Monday, February 27, 2012
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Friday, February 24, 2012
February 24, 2012
I really can't seem to stay away from the piano. I miss the Moody system, and I'm just gonna have to get back to it. I think I'll just stay in the key of "C."
And nope, I'm not giving up the guitar.
To just turn off the critic, and have fun....and try to not compare my play to folks more proficient.
I do indeed have music inside that would be wonderful to express....
Would just love to do more composing and less criticizing.
To just be into the world of music where worlds open up.... where expressions of humanity touch the beauty that is beyond words...
And nope, I'm not giving up the guitar.
To just turn off the critic, and have fun....and try to not compare my play to folks more proficient.
I do indeed have music inside that would be wonderful to express....
Would just love to do more composing and less criticizing.
To just be into the world of music where worlds open up.... where expressions of humanity touch the beauty that is beyond words...
Saturday, February 18, 2012
February 18, 2012
I am all over the place musically....tomorrow will be playing with another guitarist and a keyboard player to benefit the 40 Days of Life prolife movement.
Today, worked on guitar as well as piano stuff.
Guitar-wise, worked on learning the major scale in two different positions. Learned about lead stuff on a guitar forum, too.
Piano-wise, I just don't know what the heck I'm into these days *sigh*
Been into Sudnow stuff again today....worked on the West Side Story song, I think its called "Somewhere." Just don't know where I'm going with the piano...its complicated...I like playing songs the Sudnow way, but I seem to forget them too easily...been thinking of memorizing chord/note clusters or stride voicings to have the stuff in my hands quickly, but as Charlie Brown would say....maybe I'll just flap my arms and fly to the moon too!
Today, worked on guitar as well as piano stuff.
Guitar-wise, worked on learning the major scale in two different positions. Learned about lead stuff on a guitar forum, too.
Piano-wise, I just don't know what the heck I'm into these days *sigh*
Been into Sudnow stuff again today....worked on the West Side Story song, I think its called "Somewhere." Just don't know where I'm going with the piano...its complicated...I like playing songs the Sudnow way, but I seem to forget them too easily...been thinking of memorizing chord/note clusters or stride voicings to have the stuff in my hands quickly, but as Charlie Brown would say....maybe I'll just flap my arms and fly to the moon too!
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
February 15, 2012
Made a chart of how to form 21 piano chords....will be trying to use them Sudnow style in terms of fingering, but not in terms of colors. Stay tuned.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Friday, February 10, 2012
February 10, 2012
Getting into the guitar again, and decided to include my interest in both instruments in this blog....
Still staying with Moody's material for the piano.
I am much more comfortable on guitar. Currently have a MIM Fender Strat that I play through a Fender Mustang III, and a Martin D16RGT. Been looking to improve my lead playing ability. Currently in a band with two other players: one friend plays keyboards; the other plays guitar and mandolin.
Still staying with Moody's material for the piano.
I am much more comfortable on guitar. Currently have a MIM Fender Strat that I play through a Fender Mustang III, and a Martin D16RGT. Been looking to improve my lead playing ability. Currently in a band with two other players: one friend plays keyboards; the other plays guitar and mandolin.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
February 8, 2012
Not a great piano day. Practiced a bit while tired. The dissonance in the chord clusters was annoying.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Ear Training
Technology again is helping. Recently got an "app" for my iPhone that helps teach note intervals. Using that with Jamie Aebersold's list of songs that help get those intervals learned. Examples:
1/2 step increase in tone = Jaws theme
1/2 step decrease in tone = Joy to the World
1 whole step increase = Can You Feel the Love Tonight (I picked this song over Aebersold's suggestions)
1 whole step decrease in tone = Yesterday
I figure this stuff will be helpful in the effort to play by ear. Since the Moody approach I'm using focuses on playing by melody note, it seems that it will be helpful to learn ear training of note intervals.
1/2 step increase in tone = Jaws theme
1/2 step decrease in tone = Joy to the World
1 whole step increase = Can You Feel the Love Tonight (I picked this song over Aebersold's suggestions)
1 whole step decrease in tone = Yesterday
I figure this stuff will be helpful in the effort to play by ear. Since the Moody approach I'm using focuses on playing by melody note, it seems that it will be helpful to learn ear training of note intervals.
February 7, 2012
Nice and slow does it. Added a few clusters today associated with the Bb note. Using "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire" as a model to pick clusters I like.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Saturday, February 4, 2012
February 4, 2012
I'll be practicing today, so I'll add more to this post as the day progresses.....
However, did a little thinking this morning.....I wonder if it's possible (or just asking too much)to merge the Sundow and Moody systems in the following way(s): I wonder if it's feasible to memorize selected Sudnow clusters for Major Chords and/or Minors, and use Moody clusters for notes associated with other chords..... My thinking is that there might then be some dissonance, but in a more measured way....
It would entail a lot of memorizing!
Just an idea.........
Worked today on adding a cluster, and "Edelweiss" and "When You Wish Upon a Star."
Last notes for the day:
Played some songs and the dissonance got on my nerves again. Again was thinking of going to the Swain material.... But then it happened....
I played Over the Rainbow, and even a slow version of the Rocky Theme mostly by ear! I say "mostly by ear" because I did cheat by writing out the notes, but I liked it. Actually playing a real song "mostly by ear!" Now don't get me wrong, the sound was messy but I like it!
This is a major deal for me because I usually play the I, IV, V chords in most all other stuff I've previously played by ear.
A significant day!
The more I practice playing clusters, the quicker I can make the changes from cluster to cluster, and the more clusters I learn, the more sound options I have...
However, did a little thinking this morning.....I wonder if it's possible (or just asking too much)to merge the Sundow and Moody systems in the following way(s): I wonder if it's feasible to memorize selected Sudnow clusters for Major Chords and/or Minors, and use Moody clusters for notes associated with other chords..... My thinking is that there might then be some dissonance, but in a more measured way....
It would entail a lot of memorizing!
Just an idea.........
Worked today on adding a cluster, and "Edelweiss" and "When You Wish Upon a Star."
Last notes for the day:
Played some songs and the dissonance got on my nerves again. Again was thinking of going to the Swain material.... But then it happened....
I played Over the Rainbow, and even a slow version of the Rocky Theme mostly by ear! I say "mostly by ear" because I did cheat by writing out the notes, but I liked it. Actually playing a real song "mostly by ear!" Now don't get me wrong, the sound was messy but I like it!
This is a major deal for me because I usually play the I, IV, V chords in most all other stuff I've previously played by ear.
A significant day!
The more I practice playing clusters, the quicker I can make the changes from cluster to cluster, and the more clusters I learn, the more sound options I have...
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
February 1, 2012
Added a B note cluster. Reading more from the Handbook. Need practice making fast changes to clusters.
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