March 14, 2012

Looks like I know two Moody clusters for each note. It will be a matter of Quickly being able to make the cluster changes from note to note (whether using a Sudnowish cluster or a Moody cluster) especially within the context of a song.

March 13, 2012

Looks like I have only one more note to learn two Moody clusters for: B.

March 12, 2012

Forgot how cool the Moody system can be. Looks like I have two more notes (four clusters) to memorize before working seriously on a song using my combination of the Sudnow and Moody systems.

March 11, 2012

Still working on memorizing clusters, etc.

March 10, 2012

Slow down, Mr. Billy Shears. Beautiful piano sounds take time to develop.
Here's where I stand today:

1) Learning the major chords for C, D, E, F, G, A, B, Ab, Eb, Bb.
But for them, utilizibg the Left Hand Sudnow formula while for the Right hand only using the 3rd and the 6th for most of them.

2) For minors, using the Sudnow formula, but ditching the mnemonics and just counting steps.

3) For every other chord, learning two Moody clusters associated with each note.

Trying to keep it simple; but the Moody clusters as well as some Sudnow configurations should add some color.

Band Rehearsal

Interesting rehearsal tonight; added a female singer who just might add the right touch. Was enjoyable playing guitar tonight given that I've been so piano focused recently. Enjoyed playing my acoustic and singing "Norwegian Wood" while other members sang harmony and the keyboard player adds a nice accordion touch to it. Also enjoyed playing what comes natural: electric guitar to "Memphis" and "That's All Right Mama."I also love playing and singing the old song covered by Bruce Springsteen, "Oh Mary Don't You Weep." We'll be playing a benefit show a week from today.

So.....Back to piano land, I wonder if I should eliminate one note of the major chords....can't be the third...can't be the 9th..... would have to be the 6th or 7th....will have to experiment.

In playing piano today, it is becoming clear that I might have to add one more Moody cluster to each note.

March 9, 2012

Ok, so I'm individualizing this plan, how about making it a little more individualized? Heres what I'm thinking....instead of having four possible notes plus a melody note, how about three?

M U S I C

To just sit at the piano and be able to play and create wondrous, dreamy, and heavenly sounds. To create at the piano beautiful melodies with beautiful accompaniment. To be able to express at the piano all emotions....love, anger, hurt, anger...
To be able to put sound to that which is inexpressable with mere words. To give glory to God.

Sudnow/Moody

Making progress with my Sudnow/Moody combination method. Learning a quicker way of playing the minors, and continuing to work on my Moody clusters.

Pretty soon, pretty soon, I'll be working on an actual song.

One upcoming barrier I can see in the distance is that I'll probably have to learn two clusters for each Moody note. But eventually.

March 8, 2012

Almost done making the summary sheet that is similar to the one shown in yesterday's post. Things going well. I do think that I am on to something in integrating the Sudnow and Moody systems in a way personalized for me. I realize it's going to take some time, but again, I like where this seems to be going.

Summary Sheet

MAJORS

C = All white except F
D = B E C# F#
E = all black except Bb
F = A G E F
G = B E A F#
A = B C# F# G#
B = All Black

MINORS

C = Gary Dornhoefer
D = Albert Einstein
E = B F#
F = Carey Grant
G = D A
A = E B
B = F# C#

COMMON FLATS

Eb = C D F G
Ab = F G Bb C
Bb = C A G D

MOODY NOTES WORKED ON

Bass. Cluster

Bb. C
Eb. Db
F. D (2 types)
Ab or C. Eb
F. E
Bb. F
D. F#
A. G

March 4, 2012

The new scheme seems to be working. Playing on the fly (or should I say playing on the snail's pace), but I like the scheme so far! Going to take time, but the combination of the Sudnow and Moody ideas seems to be fruitful.

Here's what I'm doing:
1)Memorized Sudnowian options for the major chords that do not have accidentals (except Ab, Bb, and Eb because they seem to be used frequently.
2)Memorized Sudnowian options for minors (none with accidentals).
3)Working on memorizing Moody clusters for all 12 notes.

Thus, for major chords without accidentals (except the 3 noted above) as well as Minor chords without accidentals, I can use Sudnow clusters. For all other notes, I can use Moody clusters.

The idea is interesting, and I must say, the sounds are nice also.

Will just take time to get clusters in my hands quickly.

March 3, 2012

Just still experimenting with the new scheme. Working on memorizing Sudnow and Moody clusters.

March 2, 2012

A New Scheme

Trying to memorize available cluster note clusters for major and minor chords of C, D, E, F, G, A, B; and major chords of Bb, Eb and Ab.

For all other notes, use Moody clusters!

If it seems to be working, might try memorizing other stuff. Will probably practice songs in the key of C first as a test case.

Memorizing available Sudnow note clusters using mnemonics.

Reading what appears to be a cool book: Thelonious Monk: The Life and Times of an American Original by Robin D.G. Kelley. Inspiring how a musician can focus on his own artistic vision and trust that vision in the face of conventional standards.

Hmmmmmm.

Working on a plan here....

What if....I use Sudnow vocings for Majors and Minors, and Moody's clusters for dominants???? This is similar to the Feb 4 post... Kind of.