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Monthly Challenge: May 2020



Alright,  here we go.  

Songs:  This month we are working on 2 songs.  In your own Sweet way, and My Shining Hour.  These are to be memorized and played in no less than 3 keys.  Do what you have to do.  For me, that means learning the melody in a couple of areas on the neck, comping/memorizing the chords, also devising some sort of chord melody arrangement.  Video evidence is not needed for this bit.

Arpeggios:  Using the 2 songs above,  you should be able to outline the harmony using 3-5-7-9 arpeggios.  These can be played in any order you wish and you can alter the 9 when you want.

Cycles:  Going back over your transcriptions (or mine).  Choose 3 licks, phrases, comps, rhythms, etc.  
Lick #1: played through a cycle of 5ths.  C-F-Bb-Eb-Ab-Db-Gb-B-E-A-D-G 
Lick #2: played through a cycle of minor 3rds. C-Eb-Gb-A-Db-E-G-Bb-D-F-Ab-B
Lick #3:played through a cycle of half steps. C-Db-D-Eb-etc
Again, this entire exercise need not be documented, it would, however, be cool to edit together some short clips of each cycle.  (depending on your video editing chops)  

Hexatonic:  This is a little outside way of thinking that might be good to open up some pathways for us.  I will be introducing a new Hexatonic scale every month that I have this duty.  First, we will look at 2 major triads a whole step apart.  How you integrate and work on these is up to you.  For me, I will be running them up and down string groups with inversions and then across all strings in position.  I think then I will work on composing some licks that help me get into it.  Maybe start by targeting dominant chords and resolutions.

An example would be a C and D major triad would work over Cmaj7, C7, Bbmaj7#5, D7sus, Amin7, F#7alt. F#m7b5, Em7b5, Gmaj7sus4, GmMaj7.

Video:  So, the main deliverable for this month is 2 courses of composed/improvised solo over the above songs.  These solos can only contain, 3-5-7-9 arpeggios, licks from solos (cycle exercise) and Hexatonics (Major Triads a whole step apart)

Sorry I was a little late posting this...  let me know if you have any questions or any ideas on how to make this better.   Have fun.

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Addendum

Here is a triad pair map for My shining hour.


Also a few Patterns to try:  From Bergonzi book:



Recording Audio direct into Logic this time,  Put it all together in Premiere.  As you will see, I need to work on my Video Editing chops.  Talk toon.  :) 



Comments

  1. Great. I can see how those can really help get those extension sounds in your head. You sounded like Russell Malone at one point.

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