Pickups are a great way to build momentum and sense of anticipation for the arrival of the target chord on the downbeat…
Here are three bread and butter pickups for your consideration…
Pickup #1
Emphasizing the “6” of the chord is very characteristic of Gospel. Don’t forget to swing the eighth notes…
Study-Practice Notes
- Don’t rush the pickup notes. Allow them to flow naturally with the time.
- Don’t overplay the pickups. Allow them to embellish and set the stage for, not to compete with or overshadow, the target note.
Pickup #2
Same notes as Pickup #1, emphasizing the 6, but in a different rhythm. Again, swing the eighth notes…
Pickup #3
Another common pickup… but this time to be played in straight eighths…
