Songwriting Simplified How to create endless melodic content for songwriting In this lesson we’re going to look at how to take a very simple idea, and shape it into something we can use for songwriting. This exercise can be done with any idea you have, and is a great way to brainstorm little snippets…
Dancing in the Streets – Martha and the Vandellas Transcribed from the 1964 recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KhbM2mqhCQ Learning “Dancing in the Streets” is a good track for a beginner to intermediate player. This classic motown hit has many of the signatures in form and arrangement. The majority of the tune is only a few open chords,…
Major Scale Exercise Are you struggling with major scales and chord shapes? Are you frustrated by the idea of “blunt force” practice? Simply practicing a major scale exercise over and over is NOT the most effective way to reach your goals. The same applies logic applies to chords, licks, everything. This exercise will help…
Dominant 7th Voicings We’ve checked out Major 7th, Minor 7th, now it’s time for some Dominants. These are all based on G dominant 7th. The spelling for the chord is G-B-D-F. Remember, no matter how the letters are organized, it can still be referred to as a G7 chord. Often times on a lead sheet…
Practice Better! An approach to learning Jazz Standards Pt. 3 We’ve got two ways to play it? Now, after this is mastered, shoot for FOUR ways. Attached again are two more ways to play the same chords. Because of the nature of the guitar, and how the notes are arranged, we have to be more…
Practice Better! An approach to learning Jazz Standards Pt. 2 In part one we looked at the first step towards mastery of a standard: the chords. As and example, I’m going to post what are most likely the chords the average guitarist will use, especially if they’re just getting started with Jazz. Now over…
Practice Better! An approach to learning Jazz Standards Pt. 1 For these examples, I’ll be using “Fly me to the moon”, written by Bart Howard. If you’ve ever sat and watched a great Jazz guitarist, such as Jimmy Bruno, Pat Metheny, or Pat Martino, you’ll see these guys flying all over the fretboard. Their chord…
Chords for Beginners When the student is ready to dive into chords, G, C, A, and E minor should be the ones you tackle first and foremost. These chords are in so many songs, at this point it can’t even be calculated. There are exercises we do that focus on some of the problems students…
Blue Christmas – Elvis I’m considering transcribing ALOT of Elvis tunes. First of all, they’re great songs. Most of them are fairly easy and accessible, and finding a good transcription of them on the internet is really a tough call. Many transcriptions are off slightly, or totally wrong, this is why it’s important to find…
Should I Stay or Should I go – The Clash Pt. 2 Posted below is the second page of Should I stay or Should I go from The Clash. In part 1, we talked about ways to tackle some the difficulties, namely the F chord, the rhythm, and the one A7 that pops up. Here…