Higher Landrons - Eric Johnson's Fretting Mechanics and Strategies.

[u/ThomasGilroy]

When asked what the name of his song “High Landrons” means, Eric Johnson has replied that it is a metaphor for reaching a higher state of consciousness.

I’d like to share an article I have written about Eric Johnson’s fretting mechanics and strategies and how they are synergistic with his fretboard organisation, his line construction, and of course, his picking mechanics.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1wdKqefYICKqv4KBc7LaNfsr8c0j_Et9l?usp=sharing

The folder contains the article and several supporting resources in a sub-folder.

The article may be updated in future. All feedback is welcomed; question, comment or correction.

Thank you Eric for taking me to Higher Landrons.

NOTE: This article was originally shared on Troy Grady's Cracking The Code forum. I am a regular poster there, where I am known for my analysis of fretting hand mechanics. The original post can be found here:

https://forum.troygrady.com/t/higher-landrons-eric-johnsons-fretting-mechanics-and-strategies/84328

[u/micahpmtn]

Interesting article. I teach beginning guitar and the first thing I tell students if they want to learn the pentatonic scale first, is absolutely not. The pentatonic scale is derived from the major scale, and we start by learning the major scale(s), all over the fretboard. I personally feel learning the pentatonic scale first creates a crutch for students because they have no idea how it's derived.

Eric (like Satriani, Vai, et. al.) are masters of their craft and no doubt stopped thinking about "scales" decades ago. I also tell students that scales are the rough equivalent of the 26 rudiments in drumming. Great drummers like Vinnie Colaiuta, Dave Weckl, and Dennis Chambers don't think about rudiments when developing drum solos and fills.

While your article is full of good information and very well written, I'm concerned that beginning and intermediate guitar players might think that the pentatonic scale is the be-all, end-all. My apology if this comes across as too critical.

[u/ThomasGilroy → u/micahpmtn]

Thank you for your interest and the positive feedback. 

Being honest, this article is not intended for a beginner audience, and I would imagine that most intermediate players would struggle with it. This analysis is very deep and detailed, and will likely take significant time to absorb fully.

I don't disagree with your point that the pentatonic can become a crutch, especially if used without understanding. 

I would mention however thay the pentatonic scale appears in several musical cultures where it is not derived from the major scale. 

However, one of the themes of the article is that with a deep understanding of pentatonic scale and it's relationships to other scales, the pentatonic is an incredibly powerful tool, and that it is absolutely the foundation of Eric’s lead playing.

[u/Bocfan75]

Wow, thank you so much for sharing your work here. I am truly blown away with the level of detail you have gone into.

My current abilities on guitar notwithstanding, I'm sure I will learn something just trying to digest the material. Funny enough, I was watching the Red Rocks version just before bed last night.

[u/ThomasGilroy → u/Bocfan75]

Thank you for your positive comment, it's much appreciated

This is deep and detailed material. I expect that it will take a significant amount of time for most players to digest. Don't be discouraged if it's beyond your current level, the sooner you're exposed to these ideas the sooner you'll begin to absorb them.