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Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 6 2016, 04:13 PM

Hello everybody! Welcome to this new thread in which we will work on applying music theory in real music situations. The assignments will be designed to let every guitarist at every level be able to make music over the backing tracks submitted.


Who can join?

Every GMCer can join, from absolute beginner to advanced. You can make all the necessary questions to understand each detail behind the assignments.


When?

At every moment. If you are finding this thread and the course is advanced you can join right now, the assignments are always complete by themselves to make music over the backings.


What to do?

Check the instructions given at each assignment, download the backing track and start jamming. You will find a Jamtrack that is for your diary practice and there is a Backing Track that is the one you can use to record yourself and share your recording here to receive feedback.



About deadlines and How to work on each task?


I'll give long deadlines for this assignments because I want you to take all the time needed to experiment with each task and incorporate the concepts. Please don't work on the whole assignment by once. Dedicate time, hours, days to each task if the concepts are totally new for you.



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ASSIGNMENT I: Jamming over a backing track in A major key.


- Backing Track and Progression:

In this first assignment you'll find a backing track in A major with the following progression:

| A | A | F#m | F#m |

Download and listen to the backing:  Backing_track_in_A_Major___70_bpm.mp3 ( 1.18MB ) : 255


Do you want to know how to play those chords? Check out this GP file:  Backing_track_Progression.gp5 ( 2.01K ) : 194



TASK 1: A Major Chord:

Now stop the backing track and learn this position of A major. Play it strumming all strings by once and then play each note of the chord separated as it's showed in the tab:






- Once you've learn to play the chord and the isolated notes practice playing this over the backing track.

- Play slowly, listen how each note sounds over the backing.

- Play the notes in random order and try to create simple melodies.



TASK 2: A Major Pentatonic


Learn to play this scale:



http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator

Play it up and down.

Practice the scale over the backing track. Play random notes and then try to create simple melodies.



TASK 3: Identifying and focusing on chord tones


Play A Major Pentatonic again and identify the notes that are also part of A Major chord (Marked with a red dot)




Practice creating melodies over the backing focusing on the notes from the chord and using the other notes from the scale as passing notes.

Record yourself and share your recordings here.



This is the jamtrack for home practice:  Jamtrack_in_A_Major___70_bpm.mp3 ( 6.82MB ) : 281


Backing without rhythm guitar:  Backing_in_A_major_without_guitars___70_bpm.mp3 ( 2.18MB ) : 209



DEADLINE: February 6th


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Ok friends! This is all by now. This is something completely new for GMC forum so we are also testing this ideas. Feel free to send me personal message with feedback and suggestions about how the keep on improving this kind of activities.



Who is in?

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Jan 6 2016, 04:27 PM

Nice! Backings/attachments don't work, probably because of copy and paste.

Posted by: Phil66 Jan 6 2016, 04:44 PM

In

Can you explain please, how you know/work out which chords can be played in A major? I think this is an important part of theory knowledge, not just to learn parrot fashion but to understand. I hope this makes sense I'm sorry but I really prefer to understand rather than just know.

Cheers

Phil

Posted by: Rhida Jan 6 2016, 04:49 PM

Fantastic thread!
It just sums up what GMC is all about.
If you could just add a backing track without rhythm guitar so we (for those interested of course) could also work on riffs, different strumming patterns, etc...

Posted by: Phil66 Jan 6 2016, 04:53 PM

Good one Rhida,
Maybe the second assignment could be still based on A Maj but we make up our own riffs, progressions etc. So the other side of the same coin so to speak
Cheers

Posted by: Miltonex Jan 6 2016, 05:19 PM

Nice Work as Always!!
I like to do the assigment but the links don´t work!!
Thank you Gab You Rock!!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 6 2016, 05:40 PM

Ups! Fixed!

Links are now fixed and I've added a version of the backing without rhythm guitars.




Hi Phil, as I want to keep the assignments simple for everybody I avoid adding too much reading info. Experience with scales and backing tracks is what makes us understand what scales we can play over different backing tracks so be sure that after many assignments you'll easily identity tonalities.

There are lots of theory concepts happening on this first assignment: intervals, pentatonic scales, major scales, chords, harmonizing major scale, arpeggios, etc. However, if I share all the explanation behind each concepts we wouldn't be focusing on the most important thing: making music and leaning on the way.

By the way, this doesn't mean that you can't ask question about the "extended" theory behind these assignments. But to keep everything simple, I'll share links to the theory board for those who are interested in going deeper with any specific concept.

Does it make sense?


Now, about your specific question, here is the explanation: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=3160

We will of course work on this concept in the near future, but by now It's time to get familiar with the sounds of the chord tones and pentatonic scale.

Posted by: Tom51 Jan 6 2016, 06:11 PM

Great stuff Gab - I will be in!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 6 2016, 07:48 PM

Cool! You're welcome Tom!

Posted by: Phil66 Jan 6 2016, 08:40 PM

Makes good sense Gab, just be sure to put "chord construction" on your "to cover" list

Thanks for this course Gab, it's going to be great I hope

Posted by: Phil66 Jan 6 2016, 10:09 PM

Ok, I've started, I wanted to have a go at playing the chords in the backing track. The chords themselves are ok but the strumming pattern is tricky for me. I wonder if there could be a GP5 of this? I know we aren't asked to play the backing track but I'm trying to extract as much as possible or should I leave it for now?

Cheers

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 6 2016, 10:47 PM

Sure Phil! I'll tab what I've played and share it later.

Posted by: fzalfa Jan 6 2016, 10:54 PM

Hi

i'm f***'in in !!

Laurent

Posted by: Phil66 Jan 6 2016, 11:33 PM

Thanks Gab,
I hope I'm not asking too much
Cheers

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 7 2016, 01:12 PM

Thanks to your questions and ideas we have this cool thread so keep doing it!

Posted by: fzalfa Jan 7 2016, 10:48 PM

Hi Gabriel and everyone

This a test track, after turning around with any idea for one hours, i have try this way to play on.

it's a early draft, but before go further, am i in the right way with this style of music because it's new for me.

i play with finger cause my wife whant to watch TV quietly... so to avoid too much noise i did like this, but this make me lost some notes.

https://soundcloud.com/laurent-377054242/test-weird-track

Laurent

Posted by: Phil66 Jan 8 2016, 12:12 AM

Sounds sweet to me Laurent, I'll get one in very soon.
It's nice to play using a different position of the pentatonic. I would normally play the position down the neck with the F# on the second fret. This is good because it shows the chord notes.
Keep up the good work Laurent

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 8 2016, 02:03 PM

This sounds very good laurent! Your phrasing sounds tasty and connected with the music. I noticed that your melodies target on chord tones and that's why your melodies make sense with what's sounding in the backing. You are also using the call and response concept so You are on the right track, keep practicing.



This is what rhythm guitar is playing in the backing for Phil that asked for it:  Backing_track_rhythm_guitar.gp5 ( 3.21K ) : 127

Posted by: Lester Jan 8 2016, 03:22 PM

Nice, I'm in as well!

Posted by: Phil66 Jan 8 2016, 10:03 PM

Thanks Gab,

That has helped me a lot, I thought the chords were going to be the same as the ones as in the "Backing track progression GP5" file in assignment 1 So when I was trying I couldn't get it to sound right at all.

Cheers

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 8 2016, 11:49 PM

hehehe not exactly, those are the reference simplified chords for this stage of the workout and playing them over the backing will sound good. Once again, less info to keep things simple.

Posted by: Phil66 Jan 9 2016, 11:04 AM

It was simple but confusing there was me, trying to play the rhythm with the two barre chords

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 9 2016, 01:38 PM

Hey Phil, as you've seen in the tasks we are using the barre chords as a guide to visualize the shapes and be able to find the strong notes in Pentatonic scale. While in the backing my guitar is playing a power chords with an extended note, the idea of the lesson is to visualize that first shape of A major (and later we will do it with the other one).

Posted by: Daeron Jan 9 2016, 02:14 PM

Very interesting. That's exactly the kind of work I intented to make by myself !
I'd like to participate !

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 9 2016, 02:52 PM

You are totally welcome guys!

Posted by: Phil66 Jan 9 2016, 03:38 PM

Yes Gab, it's brilliant and it works. As I said in my mentoring thread, it works so well because that pentatonic shape works around the position of the chord not a few frets away. I'm not picking fault mate, I just think it's good for your experience as an instructor to understand where some students struggle a little bit. Thanks for this course, it's just what I needed and the long interval gives us time to get to grips with it.

Thank you

Posted by: Tom51 Jan 10 2016, 03:35 PM

Here is my first take for assignment1. Shared a video so that you can seen what I am trying to play
Wanted to give the melody an A/B structure. Also changed pickup and tone to support this.

Posted by: Phil66 Jan 10 2016, 10:14 PM

OK here's a couple of takes, both start out the same but are different after. It's really simple nursery rhyme stuff but I do struggle improvising, this backing is not grabbing me for some reason. I'll post some more as we go along, this is a great way to learn news scale patters and relationships with scales and chords

https://soundcloud.com/gmcphil-1/assignment-1-take-1

https://soundcloud.com/gmcphil-1/assignment-1-take-2

Thanks Gab

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 11 2016, 04:13 AM

Hi Tom, interesting take. Your phrasing can be noted because you make a good use of rhythm to construct "answers" and "questions". I would put a bit more attention to the longer notes. I think that focusing more on notes from A major chord when playing long notes and phrases resolution will make your solo connect more with the backing and also to release in some parts. I feel that the solo keep a "tension" feel, if this is intentional, it's ok, but if not, I recommend to target more on thirds of the two chords.

I've also noticed that you are moving to other parts of the neck, are you visualizing chord shapes in those sections?





Great job Phil! You are working on this exactly as suggested and I'm starting to hear very musical phrases here. Keep on experimenting now also focusing on expressing techniques like bending, vibrato, dynamics, etc.

Posted by: Tom51 Jan 11 2016, 09:15 AM

Thanks Gab. About your questions:

No, I did not want to keep tension till the end. I simply was not able to resolve this and then the backing was nearly over. I thought when I stay at more on a F# and the end it would work. Hey, it seems it did not.
I would rework the improvisation with your advise in mind to stay more on on thirds (C# and A) of both chords especially on longe notes and at the end. Did I get this right?

To visualize notes on the fretboard I played A major scale (using CAGED) at all positions I know. That was used so move around the fretboard. I actually was only working around three A notes (E-string 5th fret, A string 12th, D string -7th) and build my major scales around these starting points. Played this as warmup before starting.
Should I better stay with chord shapes only to support the strong notes or is that idea okay?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 11 2016, 01:22 PM

yes, you got it right.





In order to be able to do the previous thing (following the chords) smoother, I recommend to stay in 1 position. Then we will expand the idea.

Posted by: Tom51 Jan 11 2016, 03:17 PM

That makes sense - so I will try something new staying at the one position you showed us in the scale generator.

Cheers Tom

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 12 2016, 04:42 PM

Great!

Posted by: Phil66 Jan 12 2016, 11:10 PM

I'm working on some more to Gab. Trying to get it to stick in my head

Posted by: Phil66 Jan 13 2016, 10:26 PM

Ok another take, I think this is a good way of ear training too. As this is a new scale shape for me and for years I've used another pentatonic shape my fingers still go to the old places The thing is, I notice that it sounds off now

It's just an improvisation, I find it hard to come up with different things for the same backing so this is good practise to overcome those chains

https://soundcloud.com/gmcphil-1/assignment-1-take-3

Thanks for this workout Gab, It's brilliant and a great pace to give us time to think and absorb what we are actually playing note wise

Posted by: Lester Jan 14 2016, 12:10 AM

I had a crack at task 1 as well, let me know what you think

https://soundcloud.com/lester-moorman/task-1-take-1

Posted by: Tom51 Jan 14 2016, 09:24 AM

Very nice takes both - you are really setting the bar high.

Phil - I listened to our audio once and can't get it out of my head.
Lester - great feel and a wonderful tone. Do you use a software amp in your DAW or is it a real amp with pedals and mic you have recorded?

Posted by: Lester Jan 14 2016, 09:27 AM

Thanks Tom!

It's just a MIDI interface with guitar rig

Posted by: Phil66 Jan 14 2016, 01:19 PM

Thanks Tom:)

Posted by: Lester Jan 15 2016, 12:10 AM

Allright, here is my jam in A major pentatonic, thanks for the feedback!

https://soundcloud.com/lester-moorman/task-2-jam-in-a-maj-pentatonic

Posted by: Lester Jan 15 2016, 10:13 AM

May I also add that I think this format of theory learning is really useful!
So thanks Gabe, and good job for who came up with the idea (Phil, was it?)

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 15 2016, 04:06 PM

Nice take mate! This is obviously having a good impact in your playing, phrasing and ear training thanks to the focus and analysis that you are doing while practicing.

You need to experiment with different rhythms to get new ideas. Even not sure if the phrase will be cool, try totally different rhythms and note lengths. I recommend an exercise:

- Limit your phrases to 4 notes and try all the possible rhythms that you can imagine over the backing track. The possibilities should be endless.




Good job Lester! Your phrasing sounds tasty. You are going on the right track with this. Just keep on experimenting with this things in mind:

- Try more rhythm variation. Most of your phrases include 16th notes, try other note values.
- Incorporate some other technique to your phrasing: slides, legato, more bend, vibrato, etc.
- Give more dynamics to your phrases.

Posted by: Tom51 Jan 15 2016, 04:40 PM

This time I only used the one A major pentatonic shape you gave us Gab and tried to stayed on chord notes if there is a longer note.

https://soundcloud.com/user619267345/amt1-2

Posted by: Phil66 Jan 15 2016, 09:55 PM

Another one Gab, I'm amazed at my ears noticing when I play a "wrong" note. This workshop is great, pace is perfect for experimenting which = developing

https://soundcloud.com/gmcphil-1/assignment-1-take-4

Posted by: Phil66 Jan 17 2016, 09:53 PM

Another one Gab,
Sorry for posting so many but I'm really enjoying this and want to hammer it into my head Some of the playing is what I call "nursery rhyme like" from around 0:18-20 but I was just experimenting. I tried to bend to the next note in the scale in parts, I also added some high string double stops. If you get time it would be great if you could record a piece of your own with many different types of rhythm just to inspire us and give us ideas

https://soundcloud.com/gmcphil-1/assignment-1-take-5

Cheers Gab

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 18 2016, 01:45 AM

Well done Tom and Phil! Your takes sound very musical!

Tom, your improvisation has become much more musical now that you have worked in 1 part of the neck. I feel that your phrasing is more consistent now. This is something to have in mind for future soloing, maybe the necessity of moving can make you lose focus on phrases.

Phil, it's cool to see you experimenting with different elements and rhythms. Your soloing is also becoming more musical so you are on the right track.

I'll be back with news.

Posted by: Phil66 Jan 18 2016, 08:19 AM

Intriguing

Posted by: fzalfa Jan 18 2016, 01:16 PM

Hi

i do a short video while jam on this backtrack, i do not try to do a perfect take.

these day i do not play as i can do, maybe a small guitar burn..... i'll take 2 days of "vacations"

this is the crime:



Laurent

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 18 2016, 02:27 PM

Cool phrasing laurent. You look comfortable with this backing track. My favorite section is the first half where your phrases are shorter and more defined. Then, I feel that you need more rhythm variation, and silences to let your phrasing breath in some parts.

Have a nice vacation!

Posted by: fzalfa Jan 18 2016, 02:33 PM

i don't kwno if i can have guitar vacation............. i'll try to do not touch any one

About his take, yes the first half is not bad, but i fill the other one with c***t

Laurent

Posted by: GeneT95 Jan 18 2016, 05:58 PM

Here a bit of practice. I tried to stay with the given notes of the scale provided but I found it hard to use a major pentatonic and not a 3 note per string pattern, especially with timing, repeating certain phrases unconsciously, and getting a faster phrase in timing. I left the warts and all in instead of trying to overdub them out. I fell off time at times and lost it here and there.

I also made a small edit to the backing track. I added four measures of the backing to the front end as a rhythm intro rather than trying to start immediately or starting a 4 measure section off and being somewhat out of sync with the drum loop as far as phrasing goes.

https://soundcloud.com/shallowlines/amajor1

Posted by: Phil66 Jan 18 2016, 09:11 PM

Take 6.

I was feeling happy and I think it comes through as good as it can with my current skill set.

https://soundcloud.com/gmcphil-1/assignment-1-take-6

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 19 2016, 02:48 PM

Good job Gene! This exercise is a very good training for your ear as well. It can be tricky to create interesting lines with a few notes and staying on the same part of the neck but it's an interesting exercise for our mind to try all the possible variations.

There are some elements that you can try:

- String skipping: Create phrases and melodies skipping strings. You'll get new ideas.

- Practice sequences and then create phrases that combine them with other melodies. Be creative.

Sequence examples:






- Use arpeggio shapes to find to runs into the scale:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator










Well done Phil! This is much more musical and has more rhythm variation! You are definitely on the right track with your practice. Check out the ideas I've just shared over this post.

Posted by: Phil66 Jan 19 2016, 10:06 PM

Thanks Gab,

I've been working for only a short time tonight as I got stuck late at work I have been trying the sequences, they are unfamiliar at the moment so I need to get familiar with them. I think it is going back a string that confuses my fingers at the moment, when you play scales you go one way across the fretboard then back but not up a few notes and back one, but I do understand the idea

I don't fully understand what you mean when you said "Use arpeggio shapes to find to runs into the scale:"

Cheers

Posted by: GuitarsANDtattoos Jan 20 2016, 01:02 AM

I am totally jumping on this. My soloing and theory know-how definitely need some work.

I haven't been on GMC since 2008, learned a lot back then and now I want to clean up what I've learned since!

Posted by: GuitarsANDtattoos Jan 20 2016, 02:30 AM

1st shot at wingin' it! Bring on the pain!!

XD A MAJOR!!!

https://soundcloud.com/cavan-w-short/gmc-a-minor-jam-1-19-15

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 20 2016, 04:54 PM

Hi and welcome to this workout!

Your take shows that you are doing an interesting search with this task. You tend to be melodic and seem to be always searching for clear phrases and the use of different elements to make them sound always unpredictable. This is definitely the right track in this work.

I recommend you to continue exploring and experimenting with this, trying different rhythms and note lenghts. You can also check this suggestions: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=56472&view=findpost&p=725989

And then share a new take. Deal?

Posted by: Phil66 Jan 20 2016, 06:02 PM

Hello Gab ,

Can you explain what I mentioned in my last post here please.

Thanks buddy

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 20 2016, 11:16 PM

Shapes like arpeggios, triads or other stuff like that can make you play scales in different ways, and notes in different orders (different combination of notes). That what I mean by that phrase, does it make sense?

Posted by: Phil66 Jan 20 2016, 11:30 PM

Thanks Gab
It doesn't really make sense to me but it's not you, it's a language thing. I'll have a good think about it

Posted by: GuitarsANDtattoos Jan 21 2016, 12:15 AM

Awesome! I will do this! Thanks for the input!!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 21 2016, 08:04 PM

It's very simple and should be reasonable! For example, if you jam using A major scale and then jam only with A pentatonic major scale, you will be always playing notes from A major key, however the note choices and melodic lines that you'll get will be different because in the first one you have more notes to play.

If I give you three tasks:

- Create a short phrase using A major scale.
- Create a short phrase using A pentatonic major scale.
- Create a short phrase using A major arpeggio.

You'll surely get 3 different ideas and combinations of notes. This kinds of tricks can be done while improvising to keep phrasing fresh.

Posted by: Phil66 Jan 21 2016, 10:02 PM

Thanks Gab,

I think I understand what you're saying. Hopefully this is what you asked for.

Cheers

A major
https://soundcloud.com/gmcphil-1/assignment-1-sub-task-1

A major pent
https://soundcloud.com/gmcphil-1/assignment-1-sub-task-2

A major arpeggio
https://soundcloud.com/gmcphil-1/assignment-1-sub-task-3

Thanks Gab

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 22 2016, 01:51 PM

Hi Phil! That's exactly what I was meaning! This is not part of the assignment but it's cool to know that learning different approaches to scales and shapes can open our possibilities when improvising. Then, when making music, we should be able to combine everything to expand our musical limits.

Posted by: Phil66 Jan 22 2016, 08:25 PM

Thanks Gab,
I tried to keep a similar theme just to see the outcome with the different amount of notes.

Cheers

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 22 2016, 10:35 PM

And what do you think? Have you got different ideas?

Posted by: Phil66 Jan 22 2016, 10:48 PM

Hello Gab
I have many ideas but when I start playing I go back to the things my fingers know well
I meant that I kept the same idea for the three example

Posted by: GuitarsANDtattoos Jan 23 2016, 10:49 PM

I actually can relate to this issue of playing out of habit. I'm currently trying to improve my solos and rhythm chord choices right now, which is a bit of an overhaul. The solo thing is kind of unnatural for me, I ignored it for so long that coming back and fixing it is a bit of a pain, but the rhythm issue is more related to learning new chords and expanding my choice of direction with them. Ultimately, the hardest thing is getting into new lick ideas for solos...for some reason I get a bit stuck or come up empty handed when it comes to blending solidly set licks.

Maybe studying established solos and lick ideas would help? It's a pain for me, but I think that'd be the way to go. Find a good video of a simple solo and learn it, then jam around with some backing tracks or something like that. Kind of like what we're doing in this thread.

I think my ultimate goal is to be as solid as I can with Stoner/Doom/Retro-Rock solos. So old-school licks are where I need to be digging. The band Mastodon provides EPIC inspiration in this field, The Sword as well.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 24 2016, 06:46 AM

You are totally right! That's a good way to expand your guitar vocabulary in relation to improvisation. There is a recent lesson by Kris in which he shares really interesting approaches to develop phrasing and improvisation. You should check it out:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Your-First-Phrases/


And tell me what you think!

Posted by: Phil66 Jan 24 2016, 10:15 AM

Great advice, thank you

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 25 2016, 02:30 PM

Ok friends! Last two weeks. How is it going?

Posted by: Phil66 Jan 25 2016, 02:39 PM

Hello Gab,
I've learned how the chord fits with the pentatonic scale.
I'm struggling with those sequences, but that's more technique than theory.
I'm going to post some more examples very soon, hopefully my imagination will give some different feelings.
Thanks for this thread Gab

Posted by: Tom51 Jan 25 2016, 03:23 PM

I must admit that I did not work on this workout the last few days. I was so engaged in my lessons that I did not realized how time goes by. But I will start this evening again. So give me a few days please

I really like this and also learn a lot from other posts! Hope this will bet a permanent workout here at GMC. Tom


Just one chord questions...I was playing around with barre chords and found a good sounding one I do not know how to name. Maybe its an inversion and I did not find the root.

Take any fret and barre with 3rd finger D-G-B string and mute high E string and with 2nd finger fret low E string and mute A.
(all on same fret)
Is does not sound major to me but I could not find it out.Does anyone know what it is?

Posted by: Phil66 Jan 25 2016, 09:58 PM

Another simple little tune. I tried to keep a theme rather than noodle

https://soundcloud.com/gmcphil-1/assignment-1-take-7

Posted by: Lester Jan 25 2016, 11:33 PM

I just got started with the 3rd task, I don't really like this last task to be honest, I prefer to land on the other non-chord notes

Is there a special idea behind it btw?

Posted by: GuitarsANDtattoos Jan 26 2016, 12:43 AM

I'm thinking I will have another sound clip to post here by tomorrow. I'm working on a couple lick lessons to help the process along \m/

Hey! Just checked out the video! Great suggestion for this lesson thread \m/ This is some awesome food for thought. Sometimes an alternative suggestion such as this can change the way your brain grasps certain concepts that were otherwise troubling. Very cool.

Posted by: Lester Jan 26 2016, 09:25 AM

I also checked that, seems useful, especially if we are going to continue down this path with this thread. nice one!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 26 2016, 02:17 PM

Hi mate, I'm also glad about how this thread is turning! I love the energy here. Let's keep making this one great!

I'm not sure about the chord that you are talking about, could you please share a tab or anything? You can use our scale generator.




Sounds good Phil! Keep on exploring the scale with this musical direction!








Great guys! That video lesson is SO inspiring and "on spot". I also think that is a must-see for everybody who is following this path.

Posted by: Tom51 Jan 26 2016, 03:17 PM

I was thinking about this chord Gab. Could this be an Amin add7 ?

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 26 2016, 05:12 PM

It's Am7. Beautiful chord.

Some other positions for the same chord:


http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator

Posted by: GuitarsANDtattoos Jan 26 2016, 10:13 PM

All very cool \m/

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 27 2016, 01:16 PM

yeah! I think that you'll enjoy this lesson:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Chord-Melody-Workout-Minor-7-Chords/

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 29 2016, 07:26 PM

Ok friends, we are getting into the last 7 days for the first assignment. I'd like to invite you to submit some last takes, let me know how is our progress with this and if you have some questions.

Posted by: Lester Jan 29 2016, 08:48 PM

I am trying to work a little bit towards the suggestions you gave me:

- Try more rhythm variation. Most of your phrases include 16th notes, try other note values.
- Incorporate some other technique to your phrasing: slides, legato, more bend, vibrato, etc.
- Give more dynamics to your phrases.

I have especially difficulties with the 1st one...I am not really that familiar with time signatures. But I gues a 16th note is 4 notes/beat?
Because I am trying to mix in some 4th notes then...1/beat, but I can't really get it to sound good.

And would triplets also work in this setting? Or do you need a different time signature in the backing then as well?
Because I can't get it to work just yet, but it might be that my natural tendency is to play 16th's

And may I make a request that when the deadline is due, we finish up the tasks by you playing how you would have done them Gabe? That might be quite useful

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 1 2016, 05:01 PM

Hi Lester! Great to see you totally focused!

About rhythm, you are right, 16th notes are 4 notes per beat. You can also play triplets over this backing, you can always play triplets over any meter.

I recommend you to check these lessons to clarify these concepts:
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Rhythm-Figures-Workout/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Rhythm-Figures-Workout-II/


and this thread includes also important info about this:http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=48918

Posted by: Lester Feb 1 2016, 08:52 PM

Thanks Gabe,

I will check it out and start working on it

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 2 2016, 01:39 PM

Great!

Posted by: Phil66 Feb 2 2016, 10:07 PM

OK Gab,

Another take, I tried a different approach here, there are mistakes but mistakes are experience eh?

Cheers

https://soundcloud.com/gmcphil-1/assignment-1-take-8

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 3 2016, 03:31 PM

yes!! I like how you managed different rhythms on this new take Phil. This is the right track, keep on exploring in this direction and share more takes.

Posted by: Lester Feb 3 2016, 04:09 PM

https://soundcloud.com/lester-moorman/task-3-jam-in-major-land-on-chord-notes

Here is my take on the 3rd task It's a bit sloppy here and there still, but I did vary some with timing and took some ideas from Kris's lesson:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Your-First-Phrases/

I highly suggest for everyone to have a look, it's perfect for these tasks

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 4 2016, 02:17 PM

Hi Lester,

I can hear on this take that you are exploring in the right way here. You don't sound comfortable yet but it's normal, you need more time to assimilate the new concepts that you are applying here, which are many and it's tricky to think on everything at the same time. You have to work on 1 element at a time, and with the pass of sessions things will become natural and you won't need to think on everything.

Keep on the hard work!

Posted by: GuitarsANDtattoos Feb 10 2016, 12:54 AM

Hey! Been away for a while, missed the first deadline, but am still down for this thread! What's next on the agenda???

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 10 2016, 06:30 PM

Hi guys! As I've said in another thread, I'm just back from a short vacation. I'll share a new assignment soon.

Posted by: fzalfa Feb 10 2016, 07:55 PM

Yeah !!!

Laurent

Posted by: Phil66 Feb 10 2016, 10:29 PM

Thanks Gab,
Looking forward to it. Hope you recharged your batteries.
Can we have a theoretical summary on what we covered in this assignment please
Cheers buddy

Posted by: GuitarsANDtattoos Feb 11 2016, 10:56 PM

Ballin Looking forward to it!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 12 2016, 03:48 PM

ASSIGNMENT II: Jamming over a backing track in C with triads / Vertical approach

Hi guys! In this new assignment the idea is to get into major triads. We will explore the fret-board horizontally focusing on 2 major triads in order to get out of the common scale shapes to find new ways of creating melodies connected with the chords from the backing.

Before we start, for those that want to go deeper with the theory behind this assignment, here is a list of thread that you should read:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=48919
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=48905&st=0#entry644329
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=48859


- Backing Tracks and Progressions:

Backing I:

 Backing_track_I.mp3 ( 1.2MB ) : 89

 Backing_track_1.gp5 ( 3.45K ) : 73


extended backing:  Backing_track_I_extended.mp3 ( 2.97MB ) : 80


| C | C | F | F |



Backing II:

 Backing_track_II.mp3 ( 3.56MB ) : 88

 Backing_track_2.gp5 ( 1.69K ) : 74



| C | C | Dm | Dm | Am | Am | F | F |



TASK 1: C & F major triads on first 3 strings:





- Dedicate 1 day to learn each of the triads. Notice where you have the root on each shape along the fret board.
- If possible try to visualize the Caged system chord shapes.
- Play each one moving horizaontally.
- Connect both triads.


TASK 2: Playing over backing 1

- Now that you know the triads, play along with the backing track following the chords. What I mean by "following the chords"? Play C triad when C is sounding and play F triad when F is sounding. Start with random notes then start creating melodies.

- Record yourself and share it here.



TASK 3: Playing over backing 2

- Experiment over this new backing using both triads. Try to find out how the triads sound over the different chords. How C triad sounds over Am, how C triad sounds over Dm, how F triad sounds over Am, and how F triad sounds over Dm.
- Take your own conclusions and share them with us here.

- Record yourself and share it here.


DEADLINE: March 12 th


Who is in?


PS: Be sure to check the first post guidelines: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=56472&view=findpost&p=725331

Posted by: Tom51 Feb 12 2016, 04:12 PM

Great. I will be in. Should we have a deadline in mind?

Posted by: Phil66 Feb 12 2016, 04:13 PM

In when I get back
That first link will take a month
One question, sorry but you know me Gab why are sharps and flats called "accidental" notes? What is accidental about them?
Cheers

Posted by: fzalfa Feb 12 2016, 04:33 PM

As ever, you can count on me !

Edit:

plz , a king size BT for the I

Laurent

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 12 2016, 06:49 PM

Deadline added!




Added!




An accidental in music is:

A symbol that modifies the pitch of a note, turning it into a sharp, a flat, or a natural; also refers to the modified notes themselves. Sharps (#) raise a note's pitch by a half step; flats ( lower a note's pitch by a half step; and a natural neutralizes an accidental.

Posted by: fzalfa Feb 12 2016, 07:02 PM

you are the king !!

i'm already at work..... this sound fun

Laurent

Posted by: fzalfa Feb 12 2016, 10:01 PM

I begin hostilities...

https://soundcloud.com/laurent-377054242/assignment-1-3

Laurent

Posted by: Phil66 Feb 13 2016, 11:47 AM

Thanks Gab,
Yes I get what an accidental is but I was wondering why it's called "accidental" I've searched Google and can only find what it is but not why it was decided to call sharps and flats accidental, why are they an accident? I guess it is outside this thread really but I am intrigued
Sorry to be a pest, I am an inquisitive student I am looking at the theory of the theory

Posted by: fzalfa Feb 13 2016, 03:13 PM

Hi

Another take, as named it's just for fun !

https://soundcloud.com/laurent-377054242/whawha-just-for-fun

Laurent

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 13 2016, 04:46 PM

Good first takes Laurent. Keep on exploring the fret board. Work horizontally on each string and then combine the three strings. Always remember to visualize shapes and chords.





hahaha honestly I don't know why the word "accident" was used, but I think that it's related to the fact that the "natural" note is modified.

Posted by: Tom51 Feb 13 2016, 04:49 PM

"- If possible try to visualize the Caged system chord shapes."

What do you mean with that Gab? Should we try to see these triad shapes as part of the caged shapes?

Thanks Tom

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 13 2016, 05:15 PM

Exactly! caged scales and chords.

Posted by: fzalfa Feb 13 2016, 06:54 PM

Let's work !!!

Laurent

Posted by: Phil66 Feb 14 2016, 12:17 PM

I think I get it now, I think it mainly relates to notes played outside of the indicated key signature. So if key of C is indicated and you play a d# that is an accidental. I'm thinking that maybe that's where double sharps and double flats come from. If the key signature has a D# and no F but an F is played then that will effectively be a D##. Sorry to go off topic but it was bugging me while I was lying on the beach.

"In music, an accidental is a note of a pitch (or pitch class) that is not a member of the scale or mode indicated by the most recently applied key signature. In musical notation, the sharp (♯), flat (♭), and natural (♮) symbols, among others, mark such notes—and those symbols are also called accidentals."

Cheers I'll be back with my guitars tomorrow evening

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 15 2016, 12:04 AM

Ok Phil! Keep on enjoying the beach!

Posted by: GuitarsANDtattoos Feb 15 2016, 03:04 AM

I'm in on this one! Something about it seems to want to stick-so-all about it!

Posted by: Lester Feb 15 2016, 08:38 AM

Awesome, count me in too!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 15 2016, 01:44 PM

You are welcome guys!

Posted by: Phil66 Feb 17 2016, 10:21 PM

I'm on this now Gab,
Trying to understand the first assignment at the moment

Cheers

Posted by: Tom51 Feb 17 2016, 10:25 PM

Same with me - working on task 1 but have no ideas yet
Creativity can be sometimes hard work.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 18 2016, 01:44 PM

Great! Let me know if you need help.




heheh have you seen my comments about your take for the collab?

Posted by: Phil66 Feb 21 2016, 11:21 AM

Lot to take in on this assignment. Struggling through it though

Posted by: Phil66 Feb 21 2016, 02:03 PM

Hello Gab,

No sure I understand what you are saying here To me vertically means across the neck, if it means along the neck, do we play each individual triad along the neck or am I missing something.

When you say "connect both triads", there are 10, I am confused

Sorry to be a pain

Cheers Gab

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 21 2016, 09:54 PM

Hi Phil!

I meant "HORIZONTALLY", sorry!

And when saying "both" I mean to C and F triads (each of the shapes of course)

Posted by: Phil66 Feb 21 2016, 10:01 PM

Thanks Gab,

So connect the first one of each triad, ie C number one and F number one? C number 2 and F number 2? etc??

Cheers mate.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 23 2016, 02:24 PM

Every combination possible will help to see the fret-board clearer. You can work along the fret-board and you can also work on each part of the neck. The idea is to be able to visualize both triads (C & F) everywhere and combine them.

Posted by: Tom51 Feb 23 2016, 03:05 PM

What helped me a lot to remember these triad shapes was that I think of the chord behind it!
So I can find these triads easily and fast and just look for the notes F and C on the string the chord (E barre or A barre or D) belongs to.

But making a solo with such a few notes is challanging - so I still working on it and will have something in the next days.

Posted by: Phil66 Feb 23 2016, 03:49 PM

Thanks Gab and Tom, I am persevering, it's just quite a big jump from the last assignment and I was out of the country for the first week so am behind, then I had the understanding what to do issue.

It's all good though, all part of the never ending journey

Cheers

Posted by: Tom51 Feb 23 2016, 07:34 PM

So I now know where the triads are. But I had to realize how few notes are available for improvising...and then the fast backing track. Its really beyond me. So I tried to make another rhythm line.


https://soundcloud.com/user619267345/amp2-1

Posted by: Phil66 Feb 24 2016, 09:31 AM

Great idea Tom, IMHO.
I'm struggling to remember the triads so I'm going to play the whole barre chords just to see if that helps, maybe it will, maybe it won't, need to try something to get them in my head and hopefully playing conventional barre chords will help me to remember the associated triads.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 25 2016, 03:00 PM

Great discussin here guys. It's really helpful for this workout that you share your experience with the assignments and how you deal with the problems that appear. Please keep´the comments coming.

This sounds good mate, keep on experimenting and gradually add some faster rhythms...

Posted by: Phil66 Mar 2 2016, 05:00 PM

Hello folks,

I may sound like a bit of a hypocrite here but I've had a holiday and many problems since the start of this second assignment so please stick with me.

I think we shouldn't focus on the deadline as the time when we submit our takes. We should see the deadline more as a "New assignment day". We should all, where possible, discuss our problems and methods of tackling them with each other as a group session. We should all submit takes often and discuss between ourselves, learning from each other's experiences. This is why this course has a long deadline, so that we can all extract as much as possible from it without taking too much of our other practice time away. So even a couple of bars would be good, and I'm sure Gab will be on hand to offer guidance and advice during the long period between deadlines.

Think of it as time spent to develop your understanding of music rather than just creating a single piece of music, by playing and submitting a few takes whether partial or in full will be help and encouragement for you and other students. The assignment is four weeks of gentle study, not to wait until a week before and cram it all in.

Any ideas on what kind of direction this new style of workshop should go will also help Gab and Kris assess its effectiveness and modify it where they see fit.

So what do you say? Shall we pick this thread up by the weekend and get it rockin?

Thanks for reading

Cheers

Phil

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 3 2016, 01:25 PM

Hi Phil! Thanks for your message!

I totally agree with you. This workout is a place where every body is invited to share his questions and takes based on the assignments. Each person and each guitarists has its own time so deadlines are only as reference and as Phil correctly said, "new assignment" day.

The topics covered here are all related and at the same time each one is infinite. There is no end for creation, there is always a new combination of elements that can become a new phrase or piece of music. You can get back to any assignment always at any time, and re-create it, find a new way of apply it, work or develop it.

Today I've read a very cool quote from Wayne Krantz totally related to this:

"There is no end to the development of a musician with an active imagination ‘the guitar’ glorifies an object. The instrument itself is of passing importance. What we do with it is the thing of meaning music is a thing of meaning."

Posted by: Phil66 Mar 3 2016, 10:09 PM

OK folks,

I need some help here please. I'm late coming into this one as I said in my previous post so I need help catching up. I'm struggling to remember all of the triads so I've learned the first one of C and F.
I'm also finding it difficult to listen to the pretty quick backing track and come up with ideas with so few notes, it's good to only have a few notes though, makes you really think.

For those in a similar position, ie: struggling with the backing here's what I've done. I exported the GP5 file as a .wav and put that into my DAW. It's infinitely more simple than the proper backing and you have a visual reference too, you'll get what I mean if you try it.

Anyway, here is one of my signature "nursery rhyme" toons just over the GP5 backing.I didn't fade the end out but this isn't a recording & mixing workshop so I left it due to time. Give it a try and see how you get on. Don't forget to let us know what you think and if you have any ideas please tell us

https://soundcloud.com/gmcphil-1/assignment-2-take-1

Cheers

Phil

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 4 2016, 07:40 PM

Hi Phil, thanks for your take here.

I notice that you are working on this task correctly. I know that it can be tricky to visualize all the triads by once, so I think that the best would be to work on small parts of the fret board. You can divide first octave of the fretboard (from open string to fret 12) in 3 parts and work on 1 part each day. After 3 days you can get back to part 1 start connecting with the others. This task requires diary practice and patience but the results are really good, and will last for your whole life.

Training our ear and learning the fret board are two of the most important things for guitarists.

Posted by: Phil66 Mar 4 2016, 10:22 PM

OK,

I've explored the next triad of each. I've used the same exported GP5 file. If anyone wants this backing as a WAV to put in their DAW just ask and I'll send it to you, I can make it as long as you want. I currently have a 10 minute version

I've incorporated the first two triads of C and F. This seems to be the best way for me to learn them. I have them displayed on the screen as a quick reference if I get lost but it seems good. Once I have got them all down with the simple backing and nursery rhyme playing I'll progrees onto Gab's real backing and see if I can get some better licks.

https://soundcloud.com/gmcphil-1/assignment-2-take-2

This is like learning to walk again.

Posted by: GuitarsANDtattoos Mar 5 2016, 04:34 PM

Hey all! Still following, just extraordinarily busy as of late. I'm digging the pace we're moving at, steady is the way to go \m/ I'll see about recording something soon if I can. Got a lot of shows this month, so prep for them has been a bit consuming.

Posted by: Phil66 Mar 5 2016, 04:41 PM

Great to hear you're still with us mate

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 6 2016, 06:31 PM

Well done Phil! Thanks for the backing and your new take. It seems that you are getting familiar with the different shapes. These requires patience but then you'll notice how much this helps to your phrasing. I think that it's time to try to create some more musical ideas using the shapes, what do you think?





Hi mate, great to know that you are playing a lot but also that you are following this workout! I hope to hear some takes form you soon.

Posted by: Phil66 Mar 6 2016, 07:09 PM

Thanks Gab,

I've only got the first two shapes of each C and F, should I get more down or try to be more musical with what I have?

Everyone, I also have the simple backing available without metronome if you want it

Cheers

Posted by: fzalfa Mar 7 2016, 10:26 AM

Hi here

i have work a bit on the second backtrack, so this morning, i try to record this one shoot

this is my labour

https://soundcloud.com/laurent-377054242/test-assign-2

Laurent

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 7 2016, 05:10 PM

You can divide your time in two blocks:

1) practicing musical ideas.
2) learning new shapes.




Hi Laurent, this sounds VERY melodic and musical. I like your tone and your phrasing on this one. How was your approach used here?

Posted by: Tom51 Mar 7 2016, 05:11 PM

Still have a hard time to get something musical out with these few notes and the fast backing track. I am simply too slow.
But the good thing is...I got these triad shapes under my fingers now

Tom

Posted by: Phil66 Mar 7 2016, 05:28 PM

We're in the same boat here Tom, I'm struggling with the fast backing and getting the shapes under my fingers, that's why I used the GP5 backing, it has the chords with a simple strumming pattern, I can send it to you if you don't have GP5 as i have converted to a .WAV with or without metronome.

Cheers.

Posted by: fzalfa Mar 7 2016, 05:38 PM

Thanks Gabriel

My approach ? i try to play what i sing in my head while the BT is playing...... and i do experiements for hours, try this scale, or another one, or a mix.

But i do not alway reach to play that little song in my brain....

Laurent

Posted by: Tom51 Mar 7 2016, 05:45 PM

Yes Phil, GP5 please. That will at least keep me working on this assignment the last days. Thanks for your help!

Posted by: Phil66 Mar 7 2016, 05:49 PM

No worries,
I'll send the wav files with and without the metronome when I get home this evening
Can you PM me your email address please, I think my attachment limit on GMC is near to full.
Cheers

Posted by: Phil66 Mar 7 2016, 09:50 PM

There you go Tom, and anyone else who wants them. Backing track 1 GP5. NOTE: It isn't the same progression as the studio backing but it is two bars of C and two bars of F repeated. I found it helped to learn the triads even though I only played very very simple things.

 GP5_backing_with_metronome_120_bpm.mp3 ( 412.24K ) : 56


 GP5_backing_without_metronome_120_bpm.mp3 ( 412.24K ) : 66


Please let us know how you get on

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 8 2016, 02:47 PM

Great one Laurent. The more you practice the smoother will be the connection between mind and guitar. Singing along while playing is a killer training to improve this connection, have you ever tried it?





Thanks for the extra backings Phil.

Posted by: fzalfa Mar 8 2016, 02:51 PM

as i can i do it, but if i'm not alone i sing inside and sometime i really sing without be aware of

i also spend time with an axe while i watch TV, i try to play along all i can hear !!!

specialy singing contest, i can really do some killer improvisation on !

Laurent

edit: sometime i try to sing over my guitar, specialy with Opeth song, because it's slow and pretty nice.

Posted by: Phil66 Mar 9 2016, 09:47 PM

OK folks,

For those of you struggling a bit with this one, I've created single chord backings from the GP5 file. They are 10 minutes long so plenty of time to think about your licks with these very few notes.

I've left the metronome out as you can switch it on in your DAW and if you want it longer you can just drag it to extend it

I've also included the files with metronome in case anyone is participating in the background and doesn't have a DAW, you can put it onto your MP3 player and jam along.

 GP5_C_only_backing_without_metronome_120_bpm.mp3 ( 22.74MB ) : 80

 GP5_C_only_backing_with_metronome_120_bpm.mp3 ( 22.74MB ) : 62

 GP5_F_only_backing_without_metronome_120_bpm.mp3 ( 22.74MB ) : 69

 GP5_F_only_backing_with_metronome_120_bpm.mp3 ( 22.74MB ) : 64


Hope this helps

Posted by: Phil66 Mar 13 2016, 08:12 PM

New assignment day or are you extending the last one Gab?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 13 2016, 08:43 PM

Hey Phil, yes, we've reached the deadline which doesn't mean that students can continue working and sharing takes based on previous assignments. I'm preparing a new one to be shared here in the next days so stay tuned!

Posted by: Phil66 Mar 13 2016, 09:30 PM

Will do,

The beauty of these long times between assignments is that if you have had life problems and or holidays that have slowed you down, you have plenty of time to continue working on earlier assignments as well as the new one. For me it's great, hopefully it's good for others too.

Thanks Gab

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 15 2016, 03:35 PM

ASSIGNMENT III: Blues approaches

Hello guys! In this new assignment we will get into blues. The idea is that you learn some basic theory behind blues but also apply it over a backing track and MAKE MUSIC!

There are many tricks and approaches that can be used over a blues progression, and this time we will get into a 12 bar blues progression in A and we'll use the backing from a lesson by Bogdan: https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/12_bar_blues/

This is a classic 12 bar blues progression:




Backing track:  12_Bar_Blues_Blues_backing_track_in_A_major_scale__A_minor_scale.mp3 ( 879.92K ) : 79


You can use https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=50470 to learn all the theory behind this progression and the approaches that we will use.


Approach 1

Blues Scale:

The blues scale is basically a Pentatonic Minor scale with the addition of the b5 note, commonly called blue note. It's the first choice by players when jamming over a blues so it's a good idea to lear the fingering and practice over the backing track:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator

Read more about this scale HERE at the "1.2 Minor Blues Scales" section.


Approach 2

Pentatonic Major Scale:

Blues players usually mix blues scale with Pentatonic Major so it's good to be able to visualize both scale in the same place and experiment switching from one to the other. It will sound better over chord I, but I let you to experiment over each chord and take your own conclusions. Don't limit yourself, experiment!

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator

Read more about this https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=50470, at the "1.3 Major Pentatonic Scales" section.


Approach 3

7th arpeggios:

As this progression is a dominant blues you can also follow the chords with dominant arpeggios. The good thing of this is that your phrasing will sound very connected with the progression. This makes you note where the chord notes are so you are always connected with the chord, however it's important to use extra notes (from pentatonic, chromatic or full scales) to make your soloing sound more interesting.

Learn each arpeggio, and try to follow the progression with arpeggios, Once you are comfortable start creating phrases with them.

A7 arpeggio:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator


D7 arpeggio:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator


E7 arpeggio:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator



Approach 4

Combine all previous approaches!



DEADLINE: April 15th


Who is in?

Posted by: Phil66 Mar 15 2016, 03:43 PM

IN!

This will be fun. Is it ok to overlay the pentatonic scale over the blues scale and use the notes as though they are one "scale" or one block of available notes?

I hope this makes sense

Cheers Gab

Posted by: fzalfa Mar 15 2016, 04:12 PM

i'm in !!!

Laurent

Posted by: Tom51 Mar 15 2016, 05:32 PM

That's a lot to explore - I will be in too.

Is D7 dominant chord not these notes: D-F#-A-C ?
Then the arpeggio would be:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator

Posted by: fzalfa Mar 16 2016, 10:29 AM

Hi Gabriel

when i play on with A major penta, sometimes it sound so awfull and sometime it sound good !!!!!!

both scales seem to work on the BT, but i do not kow why , the A major penta sound weird sometimes....

edit:

first assignement take, A blues scale

https://soundcloud.com/laurent-377054242/12bars

Laurent

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 16 2016, 01:39 PM

Hi Phil, I don't understand what you exactly mean... could you go deeper with the idea?





You're totally right. It's fixed!

Posted by: Phil66 Mar 16 2016, 01:45 PM

Hello Gab,
I meant just put all the notes together from both scales and use them as you wish, as though you had superimposed one scale diagram over the other or should we use one scale at a time for our phrases?
Cheers

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 16 2016, 01:49 PM

Hi Laurent, great to know that you are experimenting with the different approaches. This first take sound good, but you need to continue practicing to create more consistent phrases and also to add more embellishments like vibrato, slides, bending, etc... this is a good first step, keep going!

Posted by: fzalfa Mar 16 2016, 02:22 PM

lets' go !!!

Laurent

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 16 2016, 02:46 PM

I just commented your take at the mentoring program too Laurent. Great to see you practicing a lot!

Some inspiration for everybody:




Ford is also using some more complex stuff here, but he mostly uses blues scale, pentatonics and dominant arpeggios. Notice how he connects phrases and make the solo evolve.

Posted by: Phil66 Mar 16 2016, 10:36 PM

Hello Gab,

I meant like this. Both scales as one, a whole bunch of notes to choose from. Or should we play licks using one scale and then the other swapping from one to the other



Cheers Gab

UPDATE

I have been reading the linked theory and I don't understand this statement in it.
"Using the intervals 1-2-3-5-6, this scale doesn’t have a 7th in it, which is why it can be used to solo over both 7th and maj7 chord, or even major triads, in various improvisational settings.""
Why is it OK to use a scale WITHOUT a 7th over 7th chords. I would have thought a scale WITH a 7th would work with a 7th chord but what do I know
Cheers

Posted by: Phil66 Mar 17 2016, 10:07 PM

Take 1, struggled to get any flow going.

https://soundcloud.com/gmcphil-1/theory-assignment-3-take-1

Posted by: Phil66 Mar 18 2016, 12:37 AM

Laurent that is brilliant, you have come a long way in such a short time, keep it up mate

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 18 2016, 08:43 PM

At first it's better to switch from one to the other to get used to the different colors that you get. Then you can use different approaches to create music with them, but take your time to get used to each scale and arpeggio.


7th chords have a minor seventh, while Maj7th chords include a major 7th. A scale that doesn't include any 7th can be used over both chords.




Good for a first try mate, keep working and remember to enjoy this beautiful process.

Posted by: Phil66 Mar 18 2016, 10:22 PM

"this beautiful process" Powerful words Gab, like a flower forming from a seed or an oak tree from an acorn " this really made me think differently about our evolution as players. Thank you

Another try just using the blues scale.
Really struggling to get a decent tone, why is a good blues tone harder than a metal tone? More simple approach I guess, fewer effects, less distortion, more in the fingers?
Also the guitar sounds out of tune but it isn't, intonation is fine too. It sounds lifeless.

https://soundcloud.com/gmcphil-1/theory-assignment-3-take-2

Cheers Gab

UPDATE:
19th March 2016

Another go, I didn't realise how similar this was to the last one until I played it back on here. I need more ammunition in my armoury
All I seem to ever do when improvising is find a pattern and kind of keep repeating it along a theme. I can't seem to get any flowing runs.
The other thing I find myself doing is only listening to the brum beat, the bass and rhythm guitars seem to fade out.

Blues scale:

https://soundcloud.com/gmcphil-1/theory-assignment-3-take-3-blues-scale

Major pentatonic scale: This is much more difficult, it's got that stretch to the root on the D string with the pinkie making vibrato difficult unless you slide with another finger.

https://soundcloud.com/gmcphil-1/theory-assignment-3-take-4-pent-maj

Cheers

Posted by: Tom51 Mar 20 2016, 03:21 PM

Hi everyone , here comes my first Amin pentatonic plus blue note.

Phil, I really like your take2. The tone fits great and you have a nice bluesy laid back style. Much better than me trying to play a note each beat. This will be inspiration for my next take.

https://soundcloud.com/user619267345/amt-assignment3-task1-take1

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 20 2016, 07:56 PM

Awesome stuff Phil! I really liked your metaphor: "like a flower forming from a seed or an oak tree from an acorn". It's so nice to see ourselves as player with that perspective. It's also a good way to put aside anxiety and that feeling of dissatisfaction that we (guitarists) use to have.

Your takes are interesting. I don't think that the tones that you've used don't fit with the backing. Each blues player has its own tone, and I think that this style as well as cleaner jazz stuff depends a lot on each part of the chain, starting on the guitarist finger, passing through guitar, pick ups and amps. So it's a good idea to focus on tone too in this assignment. A good first exercise would be to try to emulate the tone of a blues player that you like and when you think it's close enough, do the same with any other one. This will train your ears and will make you explore a lot your gear.

About your playing, I think that these takes show that you are focusing on creating clear phrases (well done!) but mostly on exploring each of the scales. That's exactly what I think you should do at this stage. Explore the sound of each scale and discover how each note sounds over the different chords. Pentatonic Major scale is trickier, but it give a very unique sound that combined with the other stuff is pure BLUES.

Keep on practicing and share new takes soon!







Hi Tom! Great to see your first take on this one!

I'd like to hear you jamming more using this scale but with a small difference. Instead of using the blue note as a target note (a note in which you end phrases), try using it as a passing note and end your phrases on other notes from the scale. Please focus only on this small task and share a take after 1 or 2 days of practice, deal?

Posted by: Phil66 Mar 20 2016, 09:01 PM

Thanks Tom,

I appreciate your comments. I always try to keep in mind, it's not what you play, but what you don't play that works with the blues, maybe a little harder with the tempo of this trick but have a listen to Stevie Ray Vaughan, Tin Pan Alley for some inspiration to not play a note a beat




Thanks Gab,

New takes will be coming very soon. I'm getting worried about the arpeggio assignment though

Cheers

UPDATE:

New take sooner than I thought. I tried something new 0:12-0:22

https://soundcloud.com/gmcphil-1/theory-assignment-3-take-5-pent-maj

I find I struggle if I try to hold notes for a while.

Posted by: Tom51 Mar 21 2016, 08:07 AM

Ok - Let's try it this way. Thanks Gab and Phil for feedback.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 21 2016, 02:14 PM

Hi Phil, thanks for that SRV track, it's really inspiring for this thread. Let's keep sharing inspiring videos that can bring fresh ideas here.

About your solo, it's good to see you experimenting with double stops, keep on doing it and try different rhythms. I think that your tone is a bit dirty on this new take, I would try with less distortion and with more presence. I also think that you could experiment using more silence, and different rhythms, as well as using more bending and vibrato. Let's start making this sound more and more bluesy.

Posted by: Phil66 Mar 21 2016, 03:28 PM

Thanks Gab,

On that section 0:12-0:22 I wasn't actually playing double stops, I fingered the barre chord and then strummed down once and up twice but it doesn't cut through in the the sound for some reason.

More bluesy stuff tonight hopefully

Cheers

Posted by: Tom51 Mar 21 2016, 03:37 PM

So here is a new try about not ending a phrase on D#. Hope I got it?

https://soundcloud.com/user619267345/amt-assignment1-task1-take2

No idea why all videos you both share are not available here

Posted by: Phil66 Mar 21 2016, 08:47 PM

That sounds better to me Tom If I were you; and please don't think I getting above my station; I would try adding some vibrato to your extended notes to add a bit of flavour

Here's something that might inspire us and give us some ideas for this track.
Stevie Ray Vaughan: Shake For Me


Gab,
Here is another go. I struggled to come up with anything in the Major Pentatonic scale tonight so went back to the blues scale.
https://soundcloud.com/gmcphil-1/theory-workshop-assignment-3-take-6-blues-scale

https://soundcloud.com/gmcphil-1/theory-workshop-assignment-3-take-6-blues-scale

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 22 2016, 02:06 PM

Great job, this sounds much better! You are now on the right direction. You need to continue exploring this scale, and slowly start with the other two approaches.

One cool trick that you can try, based on this new take is to add a slow half bend every time you play the 5th fret on the 3rd string. This will bend the minor third to the major third. Try it and let me know if you like what you get.





That's a nice new take mate. In order to start mixing both scales I recommend you to explore the licks of this lesson: https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Blues-Beyond-The-Minor-Pentatonic/

Learn some of them and try to find out how the instructor combines both scales in the same solo. It's a great lesson. You'll also find some double stop licks.

Posted by: Phil66 Mar 22 2016, 03:57 PM

Thanks Gab,

I'm on it. What about the tone? That was my amp with a bit of drive from a pedal and an SM57 near center of speaker.

Cheers

Posted by: Tom51 Mar 22 2016, 04:08 PM

Thanks Gab - I will try this trick with the bend and share a new take soon.

Hi Phil - I really appreciate your candid feedback Thanks much!
I just restricted my time to this thread to about 30min/d to leave time for the other lessons. That's why I stopped yesterday at a raw idea. Currently I struggle a little doing all the things I want in my guitar practice as well as work and family commitments. And late at night its hard being creative.

Posted by: Phil66 Mar 22 2016, 05:11 PM

I know what it's like mate. I just struggle to stop on something at the 30 minute mark. I keep saying, "One more take"

Posted by: Tom51 Mar 22 2016, 07:51 PM

Yes Phil, on days when "sound flows" one should not stop at all...but usually I fight for every single phrase.

So here is a new take of the same idea where I bend the 3rd of A from minor to major. Hope I got that right so.
Maybe It was not so clever to do that bend at the end again as I so end on C# .
Will spend some time with the Maj pentatonic and dominant arpeggios today.

https://soundcloud.com/user619267345/amt-assignment1-ampen-take3

Posted by: Phil66 Mar 22 2016, 10:08 PM

Hello Gab,

I only had 30 minutes tonight Here is anothr take. I did look at that lesson you suggested but it's a little advanced. I did get some ideas though.
I've tried for a bit of a jazzy feel here, you will be able to tell me if I got anywhere near. It was totally improvised hence the errors (I didn't know where I was going at times )

I didn't have much time to work on tone so it's a little bit fizzy. Oh what I would give for Stevie Ray's tone

https://soundcloud.com/gmcphil-1/theory-assignment-3-take-7-blues-scale

Cheers

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 23 2016, 02:05 PM

Hi mate, you have to be sure that you are reaching the correct pitch, so play the 6th fret first and then bend from 5th for a few times before you start improvising over the backing. Only little detail, this trick works better over the I7 chord, in this case A7 so please avoid it when the other two chords are played in the backing. Also, don't use it as a target note, use it as a passing note to a chord tone, preferable the root (A).





That's very cool. I like the rhythm of your phrasing, it can become a bit repetitive after some measures but as we are at a practice stage it's good to repeat ideas to incorporate them. If you want to make your phrasing sound more "jazzy" I recommend you to listen some Scofield or Henderson albums, as well as something from Robben Ford.

Posted by: Tom51 Mar 23 2016, 03:37 PM

Yes, my bends are flat. My ears are not really familiar with C# yet. And of course it makes sense only to bend from c to c# over an A7 chord and not over D7 or E7. Understood.
Currently I feel I make one step forward and two steps back...

Posted by: Tom51 Mar 23 2016, 05:42 PM

After watching great blues players vids I realized that I am on the wrong path. I made the mistake to use the backing just as a rhythm pattern but did not listen to the chords! I stopped my noodling on the guitar and got back to the beginning and stayed very close to the given chord progression, did I ?! (this is a question ....)
Its very simple and no bends etc. but I feel that is the way to go on from? As always my take is raw and need polishing ....
...and my guitar is too loud in the mix.

https://soundcloud.com/user619267345/amt-assignment1-ampen-take4

Posted by: Phil66 Mar 23 2016, 10:08 PM

Another go with the blues scale, I must try and use the pentatonic major also but I am shying away from it at the moment because it's not comfortable, I know, I know, it won't get comfortable unless I practise it I will do that but I keep getting ideas in the blues scale.

Nothing special just throwing some ideas together, hopefully they will come together one day

Cheers Gab.


https://soundcloud.com/gmcphil-1/assignment-3-take-8-blues-scale

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 24 2016, 03:21 PM

hehehe two steps forward here!

Yes mate, this is the direction. Try to slowly add embellishments as bending, vibrato, slide... as well as some more variation. I recommend you to continue listening to blues masters and try to emulate them, that's exactly how they developed their own style. There wasn't guitar pro, books or guitarmasterclass in those days.




Nice phrasing here. It's good to continue exploring the blues scale, the possibilities are endless. I have the suspect that you are focusing your phrasing on the same part of the neck. Explore new areas!

Posted by: Phil66 Mar 24 2016, 03:31 PM

Thanks Gab,

I did move up an octave but I'll find the blues scale elsewhere in the same key and try that.

Cheers

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 24 2016, 03:39 PM

yeah, to the same shape a higher octave, don't you?

I mean exploring all the other scale shapes. You'll find fresh phrases coming. Let's use this workout to eliminate blind spots...

Posted by: Phil66 Mar 24 2016, 10:09 PM

Thanks Gab,

As request, blues scale in A minor all over the neck. I had to use the scale generator in "ALL" position as a visual reference. It's not great, it would be more suitable in a Charlie Chaplin film than anything. There are a couple of phrases I Ike but the general feel isn't bluesy. How do we inject the blues into our music? I prefer Take 8 myself.

In places my fingers get tangled up as you will hear but I'm throwing it out there anyway, it's only because they aren't familiar with the positions yet I have tried to do some hammer ons like SRV does when he plays the same hammer on for a while but I can't get the timing right so I haven't done that on this take.

Cheers buddy.

https://soundcloud.com/gmcphil-1/theory-assignment-3-take-9-blues-scale-over-neck

Posted by: Tom51 Mar 25 2016, 11:30 AM

Still working with Am Blues scale. Next tries will be with major pentatonic and/or arpeggios.
As you recommended Gab - I developed the basic theme further I slowly included a little phrasing like a slide or legato an a bend with wide vibrato.

https://soundcloud.com/user619267345/amt-assignment1-ampen-take5

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 25 2016, 09:40 PM

Cool, great to hear you exploring the scale deeper. There are some nice bluesy moments here, while some other parts are not on spot. I can notice that you are still getting familiar with the scale. You don't need to use the whole fret-board in one solo, but it's good to dedicate some time to each part of the neck to find new ideas.

One of the main secrets to sound bluesy is the use of the dominant arpeggios to follow the chords and combine them wisely with the pentatonic scale. Have you been experimenting with the arpeggios?






So cool Tom! I like how you managed phrases on this one. I'd love to hear you playing this solo again (or a close variations) but with more feeling. By more feeling I mean, more vibrato, bending, and more use of dynamics as an expressing tool. It would be cool to focus on feeling now that you now what notes you'll play. What do you think?

Posted by: Phil66 Mar 25 2016, 10:18 PM

Thanks Gab,

I haven't looked at the arpeggios yet, they scare me after the last assignment
I'll look into it more when I get home on Monday or Tuesday.
Cheers dude

Posted by: Tom51 Mar 26 2016, 02:00 PM

Hehe
Yes, that is great idea. Thanks Tom.

Posted by: Phil66 Mar 28 2016, 08:50 PM

Hello Gab,

I've had a look at using the arpeggios but I really struggle to listen to when the chords are changing, particularly from 00:29, I guess my ears are useless I can follow it when I look at the progression in GP5 but if I shut my eyes I really struggle. Is there any way for me to label parts of the wav in Reaper so that I can see when the changes occur? If not, for now I have cut out the parts in the different keys and have a track for all of the A sections, a track for the D sections and a track for the E sections, then at least I can see when the "key" is changing, see img below, I know this is kind of cheating but I'm hoping the visual reference will help my ears out and hopefully they will learn to recognise the changes.
If anyone else is using Reaper and would like me to email this to them just ask


Cheers Gab

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 29 2016, 01:39 PM

Hi Phil, this is a good idea to solve the problem that you are having identifying the chord changes. I think that it's ok to use this method, but only if you put attention to how each change sounds in order to train your ears while practising. Don't let this be a visual only method because it won't be useful for the future.

Posted by: fzalfa Mar 29 2016, 02:05 PM

Hi Gabriel

Cannot make something sweet in A penta major ! al i do sound weird !!!

it's a nightmare

these takes mix both scale

https://soundcloud.com/laurent-377054242/12-bars

https://soundcloud.com/laurent-377054242/12-bars-2

Laurent

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 29 2016, 03:32 PM

Ok, let's skip it by now and experiment with Dominant arpeggios, deal?

Posted by: fzalfa Mar 29 2016, 04:53 PM

let's go !

Laurent

Posted by: Phil66 Mar 29 2016, 08:36 PM

Hello Gab,

I've had a go at the arpeggios, really struggled. Need to learn them like scales and get them under my fingers before I carry on. I'll try the arpeggios again tomorrow. I find it very difficult going from one to the other particularly when there is only one bar in some areas.

Having the DAW tracks set up split for the chord changes did seem to help though so I'm hoping in time I my ears will adapt.

After 20 minutes I decided to have another go at the blues scale. I wasn't getting many ideas tonight, maybe tiredness is the reason. Anyway, I recorded something and here it is.

https://soundcloud.com/gmcphil-1/assignment-3-take-10-blues-scale

Cheers Gab

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 30 2016, 02:38 PM

Nice new take Phil, I like how relaxed sounds your playing. It's lacking some intensity in any part to have a more defined evolution but sound tasty and cool enough to be done at the end of a demanding practice session.

About the arpeggios, yes, that's normal. You won't learn everything in one day, you'll need time to incorporate each one and to feel comfortable combining it over different chords. Take your time to digest the new stuff.

Great! Looking forward your news.

Posted by: Tom51 Mar 30 2016, 05:22 PM

So I was trying to get some blues feeling into my playing. Also made some changes in the second part. Its really tricky to implement some bends so that you feel they have to be there . I spend a few evenings but dropped most ideas. Also not so happy with my tone this time.

Tom


https://soundcloud.com/user619267345/amt-assignment1-ampen-take6

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 31 2016, 01:32 PM

Hi Tom, this doesn't sound natural yet. I think that the previous take was more relaxed and connected with the backing. Also I like the second part most in the previous version but don't worry, this is something normal, you are at an exploring stage and you'll get random results.

Have you been working on arpeggios? I think that visualizing arpeggios will help you to make your solo connect much more with the chords, and this is one of the main things lacking on your solo.

Posted by: Tom51 Mar 31 2016, 02:30 PM

No yet, so I will start working with arpeggios today and try soemthing that better connects with the backing track.
Thanks Tom

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 31 2016, 02:51 PM

Good. Take your time to learn and incorporate each arpeggio.

Posted by: Phil66 Apr 1 2016, 09:18 PM

Hello Gab,

I've tried something a bit different. I've played only the A7 arpeggio along with the backing to try and get it into my fingers. Once I'm comfortable with it I'l move onto the D7 and then E7, then I'll combine A7 and D7, then A7 and E7, then D7 and E7. This will take time but that's the way the cookie crumbles

https://soundcloud.com/gmcphil-1/a7-arpeggio

Cheers buddy.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 2 2016, 06:52 PM

Good idea Phil! You can try playing A7 arpeggio over A7 and then Blues scale over the other two chords to keep playing along the whole backing track. Try it and tell me how it feels!

Posted by: Tom51 Apr 3 2016, 06:57 PM

Now that I know the shapes here is my first simple recording using the arpeggios only. My goal was to follow strictly the chords of the backing track. next would be to get more interesting lines and add phrasing.

https://soundcloud.com/user619267345/amt-take7-arpeggios

One questions: is there special reason to use this E7 shape you gave us? I was simply taking the D7 shape moving it two frets up.
Thanks Tom.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 4 2016, 04:05 AM

Good first try Tom! You followed the chords correctly on this one. Take some more time to get familiar with the shapes and slowly start creating musical phrases.

About E7 shape, the only reason is to learn another dominant shape.

Posted by: Tom51 Apr 4 2016, 06:49 AM

Okay, that is a good reason, so I will use the other E shape too.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 4 2016, 03:02 PM

Good decision!

Posted by: Phil66 Apr 6 2016, 08:16 AM

Hello Gab,
This might be a silly question but why are there different amounts of notes in the arpeggios? A7=10, D7=9, E7=8
Cheers

Posted by: fzalfa Apr 6 2016, 10:45 AM

Hi Gabriel

this is two try out about arpegios..... not really easy (and i have serious medecine, so i'm a bit brainwashed)

https://soundcloud.com/laurent-377054242/12-bar-dominant-5

https://soundcloud.com/laurent-377054242/12-bar-dominant

Cheers

Laurent

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 7 2016, 05:11 PM

Dominant arpeggios have 4 notes: Root, Major 3rd, Perfect 5th and Minor 7th. This shapes are shared starting from the roots, so depending where you start you can reach more or lesson quantity of repetitions of the 4 notes. This is just a way to visualize shapes not the only way to play the four notes from the arpeggios (in different octaves)




Good job Laurent! Please continue experimenting to get familiar with the shapes everywhere to then slowly start doing it less obvious as you'll hear on jazz blues players. But don't worry it now, please continue using strictly dominant arpeggios for a while.

Posted by: Tom51 Apr 11 2016, 06:29 PM

It''s just to show that I am still working on it. Now I got all three arpeggios shapes under my fingers but I have a hard time finding some nice blues lines. Also I am so very concentrated on chord progression of the backing track so that it is tricky to improvise in addition. Playing with the chords is really something new.
Tom


https://soundcloud.com/user619267345/amt-take8-arpeggios

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 12 2016, 04:06 PM

Great job Tom! You are on the right track! It's just a matter of time now to get more comfortable with the shapes and start building more musical phrases.

By now just work with arpeggios, then, the things will sound cooler and cooler. Be patient.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 19 2016, 02:36 PM

how is this going guys? Are you ready for a new assignment?

Posted by: Phil66 Apr 19 2016, 02:38 PM

I am Gab, not saying I've fulfilled this one but came to a brick wall with it I'll still keep giving it time a few times a week though.

Cheers

Posted by: Tom51 Apr 20 2016, 05:33 AM

Yes, ready for a new assignment.

Posted by: fzalfa Apr 20 2016, 06:26 AM

yes GAbriel

let's go

Laurent

Posted by: Phil66 May 6 2016, 08:02 PM

Is this now stopped? I can understand if it is as attendance was pretty slim.

Thanks for trying anyway Gab

Posted by: fzalfa May 6 2016, 10:04 PM

yes is it stoped ?

Laurent

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 8 2016, 07:41 PM

ASSIGNMENT IV: Minor Blues

Hello guys! My new lesson based on https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Gary-Clark-Jr-Style/ is a good excuse to get into Minor Blues in order to continue exploring different blues approaches.

Minor blues used minor seventh chords instead of dominant chords giving it a different "feel" which sounds darker and sadder. The most used minor blues progression is a bit more complex than this one that we'll use today but in some sense it's related. I recommend you to work first on this assignment's progression and then get into the most "classic" minr blues progression that you can explore https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=49824.

The backing track that we'll use is this one:  Gary_Clark_Jr_Style.mp3 ( 1.46MB ) : 39


It is based on a blues scale riff in Em during the I grade, followed by m7 chords on IV and V grades.


Approach 1

The first approach will consist on using E minor blues along the whole backing. When doing it, try to work on the scale with a horizontal tendency for phrases. Start playing the scale up and down on each string and then try to create melodies using the whole fretboard.

E minor blues scale:
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator



Approach 2:

The second approach would be to use the minor pentatonic of each chord. So you would be using E minor pentatonic over the main riff, A minor pentatonic over Am7 and B minor pentatonic over Bm7.

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator


Approach III (Only advanced players)

You can experiment using E blues scale over main riff, and E minor scale over IVm7 and Vm7.



We don't have deadline so take your time to practice this and feel free to share many takes here.

Who is in?

Posted by: Phil66 May 8 2016, 08:18 PM

In,

I need something fresh to take my mind of my alternate picking problems

Posted by: fzalfa May 8 2016, 08:50 PM

Hi Gabriel

Damn ! some work to do !!!

lets' go !

edit:

can we have an extended version please ?

Laurent

ps: i mean -"i'm in, of course"

Posted by: Tom51 May 9 2016, 07:46 AM

Great that this thread goes on - I am in too!

Posted by: fzalfa May 9 2016, 09:25 PM

Hi Gabriel, Hi everyone

This is two similar take, i'll do some more tomorow, with less notes, tonight i'am a bit tired and i want to do too much !

https://soundcloud.com/laurent-377054242/tapedeck-2-may-09-22-04-51

and

https://soundcloud.com/laurent-377054242/tapedeck-2-may-09-22-13-10

Laurent

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 11 2016, 01:34 AM

Awesome guys! Great to know that you'll be working on this new assignment. Be sure to check the original lesson and some Gary's videos for some inspiration.

Good first try Laurent. Please keep on working on this one, trying to create more consistent phrases, and as you've said, use less notes and and more feeling, using more vibrato, bending, slides and other arranging tools.

I'll share an extended version tomorrow for practising.

Posted by: Phil66 May 11 2016, 09:26 PM

Ok Gab,

Had to have a night off alternate picking practise, head was frazzled First attempt, total improvisation, it was a total first take and I didn't expect another solo guitar to come in Still don't have enough licks in my library to make things interesting but here it is anyway

https://soundcloud.com/gmcphil-1/gary-clark-jr-style-take-1

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 13 2016, 12:17 PM

Hi Phil!

There are some interesting elements on this first try!

- Cool and catchy rhythm. The rhythm of your phrasing made me dance.
- There is a long note with vibrato in the end, the solo needs more of that!
- There are not wrong notes or pitch issues.
- There are no timing issues.


Ideas to continue practising:

- More defined phrases, more connected with chords.
- More rhythm variation.
- More vibrato and bending.
- What about learning the original lesson to borrow some licks?


Great stuff mate!

Posted by: Phil66 May 13 2016, 01:19 PM

Thanks Gab,

Your comments cheered me up, I haven't been having much success in my playing lately. I'll work on it again tonight.

Cheers buddy

UPDATE:

Here is tonight's piece. I tried to concentrate on the notes from Em7 chord (EDGB I found on the web). I think this is better than the last one, seems a bit smoother, more relaxed to me.

https://soundcloud.com/gmcphil-1/gary-clark-jr-style-take-2

Thanks

Posted by: Phil66 May 15 2016, 08:29 PM

I have to say, when I listen to the playback, the two bends near the beginning sound a little flat to my ears.

Cheers

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 16 2016, 01:54 AM

Hi Phil, yes, this new take is a new step forward into the right direction. I can feel some Hendrix influences on this new one.

It's a good idea to slowly try to connect more and more with the chords, so the next goal could be to identify the minor thirds of the other two chords while jamming. What do you think?

Posted by: Phil66 May 16 2016, 09:32 AM

Thanks Gab,

I'll give it a go. I have to have the scale generator on screen for reference so I'll sort something with that.
Something I have noticed, I seem to connect with rhythms more than tones.

Cheers

Posted by: Tom51 May 16 2016, 06:54 PM

This assignment was a good excuse to learn all five minor pentatonic shapes. Still use most of the time dedicated to this thread to practice them in different keys but its getting better each day.
Just a first try here. This track sounds already perfect to me so its hard to add something that makes sense.

https://soundcloud.com/user619267345/amt-take1-emin-blues

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 17 2016, 01:26 AM

Hi Tom, good first try! It's great to know that this assignment is a good excuse to get into the 5 pentatonic shapes. The idea is to slowly start to identify chord tones to focus on them while using the other notes from the pentatonic to complete the phrasing, as Phil has been doing.

Deal?

Posted by: Tom51 May 17 2016, 06:36 AM

So I should concentrate on notes of the chords (Em Gm Am) as "strong notes" and only add pentatonic as passing notes? Did I get it right?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 17 2016, 01:37 PM

That's a good approach for practising during the next days... then, when soloing you'll combine different approaches, but being able to see everything will open possibilities a lot.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 18 2016, 10:42 PM

Jamtrack for the last assignment for you guys.

 Jamtrack.mp3 ( 9.31MB ) : 47

Posted by: fzalfa May 19 2016, 05:35 PM

Hi Gabriel

This is a take with the last assignement, i have try some Minor natural...... with more and less succes..



cheers

Laurent

Posted by: Tom51 May 19 2016, 06:05 PM

Hi Laurent - It's really impressive not only to hear but to see you playing too ...

The new jamtrack is great as its only rhythm and does not have the solo parts of the lesson. Will work in the assignment with the new backing right away. Thanks Gab!

Posted by: fzalfa May 19 2016, 07:28 PM

thanks for watching, but i'm not impressive at all !! you make me turn scarlet !

Laurent

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 20 2016, 03:17 PM

Hi Laurent, well done! There are some magical moments on this jam! This is the work that you need to do every day. I've noted that you have some hands sync issues when playing fast licks. These requires two things:

- try to jam playing slower phrases.
- try to play these ideas with more legato than picking.
- add some alternate picking practice to your technique routine

Posted by: fzalfa May 21 2016, 11:59 AM

ok , i'll do it

i'll send another take maybe today

Laurent

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 21 2016, 10:15 PM

Great!

Posted by: Phil66 May 21 2016, 10:43 PM

I can't come up with anything different, I'm locked into what I was doing before. I can't follow the chord changes so I struggle to play different scales over the chord changes.

Posted by: fzalfa May 21 2016, 11:21 PM

Hi Gabriel

this is a "one hand" take.

very disturbing to use only one hand, for every notes, so i do a lot of bad ones.



Laurent

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 22 2016, 05:07 PM

Have you learnt the lesson? What about learning it and starting with some variations of those licks?




Hi Laurent, yeah, your note choices is less precise on this new video but I consider this approach interesting. It's a killer training for your left hand, to gain strength, and to manage with muting in order to keep everything clean. I also think that you got some fresh phrases on this one thanks to the use of only one hand, so I would keep this approach every day over the backing at least once or twice.

Posted by: Phil66 May 22 2016, 07:37 PM

Sorry Gab,

I forgot you suggested that, my head hasn't been good recently but it is now time to move on and get on with my practise. I'll work on the lesson mate.

Cheers

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 24 2016, 02:30 PM

Don't worry mate!

Posted by: Phil66 Jun 14 2016, 09:15 PM

Back looking at this again, got to learn that lesson first but hey, this is a no rush workshop eh?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 15 2016, 04:49 PM

haha no, it isn't.