-
- Okay, here is a simple tip based on theory that can
actually help you play better.
- Once again, there is a bit of work involved but the
reward is
- well worth it, and will
bring closer to guitar mastery.
-
- Music is based on patterns, relationships, and forms
such as scales, intervals and chords.
It helps tremendously to analyze these elements during your studies.
- The reasoning is simple: if you understand the
workings of any element,
- then you will be apply that element in other
useful musical contexts.
-
- For example: you probably already know that on
guitar (due to its design
- and fingerboard layout), one can learn a
chord fingering (shape) and then easily transpose
- it into other root
keys by simply moving this entire shape to another fret position.
-
- This can be done with a melodic pattern, scale, or
mode
- and is one of the best instrumental capabilities of the guitar.
- So take full advantage of it and you will go far!
-
- Now, let's advance our theoretical thinking a bit.
- Question: How many of you realize that the note based
musical elements
- you play contain three other musical relationships.
-
- For example: you learn a G Major Chord from a friend,
chord book, tab, or other source.
- Now, where does it go?
- In other words, where does it fit in terms of
the overall musical picture?
- Knowing this chord fingering does much less
good if you don't also understand where
- and how to move it
in ways to create useful musical phrases.
-
- Without knowing what other things can fit with this
chord, it is like knowing
- a word, but being unable to use it
constructively in a sentence.
- That chord (or word) needs a context so that it makes
sense.
-
- Wouldn't it be better and far more useful to learn a
chord, melody, scale, or mode in
- contexts where you can actually
create cool musical ideas from it.
- Here is some food for
thought: realize that any of these elements...
- melodies, chords, scales,
and modes all share relationships that connect them to one another.
- You
can use this principle to expand any existing musical line or element into
another.
-
- It also becomes easy to take things further and form
your own creative new ideas based
- on any element by using this principle.
Understanding that analyzing elemental relationships
-
is important because they can be used to easily multiply your musical
knowledge.
- An aspiring guitarist can speed development
tremendously and save much
- study time by using a "whole-brain"
approach to music.
- Try to apply this type of thinking to the instrument
as well.
-
- is the basis for the M.A.M.I. Scale
Atlas.
- It is an outstanding guide for studying musical
relationships on the guitar easily.
-
- Regardless of your system however, the most
important lesson out of all of this
- is to remember that melodies, chords,
scales, and modes are all related.
- You'll not only
become a better musician, but you'll do it much faster if you study
-
using a "whole-brain" approach to learning both music and your
instrument.
