Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Faith in Hashem's Providence

I am really liking Pandora. Today is my first day trying it because we now have internet. This stuff is so inspirational for me to practice while it is playing in the background. It has occurred to me that all this guitar practice may one day lead to a paying job. However, if I have one student who is successful, - even if it is learning only patterns that help with memory, not necessarily a gig - and has no money, I would take that over several students that were not serious, but padded my bank account. Gd is not money. Work with what you have, money or not, and I have a firm belief that anything is possible with faith.

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

9th Blues Pentatonic Drill: 2 Fattest Strings. Mode 2, Position 1. Root, 6, 2, 3.

If at any time you are experiencing pain during the exercise, please stop playing.

1:1:2:9:1:a – The first note - Root
With your pinky finger, play an E note at the 12th fret of the 1st string (the thickest string).  This place on the fret board is usually designated with a double dot marking.  The E is the root note and the key.

1:1:2:9:1:b – The second note - 6
With your index finger, play a C# at the 9th fret of the 1st string.  This note is a 6 interval.

1:1:2:9:1:c – The third note - 2
With your index finger, play a F# at the 9th fret of the 2nd string (the second thickest string).  This note is a 2 interval.

1:1:2:9:1:d – The fourth note – 3
With your ring finger, play a G# at the 11th fret of the 2nd string.  It is a 3 interval.

1:1:2:9:1:e
Repeat this pattern until you get up to speed.
It is a good idea to play with all down strokes or alternate picking or use palm muting.

1:1:2:9:2
Play the same pattern a half step lower, the key of D#.  Moving this pattern up and down the fret board causes key changes.
1st string 11th fret using the pinky finger (root).
1st string 8th fret using the index finger (6th interval).
2nd string 8th fret using the index finger (2nd interval).
2nd string 10th fret using the ring finger (3rd interval).

1:1:2:9:3
Play the same pattern a half step lower, the key of D.  This sequence will follow the established pattern:
1st string 10th fret using the pinky finger (root).
1st string 7th fret using the index finger (6th interval).
2nd string 7th fret using the index finger (2nd interval).
2nd string 9th fret using the ring finger (3rd interval).

1:1:2:9:4  Repeat this pattern moving up and down the fret board either changing keys in order to develop speed and fluidity.

1:1:2:9:5 Information about the lesson title, which is 1:1:2:9

The first 1  of 1:1:2:9 refers to that this lesson belongs to the following group: “1st 1st Position Pentatonic Soloing Drills: Mega Lesson Syllabus for 2 String Play of Single Notes”

The second 1 of 1:1:2:9 refers to that this lesson belongs to the subheading: “1st Almost Killing the 1st Position Blues Pentatonic Scales in 4s on the 1st and 2nd Strings.”

The third number in the sequence 1:1:2:9, a 2, refers to that this lesson belongs that this lesson additionally belongs the subheading, “2nd 20 Lessons for Mode 2 Blues Pentatonic Drills in 4/4 Time on String 1 and 2, Position 1”

The fourth number in the sequence 1:1:2:9 refers to the lesson title, which is “9th Blues Pentatonic Drill: 2 Fattest Strings.  Mode 2, Position 1. Root, 6, 2, 3.”

The lessons of the 1:1:2 series select from the intervals: 6, root, 2, and 3 on the 2 fattest strings.  This is the 2nd mode of the 1st position of the common pentatonic scale.

In the key of E minor the pattern for the first position is
1st string; 12th and 9th fret
2nd string; 11th and 9th fret
3rd string; 11th and 9th fret
4th string; 11th and 9th fret
5th string; 12th and 9th fret
6th string; 12th and 9th fret

We are only working on the 1st and 2nd string, the two fattest strings, and the root note for this pattern starts at the 12th fret.

Intervals are written with respect to a 7 note Ionian major scale, not a 5 note scale.

Monday, October 13, 2014

Craig Hamilton’s Favored Eclectic Mix of Guitar Heavy Albums in Time for Holiday Shopping

Kings of Damnation Era by Black Label Society           20th Century Masters by B.B. King
Prime Cuts by Shadow Gallery                                     Alive in America by Steely Dan
Full House by Wes Mongomery                                    Live at Yoshi’s by Pat Martino
Tribute by Ozzy Osbourne                                Birds of Fire by the Mahavishnu Orchestra
The Perfect Element by Pain of Salvation                       the Best of Santan by Santana
Coda by Led Zeppelin                                                   Parallax by Greg Howe
School Days by Stanley Clarke                                   Maximum Security by Tony MacAlpine
Greatest Hits of the 20th Century by Bela Fleck and the Flecktones
Now by Lenny Breau                                                      It Is What It Is by Mike Stern
Departure by Gary Burton & Friends                              Another Lifetime by Simon Philips
Self-titled by Niacin                                                   Then Best of Chick Corea (Blue Note)
…And Justice for All by Metallica                                   Ride the Lightning by Metallica
Fear of the Dark by Iron Maiden                                  7th Son of a 7th Son by Iron Maiden
Secrets by Allan Holdsworth                                          Metal Fatigue by Allan Holdsworth
Virtuoso 2 by Joe Pass                                                   Virtuoso 3 by Joe3 Pass
Fire Garden by Steve Vai                                                Sex and Religion by Steve Vai
The Abbey Road EP by the Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Uplift MOFO Party Plan by the Red Hot Chili Peppers
Rust in Peace by Megadeth                                        United Abominations by Megadeth
Into the Electric Castle by Ayreon                                    The Human Equation by Ayreon
III Sides to Every Story by Extreme                                 II Pornograffitti by Extreme
Outbreak by Dennis Chambers                                        Uncle Moe’s Space Ranch
Poets and Madmen by Savatage                                      Handful of Rain by Savatage
Works for Me by John Scofield                                      Up All Night by John Scofield
The Divine Wings of Tragedy by Symphony X                 The Odyssey by Symphony X
Twilight in Olympus by Symphony X
Ten by Pearl Jam                                                              Yield by Pearl Jam
No Code by Pearl Jam
Bill Frisell, Dave Holland, Elvin Jones                                Blues Dream by Bill Frisell
Live by Bill Frisell
Greatest Hits by Queensryche                                            Empire by Queensryche
Here in the Now Frontier by Queensryche
Stardust We Are by the Flower Kings                                Retropolis by the Flower Kings
Back In the World of Adventures by the Flower Kings
Space Revolver by the Flower Kings                           The Rainmaker by the Flower Kings
In Absentia by Porcupine Tree                                     Lightbulb Sun by Porcupine Tree
Deadwing by Porcupine Tree                                    Grace for Drowning by Steven Wilson
Islands by King Crimson                                       Lark’s Tongues In Aspic by King Crimson
Red by King Crimson                                             The Power to Believe by King Crimson
In the Wake of Poseidon by King Crimson
In the Court of the Crimson King by King Crimson
Secret Story by Pat Metheny                                               99 00 by the Pat Metheny Trio
Speaking of Now by the Pat Metheny Group         Imaginary Day by the Pat Metheny Group
I Can See Your House from Here by John Scofield & Pat Metheny
Question and Answer by Pat Metheny, Dave Holland, Roy Haynes
Like Minds by Chick Corea, Gary Burton, Pat Metheny, Roy Haynes, Dave Holland
What If by the Dixie Dregs                                         Dregs of Earth by the Dixie Dregs
Industry Standard by the Dixie Dregs                              Full Circle by the Dixie Dregs
Free Fall by the Dixie Dregs                                       Unsung Heroes by the Dixie Dregs
Coast to Coast by Steve Morse                                   High Tension Wires by Steve Morse
The Raven That Refused to Sing by Steven Wilson
Black Clouds and Silver Linings by Dream Theater         Train of Thought by Dream Theater
A Dramatic Turn of Events by Dream Theater                  Dream Theater by Dream Theater
Metropolis PT.2: Scenes from a Memory                    Falling into Infinity by Dream Theater
Octavarium by Dream Theater                                                Awake by Dream Theater
4 Degrees of Radio Edits by Dream Theater                  Systematic Chaos by Dream Theater
When Dream and Day Unite by Dream Theater               Notes on a Dream by Jordan Rudess
Score disc 1 by Dream Theater                                 Suspended Animation by John Petrucci