Greg Howe’s Bird’s Eye View

Bird’s Eye View is an awesome tune by Greg Howe and will really test your knowledge of the shapes and chord tone soloing.

My video explanation:

The chord progression is Cmin7, Amin7, Abmaj7, and G7. I consider this to be in 4 keys – Bb major, to G major to Eb major, then Eb major but instead of Gm7 we play a G7 so we raise the Bb note to a B. If you like to think modes we have C dorian, A dorian, Ab lydian and G phrygian dominant (5th mode of harmonic minor).

If you think about the notes we start with C, D, Eb, F, G A, Bb for Cmin7. Then we raise the Eb to E, F to F# and Bb to B over the Amin7. Then we flatten the A to Ab, B to Bb, C, keep the D (#4), E to Eb, F# to F and G over the Abmaj7(#11). Then we have G, Ab, B, C, D, Eb and F over the G7 (not mixolydian!). We can use other notes/modes as well but this will get you started!

Some notes are open to debate – any notes that aren’t part of the chord! Eg. Over Cmin7 play natural minor instead so A becomes Ab. Over Amin7 play natural minor so F# becomes F. Play an G altered over G7…this gives you G, Ab, Bb, B, Db, Eb, F, G.

Here’s the backing track to practice with!

Okay let’s do an example. If you’re familiar with the CAGED shapes my system is based on, let’s start with shape 2 at the 8th fret for Cmin7. Then we switch to shape 3 over Amin7 at 7th fret. Then we go with shape 6 at 8th fret over Abmaj7. Then a modified shape 3 with Bb raised to B over G7. Go over each shape ascending and descending before trying to connect chords. Try connecting just two chords at a time shifting back and forth between the shapes.

Further Help – use one ‘structure’ through the entire tune, such as a 3 string minor 7th shape. You can use a Cmin7th arpeggio shape over Cmin7, Amin7 arpeggio over Am7, Cmin7 shape over Ab maj7 (gives us the min.3rd, 5th, min7 and 9th) and Fm7 over G7 chord (I like to resolve to chord tone here like B, D, G, or F). Stick to one area of neck.

Sometimes being able to play over a chord progression in any way gives you tremendous confidence, rather than getting stuck not knowing what to play. Therefore another cool technique is to use ‘common tones’. Find the notes that are common to more than one chord. For example you can play a G note through the entire progression! It’s a chord tone in each chord. Or you can play C for the first 3 chords, then move to B over the G7 chord. Use interesting rhythms, or embellish the note to make it more interesting.