3 Steps to Playing Exciting Guitar Intros

Guitar players are often called upon to create introductions and endings on the spot. The problem is, very few guitarists know how to practice this aspect of their guitar playing. 

An effective introduction leads seamlessly into the song leaving no question in the singers mind as to when they should begin singing. Unfortunately, many times the guitarist uses this opportunity to show off his or her latest bag of hot licks and tricks–predictably with disastrous results.  Here’s a simple yet effective way to create interesting and exciting introductions without distracting the audience from the main theme, which is the story the singer is telling.

Remember music is about storytelling; not hot licks!

Step 1.

Let’s say we have a song in the key of C major. The first step is to select a chord that leads naturally into the C chord. Notice I said a chord that leads “into” C. If we begin on a C chord our introduction will be “as dull as dishwater”.

The obvious chord to introduce the C chord would be the fifth chord in the key of C major: G7.

Check this out for yourself. Play a G7 chord. Let it ring for four beats and then play a C chord. Listen to how the two chords flow naturally together.

Step 2.

Select the scale that accurately defines the musical mood of the G7. In this instance the scale would be G Mixo-Lydian mode.

G Mixo-Lydian contains the following notes: G-A-B-C-D-E-F-G. As you can see the notes of the G Mixo-Lydian mode are the same notes as the notes that naturally occur in the C major scale (C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C) only arranged in a different sequence.

Step 3.

Use the unique open string qualities of the guitar to create a ‘harp like’ effect that will intrigue the listeners and lead them gently into the song. Since it’s more common to hear a scale being playing ascending, let’s start by playing our Mixo-Lydian scale descending.

G Mixo-Lydian descending: G-F-E-D-C-B-A-G

Oksy.  That’s more interesting than ascending but we’ll need more mystery to captivate our listener’s ear. Changing the texture of certain notes in the scale by using open strings will do the trick nicely.

Try the following to create a descending G Mixo-Lydian mode using the cascading scale approach:

Play the note ‘G” on the second string 8th fret. Pull off to the note ‘F’, second string 6th fret. Now play the note ‘E’ first string open.

Over to the third string seventh fret for the note ‘D’, pull off to the ‘C’ third string, fifth fret and then play the note ‘B’ second string open.

Finally, play the ‘A’ note on the fourth string, seventh fret and finish on the ‘G’ open third string.

This is how it would look on the guitar fretboard:

G Mixo-Lydian mode descending:

———–0—————————

–8—6—————-0—————

—————7—5———–0——-

—————————7———–

—————————————

—————————————

G    F    E    D    C   B   A   G

Compare that cascading sound to the standard way of playing …

Standard G Mixo-Lydian mode (descending version):

—————————————

–8—6—-5—————————

—————7—5—4—————

—————————7—5——-

—————————————

—————————————

G    F    E    D    C   B   A   G

For best results with the cascading scale leave your finger on the ‘F’ note while playing the ‘E’ open note; then, when you get to the ‘C’ note leave your finger on the ‘C’ while playing the ‘B’ note and finally leave your finger on the ‘A’ note while playing the ‘G’.

The idea is to create tension be causing a bittersweet dissonance between the last fretted note and the next open string note.

Finally here is your introduction:

Play one strum on ‘G7′, followed by your cascading version of the G Mixo-Lydian mode; then the first chord of your song ‘C’ chord and you are on your way!

By re-thinking basic musical raw materials you will discover countless ways to play creative guitar.

About the Author:
Mike Hayes is a guitar teacher, author, performing musician and session guitarist with over 30 years of professional experience. Find out more about how to learn guitar fast with his popular FREE e-course.

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