Easy ear training

Last night, while re-stringing my guitar, a new method of ear training occured to me.
It was the first time I’ve ever tried it and all went relatively well. I began playing chords while isolating strings which were clearly sticking out from the rest. When all were sounding quite harmonious, I tweaked things further by playing [...]

Less is more

When I make compositions it’s quite easy to become over-enthusiastic.
I’ll usually start with something fairly simple – like a bass line repeated over and over. Then chords. Then lead guitar, followed by little embellishments here and there. It all becomes over-saturated very quickly.
When you look at some of the most memorable or recognisable riffs in [...]

II, V, I revised

Last week I wrote of II, V, I chord changes. After this week’s lesson, there are a few things I need to correct and clarify.
In that post, I wrote II, V, I progressions establish a new key centre – a musical focal point. What I explained inaccurately was that you have to remain in the [...]

A beautiful mess

I remember when I first started out on guitar, the idea of figuring out the chords to a song myself seemed impossible; so much so that I didn’t ever bother trying.
Until I heard this song.
It’s a newer Mraz tune but I still remember being blown away by an early bootleg of it. Because it was [...]

I, V, VI, IV

I’ve been playing guitar this week trying to look as chords as numbers – something I’ve always been told but is only sinking in now.
I stumbled across the fact that two distinctly sounding Mraz tunes actually use the same structure.
“0% Interest” and current radio hit, “I’m Yours” – both of the major scale – use [...]

“Absolutely” deconstructed

Continuing with our look at Jason Mraz, I will delve further into his songs. In class this week, we checked out “Absolutely Zero”. I’m not sure if I fully understand the concept of it but will provide my layman interpretation here.
The song is in F major and relies heavily on a II minor, V major, [...]

Jason Mraz

It was a pleasant surprise to find out many Shine students have been asking to learn songs from Jason Mraz – the guy who first inspired me to pick up a guitar.
What I like best about Mraz is he never plays any song the same way twice. I’ve seen him live four times now – [...]

Improvised compositions

One problem I’ve been experiencing with composition lately is having difficulty sitting down and consciously trying to construct a planned and thought out piece of music.
Despite being tentative with compositions, I feel much more confident about my improvised creations. I can – from time to time – make something up on the spot and be [...]

Work hard

I’ve touched on this subject before but given where I’m currently at, I think it’s worth revisiting with more depth.
Just playing, just doing is what I refer to. When you create something – whether a piece of music, writing or anything that spontaneously springs to mind, do whatever you have to to get it out.
To [...]

No tabs

We all know what tabs are – most of us probably started out on guitar with them. But I think that’s how far that relationship should go.
Tabs are great for beginners but there comes a time when you have to progress to the next level. They’re quick and convenient but therein lies the flaw – [...]