Theory
In Week 5 you saw that even one chord has several positions depending on what you put on top (the topmost note). This week's core is choosing that deliberately — because lining up the top notes makes a melody.
Amateurs just change chords in "blocks," wherever the hand goes. Pros first decide "how should the highest note sing across this progression?" and then pick the voicings that produce those top notes. Then chord comping becomes a "song" with a melody.
Today is a warm-up. Grab the same G chord in two positions by changing only the top note (R or 3), and get the feel that the top note is melody material. Today you only shuttle between two positions — no need to strain to compose a melody yet. Burn in just one sentence — "the top note becomes the melody" — and from tomorrow a real song starts singing over your comping.
See it
G — top note = R (G). Green is the top note.
G — top note = 3 (B). The same G, but now the top is the 3rd.
Example 1 — a short melody from top notes. On the 1st string, pick G's three notes (R·3·5) to make a little tune: G → B → D → B. A preview of the feel that the top note sings, not the chord.
▶ BPM 72. 1st string 3 → 7 → 10 → 7. These four notes are a short melody made from G's R·3·5. Hear that a top note can become a song. Repeat 4×.
Example 2 — same G, changing only the top note. Bar 1 top = R, bar 2 top = 3. Compare how the topmost sound differs while the chord stays G.
▶ BPM 76. Both are G, but the top note moves from R (1:3) to 3 (1:7). Feel with your hand that "even the same chord starts a melody once you choose the top." Repeat 4×.
Today's practice
0–10 min · Warm-up Grab G's two positions (top = R, top = 3), only the 1·2·3 strings clean. Adjust to the hand travel between the two spots.
10–20 min · Brain training (today's target = choosing the top note) In each position, name aloud what the topmost note is. On "top = 3!", grab the fret-7 spot instantly. Confirm with Example 1 that top notes make a melody.
20–40 min · Real comping (Example 2 / 72–82 BPM) Repeat Example 2 at BPM 76 4×. Compare color by changing the top R↔3 on the same G. Once comfortable, add top = 5 (1:10) and travel the three spots to make a top-note melody.
40–50 min · Record & reflect (recommended) Record 30 seconds of changing top notes. Check: is the top note clear, and is the position travel smooth?
Done when: you can grab the same G in several top-note positions (R·3·(5)) and make a short melody by choosing the top note.
- Leaving the top note to chance. Pros "choose" the top. Decide first what note should sit on top.
- The top note won't ring. If the topmost 1st-string note dies, you can't hear the melody. Stand the fingertip up.
- A big jump between positions. Today is concept. From tomorrow you connect with minimal movement.
- Watching only the top, neglecting the chord. The two lower notes make the chord; the top is the melody above it.