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Posted by: Pedja Simovic Mar 9 2009, 07:55 PM

Hello GMC!

You guys did great on soloing with sequence and today its time to start with over 2nd in class type collaboration.

This collaboration focuses on soloing with chord tones and arpeggios ! What that means is that I am not going to grade you anything else but this. Make sure you play notes that belong to the chord and you are all set !
Lets first remind ourselves what arpeggio is = it is group of notes that go in a very SPECIFIC order (no skipping between notes allowed). What are chord tones ? Well they are simply notes that belong to chord and we can play them in any order we want !
So in this collaboration I am letting you play chord tones both in order and with skipping ! Experiment and have fun with it, just no scale runs or anything like that, I just want chord sounds described with as much melodic approach as possible !


Chord progression has 16 bars (without pre count bar of course

It goes like this :

/C maj7 / A min7 / D min7 / G7 /
/C maj7 / A min7 / D min7 / G7 /
/E min7 / A min7 / D min7 / G7 /
/C maj7 / A min7 / D min7 / G7 //


As you see this chord progression is in key of C major and I used 4 part chords to create chord progression. This is very famous and specific chord progression as it describes a C Ionian sound very well and establishes sound of the key. It is known as I VI II V chord progression (C A D G chords in this case), and it happens in virtually any style of music today! At one point I did little variation where I used E min 7 instead of C maj7. Thats known as Diatonic substitution and is something we will cover in some theory lessons in future


I decided to create a jazzy laid back backing track. Tempo is 120 bpm and you have Rhodes as keys and Acoustic bass sound along with drums programed in EZdrummer.


I provide you with all the arpeggios here and hope you will find this one very fun and useful to play over.
I will very soon post couple of my improvised takes over this backing using only arpeggios and chord tones.


Enjoy it !


Pedja

Deadline for submitting takes is 28th of March !

Post your take http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=25484



List of participants :

1) Velvet Roger - Recorded
2) Tolek - Recorded
3) Enforcer - Recorded
4) wrk - Recorded
5) Emir Hot - Recorded
6) Paiva - Recorded
7) big harry - Recorded
8) Ajmurrell
9) coffeeman - Recorded
10) Marc_Maiden - Recorded
11) jdriver - Recorded
12) JamesT - Recorded
13) lcsdds - Recorded
14) Nazgul
15) Roythebattousai
16) jer
17) MarekRojewski - Recorded
18) berko - Recorded
19) Sami - Recorded
20) Iluha
21) Outlaw 2112 - Recorded
22) GrannyKiller - Recorded
23) sted - Recorded
24) Jesse
25) Canis - Recorded
26) Dexxter - Recorded
27) Sergio Dorado - Recorded
28) kaznie_NL - Recorded
29) Alex87
30) Pedja Simovic - Recorded

Posted by: Emir Hot Mar 9 2009, 08:01 PM

Great topic Pedja. I want to collaborate

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Mar 9 2009, 08:03 PM

Great to have you in so quick with us man !

I will put you down to the list now

Posted by: Velvet Roger Mar 9 2009, 08:06 PM

Awesome, thanks for the auto-signup

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Mar 9 2009, 08:07 PM

No problem Roger !
That paper with your names is locked in my desk with important info

How are you liking backing track so far?

Posted by: Paiva Mar 9 2009, 08:16 PM

I'm in

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Mar 9 2009, 08:17 PM

Yes you are, welcome

Posted by: Fsgdjv Mar 9 2009, 08:19 PM

I want in, but when is the deadline? I'm quite busy recording a demo right now, but hopefully I'll be done with that before the deadline is.

Posted by: Tolek Mar 9 2009, 08:20 PM

The backing track is awesome, man! Thanks for auto-sign-up.

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Mar 9 2009, 08:22 PM

I just added the deadline 23rd of March. Are you going to make it ?



Thanks Tolek, I love this backing a lot
You welcome for auto-sign-up

Posted by: big harry Mar 9 2009, 08:22 PM

Hey man

sure i would like to join, in fact that i have not really an idea of arpeggios it could be interesting, lets have a look what you suggest Pedja
i am totally new to arpeggios, but i know that i need to learn them, so count me in, i have left free space in my agenda for this *hehehe*

cya
Harry

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Mar 9 2009, 08:25 PM

Excellent Harry !

If you have never done arpeggios now its time to start, seriously ! They are great way to play over any type of chord progression, whether its simple diatonic (like this one) or some crazy jazz fusion one - it always works.

Great to have you with us Harry

Posted by: Ajmurrell Mar 9 2009, 08:28 PM

Dun dun dun, have you been waiting for my sign up? Here it is!

I'll get it done this time...

Posted by: big harry Mar 9 2009, 08:29 PM

always a pleasure Pedja
hope you will show me what to do *hehehe*

Posted by: coffeeman Mar 9 2009, 08:30 PM

Im in!

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Mar 9 2009, 08:31 PM

Great Adam !
I am excited to hear your take now



Great to have you with us Andru !

Posted by: Marc_Maiden Mar 9 2009, 08:32 PM

awesome this is just the kind of lesson i needed!

thanks pedja! im IN!

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Mar 9 2009, 08:33 PM

Great to hear that Marc !
I hope you will enjoy the backing

Posted by: Fsgdjv Mar 9 2009, 08:42 PM

I'm not sure. Don't sign me up yet, I'll try to make it, but I don't wanna sign up and then not do anything, so I'll have to get back to you about this.

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Mar 9 2009, 08:44 PM

Great, I would prefer that way anyways. I really hope you do make it - best of luck with demo !

Posted by: jdriver Mar 9 2009, 08:47 PM

I'm going to give this one a try also, so I'm in.

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Mar 9 2009, 08:47 PM

I am very excited to hear that Jeff. Let me know if you have any questions !

Posted by: JamesT Mar 9 2009, 09:08 PM

Count me in Pedja.
I hope there's still room.

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Mar 9 2009, 09:10 PM

You are in Jim !
There is plenty of room no worries

Posted by: lcsdds Mar 9 2009, 09:14 PM

I'm in Pedja. We can use arpeggio shred runs though right? PLEEEEEAAASSSEEE!! I'm gonna try and get my MTP group to sign up for this. It will be good for them. We are going over this right now and it will make them learn their triad shapes!! Can I basically write and etude for this Pedja? I have been wanting to do something like this to practice my arpeggios.
I have plenty of time set aside just for this type of thing now!!

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Mar 9 2009, 09:16 PM

Wow, thats really encouraging to hear !
Sure Monte bring your whole group in
Shred is allowed but no superimposing ! Yes you know what I mean No major 9 sounds and so on
Great to have you with us !

Posted by: Nazgul Mar 9 2009, 09:16 PM

I'm in. I hope I'll not get too busy that days.

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Mar 9 2009, 09:17 PM

Cool !
I hope you won't be too busy Nazgul

Posted by: Roythebattousai Mar 9 2009, 09:23 PM

I'd love to join, if there's room. :]

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Mar 9 2009, 09:27 PM

Of course, welcome Roy !

Posted by: jdriver Mar 9 2009, 09:30 PM

I knew I was getting in over my head!! My entry is going to have to confine itself to hitting the right notes and sounding okay, no fireworks!

Posted by: jer Mar 9 2009, 09:31 PM

I'm in.

I have no idea what I'm doing but Monte will explain it I'm sure.

Posted by: lcsdds Mar 9 2009, 09:34 PM

Superimposing....are you talking Serbian again!! So you want us to just stick to the chord we are playing over and not add any extensions? Well....at least I don't have to stick to 8th notes.

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Mar 9 2009, 09:35 PM

Cool Jer, I trust Monte but also if you have any extra questions come back and ask them here !




Exactly !
No tensions, just the actual chord sounds. C maj7 = C E G B , A min7 = A C E G, D min7 = D F A C , G7= G B D F and E min7 = E G B D.

Posted by: lcsdds Mar 9 2009, 09:35 PM

Thanks Jer!! Don't worry....I'll do the usual two page post and make it clear as mud!!

Posted by: Velvet Roger Mar 9 2009, 09:59 PM

It's cool, and arpeggio's is exactly one of my focusses currently with my IRL teacher

Posted by: Marek Rojewski Mar 9 2009, 10:10 PM

Argh I fear that my solo will sound as good as a detuned balalaika strummed with a eroded spoon, but Monte gave us no choice I will try to come up with something...

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Mar 9 2009, 10:11 PM

See what you can do Marek

Posted by: berko Mar 9 2009, 10:19 PM

Please sign me up as well Pedja! You know you can count on me

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Mar 9 2009, 10:21 PM

Sure Berko !
Great to see you made it man

Posted by: Sami Mar 9 2009, 10:44 PM

Ill join

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Mar 9 2009, 10:45 PM

Yes !

Posted by: wrk Mar 9 2009, 11:45 PM

Awesome topic, that will be fun and useful .. thanks Pedja for auto-signup!

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Mar 10 2009, 12:19 AM

Thanks Andy glad you like it !
It was pleasure to auto-signup you man

Posted by: Iluha Mar 10 2009, 01:00 AM

I actually really need to practice this! if there's still room I would like to participate

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Mar 10 2009, 01:38 AM

There is room and I am happy to hear you will practice extra for this collaboration !

Posted by: Outlaw2112 Mar 10 2009, 02:15 AM

Just got home, is it too late to join this one?

Posted by: Rated Htr Mar 10 2009, 02:16 AM

If I have enough time, I would like to participate as well Pedja

Posted by: enforcer Mar 10 2009, 02:19 AM

thanks for the autosignup bro! it is appreciated in a highest level

Posted by: sted Mar 10 2009, 10:04 AM

Id love a stab at this, any room left for a little one??

Posted by: Jesse Mar 10 2009, 11:38 AM

IM IN!:D

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Mar 10 2009, 12:13 PM

I will put you all guys down on the list.
Its a class, there has to be space for all of you guys

Posted by: Canis Mar 10 2009, 12:34 PM

I'm in

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Mar 10 2009, 12:39 PM

Yes you are Canis !

Posted by: Canis Mar 10 2009, 01:07 PM

I'll join your auto-join group as well
I'm happy to be a regular student of yours ^^

Posted by: Dexxter Mar 10 2009, 01:32 PM

I'm in if there's still room

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Mar 10 2009, 01:50 PM

Of course man !
Thanks for joining us

One more thing guys !
I just uploaded my take over this backing track. Its first take improvised but I really liked it so I kept it. All the notes are either arpeggio runs or chord tones just like assignment stated.

You can find my take http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?act=attach&type=post&id=14309

Posted by: Sergio Dorado Mar 10 2009, 04:03 PM

Hi, Pedja! I want to collaborate. I´ll send you the take in the next days

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Mar 10 2009, 04:05 PM

Hi Sergio !
It is great to have you with us man. I am excited to hear your take, let me know if you have any questions !

Posted by: kaznie_NL Mar 10 2009, 05:29 PM

I hope I'm still on time! So count me in!

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Mar 10 2009, 05:33 PM

Sure thing Kaznie

Posted by: Alex87 Mar 10 2009, 07:38 PM

I'd like to participate mate.

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Mar 10 2009, 09:40 PM

Sure thing Alex !

Posted by: Marc_Maiden Mar 11 2009, 04:09 AM

i wanna clarify something for myself...


do we have to play the arpeggio in note for not sequence, or can we play different notes that are in the chord structure and make it sound a little more like a solo than just playing arpeggios note for note?


great backing btw...im having fun just runnin through different arpeggios

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Mar 11 2009, 10:37 AM

Good question Marc !
For this time I just want notes that belong to the chord only. In other words Cmaj7 you need to play C E G B , E G B C, G B C E or B C E G as arpeggio ! If you want to play chord tones then you can play one ore more notes from these 4 mentioned and you can play them in any order you like !

Check out my take, I posted it yesterday its on the first page of the thread.

Hope that helps !

Posted by: jdriver Mar 14 2009, 01:29 AM

Pedja,

I'm a real beginner so that's where this is coming from. I'm a little stuck as to how to approach this. I know these arpeggios separately, but I can't think of a way to move between them this way. Normally I would just stay in key and it would sound all right. I guess I can get my speed up and do a quick partial arpeggio on each chord change, but that doesn't seem like it's teaching me what you are wanting us to learn. Any suggestions on how to "connect the dots" with logic?

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Mar 14 2009, 01:43 AM

Jeff,

I really enjoyed your question as it is very logical and challenging at the same time

What you are asking me is to give you some tips how to connect arpeggios and make music, instead of just running them up and down...
First of all I just want to say that for purpose of class type collaboration, it is perfectly fine to run arpeggios up and down as I am sure there are members out there who never learned Maj7, Min7 and Dom7 arpeggios all across the neck. Having said that, just by doing runs up and down they will already benefit and learn a lot here.
If you are however past running up and down arpeggios and want to create some music out of it, then I can suggest couple of things that can help you get there :

1) Use VOICE LEADING when changing chords. In other words lets say I play C E G B (over C maj7) and now A min7 comes in ... Instead of jumping from B note down or up an octave I can just move up to C note (which is half step away - one fret up) or go down a whole step to root of the chord which is A !
Voice leading is great technique used by improvisers and composers. It basically implies that when changing chords, your melody should not jump up or down more then a major 2nd (whole step). If chord progression allows you, you can also keep the same note in two chords. In case of C maj7 (C E G and A min7 ( A C E G) , we have 3 notes that we can keep as they repeat in both chords ! Those notes are C E G.
Hopefully that explains a bit about voice leading

2) Use rests in your solos and try to create question and answer type melodies !
Anything goes here, from sequence, to motive development. Please listen to take I posted and you will hear exactly approach in my improvisation.

Let me know if you have any more questions, I will be more than happy to answer them all !

Pedja

Posted by: jdriver Mar 14 2009, 02:13 AM

Excellent suggestions!! I normally would use rests in this way, but I think I am trying cram too much into 30 seconds and I have been trying to include some notes from each chord in every chord change and that's 16, so no wonder I get confused. I should slow down some.

Thanks.

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Mar 14 2009, 02:22 AM

Glad they helped you Jeff
No need to play all the notes, I prefer melodic approach vs technical any day of the week. Still, I would like to know that you can pull off all arpeggios as well so try to balance it out

Posted by: jdriver Mar 14 2009, 03:46 AM

You definitely set me on the right track. I have got it figured out. Just need to get the speed up and I think it will please the Jazz teacher in you! (and the Jazz student in me!)

Posted by: UncleSkillet Mar 14 2009, 04:00 AM

@jdriver Nice to see your in this collab.

I haven't heard you in to many of these and it sounds like you have some really great ideas when it come to melody as structure.

Can't wait to listen to your take bro!

Posted by: jdriver Mar 14 2009, 04:17 AM

Thanks bud. I did 2 collabs when I first joined, very simple ones! Since then I've been concentrating on lessons and practice. I think I'm ready to put it to use, I love Jazz and Blues!

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Mar 14 2009, 08:13 PM

Great, I definitely look forward to it Jeff !

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Mar 15 2009, 10:32 PM

Guys if you have any questions, please feel free to ask them here or via PM.
Thank you

Posted by: GrannyKiller Mar 15 2009, 10:58 PM

Hey guys, looks like I missed quite a bit of the action... been too busy to sign up, 'till now.

Pedja, I would like to participate.

BTW, I've already recorded my take. Uploading in progress...

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Mar 15 2009, 11:21 PM

No problem Davor, great to have you in this one

Posted by: kaznie_NL Mar 19 2009, 03:00 PM

Hey Pedja, sorry for the delay

I've been busy this week (performing ) But I did find some time to write the first four bars. It's quite hard work, because I really need to write this, I can't improvise with triads yet!

Upload will be soon!

Posted by: Canis Mar 19 2009, 03:05 PM

I'm so sorry, but I have to drop out of this one... I just have too many things going on at school, and not enough time to get anything done :S

Sorry

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Mar 20 2009, 12:06 AM

Great to hear that you are working on it Kaznie.
Original deadline was 23rd of March, since there are virtually no uploaded takes I will have to move the deadline by couple of days at least.



Canis no worries, I will move the deadline hopefully you can still make it.

Posted by: wrk Mar 20 2009, 12:14 AM

Sorry Pedja for not have uploaded something already .. my take will come in time

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Mar 20 2009, 12:34 AM

Thats great to hear Andy, I really appreciate it man

Posted by: wrk Mar 20 2009, 12:37 AM

I'm actually about to upload one take i did today ... not great, but my todays level with this approach.

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Mar 20 2009, 12:39 AM

Since its class type collaboration, the more the better for analysis purpose

Posted by: Deleted Mar 20 2009, 07:42 PM

can I join?

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Mar 20 2009, 07:47 PM

Of course you can !

I will extend the deadline until 27th of March or 28th , so you are welcome to join. Should I sign you up ?

Posted by: Deleted Mar 20 2009, 08:05 PM

Sure, I'm going to post my entry in a few minutes.

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Mar 20 2009, 08:09 PM

Wow, awesome !
Just follow the rules - chord tones/arpeggios only

Posted by: Nazgul Mar 22 2009, 01:42 PM

Great to hear that you moved the deadline, hopefully I'll be able to upload my take until then. I think I'm too bad at it to just improvise. I hope I'm not gonna play any "out-notes."

Posted by: kaznie_NL Mar 22 2009, 06:58 PM

Noo... have to say it's delayed again... Sorry!

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Mar 22 2009, 10:41 PM

I am happy to hear you will make the deadline !
Don't worry too much, just play and good things will come out I am sure



Whats delayed ? Deadline or ?
Are you going to make it Kaznie ?

Posted by: kaznie_NL Mar 23 2009, 03:56 PM

'Fcourse

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Mar 23 2009, 04:10 PM

Awesome !

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Mar 24 2009, 12:04 AM

Here is guitar pro file with 2 guitar solos in there. You can use these to help you write your own solo and notice how I use chord tones and arpeggio. I tried to use it as simple as possible so everybody can understand it and follow !

Posted by: lcsdds Mar 24 2009, 12:42 AM

Thanks for the GP file Pedja...should help a lot!!

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Mar 24 2009, 12:52 AM

You welcome Monte, I am glad it will help you

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Mar 24 2009, 04:48 PM

I have updated Guitar pro file with 2 extra solos. That makes it total of 4 solos ! Plenty of ideas for you guys that didn't submit your take yet.

Let me know if you need anything !

Posted by: kaznie_NL Mar 25 2009, 07:24 PM

I've 3/4 done now, only the last bar to go and the recording.

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Mar 25 2009, 07:26 PM

Awesome Kaz, look forward to it !

Posted by: Canis Mar 26 2009, 08:45 PM

I've written all of it, but I can't play it with the backing without mistakes yet

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Mar 26 2009, 10:34 PM

Sounds to me like you did pretty good Canis

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Mar 28 2009, 08:30 AM

Quick announcement guys.

I am keeping in mind that you have all been busy this month working on this new approach.

I will give you extension until 29th- one extra day, I hope that will give you enough time to record something.

Here is list of takes I am expecting :

Coffeeman
Enforcer
Tolek
Paiva
Ajmurrell
Nazgul
Roythebattousai
jer
Sami
Iluha
Outlaw 2112
sted
Jesse
kaznie_NL
Alex87


I am at your disposal guys if you have any questions and need any help.

Thank you

Posted by: kaznie_NL Mar 28 2009, 09:00 AM

today is the 28th, so I'm finishing it today! I have a hockey game coming up within an hour, so I'll do it in the afternoon. I should be back around 2.

Posted by: Nazgul Mar 28 2009, 11:17 AM

I'll also try to upload it today, or at least tomorrow. I got a gig today and have been working on the songs we play so I had not that much time.

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Mar 28 2009, 05:36 PM

Awesome Kaznie !



No problem, I will start mixing Sunday night so that gives you time to submit your take last minute

Posted by: Nazgul Mar 29 2009, 09:20 PM

Now, I finished my take and recorded it, but with TVC I couldn't convert the mpeg-file to .mp3. I'm really a noob at recording, converting, mixing etc. and I was satisfied that I could upload my take tonight, with only one hour time to compose and record my take. And now it doesn't work. I'm extremely sorry, I'm afraid that you'll have mix the other takes tomorrow, Pedja, without me, because I'm too stupid to upload a simple take.

I don't even know the basic rules of a good record, could someone explain it, so I'll know it for upcoming collabs?

So, sorry again, Pedja.

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Mar 30 2009, 02:01 AM

Nazgul don't feel bad man !
From top of my head I wouldn't know how to convert mpeg to mp3 file. First thing I would do is Google it, then download software needed for such a thing and then sort it out. So you are definitely not alone.

If you already have a Mpeg file and want to skip all converting time, why don't you upload it via YOUSENDIT website ?

I will start doing final mix today (Monday) so you still have time to submit it !

Put my email in recipients email [email protected]

Thanks

Pedja

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Mar 31 2009, 05:12 PM

Guys I am starting to mix the collaboration now. You still have chance to upload your take in next couple of hours or so.
Final mix with comments should be up tomorrow !

Posted by: Tolek Mar 31 2009, 09:55 PM

Sorry, Pedja. I didn´t manage to do a new take and I´ll have to take the critique on my not perfect homework. doh!

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Mar 31 2009, 09:58 PM

Glad you will take the critique cause you deserve it

Posted by: Tolek Mar 31 2009, 10:05 PM

This time I´m not looking forward to it.