scales poster

[the Life Aquatic]

I've been reading thought that rave spiral guide thing that I think IEatCats posted. I really like that guides writing, and it goes really in depth. Really want to try learning songs by ear. Never tried, goal for summer.

[Moustache_Bash]

personally I've gotten way too comfortable with patterns and shapes up and down the neck. Of course if I'm sitting down and I have time to myself I won't write something that sounds scalar but I probably spend too much time noodling through all the modes.

Scales are good to know though, just don't stop there.

When I was in high school my school's jazz band traveled to Savannah, GA to compete at Swing Central which is a HS jazz competition. They had a lot of big name players there who did some clinics there as well as worked with the bands. What stuck with me though is that they emphasized that the best and quickest way to become a sick player is to learn the shit out of songs that you love.

They said if you pick 10 songs (10 being the minimum, doing more will just help you grow more!) learn all the key parts, transcribes the solo(s), chords, be able to sing AND play the parts you will have enough snuff to be a well versed musician. You need to do this by EAR too. Reading the parts will help your music reading skills but it's different than learning by ear which is much different.

I thought it was a good point.

I beliebe dat.

[morange]

How can you transcribe jazz chords by ear when you don't already know how to play them? I think you already have to be pretty good.

[ChetMagongalo]

It doesn't have to be jazz music, and also having a good ear is a different skill than having a lot of technical skill. I struggle with ear skills but I think I have strong technique.

[Moustache_Bash]

How can you transcribe jazz chords by ear when you don't already know how to play them? I think you already have to be pretty good.

Sheeeeit, there's only like 12 different notes. Music ain't rocket surgery.

[ChetMagongalo]

I can relate, it takes me a real long time to learn by ear

[Greenfuz]

I learned most of my favourite songs by ear


albeit they're mostly 60s garage stuff so only like 3 different chord shapes at best


and the solos are just a very rudimentary grasp of the blues scales


but I like mediocrity

[ryan summit]

:idk:
I can relate, it takes me a real long time to learn by ear

yeah this boat stinks sometimes
that all guitar chords site is awesome
i have a mental block
that doesnt allow me to fret notes
if i dont know they belong there
not ised to blatantly making mistakes
trial and error style
im gettin over it though
heard that john denner dude on stern
the one handed guy that plays eruption
not that evh is what i aspire to be
i just wanna know the language
right now im at
si
no
que
puñieta
trabajo

[WayToHip]

Learning more means you're not condemned to playing the same wanky stuff over and over again.

not if you approach the learning with an I don't give a fuck attitude

oh that bit is cool, I'll try that out. fuck the rest of yo rules though imma do what I want

look it over but don't actually try to memorize it and learn anything

learning is for chumps



I'd like a bass version of this though

I agree with morange. Learning something isn't a drawback. I've been taking bass lessons and while my technique has improved slightly, the know-how around the fretboard is drastically better. Also knowing the 3rd and 5ths of root notes is a big plus.

Greenfuz, to make these scales bass, just forget about the high e and b string.

[Greenfuz]

shows how much I know about scales eh

[Holy Schnikes]

Dude that is an awesome resource. Thanks for sharing that. I should print it out and post it on my wall - good work team!

This, thanks ryan summit!

I'm shit when it comes to scales (and theory in general) but I have some great resources in the form of books and apps. Problem is I hate staring down at a book or my phone in order to practice this stuff. A poster on my wall would be much more useful.

[ryan summit]

its refreshing to know
that im not the only one
who doesnt know this stuff
i really thought all of you
would be technically learned
cause ive been listenin to your clips
for about a year now
and havent heard one obviously shitty guitar player
thought i was at some disadvantage
not knowing "basic" scales and chords
basic meaning more than power chords
i play other shit
i just dont know what theyre called
the real lesson i learned here
is if i keep goin the way i am
playin what sounds good to me
ill be fine
the rest is gravy
unless i end up with a parker nitefly
and a permed mullet in a year
then ive gone too far huh

[ChetMagongalo]

Omar Rodriguez of Mars Volta claimed to know nothing about music theory. At least when he wrote Deloused, he might know more now

[gunslinger_burrito]

An easy "cheat" is to just play whatever you want, and if it sounds "bad" to you, just move the chord/string/finger up or down a half step (fret). Sometimes letting strings ring open can create interesting dissonance.

[AxAxSxS]

I'm surprised that so many have problems with playing by ear. Thats the only way I can. I took the time to learn to read music at one point but I allready was set in my ways and it was so much easier to just listen to something than to try to figure it out by looking at notes or tab. I've totally forgotten how to do it now. I feel stupid when trying to play with classically trained musicians because I'm basically illiterate. Key of G..... uhm, can you just play it and I'll join in?