Live Stream Q&A
Read More
Live Stream Q&A
Read More
Live Stream Q&A
Read More
Live Stream Q&A
Read More
What Counts as a Scale in my Melody Making Rules?
In this stream, I got to show you a weird test graphic I made. I didn't end up using it for the lesson I made it for, but I still thought it was cool!
The graphic was showing how I think about scales when it comes to writing melodies. If you've seen my Melody Making Course, you know my basic melody writing guidelines:
1. Always start on a chord tone
2. If you skip notes, only skip from a chord tone TO another chord tone
3. If moving through the scale, keep going until you get to another chord tone
The trick with this third rule is that you can use the chromatic scale, the full scale, or the pentatonic scale whenever you feel like it, as long as you follow a couple guidelines I talk about in this video. I also attached a little graph below for a nice visual representation.
Live Stream Q&A
Read More
Office Hours Q&A
Craig was looking for tips on writing guitar parts to someone else's songs.
Bobby wanted some guidance on what to practice in order to progress as a guitar player.
Barry was curious about anticipating notes before playing them while soloing.
Mark was curious to learn more about guitar harmonics.
Phil asked about my CAGED Soloing series and how it relates to the Circle of Fifths.
Read More
Office Hours Q&A
Here are this week's questions:
Mark was having problems with maintaining tuning between multitrack recorded guitar.
Craig was looking for some picking and finger exercises to help build up dexterity and speed.
Frank needed guidance on getting started with loop pedals.
Barry asked for a brief overview of walking bass lines.
Frank asked about powering pedals on pedal boards and staying on rhythm while looping.
Read More
Office Hours Q&A
Weezley asked asked how to avoid sproingly brassy sounds while picking
Ronnie asked how a mode can be a major key
Rich asked if triad voicings always need to have a root note
Jeff had a question about what notes to play when doing double stops
Brian was having issues getting fingers to the right place on a C chord
Boro asked if its a good idea to memorize riffs when learning to solo
Read More
Office Hours Q&A
Read More
Office Hours Q&A
Here are this week's questions:
Ray was looking for clarification on the circle of fifths.
Mark had a couple of questions about chord shapes after completing my Rubik's cube Series.
Read More
Office Hours Q&A
This week's questions:
Tasha had a question about Patreon interface changes.
Mark asked for help getting out of a songwriting rut.
Read More
Office Hours Q&A:
Warren had questions about participating in Community Challenges and general song analysis
Mason has warbling strings on an acoustic guitar - whats going on?
Richard asked about the benefits of drop D tuning
Mark asked if Music Theory Monday should be prioritized or CAGED Basics?
Brian was looking for ways to increase dexterity with open chords - trouble reaching certain strings
Brian also asked about an ideal first electric guitar
Read More
Office Hours Q&A:
Ray asked for thoughts or tips on flamenco guitar
Graeme asked how chords outside the key affect the melody
Sym asked about how to get around practice anxiety
Tasha had questions about how busses work in Logic Pro X and general DAWs
Boro asked if a small MIDI keyboard is a good tool for a guitar player using a DAW - YES
Read More
Office Hours, Q&A
The questions this week:
Daniel C asked for an overview of picks - thickness comparison, technique, etc
Ray asked if there is any cross over between guitar and piano
Richard had questions about this weird progression: E major D major C major
Ray asked if I ever plan to meet up with my Patrons and what is my favorite chord progression
Ray also asked if it's important to learn to read music
Daniel T asked for help building the diatonic chords in the key of C# Minor, and asked about the 7th chords
Julian asked about a practice routine AND asked me about my Fender Musicmaster, which I forgot to respond to!
John asked about planting with your picking hand
Read More