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's 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 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 listen 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

O.k. 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, here's how we do that.

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.

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.