Harmony
Target notes
Target notes are notes of the current chord, especially the third and seventh, that a soloist lands on at strong beats and chord changes so the solo outlines the harmony.
What is a target note in improvisation?
A target note is a chord tone you decide to reach at a specific moment: beat 1 of a bar, or the instant the chord changes. Everything before it leads there, and it is the note that makes the harmony audible in your solo.
This is the difference between playing in the scale and playing the changes. Over a blues in A, the A minor pentatonic works everywhere, but landing on C# as the A7 comes back spells out the chord, while sitting on C blurs it into the scale.
Which notes should you target on each chord?
In order of strength:
- the third, which says major or minor;
- the seventh, which says maj7, 7 or m7;
- the root and fifth, more neutral and ideal for endings.
The third and seventh are the guide tones. In a ii-V-I in G (Am7, D7, Gmaj7), one simple line links three targets: C (third of Am7), C again (seventh of D7), then B (third of Gmaj7). One note held across two chords, then a half step: that is voice leading applied to a solo.
How do you approach a target note?
Three short approaches, played on the offbeats just before the target:
- from below, a half step under: A# then B;
- from above, the next scale note up: C then B;
- enclosure: C, A#, then B on the beat.
On the neck, with B on the G string, 4th fret: play the 5th fret, then the 3rd, then the 4th on beat 1. The outside note falls on a weak beat and the target on a strong one: rhythmic placement is what makes the tension sound intentional.
Exercise: a ii-V-I in G around the 5th fret
Play Am7, D7 and Gmaj7, one bar each, at 70 BPM, staying between the 2nd and 5th frets.
- Play the arpeggio of each chord as four quarter notes.
- Play only the third on beat 1: C (G string, 5th fret), F# (D string, 4th fret), B (G string, 4th fret).
- Improvise freely, but arrive on those three notes on beat 1 of each bar.
For other progressions, the solo builder shows the target notes, the arpeggio and the matching scale for every chord.
Key takeaways
- A target note is a chord tone reached on a strong beat.
- Aim for the third first, then the seventh.
- Approach it from a half step below, from above, or with an enclosure.
- Put outside notes on weak beats and the target on the strong beat.
Frequently asked questions
Can you target a ninth or another extension?
Yes, once thirds and sevenths feel natural. A ninth over Gmaj7 (A) or a thirteenth over D7 (B) gives a more modern colour. They do not state the chord quality, though, so save them for moments when the bass and the comping already make it clear.
Do you have to give up the pentatonic to use target notes?
No. Keep your pentatonic phrases and change only the landing note. Over a blues in A, end a phrase on C# instead of C when the A7 returns, or on G# when the E7 arrives: the same box instantly sounds more precise.
How can I practise target notes on my own?
Record the progression as plain chords on your phone, or play the bass note and chord on beats 1 and 3 and leave the other beats free. Start slowly with one target per bar, then add chromatic approaches.
Related terms
Practise in the workshop
Take it from theory to the fretboard
Open the workshop tools and see this idea across the whole neck. Free account, no card needed.