This is the section that breaks most players. Goodrick suggests (provocatively) that you tune your guitar so that open strings spell a C major scale (C-D-E-G-A). The moment you do this, every open string becomes a chord tone. The PDF explains why this unlocks harmonic thinking, even if you never actually retune.
Goodrick provides a single melodic line (in notation). The instruction? Play it on strings 1-2, then 2-3, then 3-4, then 4-5, then 5-6. Then play it starting on the 5th fret . Then the 12th fret.
This trains your ears to hear the distinct "color" and emotional weight of each mode against a root note, turning abstract theory into practical, emotional musical tools. 3. Triads and "Spread" Voicings Mick Goodrick - The Advancing Guitarist.pdf
By forcing yourself to move horizontally along a single string, you learn the exact physical distance between intervals (like a major third or a perfect fifth) and train your ear to hear the melody moving up and down, much like a vocalist or a saxophone player. 2. The Mick Goodrick "Modal" System
Goodrick argues that the biggest mistake guitarists make is learning the instrument in positional boxes (vertical playing). This causes players to think in physical patterns rather than musical intervals. Play entirely on one single string for weeks. This is the section that breaks most players
If you're serious about advancing your guitar playing skills, do yourself a favor and explore "The Advancing Guitarist" by Mick Goodrick. With its comprehensive approach, clear instruction, and emphasis on musicality, this book is an indispensable resource for any guitarist seeking to take their playing to the next level.
Because The Advancing Guitarist offers infinite possibilities, many players get overwhelmed and give up. Use these three rules to successfully digest the material: The PDF explains why this unlocks harmonic thinking,
Mick Goodrick is a highly respected figure in the guitar community, known for his work as a performer, composer, and educator. Born in 1956, Goodrick began his musical journey at an early age, studying guitar and music theory. He went on to perform with various jazz and rock musicians, eventually becoming a sought-after session guitarist. However, it was his passion for education that led him to create one of the most influential guitar methods of the modern era.
The Advancing Guitarist Mick Goodrick acts as a seminal "anti-method" for jazz guitar, promoting a philosophical framework that forces students to become their own teachers through self-directed study [1.1, 1.2]. The text emphasizes horizontal fretboard visualization via single-string studies and explores advanced harmonic concepts like quartal harmony [1.1, 1.2].
The book is famous for its humorous and conversational tone. It doesn't give you "the answer"; instead, it provides "materials" and expects you to do the work of discovering how to use them in your own playing. Where to Find It