Looks like we have some people interested. Ok, let start exchanging some ideas first... maybe when we have a better idea of what to expect, more people will sign up.
First, it looks like I'll have to take the lead for now, so let's make this more manageable for me. Got any suggestions where to hold this thing?
Secondly, let's start exchanging ideas online, in this thread. Kasi, I'm not sure what's the skill level of the attendees.. hopefully you are all past the basics (basic chords- open string and fretted, strumming, and timing).
Anyway, here are my thoughts...
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Basis of Workshop
- Not one-upmanship… but sharing of ideas
- Not a music theory course, although music theory is important… this is more about guitar concepts for “non-schooled” players or for 'schooled' players' who want to have a different perspective
- Not a substitute to formal guitar lessons...
1. Basic Guitar Module
• Practice as the basis of technical skills
i. Daily, consistent practice preferred over once-a-week crash schedules
ii. Do stretching and limbering exercises before and after playing
iii. Keep a relaxed posture and make sure your guitar is cradled appropriately to minimize physical injury
iv. When using a pick, use up-down, up-down strokes or down-up, down-up strokes (suggest to accent the first stroke to keep time)
v. Use a metronome or drum machine, and practice slow at first, eventually moving the tempo up and down, but keep consistently even notes
vi. Use tablature and learn about bars, measures, tempo etc. because you will have to teach yourself down the line… it’s what everybody does to improve their craftsmanship and missing out on how to use tablature robs you of this opportunity to learn from others
vii. Invest in dvd, cds, and tapes on guitar playing
• Technical skills
i. 2-notes, 3-notes, 4-notes per string exercises using alternate picking
ii. String-skipping exercises
iii. Pull-on and off, Hammer-on and off
iv. Bending
v. Arpeggios and string-sweeping exercises
• Despite your technical skills, the ultimate basis of how good you are is based on the sounds and tones that you produce in the end. Some tips include:
i. Strive for musicality rather than exhibitionism (but don’t be shy to put your technical skills to the test in the service of musicality)
ii. Build tension and make sure that these are all properly resolved (even dissonance or silence can be use to produce build-up and/or resolution)
iii. Make sure that you are playing with the rest of the band, not playing against them… it’s the ensemble that matters in terms of musicality
iv. Arranging and Creating music is as much a part of the magic of music; don’t ignore this
2. Theory of Shapes
• Chord Shapes and their extensions over the frets
• Pentatonic scale and extensions over the fret
• The Basic Major and Minor Scales, and playing them over the frets through different notes
3. Improvisation Exercises
• Blues and Rock
4. Guest Guitarists (anybody care to sign-up as a guest guitaris?)
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Ok, that's all for now. If you are wondering what's my guitar style, it's a bit eclectic although I like to play loud and noisy music (the usual stuff, like Satriani, Vai, Malmsteen, Eric Johnson, Jeff Healey, Stevie Ray Vaughn, etc. which are mainly guitar-oriented music plus some originals); I'll be much obliged however if some jazz players etc. can join us... meantime, I'll be happy to share my ideas with you guys...
