2010 May: Random Filter Thing from Learn MJ on Vimeo.

2010 April: Acoustic Country Lick from Learn MJ on Vimeo.

I created two guitar tracks using different pad sounds. The first using a PHASER + DELAY + REVERB. The second using an AUTOWAH + DELAY + REVERB.

2010 March – Heavy FX Space from Learn MJ on Vimeo.

2010 March – Am G Rock Idea from Learn MJ on Vimeo.

As with any language, you have to learn the vocabulary to form sentences and communicate.   It’s no different with the “language” of music.  As a starting point for playing guitar, we’ll learn some basic chords and chord progressions.  They are some of the common “open” chords.

Memorize these chord shapes and patterns.  Make sure your fingers are in correct position with all notes sounding clearly.  If a fretted note doesn’t sound out properly, it is due to imprecise fingering or lack of pressure.  If an open string does not sound, one of your fingers could be getting in the way and needs to be repositioned.

The 15 beginning chords we will use are: E, E7, Em, A, A7, Am, D, D7, Dm, C, C7, G, G7, B7 and F.

A mode is a series of notes, like a scale, in which there is one principal note in any mode.  It is the note that establishes the “tonality” of the mode, and it is the step-pattern of tones or semi-tones that establishes its “modality”.  The names of the different modes come from the Greek tribes.

THE C MAJOR SCALE

1 = Ionian = from C to C = C D E F G A B C

2 = Dorian = from D to D = D E F G A B C D

3 = Phrygian = from E to E = E F G A B C D E

4 = Lydian = from F to F = F G A B C D E F

5 = Mixolydian = from G to G = G A B C D E F G

6 = Aeolian = from A to A = A B C D E F G A

7 = Locrian = from B to B = B C D E F G A B

NOTE: Scales determine harmony and modes express melodic variations.

Head

Tuners

Headnut

Neck

Fretboard

Frets

Position Markers

Body

Pickguard

Pickups

Pickup Selector

Tremolo Arm

String Saddle

Volume and Tone Knobs

Input Jack

Head Stock

Tuning Pegs

Nut

Fingerboard

Frets

Position Markers

Neck and Truss Rod

Body

Sound Hole

Pick Guard

Saddle

Bridge

Bridge Pins

Soundboard

A scale is an consecutive series of notes that forms a progression between one note and it’s octave.   The scale can go either up by an octave or down by an octave.  The word “scale” comes from the Latin scala, meaning “ladder”, and this is exactly what a scale is – a way of ascending and descending an octave, with each rung representing one of the notes in between.

Have you ever seen the musical, “Sound of Music”? If so, you might remember the “do re mi” song in the musical. If not, check it out on YouTube –  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Gv4FMlnCR8 That is a great example of a major scale and the notes in it.

do re mi fa sol la ti do

consists of  seven notes = 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1

C major scale
C – D – E – F – G – A – B – C

G major scale
G – A – B – C – D – E – F# – G

D major scale
D – E – F# – G – A – B – C# – D

A major scale
A – B – C# – D – E – F# – G# – A

E major scale
E – F# – G# – A – B – C# – D# – E

B major scale
B – C# – D# – E – F# – G# – A# – B

F# and Gb major scales
F# – G# – A# – B – C# – D# – E# (=F) – F#
Gb – Ab – Bb – Cb (=B) – Db – Eb – F – Gb

Db and C# major scales
Db – Eb – F – Gb – Ab – Bb – C – Db
C# – D# – E# (=F) – F# – G# – A# – B# (=C) – C#

Ab major scale
Ab – Bb – C – Db – Eb – F – G – Ab

Eb major scale
Eb – F – G – Ab – Bb – C – D – Eb

Bb major scale
Bb – C – D – Eb – F – G – A – Bb

F major scale
F – G – A – Bb – C – D – E – F

NOTE: Scales determine harmony and modes express melodic variations.

2010 February: Acoustic Blues Idea from Learn MJ on Vimeo.