The previous session with Zack, he gave me a Mode sheet with scales. I’ve learned the Blues flat 3, flat 5 and flat 7 scales. The mode sheet has several extra scales to practice with.
Aeolian Mode
Dorian Mode
Ionian Mode
Locrian Mode
Lydian Mode
Mixolydian Mode
Phrygian Mode
There are two sets of modes that are only off by eliminating the first note so they’re easy to know once you know the first one.
In addition, he provided four common barre chords and an exercise to get me used to moving into position. The barre chord is simple when you understand. Essentially you’re emulating a capo with your index finger and playing a regular open chord with the remaining fingers. It’s a little tough because you’re learning how to play an E chord (for example) and having to shift the fingers one note to play an E major barre chord. The exercise from Zack is to play the A chord then shift to the E major barre chord. Then G and back, then D and back, and finally E minor and back. I’ve been practicing it and am getting the hang of it, although it’s slow to shift.
Finally he gave me two open scales.
I’ve gone through them and have most memorized. I need to use them to play along with my backing tracks or drum kit in order to set them in my memory so I’ll be doing that as well.
The funny thing is Zack may not realize how OCD I am about stuff 🙂 Last week he mentioned, after I showed him that I already knew a couple of the scales that I was in danger of being the fastest adult (see, “adult” again) student to learn all the scales. That gives me some motivation to learn them quickly.
One more thing that’s new. I joined the Telecaster forum just in time. The Denver folks are planning a jam session and inviting all levels of players. I asked if a newbie (December) is acceptable and they said sure, not only that it’d be good experience for me to play with other players. And not only that! Rita has agreed that we can have the session at our place. We have a nice big room (10×40) and suggested June the 5th as she’ll be out of town.
Hey Jeff (I know you’re out there), want to come by on the 5th to jam? 🙂
Actually sounds like fun – does it have to be an electric? I only own an acoustic.
Send me more details about time (and place).
It’s still somewhat tentative. June is certain. The day is still up in the air. I’ll be posting a followup with address and house requirements.
They’re musicians. I see no reason we couldn’t do some acoustic jams too. I have an acoustic too. 🙂
Carl