Author: Gianni C.

Posted in Technical Exercises

Guitar Technique 101: Never Ending Chromatic Scale

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The never-ending chromatic scale is a useful technical exercise for guitarists looking to improve their dexterity and fluency with chromatic phrases. This exercise combines elements of technique and improvisation, engaging both the left and right hands.

The right hand uses strict alternate picking, providing rhythmic consistency. The left hand plays through a chromatic scale, moving fluidly between string groups and positions. This motion encourages left hand flexibility through stretches and slides.

There are several ways to play a chromatic scale on guitar: descending along one string, moving in position across adjacent strings, or diagonally ascending and descending across multiple strings. Diagonal descending motion tends to be the most challenging. Maintaining consistent volume and tone across all notes is imperative.

Practicing the never-ending chromatic scale has multiple benefits. The constant motion maintains picking stamina. Shifting positions and strings develops left hand strength and accuracy. The improvisational nature requires mental focus and quick decision making. This exercise also directly relates to musical contexts, as chromaticism features heavily in jazz, particularly bebop styles. Mastering smooth chromatic passages will expand melodic vocabulary.

To perform the exercise, the guitarist begins by picking through a steady chromatic scale. Without pausing, shift to a new direction, string group, or position. Continue moving through fresh chromatic patterns seamlessly. Resist falling into repetitive patterns. Challenge both hands by exploring the entire fretboard.

With consistent practice, guitarists can achieve greater chromatic dexterity and more fluid improvisational abilities. The never-ending chromatic scale is an engaging way to break out of mechanical technique routines and expand fretboard knowledge.

Posted in Special Topics

Transform Your Guitar Melodies into Sheet Music: A Step-by-Step Guide Using Free Software

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I wanted to share my recent exploration into the world of enhancing guitar videos. You know how it is – you play this beautiful melody on your guitar, and you wish there was an easy way to translate that into readable sheet music. I embarked on a quest to find a quick and efficient method to add notation and tablature to my guitar videos, aiming to elevate the quality of my musical content.

1. The Quest for Quality: Improving My Guitar Videos

Like many musicians, I faced the challenge of turning the magic of my guitar tunes into tangible sheet music. My goal was to make my music more accessible and visually appealing to my audience.

2. The Tools: Free Software at My Fingertips

I delved into the world of free software and discovered three essential tools for my mission:

  • Reaper: A versatile digital audio workstation that could handle VST plugins and serve as the foundation for my musical journey.
  • Neural Note VST: This virtual studio technology plugin became my companion for refining my guitar audio, ensuring accuracy and eliminating any unwanted nuances.
  • MuseScore: An open-source notation software that transformed my MIDI files into beautiful, readable sheet music.

3. The Process: My Musical Creations Come to Life

  • Recording and Polishing: I recorded my guitar melody using Reaper, tweaking the audio with Neural Note VST to perfect the sound and ensure precision. I recorded to a click at 120 BPM, the NEURAL vst should sync the tempo.
  • Exporting: Once satisfied, I exported the file as MIDI, preserving my guitar performance.
  • Crafting Sheet Music: I imported the MIDI file, meticulously converting it into notation and tablature. Adjustments were made to copy the piano import to guitar notation and tabulature.

Original guitar line wav and resulting midi file below:

midi_exportDownload
original-guitar-lineDownload

Posted in Special Topics

Overcoming Stage Fright: A Musician’s Guide to Confidence

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Stage fright is a universal experience, especially among aspiring musicians. The fear of performing in front of an audience can be paralyzing, but it’s not an insurmountable obstacle. In this blog post, we will explore valuable advice from a seasoned musician who has successfully navigated the challenges of stage fright and emerged with confidence. Here are the key takeaways from their insightful perspective:

  1. Embrace the Learning Curve:
    Just like learning to play an instrument, performing on stage is a skill that requires practice and patience. Understand that the initial discomfort is a natural part of the process. Acknowledge your fear, but don’t let it hold you back.
  2. Record and Review:
    Start by recording your performances. Watching these recordings allows you to assess your strengths and areas for improvement objectively. It might surprise you how different your performance looks from an audience’s perspective.
  3. Seek Feedback:
    Share your recordings with a trusted friend or family member. Constructive feedback from someone you respect can provide valuable insights and boost your confidence.
  4. Gradual Exposure:
    Participate in open mic nights or jam sessions in unfamiliar environments. Exposing yourself to different settings gradually diminishes the initial discomfort associated with performing on stage.
  5. Coping with Mistakes:
    Mistakes are inevitable, even for seasoned performers. Develop strategies to minimize errors and have prepared responses for unexpected situations. Turning mistakes into lighthearted moments can help you and your audience relax.
  6. Develop Muscle Memory:
    Practice until your performance becomes second nature. Muscle memory not only ensures a flawless execution of your music but also provides a sense of security on stage, regardless of the circumstances.
  7. Stay Relaxed:
    Prioritize relaxation over hyped-up energy. Avoid excessive caffeine or anything that might make you feel jittery. Physical relaxation enhances your awareness and control, contributing to a confident performance.
  8. Visualization Techniques:
    Visualization can create a positive mental space. Imagine a supportive audience and visualize yourself confidently performing. While it might sound simple, this technique can significantly boost your self-assurance.
  9. Acknowledge Your Progress:
    Celebrate your achievements, no matter how small they seem. Every step you take on stage, even if it includes mistakes, is a part of your growth as a performer. Acknowledging your progress reinforces your confidence and determination.

Conclusion:

Overcoming stage fright is a gradual process that demands patience, practice, and a positive mindset. By acknowledging your fear, seeking feedback, and gradually exposing yourself to different performance settings, you can conquer stage fright. Remember, even seasoned professionals once faced the same fears. With determination and the right mindset, you can transform stage fright into a source of empowerment, allowing your true musical talent to shine through.

Posted in Jazz Standards

Dive into “Sticky July” by Butcher Brown

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Butcher Brown is a jazz-funk band known for their eclectic style and improvisational flair. Their song “Sticky July” showcases their talents, with an especially impressive guitar part and solo. In this tutorial, I’ll break down the chords and scales used in the guitar part and offer tips for improvising over this funky tune.

Chords

The chord progression follows a simple AB pattern, with the A section consisting of:

  • F#m7 – Classic minor 7 chord shape with a hammer on from A to B on the B string
  • Bm7 – Minor 7 chord, playing the root on the B string twice
  • A7/Bb – Interesting voicing with the A7 on top and Bb bass note
  • Esus2/G# – Played with thumb, sus2 chord without the A string
  • Gmaj7(9/13) – Basically a G major 7 with added 9th and 13th
  • Db7 – Hendrix-style chord barring B and E strings
  • Dmaj7 – Standard open position D major 7

The B section uses:

  • Bmaj7 – Same shape as the Gmaj7 chord
  • Em11 – Minor 11 voicing
  • Abm9 – Unique voicing like a Gb/Ab
  • G/A – Simple sus chord
  • Dmaj9 – Classic jazz Dmaj9 sound
  • C#sus – Barre or B/C# voicing
  • C7b5 – Dominant 7 flat 5 resolving to F#m

Scales for Improvisation

The A section is straightforward, just using the F# minor pentatonic scale. For the B section, target the chord tones of each changing chord while avoiding dissonant tones. Useful scales include:

  • Bmaj7 – B major, avoid the #11
  • Em11 – E minor or D major
  • Abm9 – Ab dorian (Db major scale)
  • G/A – G major
  • Dmaj9 – D major
  • C#sus – C# or F# minor pentatonic
  • C7 – C mixolydian

Soloing Over the Changes

When soloing over “Sticky July,” aim to smoothly connect the chord tones through each section. Outline the F# minor tonality over the first part, and switch scales measure-by-measure in the second section. Pay close attention to the chords and avoid dissonant tones.

Posted in Getting it all together

Unlock the Fretboard: How Box Mapping Can Improve Your Guitar Knowledge

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Learning guitar can seem overwhelming at first. There are so many notes and chords to memorize across the fretboard. However, using a technique called “box mapping” can help you better visualize and understand what’s happening on the guitar neck.

In this video, I demonstrate how to map out scale and chord shapes by writing down the fingering, notes, and function/degree within each “box” position. For example, when mapping a G major scale pattern:

  • Fingering: Write down the fingers used – 2 4 1 2 4 1 3 4 etc. This helps with technique.
  • Notes: Write the note names – G A B C D E F# G. This helps you know the scale tones.
  • Function: Write the scale degrees – Root 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th Root. This shows how the notes relate to the tonic.

The same mapping process can be applied to chord shapes. By labeling the root, 3rd, 5th, 7th etc in a given chord voicing, you understand both the notes and function.

Over time, mapping out common scales, arpeggios, and chords in various areas of the neck trains your brain to visualize these patterns. You develop fretboard knowledge instead of just memorizing mechanical finger movements.

Mapping reinforces the intervals and music theory underlying guitar. It lets you modify chords more easily by knowing where chord tones and extensions are located near a given shape. You gain control and fluidity across the fretboard.

In short, box mapping is an excellent technique for guitarists looking to level up their fretboard mastery. By taking a more analytical approach, you can unlock the guitar neck and boost your skills dramatically. Try applying this to your own practice and watch your guitar knowledge improve.