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Evaluating Your Guitar Music Knowledge...
What do you really know?
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Evaluating Your Guitar Music Knowledge... (studyPlan.shtml) | Updated: 09-Oct-2008 - 13:36
Take the guitar skills survey
Taking a survey of your guitar and music knowledge is a start to creating a well rounded plan for development and furthering your guitar enjoyment.
I've been asked many times to put together a plan of attack for getting beyond the basics. These lesson pages are intended to provide material for developing your skills and expanding your music knowledge.
Music..., regardless of you instrument, involves these elements: Melody, Harmony and Rhythm, and putting it all together, Arrangement
Technique is the physical control and coordination need to play an insrument or sing. It involves position, effeciency of motion and effort, as well as exercises to develop specfic skills.
WidipediA link
My personal philosophy on technique is... “Technique is like money, you would like to have more than you will ever need to be comfortable”. You don't want go for something musically and fall short with your technique. Even if your goal is NOT to be the next Pat Martino Chuck Anderson Jake Shimabukuro or James Hill it still would be nice to have the chops they have. Most great playing technique is based on efficient and economical motion. Doing as little as possible for best results. Getting the most bang for your buck.
Most players have a few holes or gaps in the music knowledge or technical skills, some more than others. Being able to identify those are a first step to improving or updating your skills on your instrument of choice.
James Hill uses the analogy of, loose change lying around.
I like to use the analogy of a recipe. You want to bake a cake you need a specific list of ingredients to have the cake turn out and taste good. If you are missing of few ingredients or don't know how to use them, you run to the store and get what you need and learn how to use them. A song is a recipe, it tells you what notes, chords, rhythms, etc. you need to create a performance.
WARNING: This is material developed over the past 30 years of studio teaching and performing. And It WORKS!!!.
Contents
Chords & Chord Progressions
Chord - A group of three or more different notes sounded together or almost together. These three note chords are called triads. Two notes are called an interval or dyad. Chords with four notes are called a tetra-chord or 4-part chord, six a hexachord, etc. Every chord can be given a specific name, based on the notes that constitute the chord and the distances, or intervals, between them and its harmonic function within a tonality or chord progression.
Chord Progression A series of chords played in order.
WidipediA link
Do you know a basic set of open position chords in your tuning and common keys?
Sample page from: A Guide to Guitar Chords
Movable form chords can be found in my book A Guide to Guitar Chords (link)
Here are the common chords that ALL guitar players should know. E Em E7 A Am A7 D Dm D7 C C7 G G7 B7. Learning these chords will allow you to play simple songs in the common keys of C G D A and E.
Some very simple songs only have two chords. And in the common keys listed above the chords would be:
- Key of C - C and G or G7
- Key of G - G and D or D7
- Key of D - D and A or A7
- Key of A - A and E or E7
- Key of E - E and B or B7
| Edly's Music Theory for Practical People
|
Can you play movable form chords?
A movable chord is any chord without open strings.
Sample page from: A Guide to Guitar Chords
Movable form chords can be found in my book A Guide to Guitar Chords (link)
Can you play 4-part contemporary chords?
These chords are sometimes called "jazz" chords. But are just advanced chords that find their way into a wide range of music styles.
UkuleleLesson: Building A Solid Jazz Chord Foundation
Sample page from: Advanced Guide to Guitar Chords
A complete system for building any 4-part chord
can be found in my book
Advanced Guite to Guitar Chords (link)
Can you play a common 12 bar blues chord progression from memory?
The blues progression is one of the most common chord progression used. By learning this progression you will be learning quite a few songs.
Common keys for Folk, Rock, Country and Pop are: C G D A and E. And their relative minor keys.
Common keys for Standards and Jazz are: C F Bb Eb Ab Db and G. And their relative minor keys.
Sample page from: The Advanced Guide To Blues Chord Progressions For Guitar
26 different blues chord progressions in the
key of C, F and Bb can be found in my book
The Advanced Guide To Blues Chord Progressions For Guitar
(link)
Recommended Books
The Advanced Guide to Guitar Chords - Volume I
Basic, core string families. How to remember and build any chord you will ever need. This is how the pros do it.
$19.95 - Buy Now
The Advanced Guide to Guitar Chords - Volume II
Basic, core string families. How to remember and build any chord you will ever need. This is how the pros do it.
$19.95 - Buy Now
The Advanced Guide to Guitar Chords - Volume III
For 7 string guitar tuned A E A D G B E
$19.95 - Buy Now
The Advanced Guide to Chord Progressions for Guitar - Volume I
Common chord progressions and chord sequences.
$19.95 - Buy Now
The Advanced Guide to Blues Chord Progressions for Guitar - Volume I
Volume I cover the keys of C, F & Bb. The key of C includes detailed accompanying text explaining the principles behind each progression.
$19.95 - Buy Now
The Advanced Guide to Blues Chord Progressions for Guitar - Volume II
Volume II cover the keys of E, A, D & G. The key of E includes detailed accompanying text explaining the principles behind each progression.
$19.95 - Buy Now
A Guide to Guitar Chords
Covers basic guitar chords for beginning to intermediate students.
$16.95 - Buy Now
Improvisation (Scales)
Improvisation is the ability to spontaneously create melodies over a predetermined chord progression. Making it up as you go. It involves scales, alternate fingerings, arpeggios, sequences, intervalic development, embellishments, superimposition, rhythm, motifs, development techniques and idiomatic considerations. Jazz and Bluegrass are well know for using Improvisation.
WidipediA link
Do your know the essential scales used for the type of music your are
interested in several positions?
There are six essential scales that would be considered a basic requirement for blues, rock, country and folk. an seventeen for jazz.
The six essential scales are: Blues or Minor Pentatonic, Pentatonic, Dorian, Mixolydian. Aeolian and Ionian. There scales are also known as Minor Pentatonic, Major Pentatonic, Minor, Dominant, Natural Minor and Major.
The order of learning (mastering) your scales depends on the type of music you are most interested in.
Most people find the Blues and Pentatonic scales, being only five note scales to be relatively easy to learn and use.
Recommended Books
QuickStart Scale Fingerings for Lead Guitar - Volume I
This book is a concise, well organized book ideal for any guitar player beginning to explore
$19.95 - Buy Now
QuickStart - Chord Progressions for Lead Guitar - Vol I Book & CD
Each track of this CD is devoted to a scale covered in the QUICKSTART Scale Fingerings for Lead Guitar book. There are four background tracks for each scale featuring the chords of that scale.
$16.95 - Buy Now
The Six Secrets of Guitar Fingering
Learn the principles to navigation the guitar fingerboard.
$19.95 - Buy Now
Sample page from: QuickStart Scale Fingerings for Guitar.
6 essential scales for guitar improvisation (link)
Reading Music
Reading is the ability to reproduce music from written notation. It includes five phases: note recognition, alternate note locations, rhythm recognition, fingering considerations, communication terminology and interpretations.
WidipediA link
Can you read music? Should you read music?
YES!, every musician can benefit from learning to read music (period).
Is reading music easy?
Yes & NO - Yer for simple single note melodies and basic rhythms in open position but it gets a little harder after that. BUT - worth it.
Learning to read and write the language of music is well worth the time and effort it takes. Reading music opens you to a wealth of published music in standard music notation.
Do you know the names of the notes of the guitar fingerboard?
The better you know the names of the notes of the neck the less you have to rely on TAB or chord grids. There are just too many shapes to memorize.
Reading is Note and Rhythm Recognition, Fingerboard Note Location (name, string and fret) and Fingering Choices based on economy of motion or musical reasons.
 |
Tipbook - Music on Paper Basic Theory. Book (not sheet music). Size 4.2x8.25 inches. 134 pages. Published by The Tipbook Company. (330974) See more info... |
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Pocket Manual Guides: How To Read Music By Len Vogler. Book. Published by Music Sales. (AM948960) See more info... |
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The Basic Guide To How To Read Music By Helen Cooper. Book. Published by Music Sales. (AM34893) See more info... |
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The Musician's Guide to Reading & Writing Music - Revised 2nd Ed. Book (not sheet music). Size 4.7x8 inches. 110 pages. Published by Backbeat Books. (330474) See more info... |
Can your count Rhythms and play music in time?
Rhythm is the variation of the duration of sounds or other events over time. When governed by rule, it is called meter. It is inherent in any time-dependent medium, but it is most associated with music, dance, and the majority of poetry. All musicians, instrumentalists and vocalists, work with rhythm...
WidipediA link
Strums a.k.a. Rhythm
What is a strum?
A Strum is the execution of a specific rhythmic pattern. These patterns are based on particular styles of music.
Here is a series of UkuleleLessons on Strums and Rhythmic Patterns for the ukulele that applies to guitar as well.
  |
Basic Guitar Strumming and Fingerpicking By Nori Kelley. For Guitar (Flatpicking & Fingerpicking). Methods. Value Line. All Styles. Level: Beginning. Book/CD Set. Size 8.75x11.75. 40 pages. Published by Mel Bay Publications, Inc. (98098BCD) See more info... |
 |
Basic Jazz Rhythm Guitar: Comping in the Freddie Green Style By Corey Christiansen. For Guitar (All). Rhythm/backup. In the Pocket. Jazz. Level: Intermediate. DVD+Chart. Size 8.75x11.75. 3 pages. Published by Mel Bay Publications, Inc. (20365DP) See more info... |
 |
Ten Favorite Hawaiian Songs By Hideo M. Kimura. For Ukulele (Soprano). Solos. Hawaiian. Level: Beginning. Book. Size 8.5x11. 64 pages. Published by Mel Bay Publications, Inc. (98233) See more info... |
 |
Famous Solos & Duets for the Ukulele Edited & arranged by John King. For Ukulele (Soprano). Solos. Hawaiian. Level: Beginning-Intermediate. Book/CD Set. Size 8.75x11.75. 48 pages. Published by Mel Bay Publications, Inc. (20250BCD) See more info... |
 |
Sing and Strum: 7 Hawaiian Favorites for Ukulele By Hideo M. Kimura. For Ukulele (Soprano). Solos. Hawaiian. Level: Beginning. Book. Size 8.5x11. 48 pages. Published by Mel Bay Publications, Inc. (98234) See more info... |
 |
Beginning Chords and Strumming Star Licks Beginning Video (Foundation-building instructional video). Video cassette. Size 4.7x8 inches. Published by Star Licks. (320044) See more info... |
Technique
Technique is the physical control and coordination need to play an insrument or sing. It involves position, effeciency of motion and effort, as well as exercises to develop specfic skills.
WidipediA link
How are your "Chops"?
Do you fall your technique is holding you back? You go for something musically and miss.
Learning what a virtuoso instrumentalist knows.
By using what a virtuoso musician has learned regarding technique you to can develop the technique or "chops" for playing as well.
Technique is like money - you want to have more than you are ever going to need to be comfortable.
 |
Classic Guitar Technique - Volume I Written by Aaron Shearer. Instructional book for classic guitar. Revised edition. With introductory text, instructional text, illustrations, instructional photos, musical examples and standard guitar notation. 82 pages. Published by Alfred Publishing. (AP.FC01937) See more info... |
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Classic Guitar Technique, Volume II By Aaron Shearer. Classical Guitar Method or Supplement. Shearer series. Book. 168 pages. Published by Alfred Publishing. (FC02325) See more info... |
Music Theory
Theory
The priniciples behind music.
Music Theory is the body of priniciples behind music. It includes scales and chord building, intervals, progressions, resolution, harmony, motion, power, color, chord substutition, keys and time signatures, rhythm, melody, etc...
WidipediA link
Can you name the notes of a C chord (C = C E G)?
Can you name the notes of any chord?. Start with the major and minor triads. Think of them as spelling words, most that can't be pronounced.
TIP: Most chords are built in thirds. These are the names of the lines and spaces that everyone learned in music class as a kid. "Every Good Boy Does Fine" (E G B D F). and "Face" F A C E.
Combining the lines and spaces in a sequence we get E G B D F A C E ....
Cycle of Thirds
Here is a link to a GuitarLesson on Chord Spelling for learning to spell any chord.
What are the notes of a G major scale (G major = G A B C D E F# G')?
|
| Edly's Music Theory for Practical People
|
 |
A Player's Guide to Chords and Harmony Music Theory for Real-World Musicians. Book (not sheet music). Size 8.5x11 inches. 198 pages. Published by Backbeat Books. (331173) See more info... |
Can you name the triads of a Harmonized C Major Scale?
C Dm Em F G Am Bdim
Can you name the 4-part chords of a Harmonized C Major Scale?
Cmaj7 Dm7 Em7 Fmaj7 G7 Am7 Bm7b5
Recommended Books
Harmonic Analysis for Scale Selection and Chord Substitution
Harmonic Analysis is the understanding of the functional sequence of chords. It is the process used to analyze the harmonic structure of a progression, song or composition. This analysis is then used to make scale selections for improvisation and chord substitution.
$19.95 - Buy Now
Mastering the Modes
Mastering the modes is an outstanding way to expand your concept of harmonic and melodic tonality. Key writing and improvising are important but limited. Modes provide a way of creating
$19.95 - Buy Now
Ear Training
Ear Training is the development of the active and passive capability to relate to music aurally. This includes the ability to recognize melodic and harmonic intervals, chords, chords progressions, rhythm, melody and harmony.
WidipediA link
Using intervals from famous melodies we can train our ear to recognize melodic intervals.
Here is my Ear Training page.
Repertoire
Repertoire includes the songs within your performance abaility. These songs may be memorized or read. They may be literal reproductions or creative interpertations.
WidipediA link
Musical Idioms (Music genre) is the study of music musical style it involves well developed categories as; Rock, Blues, Country, Jazz, Bluegrass, Classical, Folk, Urban and Fusion. It also includes subdivisions of specializations.
WidipediA link
Interpretation involves the ability to perform a song or composition in a unique and personal way.These skills involve a interrelated set of disciplines which include, theory, ear training, technique, dynamics, embellishments, phrasing, and rhythmic flexibility.
WidipediA link
Songwriting Songwriting is the creation of original music based on a single melodic line with a chord progression. Lyrics may or may not be included.
WidipediA link
Can you play a song all the way through?
Starting guitar at an early age my Dad tells a story that he had to come out and see me perform before he ever hear me play a song all the way through.
You can work on the pieces but at some pint it would be nice to play a song from start to finish.
The Real Book
(Sixth Edition) For C instrument. Format: fakebook (spiral bound). With melody, standard notation and chord names. Jazz. Series: Hal Leonard Instrumental Fake Books. 512 pages. 8.5x11 inches. Published by Hal Leonard. (HL.240221)See more info...
The Standards Real Book - C Edition
For C instrument and voice. Format: fakebook (spiral bound). With vocal melody, lyrics, chord names, black & white photos and introductory text. Standards. 574 pages. 9x12 inches. Published by Sher Music Company. (SR.SRBC)See more info...
For a big list of fake books click here.
Can you handle different styles of songs?
Latin, Rock, Bossa Nove, Jazz Waltz, Reggae, Cut Time, etc...
Can you improvize over different types of progressions?
The understanding of a chord's function within a chord progression is the first step in the process of scale selection for improvisation and creating melodies as well as applying the principles of chord and scale substitution.
|
Reference: Harmonic Analysis for Scale Selection and Chord Substitution (link) |
Can you create an intro and ending to a song?
Here is a link to UkuleleLesson available here on Intros & Turnarounds and a lesson on Classic Endings.
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Ukulele Chords
NEW This small (1/2 size) chord book is a great little book to carry with you. Ukulele Chords covers basic open position and basic movable form chords. From these two chord categories a variety of songs and styles can be played.
A Guide to Ukulele Strums & Rhythmic Patterns
This book is designed as a guide to ukulele (pronounced “oo-koo-lele”) strums. From rock and waltz strums to reggae and broken chord strums.
A Guide to Ukulele Chords
This book is designed as a guide to ukulele (pronounced “oo-koo-lele”) chords. Covering basic ukulele chords that ALL uke players MUST know, movable chord forms, rock uke chords, how to transpose chords, learning the ukulele fingerboard and an introduction to 4-part “jazz” chords and more...
Ukulele For Guitar Players
Ukulele for Guitar Players is a guide to transferring the accumulated experience and knowledge gained as a guitar played to the ukulele.
A Guide to Blues Chord Progressions for Ukulele A to Z
Covers the key of C major and C minor, including a detailed accompanying text explaining the principles behind each progression and the chord substutitions.
Exploring "Jazz" Chords on Ukulele
Exploring "Jazz" Chords takes the core chords from A Guide to Advanced Chords for Ukulele and shows their use over a variety of common chord progressions based on songs from the standard jazz repertoire.
A Guide to Advanced Chords for Ukulele
If your goal is to expand your chord vocabulary, The Advanced Guide to Ukelele Chords Series is your answer. Commonly referred to as "jazz" chords. A Guide to Advanced Ukulele Chords Volume I provides detailed information on voicing 4-part chords.
The Advanced Guide to Guitar Chords
Commonly referred to as "jazz" chords this provides detailed information on voicing 4-part chords.
Harmonic Analysis For Scale Selection And Chord Substitution
Harmonic Analysis is the understanding of the functional sequence of chords. It is the process used to analyze the harmonic structure of a progression, song or composition. This analysis is then used to make scale selections for improvisation and chord substitution.
Ukulele - Reading Music Series
Reading Music in Open Position, Single Note Studies- Primer. Reading music is not as hard as one might think. It may be new and unfamiliar to you but is not hard when you have a proper plan of attack.
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