Slow Fusion Backing Track Lesson

By now you’ve probably checked out the backing track, maybe even figured out the chords and jammed on it a little. But here we have three licks that show you a plethora of things you can do with this type of chord progression. From R&B inspired licks to arpeggios and even some Hendrix style playing, you’ll have enough musical ideas to keep you inspired for a while. Don’t forget to always keep the changes in your mind and your ear, so that when playing you always know where you are and what you can do over that chord.

This backing track is one that can vastly improve your ability to think through chord changes and improvise fluently over them. With a very “fusion-y” type of chord progression, using many varieties of 7th chords, you’ll have to adjust slightly for the harmonic differences between them. Meant for the advanced player with a solid knowledge of chord theory, this tune employs some serious chord changes. It begins with a Dmaj7 to a C#min7 then descending from Bm7 to Bbmaj7 before hitting the final chord, a Gmaj7#11. Do a little exploration and map out the arpeggios and you’ll quickly begin to see the “pool of notes” from which you can choose to play that work well over almost all of these chords. Don’t forget to plan for the slight changes in scales ahead of time and try to outline those differences in your solo.