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Triad Workout (Harmonic Minor) Robbie Barnby

With Chromatic Approach


This PDF contains four variations for this Triad Workout. The four variations differ by whether you start each triad from the 5th to Root ('Down'), or
from the Root to 5th ('Up'). There is always a Chromatic Approach tone leading into the first note of each triad. For all the variations, you can play the
chosen exercise consecutively without stopping and you'll cover each position of the fretboard (ascending & descending), this is the challenge/workout!
Make sure to also try different rhythmic variations, for example, play these patterns as Triplets or start on the upbeat instead of the downbeat (it's good
practice to rhythmically displace patterns once comfortable). Each example is in the key of the G Harmonic Minor Parent Scale, therefore, these positions,
shapes, and fingerings will also naturally apply to all the modes of G Harmonic Minor. Be sure to practice these positions for the other Harmonic Minor
keys too. Also, experiment by starting with the descending pattern first for each position. This way, when you change direction and ascend, it’ll make you
practice the transition to the next position on the higher set of strings as opposed to transitioning on the lower strings.

Position 1
Up Ascending + Down Descending
Up Ascending

            
   
Gm A B♭ Cm D E♭ F♯ Gm

                 
  
 1 4 1 5 4
2
1 5
3
3 4
2 5
4 5
3
3

1 5 3 1 5 2 3 4 5 5
2 3 4 5 5

 
            
 
5 A B♭ Cm D


2 3 2 5
4 3 1 4 2 3
2 5 2 3 4
6

Down Descending

       D     Cm    B♭
  
          
        
E♭


7 A Gm F♯ E♭


5 6 3 4 5 2 2 3 2
4 3 4 6 3 3 4 2 3
5 3 5 2 3 4 5 2 2 3
5 4 5 1

       
D Cm B♭ A Gm

  
         
11


 6
2
4 4 5 1 3 4 1
5 3 5 1 5 3 4 5 1
5 3
4 1 2 4 3 4 1 2

(Fingering suggestion to help with


Copyright © Robbie Barnby transitioning to the next position)
Position 2

Up Ascending

          
    
A B♭ Cm D E♭ F♯ Gm A

                
14

   

 4 5 4 7 5
3
4 7
5
4 5
3 7
6 7
5
4

3 6 5 3 6 4 5 5 6 8
4 5 5 6 7
2 3 1 4 2 3 2 1
(1) (2)

 E♭      
            
     
18 B♭ Cm D F♯


5 6 5 8
7 4 8 7 4 8 6 7
3 7 4 5 6 7 7
7

Down Descending

 G m      F♯
            D      
      


21 E♭ Cm B♭


9 10 6 7 8 5 5 6 5
8 7 8 4 9 7 7 8 4 6 7 3
7 5 3

      
                     
24 A Gm F♯ E♭ D Cm B♭ A

  

 7
4
5
7
6 7 3
5
4 5
7 4 7
3
5 6 7 4 4 5 4
6 5 6 3 8 5 5 6 3
6 5
4 1 2 3 2 3 1 2

Copyright © Robbie Barnby 2


Position 3

Up Ascending

     
       
B♭ Cm D E♭ F♯ Gm

       
28

    

 7 8 7 10 8
7
5 9 6 10 9 6 10 8 9 9 10
5 6 7 8 9 10 10
1 2 1 4 2 3 1 4

         F♯  
                 
31 A B♭ Cm D E♭


6 8
7 8 7 10 8 7 10
8 7 8 7 7 8 10
7 10 7 8 9 10 11
11

Down Descending

 Gm      F♯
            D    
        


34 E♭ Cm B♭


9 10 6 7 8 6
8 10 7 10 8 9 10 7 7 8 7
8 7 8 10 7
10 8

             
          
37 A Gm F♯ E♭ D Cm

 7 8
10 7 11
7
8 9 10 7 7 8 7
10 9 10 6 11 9 9 10 6
10 8
4 1 3 4 3 4 1 2

Copyright © Robbie Barnby 3


Position 4

Up Ascending

      
                     
40 D E♭ F♯ Gm A B♭

 8 10 8 12 10 13 12
11
9 12 10 9 12 9 10 11 12 12 13
9 10 10 11 13
1 2 1 4 2 3 2 1

     F♯   Gm      A
   
         
   
43 Cm D E♭


10 11
10 11 10 13 11 10 13
12 11 12 10 11 11 12 13
10 13 11 12 12 13
14

Down Descending

  
        G m                   D   
B♭


A F♯


46 E♭


13 14 10 10 11 10
11 13 10 14 11 12 13 10 10 11 10
12 11 12 13 11
13 12

             
          
Cm B♭ A Gm F♯ E♭


49

 11 12
13 10
10 11
12 12 13 10 11 12 10
13 12 13 10 14 12 12 13 10
14 11
4 1 3 4 3 4 1 2

Copyright © Robbie Barnby 4


Position 5
Up Ascending

                
          
52 F♯ Gm A B♭ Cm D

 12 13 12 16 13
12
11 12
11 14

  Cm    
12 15 13 12 15 12 13 14 15

 Gm      A   
13 14 14 15 16

            
2 3 1 4 3 4 2 1

 

55 E♭ F♯ B♭


11 14 11 15
11 13 11 15 13 11 15 12 13
12 11 14 11 12 13 14 14
12 13 15

 D     Cm   
Down Descending

  
          G m                D   
A


B♭


F♯ E♭


58


16 17 14 14 15 14
15 16 13 18 15 15 16 13 14 15 11 12 13 11
15 14 12 14 11 14 12 13 14 11
13 12

             
         
Cm B♭ A Gm F♯ E♭


62

 16
12
13 15
11
12 12 13 12
15 13 15 12 16 13 14 15 12 12 13
15 14 15 11
3 4 1 3 1 2 4 1

Up Ascending (Back To Position 1 - 8va)

 
       
65 F♯ Gm


12 15 13 17
13 14 14 15
2 3 1 4 2 3 1 4

Copyright © Robbie Barnby 5


Down Ascending + Up Descending
Position 1

Down Ascending

              
Gm A B♭ Cm D E♭

  
       
67



 1 3 4 4 5 1 6
2
4
2 3
5 1
4 5 1 5 3 5 1 3 5
3 5

             
      
70 F♯ Gm A B♭ Cm


2 2 3
3 3 4 6 3 4
4 5 2 6 3 5 2 3 5
4 5

Up Descending


                
        
      

73 D Cm B♭ A Gm F♯ E♭ D


2 5 3 2
2 3 1 4 3 4 3
4 2 3 2 5 3 2 5 3 2
6 4 5 3 4 5 4
5 6 4 5

 
Cm B♭ A Gm

      
77

       
 1 5 4
2 3 5 3 6 1 5
5 6 4 5 2 3
1 2 1 4

(Fingering suggestion to help with


Copyright © Robbie Barnby transitioning to the next position) 6
Position 2

Down Ascending

  
                           
79 A B♭ Cm D E F♯ Gm A

 

 4 4 5 6 7 4 7
3
5
4 5
7 4
6 7 3
5
7
4
5
7
5 6 3 8 5 6 3 5 6
5 6
3 4 1 2

            
   

83 B♭ Cm D E♭


3 4 5 5 6
6 7 3 7 4 7 8 4
3 5 7

Up Descending
* This isn't the best Position for this variation *

                  
               
85 F♯ E D Cm B♭ A Gm F♯


5 8 6 5
6 7 4 8 7 8 7
7 6 7 5 8 7 5 8 3 7 5
9 7 8 6 7 4 5 3 4 7

      
E♭ D Cm B♭ A

         
 
89

  

 5 8 4 7 5 4
5 6 4 5 6 5 3 6
7 8 5 6 4 5
2 3 1 4

Copyright © Robbie Barnby 7


Position 3

Down Ascending

          
 
                      
92 B♭ Cm D E♭ F♯ Gm A B♭



 7 7 8 9 10 7 11
7
8
7 8
10 7
10
7
7
8
8 9 5 9 10 6 11 9 10 6 9 10
6 8 10
3 4 1 2

   
       F♯  G m    
       

96 Cm D E♭


6 7 8 9 10 6
7 8 9 10 7 10 8 10 7 8
8 7 8
10

Up Descending


    G m     F♯
 A  E♭
                 
       
99 D Cm B♭ A


8 11 6 10 8 6
9 10 7 8 7 10 8 7 10 8 7
10 7 8 7 8 7 8
11 9 10 7 8 7 10
11

 
         
  
Gm F♯ E♭ D Cm

      
103

 8
7
7 10 8 7
9 10 8 9 5 6 10 9 6 10
9 10 7 8
2 3 1 4

Copyright © Robbie Barnby 8


Position 4

Down Ascending

                  
               
106 D E♭ F♯ Gm A B♭ Cm D

 8 9 10 11 12 8 12
8
10
10 11
12 8
11 12 8
10
13
10
11
12
11 12 9 12 10 12 9 10 12
10 11
3 4 1 2

   
 F♯    G m       
  
A


110 E♭


10 10 11
10 11 12 13 10 14 11 13 10
12 8 11 12

Up Descending

   Gm    F♯  E♭   D
     A
* This isn't the best Position for this variation *

             
   

B♭

  
112 Cm B♭


10 14 11 10
10 11 10 13 11 13 11 10
13 11 12 11 14 12 11 12 11
15 12 13 11 12 10 13 12
14 12 13

   
           
 
A Gm F♯ E♭ D

   
116

 10 13 8 12 10 8
11 12 9 10 8 9 12 10 9 12
10 11 9 10
2 2 1 4

Copyright © Robbie Barnby 9


Position 5
Down Ascending

                 
   
              
E♭


119 E♭ F♯ Gm A B♭ Cm D

 12 12 13 15
11
12
11 12
13 10
13 14 11
12
14
11
12
13

 Cm    
12 13 10 14 15 12 16 13 15 12 13

      G m            
11 14 15
3 4 1 2
A B♭


123 F♯


11 13 14 14 15 11
12 13 14 15 11 15 13 15 11 13
14 11 12 14

  B♭    A   Gm  F♯
 D    Cm   
Up Descending

          
 E♭    D
    


126


14 17 11 15 14 11
14 15 12 13 11 15 13 15 13
14 13 14 12 15 10 11 14 12 15 11 14
16 12 13 11 12

     
          
     
Cm B♭ A Gm F♯


130

 13
12
12 16 13 12
14 15 12 13 11 12 15 13 12 15
14 15 13 14
2 3 1 4

Down Ascending (Back To Position 1 - 8va)

 
   
133 Gm


16 17 13
15
3 4 1 2

Copyright © Robbie Barnby 10


Position 1 Alternating: Up Down Ascending + Up Down Descending
* The descending version of this variation works better than the ascending as there are no repeated notes *

Alternating: Up Down Ascending

              
Gm A B♭ Cm D E♭ F♯ Gm

 
               
134

 
 1 4 4 5 1 4
2 2 3
5 1 3 4
2 5 6
3
3
5
1 5 5 3 1 5 3 4 5
2 3 5 5

Optional: If wanting to avoid the repeated note replace it with the diatonic note above (D = F#, A = C, F# = A). This sounds best when
starting these patterns on the upbeat. You could also just skip the note (this will rhythmically displace the pattern however it will flip back).

     
          
138 A B♭ Cm D


2 3 4 5 2
4 6 3 4 3
2 5 3 4 5
6

Alternating: Up Down Descending * This pattern variation also sounds great when starting on the Upbeat *

    D       
         
              
140 E♭ Cm B♭ A Gm F♯ E♭


3 6 4 5 2 3 2
3 4 3 4 6 3 4 2 3
4 5 3 2 5 3 2 5 2 3
6 5 3 4 5 1

Optional: For this descending variation, you can also try replacing the chromatic approach from below (the first note of each triad) to a chromatic
approach between the last note of the triad before and the first note of the next triad, for example: Bar 141, Beat 1 = Db. This only works if the
last note of the triad before and the first note of the next triad is a tone apart. If they are a semitone apart, leave it how it is (as a chromatic approach
from below). This will sound best when starting these patterns on the upbeat. Try it for the other descending positions of this variation too.

   
    
D Cm B♭ A

 
144

     

 4
2
4 5 4
4 5 6 3 5 5 6 3
5 6 5
3 4 1 3

(Fingering suggestion to help with


Copyright © Robbie Barnby transitioning to the next position) 11
Position 2

Alternating: Up Down Ascending

    
                 
B♭ Cm D E♭ F♯ Gm


146

 

 4 4 5 4 7 7
3
5 4 7
5 6 7
8 5
5 6 4 5 6 8
5 6 8
2 3 2 1

     
          
149 A B♭ Cm D


5
6 7 8 9 7
5 8 7 5 8 7
6 7 8 9

Alternating: Up Down Descending

    D       
         
      
151 E♭ Cm B♭ A Gm


6 5
8 9 7 8 6 7
7 8 7 5 8 7 5 8 6 7
9 8 6 7 8 5

            
F♯ E♭ D Cm B♭ A

      
   
154

 

 4 7
5
7
3
5 4 7 4 5 4
8 6 4 5 6 3 5 5 6 3
5 6 5
2 3 1 3

Copyright © Robbie Barnby 12


Position 3

Alternating: Up Down Ascending

         
  
                     
B♭ Cm D E♭ F♯ Gm A B♭


157



 7 7 8 7 10 11
7
8 7 10
8 10
7
7
8
5 9 9 10 6 9 10 6 8 9 10 11
5 6 8 9 10
1 2 1 4 3 4 1 2

         
      
161 Cm D E♭ F♯


7 8
8 9 10 7 8 11 10 7
8 7 7 8
9 10

Alternating: Up Down Descending

 F♯
                      
          
163 Gm E♭ D Cm B♭ A Gm


6 10 7 8 6
7 8 10 7 8 9 10 7 8 7
7 8 7 8 10 7 8 7
9 10 8 7 10 11 8
11 10

           
F♯ E♭ D Cm

  
167

 

 7 10 7 8 7
8 9 10 6 9 9 10 6
9 10 8
3 4 1 2

Copyright © Robbie Barnby 13


Position 4

Alternating: Up Down Ascending

         
                  
169 D E♭ F♯ Gm A B♭

 8 10 11 12 8 10 13
10 11
12
9 12 12 10 9 12 10 11 12 13
9 10 11 13
1 2 1 4

             
           
 
A


172 Cm D F♯ Gm E♭


10 10 11
10 11 12 13 10 11 13 10
12 13 11 12 11 11 12
10 13 12 12 13
14

  A
Alternating: Up Down Descending

        Gm      F♯
        D   
   
B♭


175 E♭


10 14 10 11 10
10 11 13 10 11 12 13 10 11 10
11 12 11 12 13 11
12 13 12

                
      
Cm B♭ A Gm F♯ E♭


178

 10 13
12 10 11
12 10 13 11 12 10 8
14 13 11 12 13 10 9 12 12 10
13 11
4 1 2 3

Copyright © Robbie Barnby 14


Position 5
Alternating: Up Down Ascending

                   
       
181 F♯ Gm A B♭ Cm D

 12 13 15
11
12 13
12 13 14 11
12

  Cm    
12 15 16 13 12 15 13 14 15

    
 A 
13 14 15 16

           
2 1 4

   
3

 

184 E♭ F♯ Gm B♭


11 14 14 15 11
11 12 13 11 15 15 13 11 15 13
12 14 11 11 12 14 14
12 13

 Cm  
Alternating: Up Down Descending

     
           Gm     F♯
     E♭     D   
A

  
D B♭


187


14 17 14 15 14 11
14 15 16 13 15 15 13 11 15 12 13 11
14 15 14 11 12 14 11 12 13 14 11
12 13 12

  
     
      

191 Cm B♭ A Gm

 10 13
12
15
11
12 13 12
14 13 12 15 16 13
16 15
4 1 2 4

Back To Position 1 (8va) But Flips To Down Up Ascending (From G)

    
   
193 F♯ Gm


12 15 16 17 13
13 14 15
2 3 1 4 3 4 1 2

Copyright © Robbie Barnby 15


Position 1 Alternating: Down Up Ascending + Down Up Descending
* The descending version of this variation works better than the ascending as there are no repeated notes *

Alternating: Down Up Ascending

          
Gm A B♭ Cm D E♭

  
              
194

  

 1 3 4 1 5 6
2
4 1 5
3
4 5 1 3 5 1 2 3 5 5
3 4 5
2 3 4 1 2 3 1 4

Optional: If wanting to avoid the repeated note replace it with the diatonic note above (D = F#, F# = A, A = C). This sounds best when
starting these patterns on the upbeat. You could also just skip the note (this will rhythmically displace the pattern however it will flip back).

     
       
              
197 F♯ Gm A B♭ Cm D


2 2 3 2 5
3 3 4 3 4 1 2 3
4 5 2 3 5 2 2 3
4 4 5

Alternating: Down Up Descending

      D     Cm   B♭  A 


              
E♭

     
Gm F♯ E♭


200


5 6 3 2 5 2 3 2
4 2 3 4 3 3 4 3
5 2 3 5 2 3 4 5 2 3
4 5 4 1 5
5

Optional: For this descending variation, you can also try replacing the chromatic approach from below (the first note of each triad) to a chromatic
approach between the last note of the triad before and the first note of the next triad, for example: Bar 201 beat 1 = Ab. This only works if the
last note of the triad before and the first note of the next triad is a tone apart. If they are a semitone apart, leave it how it is (as a chromatic approach
from below). This will sound best when starting these patterns on the upbeat. Try it for the other descending positions of this variation too.

      
D Cm B♭ A

      
204

  

 6
2
4 1 5 3 4
5 2 3 5 1 3 6
4 5
2 3 4 1 2 3 1 4

(Fingering suggestion to help with


Copyright © Robbie Barnby transitioning to the next position) 16
Position 2

Alternating: Down Up Ascending

                   
B♭ Cm D E♭ F♯ Gm

     
206

  

 4 5 6 7 4 5 8
4 5
7 4 4 5
3 7
8 5 3 6 5 5 6
6 7
4 1 2 3

      F♯ 
                    
    
209 A B♭ Cm D E♭


5 5 6 5 8
4 7 7 8 4 7 8 4 6 7
7 5 7 5 6 7
7 7 8

Alternating: Down Up Descending

 G m     F♯
           D     Cm   B♭  A 
           
E♭


Gm


212


9 10 6 5 8 5 6 5
8 6 7 8 7 7 8 4 7
8 6 7 5 7 7 8 5 3 7
7 8 7 4 5

             
F♯ E♭ D Cm B♭ A

  
         
216

 4 5
7 4 5
3
6 7 4 5 4
5 6 5 3 6 8 5 3 6
7 6 4 5
4 1 2 3 1 2 1 4

Copyright © Robbie Barnby 17


Position 3

Alternating: Down Up Ascending

                   
B♭ Cm D E♭ F♯ Gm

     
219

  

 7 8 9 10 7 8
7
8 9 6 10 11 9 6 10 9 9 10
10 6 7 8 10 10
2 3 4 1 2 3 1 4

      F♯ 
                    
    
222 A B♭ Cm D E♭


6 8
7 7 8 7 10 10 8 7 10
7 8 7 8 7 8 10
10 7 7 8 10 11

Alternating: Down Up Descending

 G m     F♯          D     Cm    B♭


        

225 E♭


9 10 6 8 6
8 7 10 10 8 7 10 7 8 7
10 8 7 8 7
11 10 7 8

        
      
   
    
228 A Gm F♯ E♭ D Cm

 7 8
10 7 8
7
9 10 7 8 7
9 10 9 6 10 11 9 6 10
10 10 7 8
1 2 1 4

Copyright © Robbie Barnby 18


Position 4

Alternating: Down Up Ascending


                       
231 D E♭ F♯ Gm A B♭

 8 9 10 8 12 12
8
10 8 12
11
11 12 9 10 12 9 9 10 12 12
10 10 11
3 4 1 2

      F♯   G m      A  
            

234 Cm D E♭


10 11
10 10 11 10 13 14 11 10 13
11 12 8 11 12 8 10 11 12 13
10 11 12

Alternating: Down Up Descending

      G m   
  
   A            D  
B♭

  
237 F♯ E♭


13 14 10 11 10
11 10 13 14 11 10 13 10 11 10
13 12 10 11 12 11
13 11 12

          
           
  
240 Cm B♭ A Gm F♯ E♭

 11 12
13 10 12
11
12 13 10 8 12 9 10
12 13 12 9 10 12 9 10 13
10 11
1 2 4 1 2 3 1 4

Copyright © Robbie Barnby 19


Position 5
Alternating: Down Up Ascending

                  
       
243 F♯ Gm A Cm B♭ D

 12 12 13 12 16 16
12
13 12 16
14

   
14 15 12 13 15 12 12 13 15 16

    Cm   
                  A
  
14 14 15
3 4 1 3 B♭
Gm


246 E♭ F♯


11 13 14 11 15
13 14 15 11 13 15 11 12 13
14 15 12 11 14 12 13 14
13 15

 D     Cm     B♭
Alternating: Down Up Descending

    A     G m
        F♯
  
       
  
E♭


249 D


16 17 14 11 15 13 14 11
15 12 13 15 11 13 14 15 11 13
13 14 12 11 14 14 15 12 14
15 13 12 16
16

       
        
253 Cm B♭ A Gm

 16
12
13 12 16 12 13 12
15 12 13 15 12 13
14 15
3 4 2 1

Back To Position 1 (8va) But Flips To Up Down Ascending (From G)

 
     
F♯ Gm


255


14 15 12 14 17
14 14 15
3 4 1 3 1 2 1 4

Copyright © Robbie Barnby 20

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