Catching up

I know I haven't been on schedule with my posts so I apologize for that. I've been reading some of the comments and I'm gonna answer some questions.

Q: Can you detail the difference between the harmonic / melodic scales, and maybe link to some audio?

A: The harmonic scale is a 1 2 3b 4,5 6b 7 scale pattern while the melodic minor scale (ascending) is 1 2 b3 4 5 6 7. The reason I say ascending is to avoid confusion. It is often believed that the melodic minor scale has two patterns: ascending and descending. The descending pattern, however, is actually just a natural minor scale ( 1 2 3b 4 5 6b 7b ). As for links, I found this useful, but long video on YouTube. You could start the video around 3:10 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMs6DXDpBHk

Q: Any tips for tuning a guitar without a tuner?

A: The best option would be to look for an online guitar tuner and try your best to carefully listen to the pitch difference. Otherwise, there really isn't much else you could do :/

Again, I'm really sorry I haven't been posting lessons. I should be free for the majority of this week so I'll be writing, attempting to teach, and posting videos of some ideas I came up with. See you then!

Intro to Minor Chords

This lesson is very similar to Intro to Major Chords

Play a minor scale - the natural "1 2 3b 4 5 6b 7b": the harmonic "1 2 3b 4 5 6b 7"; or the melodic minor "1 2 3b 4 5 6 7" pattern. Now isolate the 1st, 3rd, and 5th notes in one of the scales (they're all the same) and play them. That's a minor  chord!

 

Natural Minor Scale Pattern

e|-------------------------| 

B|-------------------------|  

G|----------------1--3--5--| 

D|-------1--3--5-----------| 

A|-3--5--------------------|  

E|-------------------------| 

   1  2  3  4  5  6  7  *

*-octave of 1

Here's your Natural Minor Chord

   C                              C

e|---| But it would sound more  |---|
B|---| complete if played like  |-1-|
G|-0-| this                     |-0-|
D|-1-|                          |-1-|
A|-3-|                          |-3-|
E|---|                          |---|

 

I gave you the chords last time so you can go out there and search for more chords. Remember that you're here to teach yourself and I'm just a guide :) I know, I suck, but you'll thank me one day.

Scale The Summit: GuitarMessenger.com Masterclass (The Levitated)

I'm feeling extremely lazy today and I have to go to work soon anyway. I just thought I'd share this with you. Its a tutorial on how to play "The Levitated" by Scale The Summit. I think the members of Scale The Summit are very talented and play with a lot of emotion. Check them out!



If you were looking for a lesson today, sorry :| Just practice your finger exercises and try to learn how to play a new song :)