Hi,
I've played the guitar since the age of six I'm a capable acoustic and electrical guitarist. Between the ages of 13 and 18 I became so engrossed in learning all my favourite songs I really developed my skills and even taught guitar to children and young adults for a few months in New York (rock, blues, jazz, fast metal). However, I'm only good practically. I'm now 21 and I've lately found that my guitar skills are not as refined as they once were and since I never truly sat and learned any theory (I only know the names of basic chords) 've begun to consider learning the guitar from grades 1 and upwards. I just don't know where to start. How many grades are there? How long does each grade take to complete? Can I do it from home as I work full-time? What exactly does the "grade-taking" involve and what are the benefits of completing the grades (i.e. Will they certify me as a professional guitarist?)? I really want to become much faster in soloing - blues/metal.
Thank you... I have never heard of the grade system, although I learned to play long ago. I can give you one small piece of advice that might help since you mention you've only learned basic chords. In Nashville we used a basic theory called the Numbers System.
What it does is let you play any song in any key, as long as you have the numbers worked out for chord changes. This is really simple: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & then 8 (or the octave, which is the same note as the 1 an "octave higher) The numbers are the same as Do, Re, Me, Fa, So, La, Ti, Do, just like the song in the movie, "The Sound of Music". Remember, "Do (or doe) a deer, a female deer, Re, a drop of falling sun, me a name I call myself, fa, a long long way to run..." Goofy I know, but almost everyone who plays has heard this song
So if your root (or 1) is "C", the numbers translate to; C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C. Easy right? Now try the key of "G"; G,A,B, C, D, E, F#, G.
So a 1, 4, 5 pattern would be C, F & G in the key of "C". Or G, C & D in the key of "G". It works for any chord. If your song is C, Aminor, D minor, G, it would be, 1, 6-, 2-, 5. In the key of "G" the same pattern would be G, Eminor, A minor, D.
Notice how minor is written as a minus sign ( - ). Kind of makes it easy doesn't it? People write charts in hundreds of different styles using "#" for sharp of course or "b" for flat, "o" for a diminished chord, ">" for augmented etc.
Also basic chords are made up of this; the 1, 3 & 5 notes make a chord. Example, "C" chord's 1, 3, 5 is C,E & G. Try it. If you want a minor chord, flat the 3 note (down one fret). For a major 7th, play the 1,3,5 and add the 7 note. (For a 7th chord, flat the 7.)
Another thing you might be already familiar with is the "CAGED" theory. Every chord can be played in 5 different positions; C, A, G, E & D position. You've probably already used this & it's really nothing more than thinking of your index finger as a capo.
This may be stuff you already know but if not, GOOD! It's kept me busy for the last 40 years or so.
One last thing; the only thing that will make you a professional musician is that you do it as a profession. That is, you make your living at it. I'm guessing you're semi-pro now. That's where everyone starts and since nothing is a better teacher than experience, you're on your way!
Good luck with it & remember, when you get stuck in a place, keep going - it usually means you're about to advance to the next level. Hope this makes some sense. There are books on the Number System you may want to check out if not. I don't know whether you have this in the US, but in England we have the Trinity College of Music, which offers the 'Rock School' series of graded exams for guitar, bass and drums. The grades run from 1 (beginner) to 8 (advanced), and for each you have to learn a set of scales and arpeggios, plus three set pieces (which can include a piece of your own choosing). The higher grades also involve improvisation.
You can study for these exams in your own time (all you need is the relevant book and CD of pieces/excercises for the particular exam that you are taking), but you will have to make an appointment to sit the exam at a centre. The exams won't 'certify' you as a professional guitarist, but you can use them as proof of your ability if you're applying for a post as a teacher or in a band.
Good luck! Find some local jams; practice on your own with the music you want to play; start doing your own covers of the stuff that moves you. The real beauty with the blues is that most of the greats choose the notes to play and let the listener fill in the rest in their minds. There's no shredding in blues. It sounds as though you're good enough to play the notes; just let the stuff move you. Practice until you can play with passion, then the notes find themselves. I'm a little confused here , You have played since you were 6 yrs old, a capable guitarist , taught guitar in New York , now you want to learn , learn what? Are you saying that you play by ear and want to learn to read music? Don't get me wrong here , I'm not trying to cut you down , I just don't understand the question. You must know something about music theory and reading music if you were a teacher. I suppose you could of shown people how to play certain songs , riffs or licks, but that's not really teaching them to play the guitar is it? I have seen so many people sit down and play a song or something and then when you want to jam with them they are lost because they really don't know how to play anything else , just that song or two they learned to play from their buddy or something. On the other hand there are a lot of great players who don't know the names of all the chords and scales and so forth that they are playing. All they know is what they are playing sounds good and it works and what the name of it is doesn't really matter to them , and quite frankly why should it. When I was a kid I always wanted to play a million miles an hour and be all flashy and have everybody go ooh and aah over how fast I could play but later on I learned that music or guitar playing is not a race. I don't think it matters much how fast a guy can play his guitar. If it's not musical and doesn't sound good what's the point. I've heard some guitar players that can send shivers down your spine with just 2 or 3 very well placed notes, no speed required. Anyway, if you're a good player and you want to learn more about what your doing theres no harm in that. But if learning all of those chord names and scales and theory and stuff starts messing up your natural ability to play music then I would say forget about it. If your already a great player then you really don't have a need for it anyway. Later man. I'm not sure what you mean by "Grades". Are you by any chance talking about the line of Mel Bay books? Personally, I suggest getting some private lessons. Having a teacher can help better evaluate what level you're at and what might be best for you to learn next. Different "grades" depend upon whose system you use. Mel Bay, or the Berkley series has 'grades' per se, but if you are as an accomplished guitar player as you say then you will not need much of this.
I am a huge student of music theory and learning such has helped my guitar playing, my arranging, and my song writting.
I would sincerely suggest looking into some good music theory courses and even your local community college might have them.
I went to my local community college and they had a wonderful music theory program in which I took about 12 credits just in music theory. When I later transferred to The College of New Jersey (which has what is considered to be a good program for music education) I was surprised to learn that their music theory classes were not as good! (and only about 6 credits long).
If you have not studied classical guitar, this is now the time. Ya, grades doesnt really certify you as a professional but if you wanna teach music then the schools prefer them..
I think you cannot do it at home,as you need a good tuitor and handful of basics..
One of my suggestions is that never prefer to refer basic guitar books as the positions of the chords mentioned there may vary with the real positions and you'd really get confused...
So i suggest you that you search a good tuitor and learn it off on holidays as you are an experienced guitarist ,you'd probably catch it up within a short time..
There are 8 grades for theory..
If there's a trinity instituition then better join that as i think it is one of the most prominent place to learn real music...
The grade 1 will start from the intervals,time-signatures,Triads (chords)
and many other technical terms...
I think this would help you. |
