Hi All,
I want you to know that I will be playing a gig this Friday the 28th at a local coffee shop called the Flying Bean between 7 p.m. and 10. I generally play in a trio with a sax player and bassist. Anyway, it's laid back, and if anyone wants to come and sit in for a couple tunes, you're more than welcome. The Flying Bean is in Levi's Commons and it is a kid friendly environment.
The Flying Bean
2130 Preston Parkway-Levis Commons
419-931-0273
Hope to see some of you there,
-Noah
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Lesson on March 20th
During my last lesson with Jay, we went over the song Rondeau where I am playing classical style line with a moving melody in the bass over chords that ring out. Jay showed me how to pluck and finger the various chord voicing’s. This song really challenges me to learn the music well enough to be able to play the piece with others while keeping control of my right and left hands on a different level than most music that I would just use a pick or my thumb to play.
Jay told me that learning just the bass part of the song first might impair my ability to later add the full chords. He told me to break the song down and learn it note by note, phrase by phrase at a time while repeating all of the old material the whole time. This can be slow going at first but it really helps when it comes time to sit and play the piece again the next day when I can remember more of what I have learned and I can feel my muscle memory working faster and faster for my plucking fingers to get where they need to go.
Jay told me that learning just the bass part of the song first might impair my ability to later add the full chords. He told me to break the song down and learn it note by note, phrase by phrase at a time while repeating all of the old material the whole time. This can be slow going at first but it really helps when it comes time to sit and play the piece again the next day when I can remember more of what I have learned and I can feel my muscle memory working faster and faster for my plucking fingers to get where they need to go.
Support the Dalai Lama
Guys -
I just signed an urgent petition calling on the
Chinese government to
respect human rights in Tibet and dialogue with the
Dalai Lama. This is
really important, and I thought you might want to
take action:
After nearly 50 years of Chinese rule, the Tibetans
are sending out a global
cry for change. Violence is spreading across Tibet
and neighbouring regions, and the Chinese regime is right now making a crucial
choice between tougher
crackdown or dialogue.
President Hu Jintao needs to hear that 'Made in
China' exports and the
upcoming Olympics in Beijing will have the support
of the world's people
only if he chooses dialogue. But it will take an
avalanche of global people
power to get his attention. Click below to sign the
petition – in just 3
days, the campaign is almost half way to the goal of
1 million signatures!
Click Here to sign.
- Jay
I just signed an urgent petition calling on the
Chinese government to
respect human rights in Tibet and dialogue with the
Dalai Lama. This is
really important, and I thought you might want to
take action:
After nearly 50 years of Chinese rule, the Tibetans
are sending out a global
cry for change. Violence is spreading across Tibet
and neighbouring regions, and the Chinese regime is right now making a crucial
choice between tougher
crackdown or dialogue.
President Hu Jintao needs to hear that 'Made in
China' exports and the
upcoming Olympics in Beijing will have the support
of the world's people
only if he chooses dialogue. But it will take an
avalanche of global people
power to get his attention. Click below to sign the
petition – in just 3
days, the campaign is almost half way to the goal of
1 million signatures!
Click Here to sign.
- Jay
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
I have been slacking
I have not posted in a long time, because i have not had time and i forgot.
I have been working on scales that only play the notes in a Maj7, min7 and a Dom7.
in my lesson we went over a song called Tangerine. Jay wants me to record the chord changes and then record
two different solo's over that useing theses scales. it is working out nice but when i play it with the band i tend to
get lost in the chart. Then when it's time for my solo i have no clue were i am and then i just play a F Maj. scale and
that just sounds poo and i don't want that.
I am also working on finding notes on the axe and poping them as well, and there are some scale subs and some
scale paterns that i am working on. I find that the scale paterns are hard for me to get down in all 5 positions but with
practice i am sure to get them down.
The master class on monday was KA.
Thanks Jay.
I have been working on scales that only play the notes in a Maj7, min7 and a Dom7.
in my lesson we went over a song called Tangerine. Jay wants me to record the chord changes and then record
two different solo's over that useing theses scales. it is working out nice but when i play it with the band i tend to
get lost in the chart. Then when it's time for my solo i have no clue were i am and then i just play a F Maj. scale and
that just sounds poo and i don't want that.
I am also working on finding notes on the axe and poping them as well, and there are some scale subs and some
scale paterns that i am working on. I find that the scale paterns are hard for me to get down in all 5 positions but with
practice i am sure to get them down.
The master class on monday was KA.
Thanks Jay.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
John Abercrombie and Mark Soskin Master Class
On Monday John Abercrombie and Mark Soskin came to UT and presented a master class session. They played two songs in a guitar piano duo and sounded great doing it. Abercrombie’s playing was very melodic as he used fewer notes to say more. While comping Soskin did a great job of following the lead and adjusting his note choice based on what Abercrombie played. Both are quite talented musicians.
Mark Soskin explained how he plays to compliment the harmony when playing rather than use various voicings or trying to overflow the harmony. He also talked about using what you were learning right away so that you can better incorporate it into your playing style. Soskin addressed the importance of hooking-up into the music so that you were always listening to everything being played and responding by going with the flow and complimenting one another.
John Abercrombie discussed how he tries to establish a good overall tone and volume level that will mesh well with the band and sound pleasing. This way the listener can enjoy your sound before the first melody is even completed and the band will have more of a unison feel. Abercrombie said that if he super imposes he will sometimes use pedal point or just stop playing. The goal is to support whatever is being played while not clashing or limiting any of the possibilities of the person soloing.
Abercrombie clarified that he focuses in where the chord is going – the resolution points – rather than getting wrapped up in a single chord because there is always a steady flow of new chords coming. Focusing too much on one chord means that you can get behind as the flow of the song progresses.
He said that he uses licks when he has to but doesn’t play licks for the most part. He also said that although he no longer practices scales or other certain exercises he still practices everyday by playing new songs and testing his weak points such as playing faster material. He also addressed the point that sometimes the less talking about a tune there is the better it can become because it frees of each of the musicians.
It was a great master class and I wish we could have heard Abercrombie and Soskin play with the faculty band or the Murphies.
Last lesson we covered the Dorian mode and I learned how Dorian is the first mode in a group of modes that is based off of the minor scale with the flatted third. Meanwhile, Lydian, Ionion, and Mixolydian are centered more around the major scale (Ionian being the major scale). Playing the modes is fun and is really expanding my note vocabulary as far as knowing what notes can be played.
Jay also showed me how I can keep the same note in the bass of a chord progression while choosing chords based on the modes and how this can be as easy as moving a simple bar chord pattern around.
E.G. playing open E string while doing a major bar chord from the A sting down and moving this pattern on all the notes in the E major scale / whatever mode you are in.
I have a new way of looking at all of my chord shapes and new scales with which to solo over them.
I am continuing my reading exercises that are certainly helping me to learn my neck with speed and accuracy. The breathing exercises help me get centered and focused right before I practice as well.
-Geoff
Mark Soskin explained how he plays to compliment the harmony when playing rather than use various voicings or trying to overflow the harmony. He also talked about using what you were learning right away so that you can better incorporate it into your playing style. Soskin addressed the importance of hooking-up into the music so that you were always listening to everything being played and responding by going with the flow and complimenting one another.
John Abercrombie discussed how he tries to establish a good overall tone and volume level that will mesh well with the band and sound pleasing. This way the listener can enjoy your sound before the first melody is even completed and the band will have more of a unison feel. Abercrombie said that if he super imposes he will sometimes use pedal point or just stop playing. The goal is to support whatever is being played while not clashing or limiting any of the possibilities of the person soloing.
Abercrombie clarified that he focuses in where the chord is going – the resolution points – rather than getting wrapped up in a single chord because there is always a steady flow of new chords coming. Focusing too much on one chord means that you can get behind as the flow of the song progresses.
He said that he uses licks when he has to but doesn’t play licks for the most part. He also said that although he no longer practices scales or other certain exercises he still practices everyday by playing new songs and testing his weak points such as playing faster material. He also addressed the point that sometimes the less talking about a tune there is the better it can become because it frees of each of the musicians.
It was a great master class and I wish we could have heard Abercrombie and Soskin play with the faculty band or the Murphies.
Last lesson we covered the Dorian mode and I learned how Dorian is the first mode in a group of modes that is based off of the minor scale with the flatted third. Meanwhile, Lydian, Ionion, and Mixolydian are centered more around the major scale (Ionian being the major scale). Playing the modes is fun and is really expanding my note vocabulary as far as knowing what notes can be played.
Jay also showed me how I can keep the same note in the bass of a chord progression while choosing chords based on the modes and how this can be as easy as moving a simple bar chord pattern around.
E.G. playing open E string while doing a major bar chord from the A sting down and moving this pattern on all the notes in the E major scale / whatever mode you are in.
I have a new way of looking at all of my chord shapes and new scales with which to solo over them.
I am continuing my reading exercises that are certainly helping me to learn my neck with speed and accuracy. The breathing exercises help me get centered and focused right before I practice as well.
-Geoff
Monday, March 17, 2008
Friday, March 14, 2008
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Easter Pot Luck at Jays
All -
You are invited to a pot luck at my place Easter Sunday (March 23rd this year) at 4pm.
All are welcome, just let me know if you will be coming and if you need our home address.
- Jay
You are invited to a pot luck at my place Easter Sunday (March 23rd this year) at 4pm.
All are welcome, just let me know if you will be coming and if you need our home address.
- Jay
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Rest In Peace, Dennis Irwin.
Dennis was an amazing musician, and an amazing person. He passed away yesterday and will be missed...
Friday, March 7, 2008
(The Real) Guitar Dojo!
Everyone did a great job at this workshop, and based on the positive feedback from everyone, I'm sure that we will do this again!
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Amazing Resource!
http://urge2burge.wordpress.com/
Lots of great music to check out for free. Thanks for the heads up on this from Gunnar!
Lots of great music to check out for free. Thanks for the heads up on this from Gunnar!
free improv
Hey all, well i have spent the last several days doing what jay had talked about during are gathering, recording small clips of free improve and recording myself over it later. I must say doing this exercise has already taught me ALOT about my playing! one of the most surprising things i learned so far was that just simple playing free i started to find myself falling into predictable patterns and sounds, i disliked this and after some thought on the problem i realized that i really wasn't there yet..that is to say although i thought i was playing improvised i was really just rambling on shapes and sound i already knew. The great awaking came when i decided to make these patterns musical, that is to say i stopped just playing and tried to find the most musical, lyrical, speaking way i could and BAM!! i started to hear things in the music that wasn't there before!!
hopefully you all try this exercises out because it truly helped me hear my playing and improv in a new way.
As well id love to hear some others peoples playings.
cheers
noah
hopefully you all try this exercises out because it truly helped me hear my playing and improv in a new way.
As well id love to hear some others peoples playings.
cheers
noah
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Lesson - A New Technique
I've been able to manage to practice about 2 hours a day this past week.
The ''note popping'' is a good excercise that I expect to keep in my routine as is reading without looking at the neck. I need a lot of work on the discepline of focusing on the target. I have a tendancy to rush ahead without looking.
The practice of naming note names and scale degrees is a good one for me. It helps me avoid the running of scales/patterns without thinking about anything more than the pattern/scale name and its sound.
This week, Jay raised my awareness of the style of playing I have somewhat developed and how it differs from straight ahead jazz style which I want. Not to say that my learned style is bad, but to recognize its character. I found that it took some effort to eliminate my slip and slide, heavy note bending, ''chicken picken'' sort of style and work on playing more ''straight''. A good practice to help me become more versatile. Trying to fill up the ''bag of tricks''.
I have new voicings and arps to work on this week. Cool stuff.
Thanks Jay,
Bob
The ''note popping'' is a good excercise that I expect to keep in my routine as is reading without looking at the neck. I need a lot of work on the discepline of focusing on the target. I have a tendancy to rush ahead without looking.
The practice of naming note names and scale degrees is a good one for me. It helps me avoid the running of scales/patterns without thinking about anything more than the pattern/scale name and its sound.
This week, Jay raised my awareness of the style of playing I have somewhat developed and how it differs from straight ahead jazz style which I want. Not to say that my learned style is bad, but to recognize its character. I found that it took some effort to eliminate my slip and slide, heavy note bending, ''chicken picken'' sort of style and work on playing more ''straight''. A good practice to help me become more versatile. Trying to fill up the ''bag of tricks''.
I have new voicings and arps to work on this week. Cool stuff.
Thanks Jay,
Bob
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