REGROUP!!!!!

I don’t think my memorization method is a good idea for me. I can remember the roots, but transferring that knowledge from a lead sheet to my guitar is more time consuming than I want it to be; it will take too long for me to see, let’s say an “Eb” on a lead sheet and then find the correct pattern that goes with it. So I think I’m going to try it the teacher’s way: memorize the 6 chords that are associated with whatever patterns. This method might yield quicker results. 

Played guitar today with the scales. Tried a little of extending the pentatonic shape by getting out of just one box. 

Really liking the course, and I’m blessed to have found it. 

Pentatonic saxophone

Didn’t play guitar today, but continued to review those scales in my head. Going well. Saw an advertisement today for a saxophone learning method, and it was a little tempting.

My “Go To” guitar

Clicked!

All those attempts to learn the roots to the minor and major scales in five pentatonic shapes paid off today. It is definitely becoming easier and that’s a great thing. With the guitar in hand, I thought of a key and looked to where the minor and major roots were in each shape. And it went well! I can see that it will take time to play the scales on the fly if I’m presented with a lead sheet, but it’s good that some good progress was seen today!

It’s Difficult!

It’s really tough for me trying to memorize those minor and major pentatonic notes in the five shapes. Frustrating. Had meeting with the guitar group and instructor today. Told them how difficult it is for me to memorize this stuff; instructor suggested that NO, don’t do it that way because it’s too much. Of course I choose the tougher road. It’s the two big NFL playoff games today; watched the first one and tried throughout it to work on the memorization. It’s difficult for me! 

Minor & Major Pentatonic

Hard day’s work on trying to get those pentatonic scales down. I think I may have 6/10 (kind of) down… Difficult to use them in context, but then again, it would be best to see this pentatonic stuff as a “work in progress…”

Major Major Major Major Major

Continue to work on getting those 5 major pentatonic scale roots internalized. 

Major Pentatonic

Ordered, and received today, a blank music book that only has guitar grids. Thinking it would be good to use that to help internalize those pentatonic scales. Started with the major pentatonic shapes and I’m very pleased with the progress I made today.

A little practice

Getting ready for my journey into memorizing the root notes of minor and major pentatonic scales. Did practice a little today with major pentatonic shape 2 with backing tracks. It’d be nice if I could play at a faster speed. 

Pentatonic Plan

Had group guitar lesson today with the teacher and the other guys in the group. Looks like I need to do some hard work to get where I want to go. Planning of making a list:

May be wrong about this, but:

Out of the five shapes, each one has scales within them. I think each has two ways to play the major scale and two ways to play the minor scale. 

So each shape has 4 within it. 

So 40 to remember? Wow… we’ll see. Still have to check all this and work it out better.

EDIT January 24, 2024: Thank goodness I was wrong; it’s NOT 40 to remember!!!!!!! I started today (1/24/24) working on this and it looks like there’s only TEN to remember!!!!!

Moving On With the Soloing Course

Frustrating doing the process of recording for the course. I’m not the best computer technician, and I find it difficult to manage pushing buttons, trying to get the laptop to behave, dealing with guitar cord stuff, wires, etc. But I made a recording nonetheless that was ok. 

Finding that trying to get ahead of myself in the course is not a good thing (trying to apply what I learned so far to soloing over “Misty.”). 

Keeping with the pace of the course is advised (for me, anyway).

Mellow and Productive

Did some learning of shape 2 of the pentatonic scale. Didn’t cram a lot of learning in today… mostly just shape 2. Trying to ingrain the major and minor starting points in that shape.

Pentatonic Scales

Big Guitar Day

Made my first two videos for the guitar course. One is using the minor pentatonic scale over a mostly static background track; the other is doing the same over using a major pentatonic scale. (I consider it an achievement that I was actually was able to video myself and upload the videos to the guitar course site)!

Also played around with the scales trying to get the knack of roots. Played around using the scales to the first two measures of “Over the Rainbow.” Didn’t really like the way it sounded; but on repeated tried it sounded good. Conclusion is that just learning the pentatonic scales isn’t enough for me. Also have to really ingrain them in my brain and practice a lot of integrating them.

Here’s a pic from a video:

Scaled back

A bit of scaled back guitar practice today. Tried to figure out how to submit videos for my guitar course. Had trouble with it, but I think I got it, mostly. Hate to spend time learning that stuff, but it’s good. Practiced a little improvising with the A minor and A major backing tracks. It’s tricky! 

Pentatonic Scale(s)

Trying to memorize root notes of major and minor pentatonic scales. Played along to a backing track consisting of either an Am chord or an A major chord. Good well, but still need practice.

Pentatonic Scale(s)

Worked hard today trying to get accustomed to where the locations of the the roots are in the minor and major pentatonic scales. Want to keep working hard on this. 

Here’s the book that I’m using; getting a head start on the Pentatonic Course by using this book, (I originally posted about this book in my entry on this blog for July 30, 2019).

Pentatonic Scale

Felt like I got a lot accomplished today. Completed learning the pentatonic scale in various places around the neck. Using the Pentatonic book which has been very valuable. Learning them by looking at the root is a deal changer, as is learning how to mix the patterns (as opposed to learning five distinct isolated box shapes) as well as emphasizing the notes on the higher strings. 

Finding it refreshing to improvise using just one thing (the pentatonic scale) rather than trying to learn complicated systems of soloing using different scales. 

Taking place tomorrow is our first Zoom group meeting which is run by the Pentatonic Scale course leader.

Pentatonic Scale

Having a successful time integrating Boxes 1, 2, and 5 of the minor pentatonic scale. Liking it and feeling confidence. Sounds like I know what I’m doing 😂 

Pentatonic Scale

Had a good talk with the individual who is in charge of the guitar course that I’m taking. Getting into the pentatonic scale, using Lee Nichols’ book: “Pentatonic Scale Fluency.” It’s elegant, to the point, and written clearly.