Jkshoe says:
Take something you're familiar with and play it in as many different ways as you can. Play it backwards. Play if half forwards and half backwards. Play it half backwards and half forward.
For a self-described "n00b" you just gave the best advice possible! Very wise!
Neonasty says:
Say what modes I know most maj min 7 dim maj7 alt chord formulas but want to do more.
chords work well over what chord. Basic stuff.
OK
Other than the practice Jkshoe recommended I would add two of the most sadly overlooked studies(not book, Git)
1st - Intervals, know every one of them, and use them as the great tools they can be
ESP
When partnered with
TRIADS
practice all yer Triads from Maj to Sus. These = our 1st chords, and allow us to play in different voicings than "the other guy playing"
Begin (or begin again, lol)
at Major
Play through all 12(std) Major Triads : Triad>1st-Inversion-2nd-inversio>....repeat.
Try starting (Major) like this
Maj Tri "1" on 6th String (1-3-5)
Inv-1 3rd on 5th string (3-5-1)
Inv-2 5th on 4th-String (5-1-3)and back to
1st Triad(higher) (1-3-5)
with "1" on 3rd string,
you've played awhile , lol, so you know where im goin' with this right? :)
Take the same approach (Still Maj Triads) Using the STRING # as the 'base' ALA Maj-Triad:
Maj- Triad Root on 6th string
1st on 6th, 3rd on 5th, 5th on 4th) (1-3-5)
1st-inv = 3rd on 6th str.(3-5-1)
2nd-inv = 5th on 6th str. (5-1-3)
Then try playing one Key , say, er, A-Major, using only major triads.
At this point its tempting to play 2(etc) string "scale-picked" TRIADS
But i think its a mistake as the purpose here is to KNOW all 3-string Majors+Inversions as Chords(they are, after all) all across the fretboard.
Dig?
Then...
Since learning(or reinforcing/relearning) the MINOR TRIADS is the next logical step, treat them the same way.
BUT
Instead of memorizing any fingerings (you will in the end) Simply do the obvious
PLAY THROUGH you MAJOR TRIADS but DROP the 3rd in each case...
I have found that this manner of practicing these wonderfully helpful and musically indispensable Triads, "sticks" in Both My and My Students heads and ears; hell, even guys I've been teaching for 12+ (or more lol) years, "revisit Tri-land" lol, "re-claim" their Triads
use this methodology rather than "remember that shape!"
So drop those 3's to -3's and do the above.
Then BEFORE moving to Sus and Aug
Play the major and minor triads in One Key , all across neck(again) together.
Rinse & Repeat
When ya DO get crazy with the 3-string Triads, play the 2-string versions with them
then just play them.
I like to break John Coltrane's "Giant Steps", Thelonious Monk's "Nutty"-"Misterioso" & "Blue Monk" this way
Than i play some Johnny Winter to knock the Theory-Gunk outta muh head, LOL
anyways I have a GREAT (many good sources +) 'Study' of 'Giant Steps' (chord harmonies, Inversions, Chart, Sub-chart, and big ole TRIADIC stuff)
If you'd like to put it to use... shoot me an email at
carl@carlsnow.com
and I'll shoot ya a copy.
REALLY great to see a new 'old' guy on here :) been awhile.
as we say in East-TN, Howdy!
RAWK!
Cs