I’ve decided to start a new weekend feature here on the blog called; “My Weekend Workout”. I will share with you what scales, modes and arpeggios I’m working on along with what lesson plan I’m working from. I’ll also share with you all the other sources that I am using to concentrate my efforts on becoming a more accomplished, modern guitarist. Since I have a career that pays the bills and takes up most of my Monday thru Friday weekdays, I must realize that my time is limited to evenings and weekends for my music. I’m sure many of you are in the same position as I. So, I hope you follow along and comment as much as possible so I can learn from you as I hope you will from me.
Let’s get started;
Week No. 1: The Major Scale (Ionian Mode)
This week I’m starting with the First Mode of the Major Scale: The Ionian Mode, working on the Standard, 3-Notes/String and the lmaj7 Arpeggio in all seven patterns. I’m using Guy’s Scales Modes and Arpeggios (see photo #1) lesson plan which is very easy to follow but is also a complete comprehensive presentation that leverages a very similar grid structure in the context of scales that we’ll see in Guy’s Grids (see photo #2) in a later post when we cover chords and chord patterns.
Photo #1 Photo #2
EXAMPLE: First Mode of the Major Scale
This is a quick view of what the typical instruction page looks like in this lesson plan. It is very easy to read and follow no matter what your skill level may be.
Playing my Gibson Les Paul Standard as I practice the G major scale
I also like to locate one (1) lick or chord pattern to learn and depending on the difficulty level, I may only pick one (1) each month in lieu of one (1) per weekend. Remember, I can only stretch myself out so far because I am booked during the week from 6:30 AM until 6:30 PM and after that I only have so much time for practice. Of course I would love to be able to practice 10 hours a day like most professionals do or have done to get to be in the position they are in today. However, that isn’t the case for me right now so I have to be realistic and chose the right amount of homework for myself that I know I’ll be able to accomplish before the next session.
This weekend I chose the ever famous intro to the ZZ Top song “La Grange”. Boy if you ask anyone if they’ve ever heard it, they’ll laugh and say; “are you crazy.” That guitar intro is one of the most well known guitar pieces in Rock-n’-Roll history and I just have to learn how to play it correctly.
I’ve heard several guitarists destroy it in an attempt to play it like Billy Gibbons so I do not want to be one of those guitarists. I need to play it like Billy and only like Billy intended it to be played.
So, that’s the piece that I’m currently concentrating on. If anyone has any suggestions for me, please send them my way. I would really appreciate it. I have the basics rhythm and chord structure down with the simple bass note changes but I hear other note changes in the background that I don’t understand how he could be doing all by himself.
I feel that this is a good start to my weekly project that I hope gets you involved. As I said, I’m always open for suggestions and constructive criticism that’ll help my guitar playing or improve upon my blog. Have a great weekend; go outside and have fun in the sun with your children; they’re only young once. Also, remember to give them a hug !
Until next time;
Bob
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