Routes:
Live Online Guitar Chord Scale & Soloing Lessons
Chord scales are the building blocks of improvising, melody writing, and harmonization. Songs with simple or intricate chord changes allow for different colours to be added in a melody, solo, or harmony. This course fills in the mystery of how to add those colour notes to your melodies, solos, and rhythms. Chord scale language is an organized way of assigning names to those colour choices. I work with you to give you a system for determining which extensions are appropriate and when. We also work together to develop your ears to really hear what those colour notes sound like.
Format: Online 1 On 1
Lesson Length: 30 min, 45min, or 60min
Lesson Price: Starting From $27 USD
Topics Covered in this Course:
- Chord scale mapping by chord type (all triads and 4 note chords)
- Applications of the modes of the major, harmonic, and melodic minor scales
- Pentatonic scales (Major and Minor) and alternate pentatonic substitutions
- Bebop scales
- Using chord voicings with extensions
- How to make appropriate scale choices
- Blending chord scales
- Harmonic analysis of tunes in Blues, Singer/Songwriter, Jazz, Rock, and R&B tunes
FAQs
Who is this course for?
Improvisers and songwriters who wish to add depth to their note choice and be able to compose or improvise through simple to complex chord changes. Songwriters looking to improve their melodic sensibilities and construct richer melodies. Also, rhythm players looking to add fills and colour extensions to their chords.
What are the prerequisites?
A basic understanding of the circle of 5ths, key signatures, intervals, and simple triad construction is recommended. If those things are a bit rusty, we will go over them during the lesson.
Does it matter if I play electric or acoustic?
No, I will taylor the lessons to whichever you prefer playing.
What styles of music will this course focus on?
Chord Scales are used in most genres over the past several decades. I will aim to show students a broad array of songs in different genres (ie Rock, Blues, Country, R&B, Jazz, Latin Jazz, Soul, Reggae, etc) that demonstrate use of various chord scales. We will work together to show you how to apply them to the styles you want to specialize in. If I know that you favor a particular genre beforehand, I will taylor the examples to fit your personal musical interests.
Can I record the lessons?
Yes, but I ask that you keep them for your own private viewing.
Can we play together during the lesson?
It is possible, but only if you have an account with JamKazam (https://jamkazam.com), a direct Ethernet cable to your router, talkback mic, and appropriate digital I/O. Jamkazam will run an automated test on your setup and let you know of any signal speed bottlenecks.
What technical things do I need for this lesson?
All lessons are done through zoom. A reasonably fast, clear internet connection, a webcam (preferably external if you use a laptop), and your guitar are the basic requirements. If you wear headphones, make sure there is an onboard microphone to pickup the sound of your guitar and your voice for speaking. If you have an audio interface, that’s even better to separate your guitar signal and your headphone signal. A big monitor is also helpful to clearly see me, my guitar, and any written material I display on the screen. You might consider hooking an HDMI cable from your computer to your television for maximum visibility.
What music materials do I need for this course?
I will provide any written materials used for the lessons.
Cancelled Lessons Policy
Students can cancel one lesson of the course provided there is 24hrs notification… in which case I will reschedule that lesson for you. Additional absences will not be refunded or rescheduled.