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GMC Forum _ MTP (Pedja) _ Zen Introduction Thread

Posted by: Pedja Simovic May 28 2010, 01:34 PM

Zen,

Feel free to tell me as many things as possible about your playing and knowledge. Audio and/or video of your playing could also help. I am looking for specific goals (short and long term) so that I could create proper plan for you

Pedja

Posted by: zen May 30 2010, 07:08 AM

Hi Pedja

I'd like to continue where we left off in Feb. We primarily covered harmonizing the major scale, cadence, pentatonic superimposition and modes. And that is pretty much what I know, since I started learning theory from you. But I felt we only scratched the surface in those 3 months. So I am very much still a beginner at most of those topics. Since I only have 1 hour a day to practice during the week , I have adjusted my goals this time, so I can still realistically achieve something. They are still quite a lot I believe, we can pick anything out of them 1 by one, as time permits. But please do consider that time limitation when developing my plan..

Short term goals:

- Learn & practice minor scale (including harmonic minor & melodic) and it's applications
- Join the scale shapes (major,min pentatonic & to be learned minor variances)
- Further my understanding of modes & practice major scale in all keys ( I usually stick to Fmaj, Gmaj & C maj)
- Learn some licks

Long Term goals:

- Learn to improvise - Sorry but my brain still shuts off if i make an attempt to improvise. I'm just not a "natural" at this. But I'm not so desperate about this at the moment, as this I understand that acquiring this skill is a long slow process and involves jamming a lot with backing tracks. I'm a bit short on time these days, so realistically I've made this a long term goal.

REC Requirement:

I would love to have some freedom in selecting the lessons for the REC takes. I'd like you to help me in selecting them as well as I would like to understand what I'm playing. Therefore, if we study minors, then we'll pick a cool melodious lesson from the gmc database that goes well with what we are already covering in the weekly assignments, if possible (doesn't have to be a lesson around minor scale but anything really). I just want to understand that piece, not only play it. So it's more effective. And pick up some licks along the way. But in the end, 1 month is too short for me to learn a piece "properly" so everything gets rushed and is not 100% ... but those are the rules of the game, so I'll play along.

In the last mtp, I enjoyed reading your previous posts on superimposition, modes & major scales. So looking forward to much more reading !!
And also looking forward to a lot of quiz questions ... as I enjoyed those too and helped me think of various scenarios and keys.

Here are some random clips and recordings of my playing.. I look forward to learning from you

GMC Collabs:

Piano Ballad - http://www.box.net/shared/y270xivtb0
Plush Collab - http://www.box.net/shared/7n0jf719sn
Speed Metal - http://www.box.net/shared/6kjbvdhy4d

Some Assignment takes form the last mtp with you:

DAeolian - http://www.box.net/shared/reiyhrgs8h
AminpentaoverCmaj - http://www.box.net/shared/fxsbhyrvtz
Pentatonic superimposition - http://www.box.net/shared/2g4rx54zqo

GMC Lessons Videos:

Pedja's Triads in Song Context

Lian's sweeps (major & minor)

Gabriel's F#Phrygian - Bmin Solo

Marcus's pentatonic Solo

Marcus's Metal Rhythm

Posted by: Pedja Simovic May 31 2010, 03:46 PM

Hello Zen,

Fantastic layout of your short and long term goals! I believe we can achieve short term goals in following 3 months. I am not sure if by that time I will record some set of minor lessons for GMC (regarding harmony and theory + chord voicings), but we can always pick some lessons from database. I will try to offer you couple of lessons to choose from for REC, that way you will have freedom to choose the one you like the most.
For your 1st assignment, I will assign you to work on major scale in certain keys. I think in couple of assignments we can cover all 12 keys for major scale and then its all about putting it all together.

Look for your 1st assignment tomorrow on this part of forum!

Pedja