January 30, 2014

Looking at a busy day today in the lab. I would like to offer this little progression that's been running around in my head lately.

A series of suspensions, the harmonic analysis might be up for conversation.
Until the last chord the second and third voice from the top move in seconds - a very un-guitar sound to make. The first finger plays the top line until you get to the last measure.
Perhaps a nice outro for some standard or another?

Your feedback would be welcome.

Best from Mark

More Jazzy Chords

Another idea I find interesting is moving through a chord progression keeping more than one common note. In this instance the top 2 notes. On the penultimate chord feel free to add open E on the 6th string.

This could be used as an intro or an outro.

As with a lot of jazzy chords their ID can be ambiguous. I think I have it nailed here.

Enjoy!

Best from Mark

The Chord

Once upon a time in my pursuit of all things Allan Holdsworth I came across this beauty. Allan had written a book called "Reaching for the Uncommon Chord" and that's exactly what I was trying to do.

Labeling this can be tricky.

Is it the first 4 notes of a B major scale over an A pedal?

Is it the last 4 notes of an E major scale over an A pedal?

You decide.

If performed with all notes ringing open you get a nice nice "harpy" sound, I almost always arpeggiate this chord from top to bottom.

Thanks to A.H. for opening my mind to chords that are uncommon and beautiful.

Another post celebrating guitar geek-dom.

Your feedback is appreciated.

The Dark Side?

"I feel a presence in the range of 4k. A presence I haven't felt in a long time."
Happy Thursday!

Jazzy Geek Guitar

I am constantly looking for symmetric shapes on the neck. This may not be original but it fell on my fingers and ears, and now yours. Even in a jazz context I will scoop into each voicing with the whammy bar from below. Subtle and cool. I might also use something like this for an ending, or where I have multiple bars of anything major. Try this and give me your feedback. Cheers!

Happy 70th Jimmy Page

A shout out to someone who has influenced me greatly, anyone who plays rock guitar for that matter. The first time I heard "The Song Remains The Same" I was never the same.
God Bless ya' JP.
M.

Giving Thanks

January 5, 2014

Sunday is a good day to think about such things - leading me to recall 3 guitar instructors who went the distance for me when I was a punk kid who thought he was hot stuff.

James Lawrence Reid, Reno, Nevada
Ron Freshman, Reno, Nevada www.ronfreshman.com
Bill Moio, Reno Nevada billmoio.com

Thank you gentlemen, and thanks isn't really the right word.

Mark

January 3, 2014

January 3, 2014
The weekend before a new semester - the place was almost deserted. My ducks are in a row, and then not so much. Spent 45 minutes on the 7-string.
Here's something scary.

"Elm Street" @ Lagoon 2013

B.C. Rich "Son of a Rich" 6-string.

Let's see where this blog thing winds up.
???

Here's a shot of the 80's for you - originally a keyboard part in A flat major.

Be well all!