By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Mike_P_Hayes]Mike P Hayes
Traditional guitar lessons and method books are usually based on classical theory principles, unfortunately classical theory and ear training falls short of the mark for the modern guitarist who wants to play guitar by ear.
A great acronym for the guitarist who wants to play by ear is
L. U. C. K
L = labor /
U = under /
C = correct /
K = knowledge
with the emphasis on "correct" knowledge, here is an example of what I mean "correct" knowledge or should I say appropriate knowledge.
Classical theory clearly states "you cannot have parallel fifths in your music writing", considering 'power chords' consist of the root note and it's fifth this would mean well over 60% of modern compositions such as "Layla" by Eric Clapton, "Won't Back Down" by Tom Petty etc could not exist, simply because the opening chords are power chords (firths) moving to other power chords in
a parallel sequence.
We have already discussed two learning hazards for the guitarist who wants to play by ear (a) printed sheet music - in a different key than the recorded version (b) TAB - being at the mercy of the ability of the person who contributed the song.
It's now time to add another learning hazard - music theory! Now, I'm a big fan of music theory "as long as it serves you well!"
Music theory is in a constant state of flux, as it needs to be to be able to describe the sounds that are developing as music continues to develop and reflect today's society and the human intellect's constant need to hear more and more complex harmony.
Make certain your theory or music studies relate to the music you want to play otherwise it's a waste of time and money and will leave you more confused than when you started.
In summary, classical theory is appropriate when applied to classical music but does not convert well when trying to explain or communicate modern music. It's like "trying to play tennis with a cricket bat", you simply have the wrong tool for the job.
By the way, when I'm talking about 'modern music', I'm referring to music after the 1930's.
What type of theory should you study when learning to play the guitar by ear?
If you a learning to play classical guitar by ear, study classical theory, if it's not classical guitar you want to play by ear, study 'Jazz theory' for music written from 1930 onwards.
Don't be put off by the term 'jazz' ... blues, rock, fusion, jazz and country music etc., can all be explained under the umbrella of 'jazz' theory.
Okay, that seems pretty straight forward, classical theory for classical music, jazz theory for everything else!
I wish it was that simple, remember our acronym? Labor, Under, Correct, Knowledge.
By now you should be seeing a common theme - 'quality of information', is the name of the game ... dedication alone just won't cut it!
Since we now live in the information age, information itself is no longer the issue, the key is the 'quality' of the information.
The ability to focus on only quality information that is relevant to the music you intend to play will put you on the fast track to playing the guitar by ear.
Mike Hayes is a teacher, author, speaker and consultant. Get his
tips and tested strategies proven to boost your guitar playing
his membership site at http://www.guitarcoaching.com today.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_P_Hayes http://EzineArticles.com/?Play-Guitar-By-Ear---Music-Theory&id=964259
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Guitar Scales For Country Music
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Mike_P_Hayes]Mike P Hayes
The trick with music theory is to break everything down into
baby-step i.e., guitar scales for country music, guitar scales
for bluegrass music, guitar scales for jazz music, guitar scales
for rock music.
Let's say your primary style of music is country music. We could
subdivide the subject of music theory into: what guitar scales
for country, what chord progressions for country, what style of
country music, what guitar techniques for country.
What guitar scales for country:
major pentatonic, major diatonic, cascading scales ...
What chord progressions for country:
two chord songs, three chord songs, four chord songs ...
What style of country music:
Traditional country, modern country, country rock ... What guitar techniques for country:
Hammer-on's, pull-off's, bends, slides ...
As you zero in on the specific skills you need to learn the
complex subject of music theory becomes a lot less stressful
and much more achievable.
By dividing and sub diving any complex subject you also learn how
to accelerate your progress on guitar. The scales you would
learn for country guitar would be determined by what style of
country music you intended to play.
Instead of just saying "I want to play country guitar", if you
are prepared to dig a little deeper, you will decrease the amount
of information and skills you need to acquire by looking at each
area of country guitar playing i.e., chord progressions, if you
predominately played three chord songs in the keys of G and D,
you would only have to learn four chord shapes.
Three chord songs in key of G: G - C - D
Three chord songs in key of D: D - G - A
Although country guitar has spawned no shortage of modern greats
(Albert Lee, Ray Flacke, Danny Gatton, and the Hellecasters come
quickly to mind, although there are many others) in general,
however the music buying public doesn't really know how hip and
entertaining instrumental country guitar is.
Here's ten top country guitarists to get listening for specific
country guitar playing techniques.
1. Chet Atkins
2. Merle Travis
3. Jerry Reed
4. Roy Clark
5. Hank Garland
6. Albert Lee
7. Maybelle Carter
8. Doc Watson
9. Norman Blake
10. Tony Rice
The classic electric guitar sound for country music is
characterized by the undistorted sound of single-coil guitar
pickups, usually a Fender Telecaster or Fender Stratocaster, and
the employment of fairly undistorted amplification most often a
Fender Twin Reverb 100watt amp.
Guitar scales for country music are: major Pentatonic, major
diatonic, and to a lesser degree the minor pentatonic scale and
the blues scale.
The most popular guitar scales for country music are without
doubt the major pentatonic. the two most common ways of playing
this scale for country music is:
A major pentatonic scale (PATTERN 1)
sixth string, fifth fret, fourth finger
fifth string, second fret, first finger
fifth string, fourth fret, third finger
fourth string, second fret, first finger
fourth string, fourth fret, third finger
third string, second fret, first finger
third string, fourth fret, third finger
second string, second fret, first finger
second string, fifth fret, fourth finger
first string, second fret, first finger
first string, fifth fret, fourth finger
A major pentatonic scale (PATTERN 2)
sixth string, fifth fret, first finger
sixth string, seventh fret, third finger
sixth string, ninth fret, third finger
fifth string, seventh fret, first finger
fifth string, ninth fret, third finger
fourth string, seventh fret, first finger
fourth string, ninth fret, third finger
fourth string, eleventh fret, third finger
third string, ninth fret, first finger
third string, eleventh fret, third finger
second string, tenth fret, second finger
The fingering for the A major pentatonic scale (pattern 2) may
seem a little unusual at first, however with a little practice,
it will work out fine.
Both these patterns feature the same notes in the same
sequence, if you play each scale slowly and listen carefully you
will notice however a tone from certain notes, this is because
the notes are being playing on different strings resulting in a
different tone. Thicker strings produce a more mellow tone.
By learning these guitar scales for country guitar you will soon
be playing your favorite country guitar sounds.
Mike Hayes is a teacher, author, speaker and consultant. Get his
tips and tested strategies proven to boost your guitar playing
his membership site at http://www.guitarcoaching.com today
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_P_Hayes http://EzineArticles.com/?Guitar-Scales-For-Country-Music&id=743816
The trick with music theory is to break everything down into
baby-step i.e., guitar scales for country music, guitar scales
for bluegrass music, guitar scales for jazz music, guitar scales
for rock music.
Let's say your primary style of music is country music. We could
subdivide the subject of music theory into: what guitar scales
for country, what chord progressions for country, what style of
country music, what guitar techniques for country.
What guitar scales for country:
major pentatonic, major diatonic, cascading scales ...
What chord progressions for country:
two chord songs, three chord songs, four chord songs ...
What style of country music:
Traditional country, modern country, country rock ... What guitar techniques for country:
Hammer-on's, pull-off's, bends, slides ...
As you zero in on the specific skills you need to learn the
complex subject of music theory becomes a lot less stressful
and much more achievable.
By dividing and sub diving any complex subject you also learn how
to accelerate your progress on guitar. The scales you would
learn for country guitar would be determined by what style of
country music you intended to play.
Instead of just saying "I want to play country guitar", if you
are prepared to dig a little deeper, you will decrease the amount
of information and skills you need to acquire by looking at each
area of country guitar playing i.e., chord progressions, if you
predominately played three chord songs in the keys of G and D,
you would only have to learn four chord shapes.
Three chord songs in key of G: G - C - D
Three chord songs in key of D: D - G - A
Although country guitar has spawned no shortage of modern greats
(Albert Lee, Ray Flacke, Danny Gatton, and the Hellecasters come
quickly to mind, although there are many others) in general,
however the music buying public doesn't really know how hip and
entertaining instrumental country guitar is.
Here's ten top country guitarists to get listening for specific
country guitar playing techniques.
1. Chet Atkins
2. Merle Travis
3. Jerry Reed
4. Roy Clark
5. Hank Garland
6. Albert Lee
7. Maybelle Carter
8. Doc Watson
9. Norman Blake
10. Tony Rice
The classic electric guitar sound for country music is
characterized by the undistorted sound of single-coil guitar
pickups, usually a Fender Telecaster or Fender Stratocaster, and
the employment of fairly undistorted amplification most often a
Fender Twin Reverb 100watt amp.
Guitar scales for country music are: major Pentatonic, major
diatonic, and to a lesser degree the minor pentatonic scale and
the blues scale.
The most popular guitar scales for country music are without
doubt the major pentatonic. the two most common ways of playing
this scale for country music is:
A major pentatonic scale (PATTERN 1)
sixth string, fifth fret, fourth finger
fifth string, second fret, first finger
fifth string, fourth fret, third finger
fourth string, second fret, first finger
fourth string, fourth fret, third finger
third string, second fret, first finger
third string, fourth fret, third finger
second string, second fret, first finger
second string, fifth fret, fourth finger
first string, second fret, first finger
first string, fifth fret, fourth finger
A major pentatonic scale (PATTERN 2)
sixth string, fifth fret, first finger
sixth string, seventh fret, third finger
sixth string, ninth fret, third finger
fifth string, seventh fret, first finger
fifth string, ninth fret, third finger
fourth string, seventh fret, first finger
fourth string, ninth fret, third finger
fourth string, eleventh fret, third finger
third string, ninth fret, first finger
third string, eleventh fret, third finger
second string, tenth fret, second finger
The fingering for the A major pentatonic scale (pattern 2) may
seem a little unusual at first, however with a little practice,
it will work out fine.
Both these patterns feature the same notes in the same
sequence, if you play each scale slowly and listen carefully you
will notice however a tone from certain notes, this is because
the notes are being playing on different strings resulting in a
different tone. Thicker strings produce a more mellow tone.
By learning these guitar scales for country guitar you will soon
be playing your favorite country guitar sounds.
Mike Hayes is a teacher, author, speaker and consultant. Get his
tips and tested strategies proven to boost your guitar playing
his membership site at http://www.guitarcoaching.com today
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_P_Hayes http://EzineArticles.com/?Guitar-Scales-For-Country-Music&id=743816
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Need to tune a twelve string guitara?
The modern twelve string guitar appeared in The United States at the end of the nineteenth century. Nobody knows who first got the idea of making a guitar with double courses of strings. Some guitar historians see the twelve string as an extension of the long tradition of coursed instruments in Italian musical history. But many people think that Mexico, with its tradition of variations on the conventional guitar is the more likely source.
A six string guitar has 6 strings tuned to E A D G B E. The twelve string guitar has six pairs of strings, each pair tuned to the same note but E A D G are tuned an octave apart. B and E are in unison.
Let's look at the strings:
E (First String)
e
B
b
G
g
D
d Tuned to the 2nd string - 3rd fret
A
a Tuned to the 3rd string - 2nd fret
E
e (Sixth String)Tuned to the 4th string - 2nd fret
So use your guitar tuner or pitch pipe to get six of the strings in tune as normal. Then go back and do your additional 1st, 2nd and 3rd strings as normal. Then tune your additional 6th, 5th and 4th strings an octave higher.
I'm afraid the final step is to go back again and repeat the tuning process a number of times until your guitar is in tune because the neck of a twelve string guitar comes under alot of stress, and the pithch of the strings will change!
It's harder to explain than it is to do, so after you've done it once, it'll be a snap!
Once you have got the hang of it, there's a neat trick for playing twelve string guitar: removing the higher octave from the E A and D strings makes playing running bass lines easier, without losing that distinctive twelve string sound in strumming passages.
The twelve string guitar is great for strumming along accompanying songs but it does not lend itself to the techniques involved in playing lead guitar.
The twelve string guitar has a warm, ear-friendly sound which draws attention to the guitar even behind a group of singers.
Twelve string guitars are usually acoustic, although some lead guitarists have used electric twelve string guitars from time to time.
Guitarists who favored the twelve string include early blues guitarists Blind Willie McTell and Lead Belly, folk singer Bob Gibson and sixties folk-rock innovators, The Byrds. It has not had any great popularity since the seventies when Led Zeppelin and The Eagles recorded 'Stairway to Heaven' and 'Hotel California'.
A six string guitar has 6 strings tuned to E A D G B E. The twelve string guitar has six pairs of strings, each pair tuned to the same note but E A D G are tuned an octave apart. B and E are in unison.
Let's look at the strings:
E (First String)
e
B
b
G
g
D
d Tuned to the 2nd string - 3rd fret
A
a Tuned to the 3rd string - 2nd fret
E
e (Sixth String)Tuned to the 4th string - 2nd fret
So use your guitar tuner or pitch pipe to get six of the strings in tune as normal. Then go back and do your additional 1st, 2nd and 3rd strings as normal. Then tune your additional 6th, 5th and 4th strings an octave higher.
I'm afraid the final step is to go back again and repeat the tuning process a number of times until your guitar is in tune because the neck of a twelve string guitar comes under alot of stress, and the pithch of the strings will change!
It's harder to explain than it is to do, so after you've done it once, it'll be a snap!
Once you have got the hang of it, there's a neat trick for playing twelve string guitar: removing the higher octave from the E A and D strings makes playing running bass lines easier, without losing that distinctive twelve string sound in strumming passages.
The twelve string guitar is great for strumming along accompanying songs but it does not lend itself to the techniques involved in playing lead guitar.
The twelve string guitar has a warm, ear-friendly sound which draws attention to the guitar even behind a group of singers.
Twelve string guitars are usually acoustic, although some lead guitarists have used electric twelve string guitars from time to time.
Guitarists who favored the twelve string include early blues guitarists Blind Willie McTell and Lead Belly, folk singer Bob Gibson and sixties folk-rock innovators, The Byrds. It has not had any great popularity since the seventies when Led Zeppelin and The Eagles recorded 'Stairway to Heaven' and 'Hotel California'.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Basic Guitar Scales - Top 4 Scales Every Player Should Know
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=John_Robert]John Robert
If you are interested in learning how to play lead guitar your first step should be to learn some basic guitar scales. Scales are the building blocks for lead guitar playing and once you master the basic guitar scales mentioned below you will be ready to jam some killer licks over your favorite tunes or perhaps your own chord arrangements.
Basic Guitar Scale #1
The minor pentatonic scale is the easiest and most common scale used in rock and blues styles. Here is the pattern. You can play it starting on any part of the neck.
l--X---l------l-------l--X---l
l--X---l------l-------l--X---l
l--X---l------l--X---l-------l
l--X---l------l--X---l-------l
l--X---l------l--X---l-------l
l--X---l------l-------l--X---l
Basic Guitar Scale #2
The major scale is the most popular in western forms of music and is the starting point for all music and guitar theory. It is the do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-do scale we all learn in grade school music classes. Here is the pattern.
l--X---l--X---l-------l------l
l------l--X---l-------l--X---l
l--X---l-------l--X---l--X---l
l--X---l-------l--X---l--X---l
l--X---l--X---l-------l--X---l
l-------l--X---l------l--X---l
Basic Guitar Scale #3
The minor scale is another popular one is western music. It is the sixth mode of the major scale which means if you played the major scale starting on the sixth note in the scale and continued up an octave you would essentially be playing a minor scale. Here is the minor scale pattern.
l--X---l-------l--X---l--X---l-------l
l--X---l--X---l-------l--X---l-------l
l--X---l-------l--X---l-------l-------l
l--X---l-------l--X---l-------l--X---l
l--X---l-------l--X---l--X---l-------l
l--X---l-------l--X---l--X---l-------l
Basic Guitar Scale #4
The blues scale is an easy one to learn once you know the minor pentatonic because it is basically the same scale with an added note. This added note called the "blue" note gives the scale its unusual sad quality. You can use the blues scale in rock and blues styles and it will sound great. Here is the pattern.
l--X---l------l-------l--X---l
l--X---l------l--X---l--X---l
l--X---l------l--X---l-------l
l--X---l------l--X---l-------l
l--X---l--X---l--X---l-------l
l--X---l------l-------l--X---l
I hope you will enjoy playing the basic guitar scales above and learn to incorporate them into your lead guitar playing. These are the most basic scales and for some people it's all they ever need. You would do well to master them inside and out. Visit my blog for tips on [http://ultimate-guitar-advice.blogspot.com/2007/10/guitar-scale-lesson-top-3-secrets-to.html]mastering guitar scales in record time.
John Robert has been playing guitar for longer than he can remember. Aside from teaching guitar for the last three years he enjoys writing articles about [http://www.squidoo.com/howto-learn-electric-guitar]playing guitar and other guitar related topics. If you are serious about mastering basic guitar scales you owe it to yourself to check out [http://www.guitar-scale-mastery.info]Guitar-Scale-Mastery.info
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Robert http://EzineArticles.com/?Basic-Guitar-Scales---Top-4-Scales-Every-Player-Should-Know&id=805072
If you are interested in learning how to play lead guitar your first step should be to learn some basic guitar scales. Scales are the building blocks for lead guitar playing and once you master the basic guitar scales mentioned below you will be ready to jam some killer licks over your favorite tunes or perhaps your own chord arrangements.
Basic Guitar Scale #1
The minor pentatonic scale is the easiest and most common scale used in rock and blues styles. Here is the pattern. You can play it starting on any part of the neck.
l--X---l------l-------l--X---l
l--X---l------l-------l--X---l
l--X---l------l--X---l-------l
l--X---l------l--X---l-------l
l--X---l------l--X---l-------l
l--X---l------l-------l--X---l
Basic Guitar Scale #2
The major scale is the most popular in western forms of music and is the starting point for all music and guitar theory. It is the do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-do scale we all learn in grade school music classes. Here is the pattern.
l--X---l--X---l-------l------l
l------l--X---l-------l--X---l
l--X---l-------l--X---l--X---l
l--X---l-------l--X---l--X---l
l--X---l--X---l-------l--X---l
l-------l--X---l------l--X---l
Basic Guitar Scale #3
The minor scale is another popular one is western music. It is the sixth mode of the major scale which means if you played the major scale starting on the sixth note in the scale and continued up an octave you would essentially be playing a minor scale. Here is the minor scale pattern.
l--X---l-------l--X---l--X---l-------l
l--X---l--X---l-------l--X---l-------l
l--X---l-------l--X---l-------l-------l
l--X---l-------l--X---l-------l--X---l
l--X---l-------l--X---l--X---l-------l
l--X---l-------l--X---l--X---l-------l
Basic Guitar Scale #4
The blues scale is an easy one to learn once you know the minor pentatonic because it is basically the same scale with an added note. This added note called the "blue" note gives the scale its unusual sad quality. You can use the blues scale in rock and blues styles and it will sound great. Here is the pattern.
l--X---l------l-------l--X---l
l--X---l------l--X---l--X---l
l--X---l------l--X---l-------l
l--X---l------l--X---l-------l
l--X---l--X---l--X---l-------l
l--X---l------l-------l--X---l
I hope you will enjoy playing the basic guitar scales above and learn to incorporate them into your lead guitar playing. These are the most basic scales and for some people it's all they ever need. You would do well to master them inside and out. Visit my blog for tips on [http://ultimate-guitar-advice.blogspot.com/2007/10/guitar-scale-lesson-top-3-secrets-to.html]mastering guitar scales in record time.
John Robert has been playing guitar for longer than he can remember. Aside from teaching guitar for the last three years he enjoys writing articles about [http://www.squidoo.com/howto-learn-electric-guitar]playing guitar and other guitar related topics. If you are serious about mastering basic guitar scales you owe it to yourself to check out [http://www.guitar-scale-mastery.info]Guitar-Scale-Mastery.info
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Robert http://EzineArticles.com/?Basic-Guitar-Scales---Top-4-Scales-Every-Player-Should-Know&id=805072
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