Beginning: August 2009 Archives

Proper practice procedures and good habit building

By
Vince Lauria
on August 30, 2009 10:33 PM | | Comments (0)
Many times students of all ages and experience lack proper practice habits,
they never achieve there goals because of this fact
I would like to mention some of the most important points.
The following applies to all instruments.

When a student first starts learning an instrument it can take from 2 to 3 months to develop a practice discipline. What that means is parents will many times say "my child doesn't practice enough" or "I don't want to pay for lessons if they are not going to practice every day".
The point here is that until a student develops a practice habit - 
THEY WILL NOT NATURALLY PRACTICE EVERY DAY!!!!

Until it is developed with weekly lessons, positive encouragement and time! 
I capitalize this because so many students believe that this should be a nature habit that every one has. Parents many times stop themselves or their child from lessons without allowing them the time to grow into a good music student!

This takes great patience, personal discipline and commitment to allow for this habit to develop and then become part of the student's daily life routine!

Just the same way you learn to read, write, play sports, eat a proper diet and exercise.
Most people forget how much time and reinforcement was given to them in the 
early stages of reading and manners and most things we NOW take for granted.

So before you give up on your child or your self remember the six month rule. 
Most things in life like sports, proper diet, working out - takes about six months to  
becoming a habit. Make a realistic goal for the student to practice undisturbed for a minimum of twenty minutes two to four times a week - that is a great start. Then within a couple of months expand practice time to 30 minutes a session. Then within three to six months the student should practice thirty minutes three to five times a week. 
More on this next time.


Thanks for reading!
And don't forget to apply these principles.


Now transpose these to each position (register) of your instrument, then to all 15 keys.

 

All materials copyright 2010. For personal use only.

Vince Lauria Sun and Earth Music



Changing chords using minimum movement and anchor fingers

By
Vince Lauria
on August 22, 2009 10:37 AM | | Comments (0)
One of the most important techniques for guitar (most instruments) is to be aware of not lifting your fingers away from the instrument. 

I tell my students slide like a snake don't hop like a bunny rabbit. When you first start to do this you will run into resistance with the fingers especially the fourth finger or pinky finger.
It is on a separate muscle group so it tends to fly away uncontrollably. Just be patient and within time it will lesson this effect. Also try to find common tones in chords so one of your fingers acts as an anchor finger. That is staying on the same note while the notes around it change. Here are some examples: 

C major = C, E, G changing to F major = F, A, C notice the C is in both chords.
G major = G, B, D changing to D major = D, F#, A notice the D is in both chords.
E minor = E, G, B changing to A major = A, C#, E notice the E is in both chords.

I will continue will more examples later!

Till then,

Vince Lauria


Now transpose these to each position (register) of your instrument, then to all 15 keys.

 

All materials copyright 2010. For personal use only.

Vince Lauria Sun and Earth Music






Using chords with scale notes to solo

By
Vince Lauria
on August 21, 2009 4:02 PM | | Comments (0)
Today lets look at one of the most common ways to solo over or with chords. Referencing our last lesson - use the C major pentatonic scale with the C major family of chords.
Using the chords from "Let It Be" try playing this scale using quarter notes. 
A quarter notes is the length of one click or beat.
 
Always start at a slow tempo like 50 BPM (Fifty beats per minute). 
Here are the notes for C major pentatonic = C, D, E, G, A, 
then all notes repeat in octaves. (A octave is an interval bounded by two pitches with the same pitch names and the higher of whose frequencies is twice the lower).

The number formula is = R, 2, 3, 5, 6 with the notes in the key of C major:
R =C, 2=D, 3=E, 5=G, 6=A

Her are all the notes in C major with their corresponding number relationships.

C = R
D = 2
E = 3
F = 4
G = 5
A = 6
B = 7
C = 8 or octave or R

Remember to learn this scale in all possible octaves and or positions.  



Now transpose these to each position (register) of your instrument, then to all 15 keys.

 

All materials copyright 2010. For personal use only.

Vince Lauria Sun and Earth Music




Use of Family of Chords in popular song

By
Vince Lauria
on August 20, 2009 10:29 AM | | Comments (0)
Today lets look at how the family of chords is put to work in a hit song.
The song is called "Let It Be" by the Beatles. If you do not know this song go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBPFvp750sc

Intro:   I, V, vi, IV, I, V, IV, I
Verse: I, V, vi, IV, I, V, IV, I repeat verse
Chorus: vi, V, IV, I, I, V, IV, I
2nd Verse:  I, V, vi, IV, I, V, IV, I repeat verse
Chorus: vi, V, IV, I, I, V, IV, I repeat chorus
Segway riff:  F,E,D,C,Bb,A,G,F,C repeat segway with organ
Solo over verse: I, V, vi, IV, I, V, IV, I repeat verse
Chorus: vi, V, IV, I, I, V, IV, I 
3rd Verse: I, V, vi, IV, I, V, IV, I repeat verse
Chorus: vi, V, IV, I, I, V, IV, I 
Outro is same as segway riff: F,E,D,C,Bb,A,G,F,C    End of song.

I    =  C major
ii   =   D minor
iii  =   E minor
IV =   F major
V  =   G major
vi   =  A minor
viio = B diminished


Now transpose these to each position (register) of your instrument, then to all 15 keys.

 

All materials copyright 2010. For personal use only.

Vince Lauria Sun and Earth Music

Music Chord Theory Part IV

By
Vince Lauria
on August 19, 2009 10:43 AM | | Comments (0)
More common chords:

C major 9 or Cmaj9     = R, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th     = C - E - G - B- D

C minor 9th or Cm9    = R, b3rd, 5th, b7th, 9th   = C - Eb - G - Bb - D

C dominant 9th or C9 = R, 3rd, 5th b7th, 9th       = C - E - G - Bb - D




Now transpose these to each position (register) of your instrument, then to all 15 keys.

 

All materials copyright 2010. For personal use only.

Vince Lauria Sun and Earth Music

Music Chord Theory Part III

By
Vince Lauria
on August 18, 2009 5:01 PM | | Comments (0)
More common chords. Number formulas then note names.

C minor 7th flat 5th (writen as Cm7b5 also called half diminished this is because it is one note away from being a diminished seventh chord).

R, b3rd, b5th, b7th = C - Eb - Gb - Bb

C diminished 7th also written Co7th = R, b3rd, b5th, bb7th = C - Eb - Gb- bbB or A note.
bb7 also sometimes called a 6th.

C major 7th augmented fifth or Cmaj7+ = R, 3rd, #5th, 7 = C - E- G# - B

C major 6th or C6 = R, 3rd, 5th, 6th = C - E - G - A

More chords coming!
Then how to start to apply chords!




Now transpose these to each position (register) of your instrument, then to all 15 keys.

 

All materials copyright 2010. For personal use only.

Vince Lauria Sun and Earth Music


Music Chord Theory Part II

By
Vince Lauria
on August 17, 2009 11:00 AM | | Comments (0)
Here are more common chords that everyone must memorize and then learn in all keys. 
Learn one key well then later transpose to all other keys one or two at a time. 
# = one half step or fret higher in tone towards the body of the guitar or bass)

First I will give you the: chord name, number formula and then the note names. 
Remember to memorize all three.

C augmented also called just C+= R, 3rd, #5   = C - E - G#  
                                                                                                                                                                                                             
C dominant 7 also called just C7 = R, 3rd, 5th, b7th   = C - E - G - Bb


C major 7th also called just Cmaj = R, 3rd, 5th, 7th = C - E - G - B


C minor 7th also called Cm7 = R, b3rd, 5th, b7th = C - Eb - G - Bb


Also b = flat - one half step (or one fret) lower in tone towards head of guitar or bass.






Now transpose these to each position (register) of your instrument, then to all 15 keys.

 

All materials copyright 2010. For personal use only.

Vince Lauria Sun and Earth Music






Music Chord Theory Part I

By
Vince Lauria
on August 15, 2009 10:48 AM | | Comments (0)
I am often asked how many chords there are? Roughly about seventy that are used often.
The main or "Garden Variety" chords there are about thirty.
Lets look at the three most common chords. 

This example will be in the key of C. Once learned you should transpose to all other keys. (More on this later)              R= root or key note. In this example the root note is C.

C major = R,  3rd,  5th    =   C - E - G

C minor = R, b3rd, 5th    =   C - Eb - G            
b = flat one half step lower in tone (on guitar this is one fret distance towards the head of the guitar).

C diminished R, b3rd, b5th = C - Eb - Gb



Remember to memorize the names and the number formulas so later you can easily transpose to all other keys.

More chords later!

ATB,

Vince Lauria



Now transpose these to each position (register) of your instrument, then to all 15 keys.

 

All materials copyright 2010. For personal use only.

Vince Lauria Sun and Earth Music



Music tip - The first 3 months

By
Vince Lauria
on August 13, 2009 4:02 PM | | Comments (0)

Recently a student was telling me the woes of beginning guitar instruction.

I responded as follows:

 

Bear in mind that the first 3 to 6 months is the hardest time in music instruction.

Between our hands, necks, fingers and mind adjusting to a whole new uncomfortable procedure it is a tough frustrating period.

Every one goes though it and it is the boot camp entrance to a wonderful new life of creativity and fun. Remember if you just hang in there you will succeed. Success is 90% perspiration & 10% inspiration!  also remember to keep in mind all the wonderful songs you will be playing. 

Music you can do your entire life! So don't give up every time I have gone though a difficult time in music learning its always paid me back ten times at the end. When you look at how many things in life do the same I think you will agree it is worth a little time and effort.



Welcome aboard,

 

Vince Lauria




Now transpose these to each position (register) of your instrument, then to all 15 keys.

 

All materials copyright 2010. For personal use only.

Vince Lauria Sun and Earth Music

Practice tips for maximum musical progress

By
Vince Lauria
on August 12, 2009 12:30 PM | | Comments (0)
It is so important to set aside 30 to 60 minutes a day to practice.
I find with younger students it is better to practice in 15 minute intervals.
Remember it is more important to practice with your hands and body in the proper position then to do more time sloppy and rushed. Our brains act as a recorder so when we go extremely  slowly and accurately we produce so much better results. That why it is necessary to have an instructor that continually monitors these on going habits.

Till next time,

Vince Lauria



Now transpose these to each position (register) of your instrument, then to all 15 keys.

 

All materials copyright 2010. For personal use only.

Vince Lauria Sun and Earth Music

Developing good Rhythm technique

By
Vince Lauria
on August 4, 2009 10:05 AM | | Comments (0)
One of the biggest challenges of playing any instrument is the ability to play in time.
This is usually the weakest of all musical requirements.

I recommend to first get comfortable with whatever piece or exercise you are working on.
Second start SLOWLY with a metronome. A metronome is a time keeping device that makes a clicking sound. You can set the BPM or beats per minute from 40 BPM to 300 BPM depending on your metronome. Start at 50 or 60 BPM and concentrate on staying right with the click or beat
.
The advantages of playing with the beat is your playing sounds professional and when you play ensemble style (with other musicians) you are all on the same page so to speak. I can't emphasize this enough most players I teach ignore their timing and it is the foundation of 
ALL music.

Till next time,

Vince Lauria



Now transpose these to each position (register) of your instrument, then to all 15 keys.

 

All materials copyright 2010. For personal use only.

Vince Lauria Sun and Earth Music


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