In the previous parts of these posts, we have focused primarily on understanding the chordal structure around which the melody takes place. By now you should have a firm understanding of the chords and be playing them at about 180 bpm. The melody should be at that tempo as well.
Now we will begin to look at improvisation. Part 2A gives Au Privave with the chord progression on top and the corresponding thirds and sevenths of each chord. Why the third and seventh? These are the defining notes in each chord. The third tells whether it is major or minor and the seventh defines what type of seventh chord (major 7th, minor 7th, dominant 7th, etc.).
For one to be able to put a nice line over the chord changes for improvisation, one must know which notes to play with each chord. Now, you should also know that this song is in the key of F major. Therefore, you should also know the F major scale in this area of the guitar. If you don’t, then you need to find it and learn it. By learning the thirds and sevenths, you will be able to see which notes differ from the F major scale throughout the song.
You will notice that you can play these notes (the thirds and sevenths) in usually two different places within the first four frets. I am not saying that you should use only the ones I have given in the exercise. I am saying that you should know of where they can be played. The exercise is, again, a guide to mastery. Your understanding is what makes you a master.
You need to learn to play the exercise at the tempo indicated earlier (180 bpm). Then you will be asked to begin writing lines over each chord. Wait until the next part is given to begin this process. For now, keep working on your chord changes, melody, and this new part.
Next time we will begin to tackle writing a licks and fills over the changes. Part 2A can be found at:
Au Privave Part2A
Have fun!
And without further delay, here is the final in the first part of song mastery. I hope all of you have enjoyed it. Wait. . .there have been no comments and well who knows if anyone is reading any of this. Anyway, maybe someday there will be someone using the information on the blog and my site.
I have just posted the final parts (1D and 1E) for mastering Au Privave by Charlie Parker on guitar. We are dealing with the first area of the instrument (frets1 through 5).By the time you finish learning each of the chord voicing sets, you will have a very good handle on the variety of sounds available with this particular song. Not to mention the new chords available for your disposal.
Next, we will begin to look at improvisation in the first position before moving to the next area of the guitar. Remember, you should strive for a bpm of about 180. The recordings go faster but this is a good place to start. At that speed, it gets pretty easy to inch your way up.
Au Privave Part 1D and Au Privave Part 1E.
To achieve true mastery of an instrument and music played on that instrument, one must visit every possible approach to that particular music. In this case, we are looking into one melody with one set of chord changes in Au Privave.
The idea here is very simple. If you have finished thoroughly studying Part 1A, then you are ready for Part 1B through 1E (at this writing D and E are not yet online). Again, this is not a method that teaches how to hold the instrument or play a particular note passage. This is a method to give you the order in which to learn a song to complete mastery after you have already attained fundamental ability on the guitar.
You will notice that Part 1A and Part 1B look almost identical. However, take note of the chord changes. You will see that you are know performing chord changes on a different string set. Part 1A put the notes on strings 6, 4, 3, and 2. Part 1B will put the chords on strings 5, 4, 3, and 2 (and Part 1C on a different set). It should amaze you by the end of Part 1A through E how many possible ways to play a simple chord progression in one area of the instrument.
Au Privave Part 1B and Au Privave Part 1C.
What does it mean does it mean to master a song? Can you play the chords? Can you play the melody? Is there a riff or solo to learn? Is mastering a song on guitar different than on other instruments? How do you know when to move on?
Everyone who endeavors to learn a new instrument holds all of these questions in their head. As we mature in our technique and musicality, we tend to ask ourselves this more and more. Through the next few weeks we will look at how you can use methods I have used and taught to attain mastery. However, you must know that this is not for the faint at heart. Those of you who are not willing to push through and practice some things over and over will never achieve any form of mastery.
What is mastery? Merriam-Webster defines it as the possession or display of consummate skill. So what is consummate skill? Again, Merriam-Webster says it means complete in every detail. Therefore, to master a piece of music it must be complete in every detail. On the guitar that can be quite a challenge. One must break that challenge down into manageable portions in order to maintain focus and order.
In the following methodology, we will focus primarily on playing melody and chords (or harmony) with a pick. Later, we will turn our attention to improvisation. Why? In order to improvise effectively one must already have a mastery of the previous two. Instead of breaking the guitar into positions, we will use the term “Area.†This is a loose term indicating roughly frets 1-4 as Area 1. And, the next four frets as Area 2. However, with guitar many areas overlap slightly and therefore this terminology is described as loose.
For this study I have chosen Au Privave by Charlie Parker. In principle it is irrelevant what piece or style I actually choose. The idea here is that with study and mastery of one piece you will be able to apply your knowledge just as successfully to any other piece. For Part 1A you will begin learning the melody and chords in Area 1. The chords will be only on strings 6, 4, 3, and 2. We will then focus on other string sets as time goes on. But for now, your purpose is to master or learn completely in every detail the music in Part1A. Your goal for a metronome marking should be between 160 and 180 bpm for both chords and melody. At that point, you will have internalized every movement. Lastly, you should be able to sing the melody without the guitar in hand.
Here is a link to the song: http://www.chadbecks.com/compositions/AuPrivavePart1A.pdf
Good luck!
