Today, I began learing Stairway to Heaven. It's a rite of passage in the guitar world, I suppose. That was the main concentration of the lesson.
Andy also gave me several things to work on. He again stressed just sitting down and attempting to figure out melody lines. Also, he mentioned what he calls his Django exercise. Django only had two fingers. You use the index and middle fingers, frets 1 & 3, respectively. Play all the strings. Move to frets 2 & 4. Rinse repeat. Then try the same sequenece with the middle and ring fingers, then ring and pinky. Youch, those last two hurt a little.
He also talked about harmonizing the scale on two strings, like B and e. Play the root on one string and the third on the other. Do that for the entire scale down the strings.
Lost of exercises out of this lesson. I've got to just put in some time now. I can really feel myself getting better. I would never have tried Stairway a month or two ago. Now I really do know that I can get it, and without a lot of crying either.
Later,
Louis
Showing posts with label Guitar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Guitar. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Lesson 9 (01/09/2006)
Finally another lesson. The scheduled lesson for the second was cancelled because the shop was closed for inventory. So it's been about three weeks, it seems.
Starting off we played through "Wish You Were Here" all the way, I even did the solo with Andy playing the base riff once.
We then reviewed all the keys and which chords go with which keys, etc. I mentioned that I was learing "Behind Blue Eyes" by The Who. Andy seemed happy about that. We talked about that, then went through "Baba O'Riley". I always seem to forget how much I enjoy The Who.
For next time, I am to work out melodies and put them in the G and C scale forms. Also, work on knowing where all the scale elements in each of those forms. For instance, be able to say, this this and this are all the 6ths in the G scale.
Later
Starting off we played through "Wish You Were Here" all the way, I even did the solo with Andy playing the base riff once.
We then reviewed all the keys and which chords go with which keys, etc. I mentioned that I was learing "Behind Blue Eyes" by The Who. Andy seemed happy about that. We talked about that, then went through "Baba O'Riley". I always seem to forget how much I enjoy The Who.
For next time, I am to work out melodies and put them in the G and C scale forms. Also, work on knowing where all the scale elements in each of those forms. For instance, be able to say, this this and this are all the 6ths in the G scale.
Later
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Lesson 8 (12/19/2005)
Been a bit of a lag between the lesson and the posting of it. Sorry about that one. The holidays make it a bit difficult to keep up with all of this sort of "normal" stuff. Oh well, at least I didn't forget about it totally.
This lesson was officially the "We're gonna learn an entire song" lesson. "Wish You Were Here" was the default choice because it has a good chord progression, I can already play the rhythm part, and the solo sounds great but is not too difficult. We started by me playing the song as I know it. I forgot the stinking progression, again, but that was the last time!
Andy realized I knew that part fine, so we moved on to the solo. He showed that it was a continuation of the G scale in two different positions. Super easy really. With us working together for just 15 minutes on it, I could struggle through the entire thing.
Since the lesson, I have been working on it digillently. I can get through the entire solo at full speed. The only problems I am having are the chording parts in the solo, sliding them up and down the two frets. I seem to over shoot one way or the other every time. It just takes more practice to get the exact feel for that distance, I suppose.
We skipped Monday, 12/26 for obvious reasons. I assume that we are still on for 1/2/2006. Andy didn't mention not having it that day and I'm Jonesing a bit, to tell the truth!
This lesson was officially the "We're gonna learn an entire song" lesson. "Wish You Were Here" was the default choice because it has a good chord progression, I can already play the rhythm part, and the solo sounds great but is not too difficult. We started by me playing the song as I know it. I forgot the stinking progression, again, but that was the last time!
Andy realized I knew that part fine, so we moved on to the solo. He showed that it was a continuation of the G scale in two different positions. Super easy really. With us working together for just 15 minutes on it, I could struggle through the entire thing.
Since the lesson, I have been working on it digillently. I can get through the entire solo at full speed. The only problems I am having are the chording parts in the solo, sliding them up and down the two frets. I seem to over shoot one way or the other every time. It just takes more practice to get the exact feel for that distance, I suppose.
We skipped Monday, 12/26 for obvious reasons. I assume that we are still on for 1/2/2006. Andy didn't mention not having it that day and I'm Jonesing a bit, to tell the truth!
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Lesson 7 (12/12/2005)
Fun time this week. The guy that had a lesson before me quit, so Andy had asked me to come at 6:00 instead of 6:30. Well, the shop owner actually scheduled someone at six, so there was a bit of a conflict. I took the 6:00 spot last night, but we agreed that they would prefer the 6:00 slot, and I really don't care. In fact, I think I preferred 6:30, with no one after me. It just seems more laid back.
As for the lesson, we started out with me playing a C scale. Then I showed him that I had practiced moving it to the generic shape and could play it anywhere. He then asked about a G scale. Luckily, I had been practicing that one too. I don't have to too good as a generic shape, but I can play it pretty well in open position.
With the spirit of the season, we moved on to playing "Jingle Bells". He said for me to figure out the lead in C. Andy said it starts on the third, now go! Well, I did OK on that actually. I plinked it out while he strummed the chords. Then we moved it to G. Same thing there. We then moved on to Amazing grace. Same sort of thing, listen and figure out the melody. Get that ear to hearing and the fingers matching.
He said to really work on figuring out those melodies. It helps train that ear and also helps get the speed and accuracy up in those scale shapes.
Towards the end of the lesson, Andy showed me how to tie the open position G scale to a C shaped scale played down on the 7th fret, which is actually a G scale when played there. Using an open string to slide back and forth between the positions, you can tie the shapes together. Play the G as normal, but when you get to the high E string, play it. While it's being played, the left hand moves up to the 7th position and the next note in the scale is played B string, 7th fret. From there, continue in the C pattern. That finishes out the G scale! Awesome how that stuff all mixes together!
Not sure exactly what for next time. I think I'm going to hammer on some melody lines, and try to match them up with the scale shapes I know. I also think I'll work on tying the G open and the 7th position C shape together on different strings.
Louis
As for the lesson, we started out with me playing a C scale. Then I showed him that I had practiced moving it to the generic shape and could play it anywhere. He then asked about a G scale. Luckily, I had been practicing that one too. I don't have to too good as a generic shape, but I can play it pretty well in open position.
With the spirit of the season, we moved on to playing "Jingle Bells". He said for me to figure out the lead in C. Andy said it starts on the third, now go! Well, I did OK on that actually. I plinked it out while he strummed the chords. Then we moved it to G. Same thing there. We then moved on to Amazing grace. Same sort of thing, listen and figure out the melody. Get that ear to hearing and the fingers matching.
He said to really work on figuring out those melodies. It helps train that ear and also helps get the speed and accuracy up in those scale shapes.
Towards the end of the lesson, Andy showed me how to tie the open position G scale to a C shaped scale played down on the 7th fret, which is actually a G scale when played there. Using an open string to slide back and forth between the positions, you can tie the shapes together. Play the G as normal, but when you get to the high E string, play it. While it's being played, the left hand moves up to the 7th position and the next note in the scale is played B string, 7th fret. From there, continue in the C pattern. That finishes out the G scale! Awesome how that stuff all mixes together!
Not sure exactly what for next time. I think I'm going to hammer on some melody lines, and try to match them up with the scale shapes I know. I also think I'll work on tying the G open and the 7th position C shape together on different strings.
Louis
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
Lesson 6 (12/5/2005)
I really feel like lessons are starting to pay off! My physical techniques may not be growing by leaps and bounds, but my knowledge of how music is put together is really starting to blossum. I feel that the techinques are going to come. Last night I even got in and out of some barre chords without too much trouble.
As for last night's lesson, we played several songs in several keys. "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" and "Sweet Child O' Mine" in C, G, D, and E. The program I wrote has REALLY helped me with those keys. I can almost pick out all the IV's and V's without thinking about it.
We then moved on to talking about scales and patterns. He mentioned the CAGED method. I had heard of that before, but I didn't really know what it meant. In short, there are five basic patterns of major scales. They are named CAGED after the chord shapes in open position that they mimic. Then he said, take the C scale that you already know, and move it up a fret. I started playing, missed one or two, but pretty much got it right.
We finished up with some "Jingle Bells".
For next time, I plan on having the C shape playable in any position. I think that is very doable. I might even try to figure out one of the other shapes, say A?
Later,
Louis
As for last night's lesson, we played several songs in several keys. "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" and "Sweet Child O' Mine" in C, G, D, and E. The program I wrote has REALLY helped me with those keys. I can almost pick out all the IV's and V's without thinking about it.
We then moved on to talking about scales and patterns. He mentioned the CAGED method. I had heard of that before, but I didn't really know what it meant. In short, there are five basic patterns of major scales. They are named CAGED after the chord shapes in open position that they mimic. Then he said, take the C scale that you already know, and move it up a fret. I started playing, missed one or two, but pretty much got it right.
We finished up with some "Jingle Bells".
For next time, I plan on having the C shape playable in any position. I think that is very doable. I might even try to figure out one of the other shapes, say A?
Later,
Louis
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Lesson 5 (11/28/2005)
Wow, a week already! Thanksgiving really ate up (pun not intended) my practice time. I didn't get to do much of anything guitarwise this past week. I told that Andy right off and he totally understood.
This week was all about keys. Changing keys. Working on knowing the I, IV, and V of every key. Playing songs in the different keys. We started with "Wild Thing". Not really a song that I care too much about, but great for playing around with different keys. We took it, played it in C, then D, then G, all the way around.
He then asked me to name a song. Several things came to mind, but most were not really good for the lesson, and I knew that. Finally my mind stopped on "Gimme Three Steps". Turned out to be a very good one. We played that around in several keys.
The lesson ended with Andy telling me to get to know those keys cold. He didn't say "for next time", but that's what I'm taking upon myself to do. By next Monday I expect to have the I, IV, and V, as well as all sharps/flats for every key C, D, E, F, G, A, and B.
To that end, I have written a little .NET 2.0 program this morning that quizzes me, kinda a flash card thing. It works well so far. If anyone has any interest in it, email me.
Till next week!!
This week was all about keys. Changing keys. Working on knowing the I, IV, and V of every key. Playing songs in the different keys. We started with "Wild Thing". Not really a song that I care too much about, but great for playing around with different keys. We took it, played it in C, then D, then G, all the way around.
He then asked me to name a song. Several things came to mind, but most were not really good for the lesson, and I knew that. Finally my mind stopped on "Gimme Three Steps". Turned out to be a very good one. We played that around in several keys.
The lesson ended with Andy telling me to get to know those keys cold. He didn't say "for next time", but that's what I'm taking upon myself to do. By next Monday I expect to have the I, IV, and V, as well as all sharps/flats for every key C, D, E, F, G, A, and B.
To that end, I have written a little .NET 2.0 program this morning that quizzes me, kinda a flash card thing. It works well so far. If anyone has any interest in it, email me.
Till next week!!
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Lesson 4 (11/21/2005)
Another week already. The lessons keep getting more and more fun. Andy and I have gotten to know each other a bit and are much more comfortable. Now we just sit down and start having fun, learning in the process.
This week we started off reviewing changing keys. He drilled me on playing all the chords in various keys. I don't know them cold yet, but it only takes me a few seconds to have the ready to go.
We then moved on to walking patterns. Andy used the Cash standard "Walk the Line" for this. There is a key change in the middle of that song twice! Three different keys are used, so the walks change with keys, although they are very similar.
Then started talking about using the dreaded / (slash) chords to spice up playing. Some examples include "New Orleans Ladies", "Wonderful Tonight", and "Whiter Shade of Pale". I summarily reject "Whiter Shade of Pale from a traumatic experience with an All-Star Marching bad requiring me to play quater note base line on tuba for HOURS on end in practice, but that's another story entirely.
Let's take "New Orleans' Ladies" for example. Chords are simply C, Am, F, G. Rinse repeat. Basically a I, VI, IV, V progression. But you can take the C, then play a C/B, then the Am to get a base line walk, sort of. Same thing from the Am, to Am/G, to F. Once you land on the G chord, you can do a standard walk back up to the C.
We explored around a little more from there. On "Wonderful Tonight", he suggested that I might could use my thumb to play a D/F#. I have used that on a Alice in Chains song, "Don't Follow", and thought I was being super taboo. I mentioned that to him and he said nah, Clapton uses it. Andy also said to bring in the AIC song and we'll work on it next time.
Later on!
Louis
This week we started off reviewing changing keys. He drilled me on playing all the chords in various keys. I don't know them cold yet, but it only takes me a few seconds to have the ready to go.
We then moved on to walking patterns. Andy used the Cash standard "Walk the Line" for this. There is a key change in the middle of that song twice! Three different keys are used, so the walks change with keys, although they are very similar.
Then started talking about using the dreaded / (slash) chords to spice up playing. Some examples include "New Orleans Ladies", "Wonderful Tonight", and "Whiter Shade of Pale". I summarily reject "Whiter Shade of Pale from a traumatic experience with an All-Star Marching bad requiring me to play quater note base line on tuba for HOURS on end in practice, but that's another story entirely.
Let's take "New Orleans' Ladies" for example. Chords are simply C, Am, F, G. Rinse repeat. Basically a I, VI, IV, V progression. But you can take the C, then play a C/B, then the Am to get a base line walk, sort of. Same thing from the Am, to Am/G, to F. Once you land on the G chord, you can do a standard walk back up to the C.
We explored around a little more from there. On "Wonderful Tonight", he suggested that I might could use my thumb to play a D/F#. I have used that on a Alice in Chains song, "Don't Follow", and thought I was being super taboo. I mentioned that to him and he said nah, Clapton uses it. Andy also said to bring in the AIC song and we'll work on it next time.
Later on!
Louis
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Lesson 3 (11/14/2005)
Fun lesson this time around, for sure! I showed up with a few printouts of some songs I had been working and such. I had "Hurt", "Let Her Cry", "Let It Be", and "Wish You Were Here".
I played "Hurt" for him. He joined in and had some suggestions on the chords and strumming patterns. All fit really well. Went on to "Let Her Cry". Didn't spend a lot of time on this one as it's pretty straight forward.
Then we looked at "Let It Be". This where the lesson took off. When playing it, I added a little walk down from the C to the G. He flew with this idea, showing that I needed to complete it, not just use the one note that I was using.
Then we started talking about what key the song was in. Then how the progressions work for each key. We started with the C scale. I played the first chord, a basic C. Then he said play the 2nd. I hit a D, but that's not totally right. The D major chord has a F# in it, but F# is not in the C major scale. When you flat the F# down to an F and play the D, it is a D minor chord.
This works for several steps of the scale. The 2nd and 3nd chords are minor, as is the 6th. The 7th is really weird. It becomes some dimished minor thing that sounds very dissonant. But, actually you can flat the 7th and play a major chord and that works well in some progressions, apparently. We went through the C progression and, lo and behold, the progression for Freebird just popped out!
For next time I Andy wants me to take the songs I played this week and change them into different keys using the methods we talked about. Something in G, play it in C. Stuff like that.
'Til next time!
Louis
I played "Hurt" for him. He joined in and had some suggestions on the chords and strumming patterns. All fit really well. Went on to "Let Her Cry". Didn't spend a lot of time on this one as it's pretty straight forward.
Then we looked at "Let It Be". This where the lesson took off. When playing it, I added a little walk down from the C to the G. He flew with this idea, showing that I needed to complete it, not just use the one note that I was using.
Then we started talking about what key the song was in. Then how the progressions work for each key. We started with the C scale. I played the first chord, a basic C. Then he said play the 2nd. I hit a D, but that's not totally right. The D major chord has a F# in it, but F# is not in the C major scale. When you flat the F# down to an F and play the D, it is a D minor chord.
This works for several steps of the scale. The 2nd and 3nd chords are minor, as is the 6th. The 7th is really weird. It becomes some dimished minor thing that sounds very dissonant. But, actually you can flat the 7th and play a major chord and that works well in some progressions, apparently. We went through the C progression and, lo and behold, the progression for Freebird just popped out!
For next time I Andy wants me to take the songs I played this week and change them into different keys using the methods we talked about. Something in G, play it in C. Stuff like that.
'Til next time!
Louis
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Songs I am wanting to learn
In response to my "homework" from my last lesson, I have put together a list of songs that I have/will have down pat very soon. Here they are, and I'll check them off as I go.
Post any comments and/or suggestions for other simple acoustic style songs.
- Let Her Cry – Hootie almost ready
- Time – Hootie
- Fine Line – Hootie / Radney Foster almost ready
- Earth Stopped Cold at Dawn – Hootie
- Only Lonely – Hootie
- Plush – Stone Temple Pilots
- Yesterday – Beatles
- Let It Be – Beatles almost ready
- Hurt – NIN/Reznor/Cash almost ready
- Wish You Were Here – Pink Floyd ready
- Comfortably Numb – Pink Floyd
- Mother – Pink Floyd
- Over the Hills and Far Away – Led Zeppelin
- Patience – GNR
- Sweet Child O’ Mine – GNR
- Farmhouse – Phish
- I Remember You - Skid Row almost ready
- Every Rose Has Its Thorn - Poison almost ready
Post any comments and/or suggestions for other simple acoustic style songs.
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Lesson 2 - 11/7/2005
Well, like I said in the last post, we skipped last week because of it being Halloween. A good bit has happened since then. I'm home today with Chloe; she's got an ear infection and I just got back from the doc with her.
I got my Christmas present from Amy already. I found a great deal on the amp I want and I convinced her to go ahead and get it. It arrived yesterday. It is a Vox Valvetronix AD30VT. I've gotten to spend a couple of hours with it so far and I absolutely love it. Impossible to even compare to the crappy little Marshall MG10CD I had. It was a "Scratch and Dent" item from Musician's Friend, but I can't see anything that is wrong with it. Looks to be in perfect physical shape. Since I paid $191 for it, no tax and no shipping, that saved $70 bucks from the $239 + tax at the local GC.
Well, on to the lesson. Andy seemed pretty impressed with the scales and such from last time. We played around a while. Then we got into how to form sus4 and sus2 chords. It was a pretty laid back lesson. He asked about songs I want to/have learned. I mentioned "Wish You Were Here" again. He did some Beatles tunes. That sounds like a good idea to me.
He warned me about being the guy that knows the beginnig to every song, but doesn't know an entire song. I think he right about that. My "homework" was to find some songs I want to learn. Next time in, I'm going to have "Wish You Were Here" down completely, along with some others. I'm thinking I'll bring in some Hootie maybe. Amy is trying hard for some Christmas songs, and that's probably a good idea.
Until next time,
Louis
I got my Christmas present from Amy already. I found a great deal on the amp I want and I convinced her to go ahead and get it. It arrived yesterday. It is a Vox Valvetronix AD30VT. I've gotten to spend a couple of hours with it so far and I absolutely love it. Impossible to even compare to the crappy little Marshall MG10CD I had. It was a "Scratch and Dent" item from Musician's Friend, but I can't see anything that is wrong with it. Looks to be in perfect physical shape. Since I paid $191 for it, no tax and no shipping, that saved $70 bucks from the $239 + tax at the local GC.
Well, on to the lesson. Andy seemed pretty impressed with the scales and such from last time. We played around a while. Then we got into how to form sus4 and sus2 chords. It was a pretty laid back lesson. He asked about songs I want to/have learned. I mentioned "Wish You Were Here" again. He did some Beatles tunes. That sounds like a good idea to me.
He warned me about being the guy that knows the beginnig to every song, but doesn't know an entire song. I think he right about that. My "homework" was to find some songs I want to learn. Next time in, I'm going to have "Wish You Were Here" down completely, along with some others. I'm thinking I'll bring in some Hootie maybe. Amy is trying hard for some Christmas songs, and that's probably a good idea.
Until next time,
Louis
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Lesson 1 (10/24/2005)
I went up to West Mobile Music. My instructor, Andy, was just finishing up with the student before me. Promptly at 6:30, they wound things up and I got out my guitar and went into the little practice room they have at the shop.
Andy took my guitar and made sure it was in tune with his. He then played a few licks, I supposes to make sure that my cheapo guitar was in good working order. It was, for sure. Just put a new set of Elixir 12's on it less than a week before.
As a side note, I am beginning to like my guitar more and more. It's really not bad at all. Decent sound, action pretty good. I still would love a $1500+ Taylor, but that's just not in the cards, now is it?
Andy gave the guitar back to me and picked up his. He asked what I knew. I told him that I knew the basics. I can play major chords, some minors, some scales, etc. So he asked me to play a G chord. I did.
He then immediately found that I was sitting with the guitar on the wrong leg, and he asked me to use a lot more wrist, and a lot less arm while picking.
We went through all the majors. Then through the minors. Some I did not know, but for the most part we just played those I didn't know as a bar anyway. He asked about sevenths. I knew just a few. He talked about how 7th chords are formed, theory wise. As an excerise I'll be figuring out all the 7th's for next time.
We then moved on to the C scale in 1st position. I had played it before, but have not practiced it enough to be proficient. Remarkedly, it has not taken me long to get it up to a halfway decent speed. But, back to the lesson. After talking about the scale, I played it a time or two. Andy quickly corrected me about alternate picking. I was always striking a string on a downstroke, no matter the beat I was on. That is going to take some practice, but even after last night, I can feel it starting to sink in.
For next time, I'll have all major, minor, and seventh chords ready to go. I will be playing the C major scale in first position, alternate picking, as fast as I can. I will also play the scale and say the note names as I play it. Forwards and backwards for both of the scale excerises. Also, I need to be able to play every E in first position, every F, and so on. The last to excercises are already helping me to learn the notes on the fretboard better.
All in all, I had a great time. It was a blast to get out and get some direction to what I was working on. I like Andy, we seem to have a lot in common. I think we'll be a good fit.
We are skipping next week, due to Halloween. I hope to check in at some point in between now and then with an update on where I am with the excercises for next lesson. We'll see, maybe I have enough direction now to keep on updating this guy ;-)
Andy took my guitar and made sure it was in tune with his. He then played a few licks, I supposes to make sure that my cheapo guitar was in good working order. It was, for sure. Just put a new set of Elixir 12's on it less than a week before.
As a side note, I am beginning to like my guitar more and more. It's really not bad at all. Decent sound, action pretty good. I still would love a $1500+ Taylor, but that's just not in the cards, now is it?
Andy gave the guitar back to me and picked up his. He asked what I knew. I told him that I knew the basics. I can play major chords, some minors, some scales, etc. So he asked me to play a G chord. I did.
He then immediately found that I was sitting with the guitar on the wrong leg, and he asked me to use a lot more wrist, and a lot less arm while picking.
We went through all the majors. Then through the minors. Some I did not know, but for the most part we just played those I didn't know as a bar anyway. He asked about sevenths. I knew just a few. He talked about how 7th chords are formed, theory wise. As an excerise I'll be figuring out all the 7th's for next time.
We then moved on to the C scale in 1st position. I had played it before, but have not practiced it enough to be proficient. Remarkedly, it has not taken me long to get it up to a halfway decent speed. But, back to the lesson. After talking about the scale, I played it a time or two. Andy quickly corrected me about alternate picking. I was always striking a string on a downstroke, no matter the beat I was on. That is going to take some practice, but even after last night, I can feel it starting to sink in.
For next time, I'll have all major, minor, and seventh chords ready to go. I will be playing the C major scale in first position, alternate picking, as fast as I can. I will also play the scale and say the note names as I play it. Forwards and backwards for both of the scale excerises. Also, I need to be able to play every E in first position, every F, and so on. The last to excercises are already helping me to learn the notes on the fretboard better.
All in all, I had a great time. It was a blast to get out and get some direction to what I was working on. I like Andy, we seem to have a lot in common. I think we'll be a good fit.
We are skipping next week, due to Halloween. I hope to check in at some point in between now and then with an update on where I am with the excercises for next lesson. We'll see, maybe I have enough direction now to keep on updating this guy ;-)
New direction
Since I haven't posted anything to this guy since February, I thought I might change the direction a bit. I have taken up guitar and my first lesson was last night. I hope to use this site to chronicle what I do in each lesson and what I've learned outside of lessons. Stuff like that.
If anyone likes, doesn't, whatever, feel free to let me know.
Louis
If anyone likes, doesn't, whatever, feel free to let me know.
Louis
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