Guitar Clinic with Adrian Goleby

Hey guys!

Today we’re looking at 6 notes, and then taking them for the ride of their life! It’s such an important part of playing to be able to vary a sequence of notes. Usually there are loads of combinations you could do – key, time signature, rhythm, speed, intensity or many other factors.

So first up, here’s the jumble of notes that we’re going to do two very simple variations of.

Picking: down up down up

It’s an absolute monster across the fretboard. It’s essential that your fingers are spaced very widely and evenly apart.

Already there is a variation you could apply – picking. You could try to sweep pick this (one fluent downstroke across all the strings as you apply and remove your fingers), or starting with an up pick, even doing it blindfolded hanging upside down from Parliament house.

The next part of this exercise is alternate picking, but breaking up the notes. So instead of just playing through, you’re going to skip a string, come back one and repeat that pattern.

Lastly, in Fig 3 we can see straight out semiquavers. This beastie is a vicious enemy, don’t take it too fast, keep your alternate picking even and focus on consistency over speed.

Overall, these are very simple variations but it all came from 6 notes. For other variations try simple things such as swinging the beat (long note, short note) or playing it an octave higher starting from the top note first. It’s really your imagination that limits it!

Until next week!

Adrian.

Adrian writes this blog on behalf of www.capalabamusic.com.au, teaches at Learn Music in Brisbane’s Redlands district on a full-time basis, and plays shows with his metalcore band “City in Stone” www.myspace.com/cityinstone.  Not only is Adrian one of Brisbane’s promising and exciting new guitarists he is also a fantastic teacher for all musical styles.

Capalaba Music Centre.  Shop 99 Capalaba Park Shopping Ctr, Capalaba, Brisbane, Australia  07 3245  6033 www.capalabamusic.com.au

Guitar Clinic with Adrian Goleby (week 4)

Hey guys and gals!

Welcome to this week’s somewhat confusing lesson. The words ‘up’ and ‘down’ are going to be thrown a whole lot and it may get a little unbearable and push you into insanity! If that happens, I strongly recommend staying indoors and playing smooth jazz.

Last week we had a glance at a parallel linear pattern (link). I’d mentioned starting on the up pick and following through the rest of the exercise using strict alternate picking. Now of course this will go against your almost natural instinct to pick down to start off with. It’s not wrong but it will leave you having to cross down a string using an UP pick stroke.

If you have a look at Fig 1, you’ll see the same notes on the same strings in the same order. This pretty much should scream “PICKING HAND EXERCISE!” And it is!

Try playing this with a down stroke, and continue by keeping constant with your alternate picking.

Fig 1

DOWN UP DOWN UP – You can see that this is taking you on what could be considered the ‘outside’ of either string.

Now start with an upstroke, and continue by keeping constant with your alternate picking.

UP DOWN UP DOWN – This will put you on the ‘inside’ of both strings.

Try comparing both of those at different speeds and see which one is easier for you! If you find the ‘inside’ approach easier, then this next lick will be a bit of a fun for you!

Fig 2 – Start with an up pick and continue your alternate picking from there

Fig 2

Until next week my feathered friends!

Adrian writes this blog on behalf of www.capalabamusic.com.au, teaches at Learn Music in Brisbane’s Redlands district on a full-time basis, and plays shows with his metalcore band “City in Stone” www.myspace.com/cityinstone.  Not only is Adrian one of Brisbane’s promising and exciting new guitarists he is also a fantastic teacher for all musical styles.

Capalaba Music Centre.  Shop 99 Capalaba Park Shopping Ctr, Capalaba, Brisbane, Australia  www.capalabamusic.com.au