Q. The cheaper the better, but Id be willing to put a little more money if it makes that much of a difference in quality. Post website links if possible and references from Guitar Center :) Cutaways are nice too
A. If you already know how to play and have learned lefty, my regrets. You'll forever be limited in your selection of guitars. If you haven't learned to play yet, I urge you to learn on a standard (right-hand) guitar. The fact that you're left handed is of no consequence. Guitars...like pianos and other instruments require equal duty from both of your hands. I realize that the few people who play left handed do stand out, but they are in the minority. Left handed people can and do learn on regular guitars. In fact, you may be at an advantage in the beginning...just think of all the right handed players struggling to make their clumsy left hands form chords!
Guitar tab, chord diagrams, and instructional material is all backwards for left handed players. Left hand players can't play other people's guitars or try them out in stores....most have to be special ordered. If you check out some manufacturers websites, you'll find that only a few models are made left handed. Musicians Friend carries 137 different models of nylon stringed classical guitars...and only 4 left handed. Sort of limits your choices doesn't it? So there are a lot of good reasons to learn on a standard guitar...and none at all for a left hand guitar.
The other thing you need to decide on is if you want a steel or nylon stringed guitar. Classical guitars are nylon stringed and that's what you mentioned in your question. They're usually used for Classical, Spanish and Flamenco music. If you plan on playing Rock, Pop, Folk, Blues, etc, get a steel stringed guitar.
Look for Yamaha, Aria, Ibanez, or Epiphone guitars. They generally make decent guitars for a reasonable price. I can't advise you on nylon stringed guitars, for steel strings I wouldn't get anything less expensive that this: http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Epiphone-PR150-Acoustic-Guitar?sku=512457 In the low end price range, a little more money can make a big difference so don't be afraid to look at something nicer.
You're also best buying at a local store....they are well aware of the internet and usually match the online prices. That way, you can actually see what you're getting and try out a few for feel and size. Bring along a guitar playing friend or have the salesperson play them so you can hear the differences.
How can I prepare to be in a jazz band?
Q. I want to join a jazz band at my school. We will spend the first quarter or so of the year doing technique stuff and I want to get a head start. I've already learned blues scales in every key, but what else can I do to prepare?
A. most of all LISTEN TO JAZZ!!! helps w/ understanding and style. try to copy licks and stuff by ear. your ears are extremely importnant
next learn all your major scales and the modes w/n it
modes are a major scale starting on different degrees. heres the modes:
Ionian (this is also the major scale): starts on 1 and finishes on the octave above it
Dorian:starts on the 2nd
Phrygian:3rd
Lydian: 4th
Mixolydian: 5th
Aeolian (this is a minor scale): 6th
Locrian:7th
examples in F
F Ionian: F,G,A,Bb,C,D,E (nothing changes)
G Dorian: G,A,Bb,C,D,E,F (b7,b3)
A Phrygian: A,Bb,C,D,E,F,G (b7,b3,b6,b2)
Bb Lydian: Bb,C,D,E,F,G,A (#4)
C Mixolydian: C,D,E,F,G,A,Bb (b7)
D Aeolian: D,E,F,G,A,Bb,C (b7,b3,b6)
E Locrian: E,F,G,A,Bb,C,D (b7,b3,b6,b2,b5)
Modes in intervals:
Ionian:1,2,3,4,5,6,7
Dorian: 1,2,b3,4,5,6,b7
Phrygian: 1,b2,b3,4,5,b6,b7
Lydian: 1,2,3,#,4,5,6,7
Mixolydian: 1,2,3,4,5,6,b7
Aeolian: 1,2,b3,4,5,b6,b7
Locrian:1,b2,b3,b4,b5,b6,b7
you see how all of them have the noted w/n the F Ionian (major) scale
Learn intervals names:
# of........name ex: in C
half........
steps......
0Perfect UnisonC->C
1Minor secondC->C#/Db
2Major secondC->D
3Minor thirdm3C->D#/Eb
4Major thirdM3C->E
5Perfect fourthC->E#/F
6Tritone/ Augmented fourth/ Diminished fifth C->F#/Gb
7Perfect fifth C->G
8Minor sixth C->G#/Ab
9Major sixth C->A
10Minor seventh C->A#/Bb
11Major seventh C->B
12Perfect octave C->C+8va
Anything above 7 is known as a compound interval, which is a note 1 8va above. ex: a Major 9th is a Major 2nd + 1 8va C->D+8va
Also learn how to build triads: this essential for understanding chords for improv
U know your arpeggios rt? Like A C Major arpeggio C,E,G,C? Well thats actually a major triad plus an 8va. It consist of the 1st (C), major 3rd (E), and perfect 5th (G) notes of the scale.
triads are the backbone of all chords, and can stand alone as a chord. triads are made by taking 3 notes in the scale, and using every other note. (ex: 1st note, 3rd and 5th; or 2nd, 4th, and 6th; or 3rd, 5th and 7th, etc)
so the triads in C major are (but in jazz they have more complex chord like dominant 7s and 9s, ex:C7...these have a 1,3,5,b7 in them notes=C,E,G,Bb)
C - CEG
Dm - DFA
Em - EGB
F - FAC
G - GBD
Am - ACE
Bdim - BDF
you'll see things like this over parts in jazz music, and its used to for soloing. theres alot of theory behind how to use the chords to solo, which im not going to go in detail. but learn how to make them on your own. there are 4 types to know (lowest to largest): Diminished (1,b3,b5), Minor (1,3b,5), Major (1,3,5), Augmented, (1,3,#5)...you apply this formula to any Ionian (major) scale and you can make triads.
learn your symbols: â,µ (rare, ive never seen this in music so far),°,ø
Ive given you way too much info on purpose. have of this goes into AP music theory/Music Theory I (college theory class). Its good to have an idea of how much you dont know, it keeps you humble and driven to learn more. You really dont used the blues scale that much if you are an experienced player. heres some site that ive found that helps explain theory concepts and good luck:
http://www.learn-to-play-piano-online.com/piano-scales.html
http://www.jacmuse.com/melodic%20resources/major%20scale%20pages/newpage16.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interval_(music)
http://bmccosar.wordpress.com/chord-abbreviations/
http://www.jazztheorylessons.com/category/chord-theory/
http://tamingthesaxophone.com/jazz-chord-progressions.html
How can I become a good bass player?
Q. I'm mad about the bass guitar and I got one last year as a present. But this year I couldn't find enough time to take up learning... This summer, though, I'm devoted just to it. So can you give me any key tips for my "career"??? ( hoping it flourishes in one way or another before October xD )
WAITING FOR YOUR WISDOM...^^
A. Practice, practice, practice.
You're going to want to practice at least half an hour a day, if you really want to go anywhere with it.
There are great sites online for learning bass, I didn't bother with most of them, as I learned most of what I know from playing Piano, and taking supplementary courses in High-school, but don't be afraid to draw on them for resources. Just avoid the ones that make you pay for things. They tend to have a way that shows you exactly how to do it, their way, in absolutely their exact style, without giving you any wiggle-room to develop your own groove. They seemed pretty stifling to me.
Anyway, here are some topics you're GOING TO WANT TO LOOK UP
PROPER Left Hand Technique
PROPER Right Hand Technique
Note names on the Fretboard
Proper Tuning, and how to tune by Ear and tuning according to frets on the Guitar
MAJOR, MINOR, HARMONIC MINOR, & PENTATONIC SCALES (This is HUGE, if you don't know scales, you pretty much don't know anything. They are an absolute B*STARD to learn, and you're going to hate them, but they will give you more knowledge then anything else you could ever imagine)
HOW TO BUILD CHORD TRIADS/WHAT MAKES A CHORD (This is supplementary, but if you know what notes in a scale make a chord, then you know what notes to play with those chords)
HOW TO PLAY ALONG TO DRUMS (The Bass is a rhythm instrument, you need to learn how to lock in with a Drum pattern, and how you should play along with it)
You might also want to experiment with different right hand techniques, trying picks versus fingerstyle (plucking), and find what suits you. Topics here include Anchored Thumb, floating anchor, and drifting thumb, as well as alternative picking styles. I myself play fingerstyle, with two fingers, much like Steve Harris from Iron Maiden.
This concludes just about everything I can tell you that I've learned so far. You're going to want to practice a minimum of half an hour a day. More if you can, Hell, Jimi Hendrix played for twelve hours daily, but try for at least half an hour, every day, if you can.
Also, a list of inspirational Bassists, to keep you in focus, and to derive musical styles and skills from (as well as finding fun bass lines to jam away at when you get bored of theory, which is gonna happen, I'll warn ya now, but better that you keep playing instead of setting it down to do something else)
Cliff Burton
Steve Harris
John Entwistle
Geddy Lee
Jaco Pastorius
Dave Ellefson
Tom Araya
Flea
Victor Wooten
Les Claypool
Gene Simmons
Jason Newsted (His stuff from ...And Justice For All with Metallica is insane, mind you can't hear most of it. I'd avoid the other albums with him on them, though.)
Ideally, you should spend about 2/3's of your time on theory, and 1/3 playing other people's stuff, as you'll gain more that way, but, half and half is a perfectly healthy mix. This is the stuff you need to learn to become an amazing Bassist. If you're fine with mediocre, so be it, but, I can tell you I'm still learning, and this is going on year three now, but I never thought I'd be able to play Disposable Heroes by Metallica while plucking with only two fingers.
I can damn near do it, now.
You've got to want it, man, but work hard, challenge yourself, always challenge yourself to be better, and enjoy it. There are too many lazy bassists out there. Show 'em all up.
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