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Here’s My Book-The T.C.S. Target Map

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To make this eBook a high-value “Authority” asset, these tabs focus on the T.C.S. System—specifically showing how to hit those “Target” chord tones within the scale boxes everyone already knows.

Here are the tabs for the 12-Bar Blues in A, highlighting the transition points where most players fail.

The T.C.S. Target Map (Key of A)

Phase 1: Finding Your Targets

Before you solo, you must see the “skeleton” of the chords inside your Pentatonic Box (Position 1).

A7 Chord Tones (The “Home” Base)

The $C\#$ is the “Sweet” Major 3rd.

Plaintext

e|-----------5-(A)----------|  <-- Root
B|-------5-(E)--------------|  <-- 5th
G|---6-(C#)-----------------|  <-- Major 3rd (The "Sweet" Note)
D|---7-(A)------------------|  <-- Root
A|--------------------------|
E|--------------------------|

D7 Chord Tones (The “IV” Chord)

The $F\#$ is the “Money” note that defines the change.

Plaintext

e|-----------5-(A)----------|  <-- 5th
B|-------7-(F#)-------------|  <-- Major 3rd (The "Target")
G|---5-(C)------------------|  <-- b7 (Bluesy Tension)
D|---7-(A)------------------|  <-- 5th
A|---5-(D)------------------|  <-- Root
E|--------------------------|

E7 Chord Tones (The “V” Chord)

The $G\#$ is the “Tension” note that pulls you home.

Plaintext

e|-----------4-(G#)---------|  <-- Major 3rd (Maximum Tension)
B|-------5-(E)--------------|  <-- Root
G|---4-(B)------------------|  <-- 5th
D|---6-(G#)-----------------|  <-- Major 3rd
A|---7-(E)------------------|  <-- Root
E|--------------------------|

The 3-Note Solo Exercise (TAB)

Goal: Only play the Root, 3rd, and 5th of each chord.

Bars 1-4: The A7 “Statement”

Focus on the $C\#$ to establish the Major Blues sound.

Plaintext

      A7 (I)                      A7
e|-------------------|-------------------|
B|---------5---------|-------------------|
G|----6---------6----|----5/6------------|
D|-------------------|----------7--------|
A|-------------------|-------------------|
E|-------------------|-------------------|
   (3rd) (5th) (3rd)   (3rd sl.)(Root)

Bars 5-6: The D7 “Shift”

Target the $F\#$ (B-string, 7th fret). This is the note that proves you aren’t just “noodling.”

Plaintext

      D7 (IV)                     D7
e|-------------------|-------------------|
B|---------7---------|----7p5------------|
G|----5---------7----|----------5--------|
D|-------------------|-------------------|
A|-------------------|-------------------|
E|-------------------|-------------------|
    (b7) (3rd) (Root)    (3rd)  (b7)

Bars 9-10: The E7 “Climax”

The $G\#$ on the 4th fret of the high-e string is the most “Professional” sound in this progression.

Plaintext

      E7 (V)                      D7 (IV)
e|---------4---------|-------------------|
B|----5---------5----|----------7--------|
G|-------------------|----5/7------------|
D|-------------------|-------------------|
A|-------------------|-------------------|
E|-------------------|-------------------|
    (Root)(3rd) (Root)   (sl.) (3rd)

The “Authority” Practice Tip

Stop at the “Change”: Play a phrase over the A7, then stop. Visualize the $F\#$ (the 3rd of D7) before you play it. If you have to hunt for it, you haven’t mastered the map yet.

The Transformation Checklist:

  • [ ] Can I find the $C\#$ for the A7 instantly?

  • [ ] Can I find the $F\#$ for the D7 instantly?

  • [ ] Can I find the $G\#$ for the E7 instantly?

Master these three “Tension” notes, and you will never sound like a “Shape-Runner” again.

 

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