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DianeB

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Posts posted by DianeB

    Can Music Theory make better Solos?

    in Music Theory

    Posted

    @fluidguitar“Need to know music theory to play?” No, as Randy suggests. But do you want to understand what you’re playing, and why? Do want to learn to play your solos in the most time- and physically efficient way possible? Then I say, yes, you need to know a certain amount.

    Steve’s Learn and Master course introduces music theory in minimum doses as the lessons progress. You can ignore it, but only for so long, until inevitably you will reach a point where Steve, or other musicians, simply can’t communicate with you. Then, you really will be playing solo.

    Don’t let that happen. Learn the scales, intervals, and chords, as much as you can. Here’s a good place to start (I hope).

    • Like 1

    Acoustic Guitar Magazine

    in Guitar Open Talk

    Posted

    Hi, Randy @randyh1953

    I’ve subscribed to AG for several years now, and I agree with Neil and Bryan. If you’re around Learn & Master sessions 4/5, yes, much of the tutorial material in AG will appear intimidating or opaque. That’s true for me, and I’m not much farther along than you in my learning. But I look forward to every issue. I learn about artists, their music and recordings, history, gear, and other topics that I would not otherwise hear about.

    It’s not an exam booklet. But the magazine is not the real issue here. Whether you find it encouraging or discouraging in your journey is a reflection of how you see yourself. There is no shame in being a beginner. There was a time when you could not walk on your own two feet. You had to crawl, stumble, fall, get up, and try again. And sometimes it hurt. Learning guitar is not different.

    Not motivated? Sorry, I can’t help you there. Nor can anyone else, I dare say. You can do it or you can't do it; either way, you're right. You have to want it. Along the way, the universe will ask you many times, how much? My best wishes!

     

    • Like 2

    Pat Metheny Live

    in Guitar Open Talk

    Posted

    Kansas wins this one. I've seen Pat four times, but Kansas only on the documentary "Miracles Out of Nowhere" (twice). I snagged the last seat in the front half of the house. ? Pat won't miss me. He'll probably sell out the Mirriam Theater, as he's very popular in this area. Thanks for nudging me, guys. 

    • Like 2

    Chord of the Month

    in Music Theory

    Posted

    Here’s a mild seasoning I found in the outro of k. d. lang’s “Constant Craving”. Trade up your Cadd9 to a C6/9#11 (1-3-6-9-#11; C-E-A-D-F#). Just slip this transposable honey into “Yesterday” or “Happy Birthday” when you crave a little tension or puzzled stare.

    “Craving" 's original recording is in F minor, so cheat along with me and capo up a notch to play along. We can deal with the D13sus in the intro later — it must be a Canadian thing — Am7 works fine in E minor.

    Bonus resource! If you flat that E (good luck) the whole burrito collapses into a Cdim9 (= Cdim7add9, 1-b3-b5-bb7-9; C-Eb-Gb-Bbb-D), a flatbread Phantom-of-the-Opera sandwich that you will probably never hear Steve, or anyone else, play on a guitar. Try x30242 to get the general drift. Once should be enough.

    C69#11.jpeg

    Craving Db69#11.jpeg

    • Like 3

    Hand Cramping

    in Guitar Open Talk

    Posted · Edited by DianeB

    @zeus7625, I believe that generally we speak of neck width to describe the string-to-string dimension, and neck thickness for the fretboard surface-to-back-of-neck dimension. Fingerboard radius is yet another dimension, one that affects thickness. Greater clarification from Greg Voros and the rest of the community is welcomed. 

    Public Debut

    in Guitar Open Talk

    Posted

    Thank you all for your kind words! Most of the credit for this day goes to Rick, our keyboard player and my neighbor. It started three years ago with just the two of us. I was nervous and sloppy but he was endlessly patient with me, like all my band mates. Like you, they’ve pulled me up, settled me down, and given my bottom a bump when it needed one.

    Today, it was back to the woodshed and another quiet hour with my tutor: scales, position, impossible stretches. I told him about Saturday. “It’s been over two years, now, Jon. Haven’t you had enough of me?” We just smiled at each other.

    Public Debut

    in Guitar Open Talk

    Posted

    My band 'Uncommon Ground' opened at a food truck festival Saturday to benefit our local Habitat for Humanity ReStore. This was my, and the band's, first time performing in public.

    We were set up by the front door and surrounded by the food trucks, so people wandered around us and lingered to listen all afternoon. Business in the store was brisk. A brigade of volunteers entertained the kids with games and scavenger hunts.

    After our first set, another duo, ‘Gypsy Holiday’,  took over while we kicked back. Then we closed with a few more songs, signing off with "Heat Wave" as it hit 90 degrees.

    Lessons learned on the road: (a) Amplifier output is greatly enhanced when there is input. (b) The gain control is your friend. (c) Aiming your vocal mic true south when the boys have aimed the Bose PA true north can produce much screaming and gnashing of teeth.

    ReStore gave us each a voucher for the food trucks, so technically this could count at my first paid gig. I went for a dish of mango gelato.

    Some of my guys have a lot of experience with performing, but I just marveled at the scene, the sound, and the feeling. How wonderful to get to do this. Steve, I hope you're reading.

    If you're not Steve, keep practicing. Keep playing. Keep dreaming.

    Oh, just one other thing: the event earned 15 seconds on Philadelphia’s 6abc local news that night. The band got about 4 seconds, without audio. Yeah, that's a public debut!

    Here’s “Black Magic Woman” and “Wagon Wheel” with Ron (no, not our Ron) playing some tasty leads. Pictured, a rare sighting of an Ebmaj7 in the wild, from "Does Anybody Really Know What Key This Is In?"

    ReStore 03.jpg

    • Like 11
    • Thanks 1

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