Get out of the technical

I jammed tonight at an open mike, and when ever I get with a large group of ametuer musicians, it just reminds me that the reason WHY most bands and jammers don't get things going very well is this:

The focus needs to be on the song. Peroid.

Even if you're doing covers, do it your way with feeling. Forget the talk about other bands and what gear you're using and work on playing SONGS. Play them slow, fast, change the feel (i.e. Try playing stairway to heaven in a slow bluesy style or quick and trite style).

Most musicans have an ego, right. Well, that's okay, as long as the SONG is what gets the attention. Our society has IDOLIZED so many artists that often, as wanna-be pro musicians, we have to learn to let all that shit go. Let go of the "I hate country music" attitude, or the "I hate that band" crap. Forget about it. Study the song, it's structure, it's dynamics, when they sing high, when they mellow it out, and try these things into your own original music or make a cover tune more original.
If you wawnt to SHOWCASE your talent, SHOWCASE the S O N G!

The Diminished Scale

The diminished scale is comprised of tones a minor 3rd apart...

For example:
Try playing these notes all over the guitar in succession.

||: E G Bb Db :||

||: A C Eb F# :||

||: G# B D F :||

That should give you a feel for it. You can resolve it with the Root Chord in the Key.

Calling ALL Guitar Teachers!!!

Attention ALL who teach the guitar, this blog's for you!

Post some of your lessons here and link to your teaching website!

Let's get a collection going. Since BLOGGER allows me to add up to 100 authors to this site, just comment me with your desire to join, with your email address used for blogger, and I'll add you as an author.

Peace ~ Chris M.

The Blues

Here's the Blues Scale Pattern in 2 octaves:
|-R-|---|---|---|
|-O-|---|---|-O-|
|-O-|---|-O-|-O-|
|-O-|---|-R-|---|
|-O-|-O-|-O-|---|
|-R-|---|---|-O-|

The good chords for this scale are:
Major 5th
|-O-|---|---|---|
|-O-|---|---|---|
|---|-O-|---|---|
|---|---|-O-|---|
|---|---|-O-|---|
|-O-|---|---|---|

Dominant 7th
|-O-|---|---|---|
|(--|---|-O-|---|
|-O-|---|---|---|
|(--|---|-O-|---|
|-O-|---|---|---|
|---|---|---|---|

Dominant 9th
|---|---|(O-|---|
|---|---|(O-|---|
|---|---|(O-|---|
|---|-O-|---|---|
|---|---|-O-|---|
|---|---|---|---|

Minor 7th
|-O-|---|---|---|
|(--|-O-|---|---|
|(O-|---|---|---|
|(--|---|-O-|---|
|-O-|---|---|---|
|---|---|---|---|

Minor 9th
|---|---|-O-|---|
|(O-|---|---|---|
|(O-|---|---|---|
|(O-|---|---|---|
|(--|---|-O-|---|
|-O-|---|---|---|

For one-on-one guitar lessons in the Seattle area, Contact Chris Miller via EMAIL HERE!

K.I.S.S.

Keeping it Simple

||: C - - - | Dm - - - | G - - - | Dm7- - - :||

Try playing this progression and throwing licks in based on the C major scale:
C D E F G A B C
Occasionally, throw in a Bb transition note.
See how that works for you.

You have to know a bit of theory, and then feel it!

Yngwie Style

Hello fret board walkers! This post I'm going to talk about the playing of one of the smoothest players around, Yngwie Malmsteen. I first started learning Yngwie licks about 20 years ago and I am still far from mastering up to his fluid playing of them. However, 'trying' to play them has helped me along as a guitar player.

Rather than learn his licks note for note, I just learned the 'scale' or 'key' that he plays in often.

Dance around in this scale:
A Harmonic Minor: A B C D E F G# A
Make up chord progressions of:
A minor (A C E)
C major (C E G)
D minor (D F A)
E minor (E G B)
E major (E G# B)
F major (F A C)
G major (G B D)

Jam around in this key and you'll gradually get a feel for the Yngwie style!

Are you practicing?

Play your instrument every day! Otherwise, nothing happens! Zen guitar instruction 101!

C Major Scale Chords

As a beginning guitarist, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with your keys, beginning with the key of "C", which is all the natural notes, with no sharps nor flats in the key. Once you have mastered this key, then it is easier to graduate to the next key in the circle of 5ths, being "G". I found this pic to show the example of what I'm refering to.

Practice Practice Practice

Make sure that you practice today.  Pick up your guitar for at least 5 minutes a day (which will typically turn into many more minutes once you have it in your hands and playing).  Remember to use back-and-forth picking style when you play your scale runs, play everything slow and 'clearly' and build up your speed gradually as you go.  Finger your chords so that 'all' the notes ring clearly without any buzz.  Mix up your practice material, styles, and such so that you stay interested in playing.  Get a practicing partner to jam with, as this will help you both!  Most of all, have fun!

Pro Musician Training

For great guitar lessons in the North Seattle area, call Pro Musician Training! Serving Ballard, Greenwood, Magnolia, Queen Anne, Shoreline, Lake City, University District, Blue Ridge, North Beach, Carkeek, Wedgewood, Edmonds, and more! Call for more details. If you want easy to understand music lessons at very reasonable rates, give Pro Musician Training a call today. They offer onsite lessons as well.

E Lydian Mode Chords

After playing with E lydian mode all night, I see that some good chords to use in these progessions are E Major, F# Major, G# Major, B Major, C# Minor, and D# Minor. You can also add on to these chords with any add-on notes within reach that are still in the E Lydain Pattern (i.e. E F# G# A# B C# D# E), and thus create some very cool colors to your progression.

E Lydian

Last night I was playing around with the E lydian scale, which consist of the notes: E F# G# A# B C# D# E

It is basically the E major scale with a sharpened 4th. It has very tranquil tonal qualities and after dancing around with the chords and licks in this scale, I found that it made me very sleepy and tired, as if being lullabyed before bedtime. Very interesting!



Joe uses this scale often, as well as other modes, and you'll notice the sound when you're jamming with it.

Want to Play Guitar

I've created this blog as a reference area to those interested in guitar playing.



If you live in the North Seattle area, and are interested in having lessons, you can contact me via email. I look forward to helping you with your venture to becoming a better guitar player and musician.



Keep looking up! ~ Chris M.