How To Practice Guitar
HOW TO PRACTICE GUITAR –Â MAXIMISE THE BENEFIT OF YOUR TIME
I suppose the meaning behind the question when students ask “how to practice guitar” is; “I’m not developing as fast as I’d like”. This is the real question. Or, the other phrase is “I seem to be hitting a brick wall”.
Frustration is usually behind these questions about practice. Or if I’m asked the best way on how to practice guitar scales they are really saying “I can’t play my scales fast enough”.
Blues Guitar Tabs – Learn Blues Guitar
BLUES GUITAR TABS FOR YOU TO LEARN TO SOLO
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If you have a burning desire to learn to play blues guitar then our blues guitar tabs will get of to the best possible start with this complete course from the Guitar & Music Institute. You should also check our pages on blues scales.
In our Fastlines Blues Primer book techniques include development for blues guitar with 20 blues guitar licks which include:- Quarter-tone, half, full and minor third bends, rakes, vibrato, double-stops, blues licks. Backtrack section contains five varied and much loved blues progressions played by live band in various keys and styles.
Full solo also included which draws upon the Fastline examples as well as ten projects to get you working for months. All music is demonstrated in both traditional music notation and blues guitar tabs so everyone can benefit from the ideas and solos presented.
DEMO MATERIAL FROM FASTLINES BLUES PRIMER
We will soon be publishing a range of blues guitar tabs books so keep coming back for more free content and to find out more about our blues range of publications. Check out our current guitar books for sale and our how to play guitar pages which details all our current courses.
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We have a great range of guitar books and aids for you to view. Check out our GMI – Guitar Publications page.
GET YOUR FREE GUITAR CHORD CHART
A VARIETY OF GUITAR CHORD CHART RESOURCES TO DOWNLOAD
Being able to see a wide range of scales chords at a glance is a big help, that’s why we created a range of guitar chord chart printable resources for our visitors. The GMI posters are A3 size downloadable posters. You can either just view these posters on your computer, tablet or phone for reference, or even better, print them out for hanging on your wall. Learn how to finger a wide range of scales, arpeggios and chords in one easy place.
NOTE: This is a download only product, frames are shown for display purposes only and are not included with the guitar poster download.
The first poster that we have created shows a range of open string chords. This poster does not show all open string chords. Rather, we thought we would give you a range of the most used. In that way you can build up a range of great looking and easy to memorise guitar chord chart posters over a period of time. We will also be publishing other posters for scales and arpeggios. If you find these chords easy, check back as we add more chord charts.
The second poster that you can download below offers you at a glance, a wide range of open string scales and arpeggios for you to play. We have included open string major and minor scales. We have also listed open string arpeggios for major, minor, dominant seventh, major seventh and minor seventh chords.
Here is the second poster for you to get your hands on.
 If you enjoy these poster ideas then please get in-touch with GMI. Let us know what you would like to see us create. Also, if you find this a valuable thing to have then please share these guitar resources with your friends. We want to build GMI up to one of the best and biggest guitar sites in the world with great new artists being brought into the site. With your help and feedback we can.
SIGN UP FOR THE LATEST NEWS, UPDATES & LESSONS
Finally, make sure you check out our guitar books for sale page. We have a growing range of print and ePublication books for guitarists. Also, on our how to play guitar page, we list all our current courses. Our blog page has a large amount of free material to view as well so make sure you check it out. Use our sign up form to get the latest updates, news and lessons from GMI.
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Jazz Guitar Scales
JAZZÂ GUITAR SCALESÂ IN CONTEXT
Learning jazz guitar scales can seem daunting, that’s why we created the Fastlines series of printed and ePub range of low cost guitar methods. You can download our free taster PDF and listen to all the lick ideas that are presented in the printed and ePub book. We hope you enjoy listening to the examples and that you will consider buying our low cost printed versions direct from Amazon.
So what are the main problems in learning to improvise and understanding how jazz guitar scales work? The biggest challenge is having a good library of musical ideas to work with and develop. If you have a range of great sounding ideas and backing tracks to actually play them over; that is half the battle.
By learning the jazz guitar lines presented here, you are building up a resource or library of pre learned phrases that you will develop and change as you continue your practice.
BUY FROM AMAZON OR DIRECT PDF & AUDIO DOWNLOAD FROM OUR ONLINE STORE
FASTLINES JAZZÂ PRIMER Â
COURSE DEVISED BY:Â Ged Brockie
DIFFICULTY LEVEL:Â Intermediate
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Introductory package for beginners includes:- II-V-I lines in both arpeggio and scalar forms, chromatic movement of lines, playing through minor progressions, use of altered tones and rhythmic variation.
Complete solo included with play along facility.
Projects include:Â Arpeggio playing, inner-lines, altered chords, warm up techniques and solo construction.
Backtrack section contains standard jazz progression in various styles in the keys of D minor, C major, G major.
DEMO MATERIAL FROM FASTLINES JAZZÂ PRIMER
GET THE ABSOLUTELY FREE DEMO PACK FROM OUR SHOP
If you are looking for more ideas regarding jazz guitar scales, make sure to check out our Intermediate and Advanced jazz guitar methods in the Fastlines range.
FASTLINES JAZZ INTERMEDIATE Â
COURSE DEVISED BY:Â Ged Brockie
DIFFICULTY LEVEL:Â Intermediate/Advanced
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Intermediate to advanced player package includes:- Rhythmic displacement, upper and lower neighbour tones, chromatic approach tones, modal ideas, left hand techniques and playing over the bar line.
Complete solo included with play along facility.
Projects include: repeated rhythmic figures, wide interval playing, substitution principles, syncopated rhythms.
Backtrack section contains standard jazz progression in various styles: swing, modal, Latin, ballad, slow swing.
GET THE ABSOLUTELY FREE DEMO PACK FROM OUR SHOP
FASTLINES JAZZ ADVANCEDÂ Â
COURSE DEVISED BY:Â Ged Brockie
DIFFICULTY LEVEL:Â Advanced
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Advanced player package includes:- Flat five substitution, lines in fourths, triadic substitution, contemporary and modern rhythm changes, scales built from the lydian mode, diminished lines and wide interval playing.
Complete solo included with play along facility.
Projects include: Quartal harmony, movement of a half-step, exploiting the flattened fifth, combining major arpeggios.
Backtrack section contains standard jazz progression in various styles: Rhythm changes, altered chord progressions, Lydian backing tracks.
GET THE ABSOLUTELY FREE DEMO PACK FROM OUR SHOP
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We have a great range of guitar books and aids for you to view. Check out our GMI – Guitar Publications page.
Jazz Guitar Scales Roundup
Make sure you get the FREE download which includes the examples from all three packs including audio tracks of the Fastlines included.
Drop 2 Voicings For Guitar
ARE YOU CONFUSED BY DROP 2 VOICINGS FOR GUITAR?
If you are serious about getting your chord playing and knowledge together, then it’s absolutely imperative that you understand drop 2Â voicings for guitar. This short blog post will use video which we created for GMI to help you understand these vital chordal formations.
The following videos accompany the book we created titled “Drop Two Voicings Uncovered”. The book wholly concerns itself with drop 2 voicings for guitar, their construction and how they work within chord progressions.
Each of the thirteen videos offer free material for you to use for practice and understanding. Some of the videos contain PDF downloads, others a backing track and some both. All of the material is completely free and you don’t need to sign up to anything to get it.
ARE DROP 2 VOICINGS DIFFICULT TO PLAY?
No. The reason that guitarists use them is that they are easier to play (for the most part) than close voicings. Close voicings stack the notes up one after another. Although they sound great, they can cause problems if you need to play many of them one after the other. This is where block 2 voicings for guitar come in. The second note from the top of each chord is dropped by an octave and in almost all cases, this makes playing the chord much easier. Many guitarists already play a wide range of drop two voicings, they just don’t know that they do.
AREÂ DROP TWO VOICINGS SPECIFIC TO ANY ONE MUSICAL STYLE?
No. Drop two voicings are used across a wide range of musical genres. Pop, rock, jazz, blues. In fact, drop two voicings are used in almost every musical style. Â The exception probably is heavy rock/metal where power chords are to the fore.
HOW HARD IS IT TO LEARN A WIDE RANGE OF DROP TWO CHORDS?
It’s not nearly as hard as you think and that is why GMI created the book DROP TWO VOICINGS UNCOVERED. The book takes you through an easy to understand and follow course of lessons. The book accompanies the videos above and also offers the book owner further PDF downloads and backing tracks.
WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT DROP TWO VOICINGS UNCOVERED?
Easy. Just click the following link HERE and you’ll be able to view more about the book and how to buy it. We sell through Amazon and good booksellers throughout the world.
Jazz Progressions
How are Jazz Progressions Different from Regular Chord Progressions?
Jazz progressions are more complex than regular chord progressions. They often incorporate extended and altered chords, as well as more frequent modulations. To learn about chord progressions in jazz, it’s important to understand the use of substitutions and passing chords to create the unique sound of jazz music.
Jazz Progressions Which Are A Challenge For Guitar
If you find jazz progressions a challenge and you’ve been playing the guitar for some time, then hopefully this video will help you make real progress. The lesson actually revolves around a song titled “Here You Go” which weaves through numerous key changes throughout. This poses a real challenge for guitar players as the speed of the changes means that large movements across the neck are out of the question. Get your hands on the chords used in the video and one of the backing tracks by clicking the link directly below this text.
COME FROM YOUTUBE FORÂ THE DOWNLOAD FOR THIS VIDEO? GET IT FROM THE GMI GUITAR SHOP CLICK Lesson 13 Drop Two Voicings Uncovered Free Material!
Lesson Thirteen – Complete Song With Challenging Jazz Progressions
This is a partial transcription of the text found within the video above. Well, we’ve finally got here and if you’re one of the people who has looked at all the videos then you deserve a medal! Hopefully you will have been downloading all the free materials that have been offered in each of the video lessons. It will hopefully make you feel that your getting it together in terms of your chordal knowledge, understanding and ability to play all over the neck in any key.
I felt that this last video lesson in this (Youtube) playlist, it would be fitting that it was a challenge. We’ve looking at a rather up tempo jazz number called “Here You Go”. For owners of the book Drop Two Voicings Uncovered, they will get the full transcription as well to play along which includes music and TAB notation. Book owners will also be able to download further chordal examples right across the neck.
For this video, you have one set of chords. As always, it’s on the first string set, strings one through four. “Here You Go” is a challenge because it goes through a number of keys and you can see just on my left here, the number of keys that the song goes through. Each bar is jumping to another key in most cases. The reason I did this was to offer a real challenge to guitar players and to show just what is possible with drop two voicings utilising inversion theory and voice leading. To hear the rest of the narration and view the song being played, please watch the video above.
Blues Chords
Can Learning Blues Chords Help with Mastering the Basics of Playing the Blues on Guitar?
Learning to play blues guitar involves understanding the fundamentals of blues chords. Mastering these basics can greatly enhance your ability to play the blues on guitar. By immersing yourself in learning blues chords, you’ll develop the foundation necessary to excel in playing this iconic music genre.
How To Play Blues Chords Within A Blues Song
Beyond the basic I – IV – V blues progression, there is a wealth of songs that need more than just power chords. In this lesson, we use drop two chord voicings to play blues chords all over the neck and on all strings sets. You’ll find some great ideas for your own playing by downloading the backing track and chord sheet.
COME FROM YOUTUBE FORÂ THE DOWNLOAD FOR THIS VIDEO? GET IT FROM THE GMI GUITAR SHOP CLICK Lesson 12 Drop Two Voicings Uncovered Free Material!
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Lesson Twelve – Blues Chords Played Across All Strings Within A Song
This is a partial transcription of the text found within the video above. Welcome back if you’ve been watching the other videos and hello if your just dipping in and you’ve never seen any of the other videos, I’d encourage you to check them out. This is the penultimate video of a thirteen video series which goes through all the lessons found in the book Drop Two Voicings Uncovered written by myself Ged Brockie for GMI. We’re looking at a blues tune today and it’s all notated out for book owners so they can learn the tune. The actual samples that were used in the creation of this aren’t going to winning prizes any time soon, but I’m sure with a guitar lead line over the top it’s going to sound great.
We’re going to be looking at drop two voicings. For book owners, again, they will be able to download further examples of how to play over this. For you as a viewer on Youtube or GMI, you can simply download the chords I’m going to play in this example. So, it’s a twelve bar blues. There is nothing too uncommon in terms of the progression. Each chord shape gets two beats and if you’ve been looking at some of the other videos there is a turnaround at the end which uses a I – VI – II – V progression. Now, if you don’t have a clue what I’m talking about there, I’d encourage you to look back at lesson seven. To hear the full narration and demonstration of lesson twelve, please watch the entire video above.
Funk Chords Within A Minor Blues
Can I Use Funk Chords Within A Minor Blues Progression?
Yes, you can incorporate funk chords into a minor blues progression to add a unique flavor to the music. To master this technique, check out a learn blues chords tutorial to understand the theory and practical application of blending funk chords within a minor blues framework.
Funk Chords Within A Minor Blues Song
This video lesson offers guitarists a great way to learn funk chords within the setting of an actual song. Funky Minor Blues is the first of three complete songs with play along and recommended chord ideas. For the owners of the book Drop Two Voicings Uncovered, they also have access to the fully notated song along with TAB notation.
COME FROM YOUTUBE FORÂ THE DOWNLOAD FOR THIS VIDEO? GET IT FROM THE GMI GUITAR SHOP CLICK Lesson 11 Drop Two Voicings Uncovered Free Material!
Lesson Eleven – Complete Song With Funk Chords Explained
This is a partial transcription of the text found within the video above. Hi there, this is lesson eleven, or video eleven and we’re coming towards the end now. We are now looking at actual pieces within the Drop Two Voicings Uncovered book. There are three pieces, fully notated, for book owners to learn. For you watching this video, you can download the chords that I am going to play as I play along with the actual backing track so, you’ll be able to get the backing track. Book owners will also be able to download further examples and ideas from the GMI website so they can so they can prolong their study.
We are going to look at this imaginatively titled Funky Blues In G minor and it’s got that name because it’s a funky blues in G minor; that’s really about it. It’s twelve bars long and each chord shape gets two beats each. There is not a lot to say about this. You are going to see me playing it, but I just want to say that the progression you can see there is filled up with chords and each bar gets two chords each. We will be trying to utilise chords all over strings set one to four and all over the neck. To watch the song being played please watch the video above. Also, ensure that you download the free materials that are presented as part of this offering from GMI – the Guitar & Music Institute.
Cool Chord Progressions
Can Common Chord Progressions Be Used to Create Cool and Unique Chord Progressions?
Yes, common chord progressions can be used as a starting point to create cool and unique chord progressions. By incorporating unexpected changes, borrowing chords from different keys, or experimenting with inversions and voicings, you can breathe new life into familiar common chord progressions and make them stand out.
Learning Cool Chord Progressions Up The Fretboard
If you are looking for ways to really help make your playing stand out, then your in for a treat. This lesson features some really cool chord progressions that are played up and across the neck. You can download the free PDF and backing track which will help you with the first of this two part lesson. In the second part, you will be shown how to play up the neck in an unaccompanied chord progression in F minor.
COME FROM YOUTUBE FORÂ THE DOWNLOAD FOR THIS VIDEO? GET IT FROM THE GMI GUITAR SHOP CLICK Lesson 10 Drop Two Voicings Uncovered Free Material!
Lesson Ten – Cool Chord Progressions You Need To Know!
This is a partial transcription of the text found within the video above. This video is all about the progression the I – VI – II – V in a minor key. If you don’t know what that is, then for Youtube users, please check back on the playlist which explains all about that. Basically, millions of tunes use this chord progression; certainly hundreds of thousands. So, it really helps if you know beforehand, how to play a I – VI – II – V progression and the difference in this lesson is we are looking at minor keys.
For those of you who have the book Drop Two Voicings Uncovered, this video lesson discusses chapters twelve and thirteen and we are going to look at two things here. We are going to look at playing with a backing track which you can download along with the chords. In the second part of the lesson I’m not going to play with a backing track a play freestyle through a I – VI – II – V with a slight change in it. We will start at the bottom and play all the way up the neck. So you will have chordal freedom which is what we are all looking for. There is nothing much more for me to say in this lesson other than…to view and hear the rest of this lesson, please view the video above. Download the free resources for a more effective understanding of the playing ideas being discussed.