Applied Music Theory Workout, for every level! |
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Jan 6 2016, 04:13 PM
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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. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 )
Number of downloads: 255Do you want to know how to play those chords? Check out this GP file: 
Backing_track_Progression.gp5 ( 2.01K )
Number of downloads: 194TASK 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:   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 )
Number of downloads: 281Backing without rhythm guitar:
Backing_in_A_major_without_guitars___70_bpm.mp3 ( 2.18MB )
Number of downloads: 209DEADLINE: February 6th --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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? This post has been edited by Gabriel Leopardi: Jan 6 2016, 05:31 PM -------------------- My lessons
Do you need a Guitar Plan? Join Gab's Army Check my band:Cirse Check my soundcloud:Soundcloud Please subscribe to my:Youtube Channel |
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Replies
(1 - 19)
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Jan 6 2016, 04:27 PM
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Nice! Backings/attachments don't work, probably because of copy and paste.
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Jan 6 2016, 04:44 PM
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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 This post has been edited by Phil66: Jan 6 2016, 04:51 PM -------------------- SEE MY GMC CERTIFICATE  “Success is not obtained overnight. It comes in instalments; you get a little bit today, a little bit tomorrow until the whole package is given out. The day you procrastinate, you lose that day's success.” Israelmore Ayivor |
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Jan 6 2016, 04:53 PM
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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 This post has been edited by Phil66: Jan 6 2016, 04:56 PM -------------------- SEE MY GMC CERTIFICATE “Success is not obtained overnight. It comes in instalments; you get a little bit today, a little bit tomorrow until the whole package is given out. The day you procrastinate, you lose that day's success.” Israelmore Ayivor |
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Jan 6 2016, 05:19 PM
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Nice Work as Always!!
I like to do the assigment but the links don´t work!! Thank you Gab You Rock!! |
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Jan 6 2016, 05:40 PM
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QUOTE (Kristofer Dahl @ Jan 6 2016, 12:27 PM)  Nice! Backings/attachments don't work, probably because of copy and paste. Ups! Fixed! Links are now fixed and I've added a version of the backing without rhythm guitars. QUOTE (Phil66 @ Jan 6 2016, 12:44 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 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: https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_fo...?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.
This post has been edited by Gabriel Leopardi: Jan 6 2016, 05:41 PM -------------------- My lessons
Do you need a Guitar Plan? Join Gab's Army Check my band:Cirse Check my soundcloud:Soundcloud Please subscribe to my:Youtube Channel |
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Jan 6 2016, 06:11 PM
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Great stuff Gab - I will be in!
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Jan 6 2016, 07:48 PM
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Cool! You're welcome Tom!
-------------------- My lessons
Do you need a Guitar Plan? Join Gab's Army Check my band:Cirse Check my soundcloud:Soundcloud Please subscribe to my:Youtube Channel |
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Jan 6 2016, 08:40 PM
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QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Jan 6 2016, 04:40 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? 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 -------------------- SEE MY GMC CERTIFICATE “Success is not obtained overnight. It comes in instalments; you get a little bit today, a little bit tomorrow until the whole package is given out. The day you procrastinate, you lose that day's success.” Israelmore Ayivor |
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Jan 6 2016, 10:09 PM
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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
-------------------- SEE MY GMC CERTIFICATE “Success is not obtained overnight. It comes in instalments; you get a little bit today, a little bit tomorrow until the whole package is given out. The day you procrastinate, you lose that day's success.” Israelmore Ayivor |
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Jan 6 2016, 10:47 PM
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QUOTE (Phil66 @ Jan 6 2016, 06:09 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 Sure Phil! I'll tab what I've played and share it later.
-------------------- My lessons
Do you need a Guitar Plan? Join Gab's Army Check my band:Cirse Check my soundcloud:Soundcloud Please subscribe to my:Youtube Channel |
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Jan 6 2016, 10:54 PM
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Hi
i'm f***'in in !! Laurent --------------------    |
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Jan 6 2016, 11:33 PM
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QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Jan 6 2016, 09:47 PM) Sure Phil! I'll tab what I've played and share it later. Thanks Gab, I hope I'm not asking too much  Cheers -------------------- SEE MY GMC CERTIFICATE “Success is not obtained overnight. It comes in instalments; you get a little bit today, a little bit tomorrow until the whole package is given out. The day you procrastinate, you lose that day's success.” Israelmore Ayivor |
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Jan 7 2016, 01:12 PM
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QUOTE (Phil66 @ Jan 6 2016, 07:33 PM) Thanks Gab, I hope I'm not asking too much Cheers Thanks to your questions and ideas we have this cool thread so keep doing it! 
-------------------- My lessons
Do you need a Guitar Plan? Join Gab's Army Check my band:Cirse Check my soundcloud:Soundcloud Please subscribe to my:Youtube Channel |
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Jan 7 2016, 10:48 PM
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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 -------------------- |
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Jan 8 2016, 12:12 AM
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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
-------------------- SEE MY GMC CERTIFICATE “Success is not obtained overnight. It comes in instalments; you get a little bit today, a little bit tomorrow until the whole package is given out. The day you procrastinate, you lose that day's success.” Israelmore Ayivor |
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Jan 8 2016, 02:03 PM
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QUOTE (fzalfa @ Jan 7 2016, 06:48 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 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 )
Number of downloads: 127-------------------- My lessons
Do you need a Guitar Plan? Join Gab's Army Check my band:Cirse Check my soundcloud:Soundcloud Please subscribe to my:Youtube Channel |
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Jan 8 2016, 03:22 PM
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Nice, I'm in as well!
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Jan 8 2016, 10:03 PM
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QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Jan 8 2016, 01:03 PM) This is what rhythm guitar is playing in the backing for Phil that asked for it:
Backing_track_rhythm_guitar.gp5 ( 3.21K )
Number of downloads: 127Thanks 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 -------------------- SEE MY GMC CERTIFICATE “Success is not obtained overnight. It comes in instalments; you get a little bit today, a little bit tomorrow until the whole package is given out. The day you procrastinate, you lose that day's success.” Israelmore Ayivor |
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