GARSED Video Masterclass
This issue we welcome back Aussie legato and hybrid picking master Brett Garsed for a pinched harmonic-infused Stratocaster solo over Jason Sidwell’s fusion rock groover, Sizzle. Jon Bishop is your guide.
We sure do appreciate Brett Garsed; Sizzle is his 15th track for GT over the past five years and it’s a corker, with a tight rock groove and tasty chord changes over which he plays stunning lead guitar. Sizzle is largely in the key of G Minor and clocks in at 105bpm. For his soloing palette, Brett mixes G Natural Minor scale (G-A-Bb-C-D-Eb-F) with the G Dorian mode that contains the same notes with the exception of a Major 6th (G-A-Bb-C-D-E-F). Brett also adds the Diminished 5th interval (Db) for G Blues scale moments (G-Bb-C-Db-D-F). The track features plenty of harmonic movement and rhythmic syncopation, so while Brett states that he largely improvised, his playing was filmed and recorded after a few listens to get a handle on the feel, changes and structure.
Brett first created an appealing melody using the notes from G Minor Pentatonic (G-Bb-C-D-F). This melody was then used as a springboard for improvised phrases that ended with an Eb target note (Eb is the penultimate chord of the verse’s three chords; Gm-Eb-D7 x2). Brett explains that working within this structural and harmonic framework (eg overall scale, important guide notes to anchor phrases) is a good exercise for developing an improvisational mind.
TECHNIQUE FOCUS PINCH HARMONICS
Artificial harmonics can be generated in a number of ways. For this piece Brett uses the method of brushing the string with the flesh of the thumb just after the string is down picked. This is referred to as pinched harmonics due to the pinch-like action required and can be explored at picking points around the pickups (Billy Gibbons, Richie Sambora, Eric Johnson). Brett’s‘octave up’ approach is done by picking 12 frets above wherever his fretting hand is. As he demonstrates, you may need to experiment with your pick grip and also the angle you pick the string to get a clear harmonic. Other factors such as using the bridge pickup (the brightest pickup option on any guitar), increased overdrive or compression will also further encourage harmonics to sing out. The bottom line is, explore how you make contact with the strings and where along the string you do it.