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04-07-2011, 09:09 AM
| | | | Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tafton, Pa
Posts: 140
| |  Chord Melody Dilemma
I have been working on chord melody playing for some time now. Usually one chorus of a tune or a rubato chorus and an uptempo chorus which follows. Since I cannot sing I need to be able to play multiple choruses of tunes. I have spent the past week trying to work in an additional chorus to Stella by Starlight. It still isn't perfected. At this pace I suspect I will drop dead before I get through ten tunes! lol. I am guilty of practicing scales and arrpegios etc, for many years and never learning tunes. I want to get off that cycle and build a repetoire. I thought it might be a good idea to sign up on the Martin Taylor academy. I'm just wondering if I am going to end up falling back on the practicing technique cycle and not spending time learning tunes. Any thoughts? |
04-07-2011, 09:25 AM
| | | | Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Northern NJ
Posts: 2,877
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What about Head - Solo- Head?
It's not that hard. You just need to work at it. After you play the head to Stella then next time around start with walking bass/chords and start throwing in lines in between. Do 6 beats of comp and 2 of solo. Think "Joe Pass". He used all kinds of stuff. |
04-07-2011, 09:29 AM
| | | | Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,072
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I would suggest analyzing the methodologies of other guitarists that you like.
What aspect of the process slows you down?
How does improvisation figure into your thinking? |
04-07-2011, 09:35 AM
| | | | Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tafton, Pa
Posts: 140
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That is what I have been working on with Stella. My problem I think is making it cohesive. I end up spending time trying to make it flow and have trouble coming up with different ideas. I also play chord melody generally without a pick and it makes the lines more difficult for me to play. I tried one of those shark tooth velcro attachments but each time I put it on I have to fiddle with my pick to try and get it to feel right. I gave up on that idea a while ago. I have also attempted trying to play the melody with just a walking bass line but that is a real challenge for me at this time. I think that would be a big help if I could master that. That's why I was considering the Martin Taylor academy. |
04-07-2011, 10:07 AM
|  | Moderator | | Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: chicago, IL
Posts: 5,974
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See if you can get a pick and fingers approach going for solo guitar playing (which, IMHO, is a whole 'nuther ball of wax than chord melody)
This way you're not screwing around with palming picks, velcro, mouth, whatever--and you can focus more on the music. |
04-07-2011, 10:23 AM
| | | | Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tafton, Pa
Posts: 140
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Mr. B. I've thought about that as well. I have played chord solos strictly with a pick in the past. For hybrid I can't use my pinky at all. What do you do for four note voicings or is that not a concern. |
04-07-2011, 10:26 AM
| | | | Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Northern NJ
Posts: 2,877
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Regarding picking, I am slowly moving to an finger style approach for the solo section. I get more control that way.
So if I use a pick for the CM on the head, I put it down for the solo section. |
04-07-2011, 10:44 AM
| | Moderator | | Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: chicago, IL
Posts: 5,974
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Patriots2006  Mr. B. I've thought about that as well. I have played chord solos strictly with a pick in the past. For hybrid I can't use my pinky at all. What do you do for four note voicings or is that not a concern. | A couple of things.
I do use my pinky, but I'll also "brush" upward with the ring and get two strings for the price of one. I'll also use the pick for the whole chord if that sound is needed...I've taken to using some very thick picks that really eliminate just about all of that harsh clickiness of a pick attack.
Just some food for thought. |
04-07-2011, 11:15 AM
| | | | Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tafton, Pa
Posts: 140
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Thanks, I'll experiment with that and see what happens. |
04-07-2011, 11:27 AM
|  | | | Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 486
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Patriots2006 I Since I cannot sing I need to be able to play multiple choruses of tunes. | Can you speak? Can you tune up to a reference pitch? If you can, I bet you can sing. Singing will tie everything together for you, I guarantee it...or your money back! |
04-07-2011, 12:47 PM
| | | | Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 23
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I have the pick vs finger problem too. I actually prefer to play the head with fingers and solo with pick. So far I manage to play the head with pick as well but considering to use a music stand and put a bunch of picks on it and switch between fingers and pick whenever necessary. | | Thread Tools | | | | Display Modes |  Linear Mode | 
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