September 2009 Archives

Major Scale Modes - Lydian - Mode 4

By
Vince Lauria
on September 30, 2009 12:07 PM | | Comments (0)
Lydian Family of Chords:

I chord =   F major
II chord =  G major
iii chord =  A minor
ivo chord = B diminished
V chord =  C major
vi chord =  D minor
vii chord = E minor

Now record (or have a friend play) these common Lydian progressions 5 to 10 minutes each and live (or on another track) play the F Lydian scale using quarter then eighth notes.

F Lydian scale = F, G, A, B, C, D, E, F

1. I //// //// vii //// ////

2. I //// //// V //// ////

3. I //// iii //// II //// vii ////



Major Scale Modes - Phrygian - Mode 3

By
Vince Lauria
on September 29, 2009 10:44 AM | | Comments (0)
Phrygian Family of Chords:

i chord  =   E minor             (4 note chord = E minor 7th)
II chord =   F major             (4 note chord = F major 7th)
III chord =  G major            (4 note chord = G dominant 7th)
iv chord  =  A minor            (4 note chord = A minor 7th)
vo chord =  B diminished      (4 note chord = B minor 7th flat 5th)
VI chord =  C major             (4 note chord = C major 7th)
vii chord =  D minor             (4 note chord = D minor 7t

Now record (or have a friend play) these common Phrygian progressions 5 to 10 minutes each and live (or on another track) play the E Phrygian scale using quarter then eighth notes.

E Phrygian scale = E, F, G, A , B, C, D, E 

1. i ////  II //// III //// II ////

2. i //// II //// iv //// III ////

3. i //// iv //// II //// i ////


VLL

Major Scale Modes - Dorian - Mode 2

By
Vince Lauria
on September 28, 2009 9:45 AM | | Comments (0)
Just like the Major Scale each Mode has its Scale Formula (whole step - half step) and it's created family of chords. Lets look at the Dorian Family of chords for the key of D Dorian.
(large V = major chord - small v = minor chord)

i chord =    D minor             (4 note chord = D minor 7th)
ii chord =   E minor             (4 note chord = E minor 7th)
III  chord = F major             (4 note chord = F major 7th)
IV chord =  G major            (4 note chord = G dominant 7th)
v chord  =   A minor            (4 note chord = A minor 7th)
vio chord = B diminished      (4 note chord = B minor 7th flat 5th)
VII chord = C major             (4 note chord = C major 7th)

Scale Formula: WS, HS, WS, WS, WS, HS, WS
Notes are: D, E, F, G, A, B, C, D

Now record (or have a friend play) these common Dorian progressions 5 to 10 minutes each and live (or on another track) play the D Dorian scale using quarter then eighth notes.

1.  i //// IV ////

2.  v //// IV //// i //// IV ////

3.  i //// VII //// i //// IV////

4.  i //// VII //// i //// III //// ii //// IV ////

VLL

Fun with Major Scale Modes - Ionian - Mode 1

By
Vince Lauria
on September 24, 2009 11:12 AM | | Comments (0)
Today I'm writing you from Washington State right near Canada where a film I composed the music for is being shown! Lots of fun more on this later.

Many times my students ask what is a mode and more importantly how do I apply it. First off modes are created from the major scale. By making each note of the major scale a root note the mode is created. Using the C major scale lets look at it:

Scale Formula: WS, WS, HS, WS, WS, WS, HS
WS = whole step 2 frets 
HS = half step 1 fret
Notes are: C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C

Ionian Family of Chords:

I chord = C major             (4 note chord = C major 7th)
ii chord = D minor            (4 note chord = D minor 7th)
iii chord = E minor           (4 note chord = E minor 7th)
IV chord = F major           (4 note chord = F major 7th)
V chord = G major           (4 note chord = G dominant 7th)
vi chord  = A minor          (4 note chord = A minor 7th)
viio chord = B diminished (4 note chord = B minor 7th flat 5th)


Scale Formulas: WS, WS, HS, WS, WS, WS, HS
Notes are: C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C

Now record (or have a friend play) these common Ionian progressions 
5 to 10 minutes each and live (or on another track) play the Ionian 
(Mode 1 of the Major Scale) scale using quarter then eighth notes.

1. I //// IV //// V ////  IV ////

2. ii //// V //// I ////

3. ii //// V //// I //// vi ////

4. I //// V //// vi //// IV ////

Later create at least 4 to 6 of your own progressions for each mode.

VLL

Right hand arpeggio picking for acoustic guitar

By
Vince Lauria
on September 21, 2009 8:16 AM | | Comments (0)
The word arpeggio means: to play the notes in a chord one at a time right after another - either ascending or descending (up or down). The origin Italian, from arpeggiare "play the harp," from arpa harp. 

Buy combining strumming (all notes at once) and arpeggio picking you can create a much more interesting and musical sound.

To make these examples easy I will number the right hand fingering (left hand for left handers) as follows:                   Thumb = T - first finger = 1 - index finger = 2 - ring finger = 3

For all of these examples each of the right hand fingerings will be as follows:
T will pull D string - 1 pulls G string, 2 pulls B string, 3 pulls thin E string.
Now try the following arpeggios with the open D, G, B, and thin E strings 
later I will add chords.
Once comfortable and smooth play these with your metronome at: 100 BPM 
(beats per minute)

1.)  T, 1, 2, 3, 2, 1   (repeat each arpeggio at least 20 to 100 times a day)

2.)  3, 2, 1, T, 2, 3 

3.) T, 1, T, 2, T, 3, T, 2



VLL 


 

Finger exercise for guitar #3

By
Vince Lauria
on September 20, 2009 12:21 PM | | Comments (1)
I had a student ask me:

"My question relates to your picking exercises. In those exercises, you start each string with a down stroke and alternate between down and up picking. If I am doing a scale across all six strings (with that alternating method of picking), do I start on the next string with an upstroke if that is the next stroke in the sequence or do I begin each new string with a down stroke?"
The answer is you do continuous down up picking no matter what string your on.
If you complete a string - picking up - then the next picking direction will be down. 
And if you complete a string - picking down - then the next 
picking direction will be up. 

Now for a new exercise:
Start with 4th finger 12th fret thin E string - pick down
3rd finger 11th fret - pick up (remember to lift 4th finger)
back to 4th finger 12th fret - pick down
2nd finger 10th fret - pick up
back to 4th finger 12th fret - pick down
1st finger 9th fret - pick up

Remember to repeat this exercise 5 to 7 times each adjacent string.
Thin E, B, G, D, A, Thick E
Also once comfortable with this exercise add the metronome at 90 BPM - then gradually increase speed to 100, 110, 120 up to 220 BPM


VLL     

Finger exercises for guitar #2

By
Vince Lauria
on September 19, 2009 8:15 AM | | Comments (0)
After you warm up (see previous blog) do the following:
Starting on the thin E string place first finger first fret pick down -
holding first finger first fret - place 4th finger 4th fret pick up
place 3rd finger 3rd fret pick down (to hear 3rd finger you must lift 4th finger)
place back 4th finger 4th fret pick up
place 2nd finger 2nd fret pick down (remember to lift 4th finger)
place back 4th finger 4th fret pick up

Now repeat this same exercise 10 times each string - E, B, G, D, A, low E.

Remember once you are comfortable to use the metronome around 70 to 90 BPM.
Lets say you start at 70 BPM do this for 5 minutes, then go to 80 BPM for five minutes, 
then 90 BPM work up 220 BPM.

Also do all exercises using only up picking!
This is the weakest picking direction so it needs extra work.


Till next time...

Vince Lauria

Finger exercises for guitar

By
Vince Lauria
on September 18, 2009 11:48 AM | | Comments (0)
The next few lessons I will be focusing on finger exercises.
These will develop consistency, smoothness, dexterity and speed!

First lets warm up.
Starting with the thin E string - pick the string down then up in a continuous motion.
Remember to start slowly and then gradually build speed.
Do this approximately 150 to 200 times for each open string.
Once you are comfortable with this add the metronome starting around 90 BPM (beats per minute).

Exercise 1. Starting with your first finger on the fifth fret of the thin E string pick down.
Now while keeping the first finger down add your 2nd finger on the sixth fret of the thin E pick up. Then keeping down the 1st and 2nd finger add your your 3rd finger on the 7th fret of the thin E pick down. Now add your fourth finger on the 8th fret of the thin E string and pick up.
Now repeat this 5 to 10 times EACH string - E then B then G then D then A then low thick E string. 

Also once you are comfortable add the metronome around 70 to 90 BPM.
Lets say you start at 70 BPM do this for 5 minutes, then go to 80 BPM for five minutes, 
then 90 BPM work up 220 BPM.

Vince Lauria



Tips for soloing and melody creation

By
Vince Lauria
on September 17, 2009 9:44 AM | | Comments (0)
The following is intended for use with the C Minor Pentatonic Scale and also applies to all scales!
Make yourself stay in one octave at a time. So play your C Pentatonic Scale to your recorded rhythm tracks (see previous lessons) and limit yourself to two to seven notes at a time. When I first started to do this I would think this sucks I need more notes 
but in time I realized that it was me that was limited not the notes. 

Another important technique is for every melody or riff your create make three to seven variations of the same idea. This one technique alone has allowed me to write songs, create melodies and solos in abundance and quality. See examples below. Learn as given then create your own variations.

Riff #1       (all examples given are using just the notes in the C Minor Pentatonic Scale)
Eb, C, G

Variation #1
G, C, G, Eb

Variation #2
G, Eb, C

Variation #3
Eb, C, Eb, C, G

Variation #4
G, Eb, G, Eb, G, C

Variation #5
C, G, Eb

Variation #6
G, Eb, G, C

Variation #7
G, G, G, G, Eb, G, G, G, G, C


More chord progressions for C Minor Pentatonic scale

By
Vince Lauria
on September 14, 2009 3:04 PM | | Comments (0)
  Record the following progressions to a metronome at 75 BPM for 5 to 10 minutes each.

1. Cm //// 
    Ab //// 
    Bb ////  

2. Cm ////
    Fm ////
    Cm //// ////
    Ab /// 
    Gm ////

3. Fm ////
    Cm ////
    Fm ////
    Cm ////
    Ab ////
    Gm ////
    Bb //// ////

     1. Remember to learn chord progressions as is.
     2. Play chords as quarter notes - try to get chords to 70 BPM
     3. Play C minor pentatonic to chords using first quarter noter then eight notes. 

More fun with the Pentatonic Scale!

By
Vince Lauria
on September 12, 2009 8:24 AM | | Comments (0)
Now that you know the C Minor Pentatonic scale in all positions of your instrument lets learn some more chord progressions that go with the scale.
Again staying in the Key of C try the following chord progression.

Cm //// ////
Ab //// ////  record this progression to a metronome at 75 BPM for 5 to 10 minutes

Record or have a friend play the chord changes while you play the C Pentatonic Scale forms and the Riff ideas already covered. By the way the word: riff, melody or motif means the same thing. A melodic set of notes.

Next time more chords for C Pentatonic Scale!

Vince Lauria



Using the Minor Pentatonic Scale

By
Vince Lauria
on September 11, 2009 8:02 AM | | Comments (0)
Referencing our last blog/lesson and using the common blues the chord progression lets combine them for new ideas in soloing and vocal melodies. First the chord progression:
C7////
F7////
C7////////
F7///////
C7////////
G7////
F7////
C7////
G7////
Remember each / means one quarter note or one chord per beat or click.

Now the C Minor Pentatonic Scale the number formula is:
R, b3, 4, 5, b7, 8th/R or octave.

The notes would be:
C, Eb, F, G, Bb, C

Now we will use a technique called sequencing . That is using a specific number of notes from the scale 2,3,4,5,6 etc.  
and descending or ascending up the scale (going up or down in tone). First doing the scale descending: 

Riff #1 = Eb, C, Bb
Riff #2 = C, Bb, G
Riff #3 = Bb, G, F
Riff #4 = G, F, Eb
Riff #5 = F, Eb, C
Riff #6 = Eb, C, Bb
Riff #7 = C, Bb, G
Riff #8 = Bb, G, F
Riff #9 = G, F, Eb
Riff #10 = F, Bb, C
 
1. Learn as is
2. Play up & back
3. Transpose to all keys.

Later I will show you how to do this same procedure with 4,5,6 note sequences.
Then also with other scales.
Stay tuned,

Vince Lauria

The Minor Pentatonic Scale

By
Vince Lauria
on September 10, 2009 8:08 AM | | Comments (0)
In addition to the Blues Scale the Minor Pentatonic Scale is used frequently!
You can substitute this scale for the Blues Scale or combine it with the blues scale to create great melodic soloing and vocal melodies. 
In the key of C the number formula is:
R, b3, 4, 5, b7, 8th/R or octave.

The notes in the key of C would be:
C, Eb, F, G, Bb, C

Now memorize the number formula and corresponding note names.
Next time I will show you some fun examples with this scale.


Vince Lauria

Common Blues chord progression for use with the Blues Scale

By
Vince Lauria
on September 9, 2009 5:35 AM | | Comments (0)
Strumming at 60 BPM (beats per minute) record or have a friend play the following chord progression.

C7////
F7////
C7////////
F7///////
C7////////
G7////
F7////
C7////
G7////
Remember each / means one quarter note or one chord per beat or click.

Now lets play some more single note Blues Scale Riffs.

Riff #1 = F, Gb, G, C  (remember these riffs can be played on any instrument)

Riff #2 = C, G, Gb, F, Eb

Riff #3 = G, A, C, Eb, C

Vince Lauria

 



Common Blues Riffs!

By
Vince Lauria
on September 6, 2009 10:46 AM | | Comments (0)
Now that we know the Blues Scale and some of the most common Blues Chords lets do some common single (one note at a time) note riffs (common melodies).
Again staying in the key of C Blues do the following: 

Record a C7 chord (if you do not know how to play these chords go to:
http://bobsguitarpracticetips.com/Basics-of-Blues-Guitar-Chords-Playing-7-Essential-Blues-Guitar-Chords.html)
strumming at 60 BPM (beats per minute using a metronome, if you don't own a metronome go to: http://www.metronomeonline.com/).

Record the chord for five to ten minutes then play back the chord while you play the following riffs using quarter notes or one note per click or beat. If you do not know the note names on the piano or the guitar use these links.  
For piano:http://www.teach-me-piano.com/piano-notes-chart.html 
For guitar: http://www.freemusicstudy.com/guitar-fretboard-chart-2.htm

Riff #1 = Eb, C, G  
(repeat this riff - five to fifteen times in a row till it start to sound fluid and smooth please do this for all riffs). 

Riff #2 = G, Bb, C 

Riff #3 = G, Bb, Eb, C
 
Riff #4= C, Eb, F, G, Bb, C


More to come,

Vince Lauria


Fun with the Blues Scale!

By
Vince Lauria
on September 5, 2009 11:25 AM | | Comments (0)
Last blog we learned the Blues Scale now lets learn some of the chords that go with the Blues Scale. Remember all examples are given in the key of C.
After you become familiar with the key of C you will want to transpose or move these chords to other keys.
(More on this later).

The most common chords that go with the C Blues scale are:
C7////F7////G7////. (The lines after each of the chords are called hash marks each hash mark represents one quarter note or strum).

This is often referred to a one, four, five - chord progression. In our music shorthand:
I, IV, V - 
The reason we use shorthand is so one system is then used in all keys.
Now lets look at the notes to create each one of these chords.

C7 = R, 3rd, 5th, b7 note names    C - E - G - Bb
F7 = R, 3rd, 5th, b7 note names     F - A - C - Eb
G7 = R, 3rd, 5th, b7 notes names   G - B - D -  F

Learn these chords in all positions of the fretboard and keyboard.

More on the Blues Scale later!


Vince Lauria

The Blues Scale!

By
Vince Lauria
on September 1, 2009 8:32 PM | | Comments (0)
One of the most commonly used scales in music besides the Major Scale is the Blues Scale.
Today lets learn it - then later I will show you ways to apply it.

First most scales are seven notes in a certain interval formula. What that means is out of the twelve notes in our musical system we usually use just seven of the twelve.
(an interval is the distance between any two notes - more on this later)

First lets review the number formula for a Major Scale:
R/1, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th/R or octave
The notes in the key of C would be:
C,D,E,F,G,A,B,C

The Blues Scale number formulas is:
R1, b3rd, 4th, b5th, 5th, b7th, 8th/R or octave.
The notes in the key of C would be:
C, Eb, F, Gb, G, Bb, C

Till next time,

Vince Lauria 
« August 2009 | Main Index | Archives | October 2009 »

Search

About this Archive

This page is an archive of entries from September 2009 listed from newest to oldest.

August 2009 is the previous archive.

October 2009 is the next archive.

Find recent content on the main index or look in the archives to find all content.

Categories

Monthly Archives

Pages

Powered by Movable Type 4.12