Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Monday, July 1, 2013
Session 4 Week 1 Recap
Hello friends, old and new!
It's a new session at the Old Town School and that means new experiences, new songs, and a new blog!
Those of you who are looking at this blog for the first time--Welcome! I invite you to poke around in the backlog and take a look at the first few posts, which will tell you a little bit more about me, my teaching style, and the Old Town School.
For this session, I'm going to try and post a weekly digest, broken up by class. And I'll probably throw in a few supplemental posts here and there. When you have questions, never hesitate to e-mail me! Chances are, you're not alone, and I can post the answers here for the benefit of all.
My teaching schedule this session is:
Thursday 8:30pm -- Guitar 2
Saturday 11am -- Guitar 1
Sunday 12pm -- Guitar 2
In Guitar 1, we learned the parts of the guitar, the names of the strings, how to read a chord diagram, a song sheet, the D chord, the A7 chord, and we plowed through Jambalya and Pay Me My Money Down. PHEW! That's a heckuva lot of stuff for one day!
I have a few old posts on here that can help refresh your memory on those skills. Here's one about the names of the strings:
http://allsixornone.blogspot.com/2013/03/string-theory.html
And here are some with video links to excellent cover versions of the songs we did in class:
http://allsixornone.blogspot.com/2013/03/son-of-gun.html
http://allsixornone.blogspot.com/2013/03/week-1-pay-me-or-go-to-jail.html
We didn't quite have time to go through all the nuts and bolts of tuning, though I did hand out a three-sheet packet with some instructions. Read through those, and we'll talk a lot more about that next week, but there's also a post about tuning here to help you in the meantime:
http://allsixornone.blogspot.com/2013/03/ermahgerd-tuning.html
You guys did a GREAT job of singing and strumming at the same time, and I was amazed how fast we got through my lesson plan. I'm really looking forward to a great session with you all!
In both of my Guitar 2 classes, we started off in a jazzy way with Summertime. It gave us a chance to learn some new chords: Dm7 (using the outside of your index finger to grab two strings at the same time--egads!), and the Fmaj7 which is one of my favorite dreamy-sounding chords. There are LOTS of ways to interpret this song, so don't feel you have to stick to quarter notes when you play at home. Check out Janis Joplin's very raw and psychedelic blues interpretation!
The F chord is frequently found in combination with the C chord, so that's a good maneuver to practice a lot. Cosmic Dancer is a good tune for that. Just remember to pronounce it "Dahhh-ncer." It doesn't sound right otherwise. Here's a really awesome stripped-down version of that tune from a live concert. Marc plays the F as a full bar chord here, but never mind that. I actually think our way sounds better. More ethereal and cosmic! Stay through this clip to the end for some hot Blue Suede Shoes action. RIP Marc, you glorious weirdo!
You've also got Sam Cooke's You Send Me to fully seal in the pain of the F chord when you work at home this week. (with apologies again to Thursday night's group, for whom I exhibited some truly Peter Brady-esque voice cracking on that tune)
Thumb through the Old Town School Songbook and take note of all the new tunes you can play now that you have an F chord at your disposal. I'd say about 85% of the book is available to you now, so go nuts and experiment!
GUITAR 2 STUDENTS: PLEASE REMEMBER TO PURCHASE A CAPO AND BRING IT TO CLASS BY WEEK THREE
(Thursdays, that means you'll need it at our next meeting, because there's no class this week due to Independence Day. Feel free to crash my Sunday class though, if you can't stand to be away from me for that long.)
Happy Fourth and happy strumming!
It's a new session at the Old Town School and that means new experiences, new songs, and a new blog!
Those of you who are looking at this blog for the first time--Welcome! I invite you to poke around in the backlog and take a look at the first few posts, which will tell you a little bit more about me, my teaching style, and the Old Town School.
For this session, I'm going to try and post a weekly digest, broken up by class. And I'll probably throw in a few supplemental posts here and there. When you have questions, never hesitate to e-mail me! Chances are, you're not alone, and I can post the answers here for the benefit of all.
My teaching schedule this session is:
Thursday 8:30pm -- Guitar 2
Saturday 11am -- Guitar 1
Sunday 12pm -- Guitar 2
In Guitar 1, we learned the parts of the guitar, the names of the strings, how to read a chord diagram, a song sheet, the D chord, the A7 chord, and we plowed through Jambalya and Pay Me My Money Down. PHEW! That's a heckuva lot of stuff for one day!
I have a few old posts on here that can help refresh your memory on those skills. Here's one about the names of the strings:
http://allsixornone.blogspot.com/2013/03/string-theory.html
And here are some with video links to excellent cover versions of the songs we did in class:
http://allsixornone.blogspot.com/2013/03/son-of-gun.html
http://allsixornone.blogspot.com/2013/03/week-1-pay-me-or-go-to-jail.html
We didn't quite have time to go through all the nuts and bolts of tuning, though I did hand out a three-sheet packet with some instructions. Read through those, and we'll talk a lot more about that next week, but there's also a post about tuning here to help you in the meantime:
http://allsixornone.blogspot.com/2013/03/ermahgerd-tuning.html
You guys did a GREAT job of singing and strumming at the same time, and I was amazed how fast we got through my lesson plan. I'm really looking forward to a great session with you all!
In both of my Guitar 2 classes, we started off in a jazzy way with Summertime. It gave us a chance to learn some new chords: Dm7 (using the outside of your index finger to grab two strings at the same time--egads!), and the Fmaj7 which is one of my favorite dreamy-sounding chords. There are LOTS of ways to interpret this song, so don't feel you have to stick to quarter notes when you play at home. Check out Janis Joplin's very raw and psychedelic blues interpretation!
Then we blazed straight ahead into yet another new chord--and this one's a biggie--the F'n F Chord!!! You're in the big time now, babies! The F is sort of like the Dm7 and Fmaj7 smashed together.
The F chord is frequently found in combination with the C chord, so that's a good maneuver to practice a lot. Cosmic Dancer is a good tune for that. Just remember to pronounce it "Dahhh-ncer." It doesn't sound right otherwise. Here's a really awesome stripped-down version of that tune from a live concert. Marc plays the F as a full bar chord here, but never mind that. I actually think our way sounds better. More ethereal and cosmic! Stay through this clip to the end for some hot Blue Suede Shoes action. RIP Marc, you glorious weirdo!
You've also got Sam Cooke's You Send Me to fully seal in the pain of the F chord when you work at home this week. (with apologies again to Thursday night's group, for whom I exhibited some truly Peter Brady-esque voice cracking on that tune)
Thumb through the Old Town School Songbook and take note of all the new tunes you can play now that you have an F chord at your disposal. I'd say about 85% of the book is available to you now, so go nuts and experiment!
GUITAR 2 STUDENTS: PLEASE REMEMBER TO PURCHASE A CAPO AND BRING IT TO CLASS BY WEEK THREE
(Thursdays, that means you'll need it at our next meeting, because there's no class this week due to Independence Day. Feel free to crash my Sunday class though, if you can't stand to be away from me for that long.)
Happy Fourth and happy strumming!
Monday, June 24, 2013
GradOVATION
 |
| G1R, ready to rock! |
I gotta hand it to you--you all did a terrific job. Both Thursday and Sunday chose to perform Hey Jude, and both classes really gave it their heart and soul. I genuinely think that we were some of the best groups up there--not that it's a competition or anything. (But based on audience enthusiasm, we totally brought the house down. Just sayin'.)
It was a pleasure to be your teacher, and an honor to take the stage with you. I hope to see you all again next session, and in the future!
 |
| The Sundays! |
A friend of mine who takes a different class on Sundays was kind enough to take video of that performance (thanks, Ryan!)--which this blog doesn't seem to want to embed at the moment. But you can see it by following the link below. You sound great, you look great and I am SO proud! Feel free to share it with all your friends and family because you earned some bragging rights with this show. Just listen to the cheers! Yeeeeaaaah!!!
http://youtu.be/VH0_kz71Ybc
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Hey Jude Strumming
Thursday night, you guys have done it again--picking one of the hardest tunes--that we've only played for one week--to turn out for the big show. Good on ya!
There was a lot of strummy business to talk about, which you nailed, but just so we're on the same page, here's the break down.
For shorthand--the "rock star strum" is: V V vv vv. If you were counting it aloud you'd say "One, two, three-and, four-and," and it's the same rhythm as good old down down down-up down-up. What makes is rock and roll is that it's ALL down strokes: Down Down down-down down-down.
I'll refer to it as "RSS" below (for rock star strum).
The other pattern we used is just straight quarter notes, one on each beat, all down strums: V V V V
I'll refer to it as "SQ" (for straight quarters).
I'll write out the lyrics below, with the strumming pattern to the left of each line. We ended some verses and choruses differently than others, so if it's a three strum ending, I'll put (!!!) and if it's a four strum ending, I'll put (SQ)--because a four strum is the same as straight quarters!
Drop me a line if you have any questions or confusion at all. I'm here to help you make this an even more out-of-the-park show than your last one (for those of you who were with me in G1--those of your who joined the band this session, we have a stellar rep to maintain!)
Please try your best to SING! That is always the thing that distinguishes a class from the rest, and you can cover up a world of sins on the guitar if you raise your voice. It works for me anyway!
Can't wait to take the stage with you next week! It's been a pleasure to lead you through G1R.
RSS Hey Jude, don't make it bad, take a sad song and make it beter
RSS Remember to let her into your heart, then you can start to make it better (!!!)
RSS Hey Jude don't be afraid, you were made to go out and get her
RSS The minute you let her under your skin then you begin to make it better (SQ)
SQ And anytime you feel the pain, hey Jude, refrain
SQ Don't carry the world upon your shoulders
SQ For don't you know that it's a fool who plays it cool
SQ By making his world a little colder na na na
SQ Na(!) na(!) na na na na (!!!)
RSS Hey Jude, don't let me down, you have found her now go and get her
RSS Remember to let her into your heart, then you can start to make it better (SQ)
SQ So let it out and let it in, hey Jude begin
SQ You're waiting for someone to perform with
SQ And don't you know that it's just you, hey Jude you'll do
SQ The movement you need is on your shoulders na na na
SQ Na(!) na(!) na na na na (!!!)
RSS Hey Jude, don't make it bad, take a sad song and make it better
RSS Remember to let her under your skin then you begin to make it better
RSS Better better better better better yeahhhhhhhh(!)
SQ Na na na Na-na-na na Na-na-na Na, Hey Jude
RSS Na na na Na-na-na na Na-na-na Na, Hey Jude [repeat last line]
There was a lot of strummy business to talk about, which you nailed, but just so we're on the same page, here's the break down.
For shorthand--the "rock star strum" is: V V vv vv. If you were counting it aloud you'd say "One, two, three-and, four-and," and it's the same rhythm as good old down down down-up down-up. What makes is rock and roll is that it's ALL down strokes: Down Down down-down down-down.
I'll refer to it as "RSS" below (for rock star strum).
The other pattern we used is just straight quarter notes, one on each beat, all down strums: V V V V
I'll refer to it as "SQ" (for straight quarters).
I'll write out the lyrics below, with the strumming pattern to the left of each line. We ended some verses and choruses differently than others, so if it's a three strum ending, I'll put (!!!) and if it's a four strum ending, I'll put (SQ)--because a four strum is the same as straight quarters!
Drop me a line if you have any questions or confusion at all. I'm here to help you make this an even more out-of-the-park show than your last one (for those of you who were with me in G1--those of your who joined the band this session, we have a stellar rep to maintain!)
Please try your best to SING! That is always the thing that distinguishes a class from the rest, and you can cover up a world of sins on the guitar if you raise your voice. It works for me anyway!
Can't wait to take the stage with you next week! It's been a pleasure to lead you through G1R.
RSS Hey Jude, don't make it bad, take a sad song and make it beter
RSS Remember to let her into your heart, then you can start to make it better (!!!)
RSS Hey Jude don't be afraid, you were made to go out and get her
RSS The minute you let her under your skin then you begin to make it better (SQ)
SQ And anytime you feel the pain, hey Jude, refrain
SQ Don't carry the world upon your shoulders
SQ For don't you know that it's a fool who plays it cool
SQ By making his world a little colder na na na
SQ Na(!) na(!) na na na na (!!!)
RSS Hey Jude, don't let me down, you have found her now go and get her
RSS Remember to let her into your heart, then you can start to make it better (SQ)
SQ So let it out and let it in, hey Jude begin
SQ You're waiting for someone to perform with
SQ And don't you know that it's just you, hey Jude you'll do
SQ The movement you need is on your shoulders na na na
SQ Na(!) na(!) na na na na (!!!)
RSS Hey Jude, don't make it bad, take a sad song and make it better
RSS Remember to let her under your skin then you begin to make it better
RSS Better better better better better yeahhhhhhhh(!)
SQ Na na na Na-na-na na Na-na-na Na, Hey Jude
RSS Na na na Na-na-na na Na-na-na Na, Hey Jude [repeat last line]
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Glam Bam Thank You Ma'am!
Grab a boa, buckle your platforms, and come on down to the Armitage branch of the Old Town School for a Glam rock themed 6-String Social led by yours truly!
Everyone is welcome. All playing levels, all instruments, all alien hairdos.
If you've never been to a 6-String Social before, here's how it works:
from 6:30pm-8pm, we get together in a classroom down at Armitage. The teacher brings in a dozen or so songs based on a theme of their choosing, and you spend 90 laidback minutes playing through 'em with other friendly folks, just for fun! There's no better way to spend a Friday evening, and it's only $10 ($5 for OTSoFM Members).
You can expect Bowie, Iggy, and Lou (pictured), aka "The Golden Triad." We might also take a ride on a Gemini space craft with such passengers as Alice Cooper, T.Rex, Elton John, Slade, Sweet, Mott the Hoople, Gary Glitter, Suzy Quatro, Roxy Music, Queen, New York Dolls...bang the whole gang!
Register here: http://www.oldtownschool.org/classes/detail/?courseid=2114
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
G1R Summary
At long last--here's a rundown of songs and strums we've covered this session, for your reference:
California Stars --
Golden Strum (V V^ ^ V^), otherwise known as D, DU, U, DU
Three Little Birds --
Reggae Strum (V^ ^ ^ ^), or DU, U, U, U; regular down-up on the first beat, upstrums on the "and" only for the remaining three beats
Evangeline --
In 3/4 time, aka a waltz. Down strums on all three beats; pick the bass note on the first beat
Linger --
For most of the song: Quarter Quarter Eighth-eighth Eighth-eighth (V V V^ V^), also known as down down down-up down-up.
The riff at the beginning uses triplets (trip-el-lets) and broken chords. Instead of subdividing the beat into two parts like you do for eighth notes ("one and"/ down-up), you subdivide into 3 parts: "one-e-and". Strum straight down the broken chord, hitting one string at a time like an elevator making all stops down.
You play one triplet per beat so a full measure is 12 notes long.
Under the Boardwalk --
Golden Strum (V V^ ^ V^), otherwise known as D, DU, U, DU
Remember the stop-chords in the chorus. You strum those over two measures on 1,2 and 4,1. BOARD-WALK (pause for one beat) BOARD-WALK (pause for three beats)
The One I Love --
Golden Strum (V V^ ^ V^), otherwise known as D, DU, U, DU
Play the riff INSTEAD of the first measure of Em in each line of the chorus (under "fire!")
Everyday is Like Sunday --
Quarter Quarter Eighth-eighth Eighth-eighth (V V V^ V^), also known as down down down-up down-up.
(Thursday class only)
Take it to the Limit --
Golden Strum (V V^ ^ V^), otherwise known as D, DU, U, DU
There are some self-explanatory stop-chords in there too.
WHEW! That is a lot of turf we've covered! Don't forget that we also banged out a bunch of tunes from the songbook using the Golden Strum too.
Let me know if you have any questions about any of this. You've done brave and good work this session!
California Stars --
Golden Strum (V V^ ^ V^), otherwise known as D, DU, U, DU
Three Little Birds --
Reggae Strum (V^ ^ ^ ^), or DU, U, U, U; regular down-up on the first beat, upstrums on the "and" only for the remaining three beats
Evangeline --
In 3/4 time, aka a waltz. Down strums on all three beats; pick the bass note on the first beat
Linger --
For most of the song: Quarter Quarter Eighth-eighth Eighth-eighth (V V V^ V^), also known as down down down-up down-up.
The riff at the beginning uses triplets (trip-el-lets) and broken chords. Instead of subdividing the beat into two parts like you do for eighth notes ("one and"/ down-up), you subdivide into 3 parts: "one-e-and". Strum straight down the broken chord, hitting one string at a time like an elevator making all stops down.
You play one triplet per beat so a full measure is 12 notes long.
Under the Boardwalk --
Golden Strum (V V^ ^ V^), otherwise known as D, DU, U, DU
Remember the stop-chords in the chorus. You strum those over two measures on 1,2 and 4,1. BOARD-WALK (pause for one beat) BOARD-WALK (pause for three beats)
The One I Love --
Golden Strum (V V^ ^ V^), otherwise known as D, DU, U, DU
Play the riff INSTEAD of the first measure of Em in each line of the chorus (under "fire!")
Everyday is Like Sunday --
Quarter Quarter Eighth-eighth Eighth-eighth (V V V^ V^), also known as down down down-up down-up.
(Thursday class only)
Take it to the Limit --
Golden Strum (V V^ ^ V^), otherwise known as D, DU, U, DU
There are some self-explanatory stop-chords in there too.
WHEW! That is a lot of turf we've covered! Don't forget that we also banged out a bunch of tunes from the songbook using the Golden Strum too.
Let me know if you have any questions about any of this. You've done brave and good work this session!
Friday, June 7, 2013
Good Chord/ Bad Chord
To start, check out this article on the perfect fifth--an interval we've talked about a little bit in class. It's familiar if you're a movie fan (confidential to Phil from Thursday nights: this is the one that quotes Bear McCreary of Battlestar Galatica and lots of other sci-fi scoring fame). It's not just music...it's SCIENCE!
http://io9.com/5883406/the-physics-behind-your-favorite-science-fiction-theme-songs
On the other hand, charges against rock and roll calling it "the Devil's Music" aren't just rubbish, if you look at music history. The "tritone" is a classically evil sound that genuinely terrified the Medieval church-goers that heard it. Black Sabbath may or may not have known that when they co-opted it, but in any case, there's something not quite right about it. BBC explains:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/4952646.stm
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