Friday, April 17, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Tune your instrument.
440 so people can jam along, not 444 like the snots play so nobody sounds good jamming with their music. You want people to feel free to jam along with your music so TUNE YOUR INSTRUMENT!
Don't forget neopolitians.
Flat 2 to 5 to 1 is especially good in minor keys. Try to do it with a 3rd in the bass.
FInger tapping where appropriate.
Finger tapping is a lot of fun and sounds good.
Try to let the sound drop to the stable finger and then move up. You can get cool double arpeggios. Try it.
When not to use a pick and when to use a pick.
It's up to you. If there is a lot of riffing, it's better to use a pick. If you want a lot of texture, then finger-picking is better.
Where to start.
Pick a key. Any key. How about E-minor. How about A-minor? B-major's always good. Throw in a 7th, you can't lose. Now your going.
Now pick a 4th or a 5th up or down. Drop by one. Go to the 7th, riff. There you go, you're writing a song.
Repeat and have fun.
Strum and stroke.
Use your fingers. It's what they're there for. Thumb, middle and ring. Give it a shot. See how you like it.
Remember the circle of 5ths.
5ths descend or to thirds. You can alternate and then resolve. You can build up a pattern and then change it. You can do this again and again.
Use 7ths, 9ths and sus4s.
They lend a lot to the tone of a song you are writing. If you are not comfortable right away, try descending into it.
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