MBGU Rock Curriculum: Fluid Soloing, Book 4


Book Description

String Skipping & Wide Interval Soloing: 212 Melodic Studies and Patterns for Guitar is a much-needed guitarist's guide to mastering wide interval soloing.This collection of repeating, continuous motion studies shows the guitarist how to develop melodic patterns that are characterized by large intervallic jumps in pitch, from one note to the next, in constant succession. This book presents four unique approaches to developing wide interval soloing, all of which utilize string skipping: 1) double pentatonic scales, which are three-note-per-string pentatonic scale patterns; 2) octave sliding, which uses sliding octave shapes in a variety of ways; 3) stacked fifths, which are wide interval shapes derived from pentatonic scales; and 4) wide interval arpeggios derived from the diatonic major scale.The sound that results from these techniques is exciting and unpredictable because it is such a departure from conventional melodic flow, which tends to be scalar, moving stepwise from one note in a scale to the next. By contrast, wide interval soloing is angular and skewed with big skips and sudden directional changes, creating a complex and fascinating sound. All of the studies in this book are designed as melodic etudes that can be applied directly to soloing in rock, jazz, fusion, and blues music.This book is ideal for serious guitarists in any style who want to break out of typical soloing patterns and create a more explosive, radical sound! CD included.




MBGU Rock Curriculum: Rock Guitar Masterclass, Vol. 2


Book Description

ÊA collection of 60 of the best sweep picking ideas, concepts and licks based on 20 years of electric guitar playing experience. This book includes licks from and inspired by Frank Gambale, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, George Lynch, Zakk Wylde, Yngwie Malmsteen, John Petrucci, Randy Rhoads, Paul Gilbert, Richie Kotzen, Mathias Eklundh, Rusty Cooley, Michael Fath and more! Builds musical vocabulary - a veritable dictionary of licks, or rather a lick-tionary! Most of these licks are in the key of A minor, since this is a key most guitarists are familiar with.Many are presented in either minor pentatonic, natural minor, Harmonic minor or Dorian scales, since these are the most often-used scales in rock improvising. Encourages substitution with other modes by changing the appropriate intervals. Examples in notation and tablature. Includes access to online audio and video.




MBGU Rock Curriculum: Fluid Pentatonics, Book 2


Book Description

Fluid Pentatonics for Guitar: 84 Melodic Studies for Rock Guitar is a comprehensive manual for developing blistering pentatonic motion that moves freely over the entire fretboard, using position-shifting slides, hammer-ons, and pull-offs for speed and fluidity. Emphasis is on overcoming the restrictive nature of traditional pentatonic box scale fingerings by developing pathways that continually shift between and connect the five pentatonic "boxes". Complete whole-neck control is developed through an extensive series of repeating melodic exercises and etudes. Section One presents 35 sequential whole-neck studies, each of which spans the range of twelve frets, thus unlocking virtually every possible position shift. Section Two develops complete non-shifting control through a series of 15 interesting and useful sequential patterns, applied to each of the five pentatonic boxes. Section Three presents 10 whole-neck/position-shifting studies that are non-sequential in design, in order to develop unpredictable melodic flow. Then, in Sections Four and Five, two vital extensions/variations of the pentatonic scale are fully explored; the Hexatonic and Dominant Pentatonic scales.The result is a complete matrix of pentatonic moves and connections that allow the guitarist to float freely across the entire fretboard without being locked into any single particular pentatonic box. the resulting sound is definitely NOT bluesy (very little string bending), but closer to a modern jazz-rock fusion style; fluid and unpredictable. Great for all guitarists in rock, jazz, fusion, blues, country, and pop styles who want to unlock complete whole-neck freedom and develop a fast, modern pentatonic sound. CD included.Presented in standard notation and tablature.




MBGU Rock Curriculum: Fluid Soloing, Book 3


Book Description

Chord-Lead Soloing for Guitar is a complete method for developing fluid double-stop chord melody. This style of playing can be heard most notably in the playing of Jimi Hendrix (in songs such as "The Wind Cries Mary", Little Wing", and "Castles Made of Sand"), as well in the music of the guitarists he influenced, including Steve Vai, Eric Johnson, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Chord-lead style playing bridges the gap between straight lead and strictly rhythm, because it is simultaneously chordal (implying a specific major or minor chord) and melodic (carrying a distinct singable melody). This book shows the guitarist how to develop this technique and create continuous connections of moving voicings, merging lead and rhythm into one flowing melodic chordal texture. This is accomplished through a comprehensive collection of chord-lead phrases, each of which is presented in at least three different fingerings (important for whole-neck flow). These phrases are then assembled into soloing etudes that demonstrate practical application over different chord progressionsChord-lead playing can be adapted to every style of music, including rock, jazz, blues, alternative, funk, R&B, country, and pop. Mastering chord-lead soloing also greatly increases a guitarist's ability to "stand alone"; that is, to play by himself unaccompanied by other musicians, mixing and switching between chording and lead improvisation. This book is perhaps the most definitive guide ever written for mastering this highly sought after (yet elusive) style of playing. CD included. Standard notation and tablature.




Beginning Rock/Pop Guitar Etudes


Book Description

Is the beginning stage of learning the guitar proving to be a frustrating experience? Do you lack songs which you can play from start to finish? Do the ones that you can play all the way through not sound much like their original versions? I have been teaching these pieces to my beginner students for quite some time now, and the success rate has been remarkable. Most methods start by having the student slowly move back and forth between basic chords using only down strokes, playing chords one note at a time to make sure all the notes ring clear. This book offers something much different—playing music! The pieces are designed to target trouble areas often experienced by beginners of the instrument: arching the fingers enough in order to let all the notes of a chord ring clearly. Rather than just droning on through a series of chords, musical patterns are created so that as you learn proper technique you’re also playing something musical. The results have been better than expected. Focusing on figures that demand proper technique and some of the most common strumming patterns found in popular music, many of my students are able to execute beginner and intermediate level songs within a few weeks of picking up the instrument rather than a few months. Additionally, the dreaded F chord, or root 6 major barre chord, often rings clearly with all 6 notes being heard upon the first attempt. This book will help you achieve your guitar related goals quickly, more efficiently, and most importantly, more enjoyably. Includes access to online video.




MBGU Rock Guitar Masterclass Vol, 1


Book Description

A collection of 60 of the best tapping ideas, concepts and licks based on 20 years of electric guitar playing experience.Builds musical vocabulary - a veritable dictionary of licks, or rather a lick-tionary!Most of these licks are in the key of A, since this is a key most guitarists are familiar with.Many are presented in either minor pentatonic, natural minor or Dorian scales, since these are the most often-used scales in rock improvising.Encouragessubstitution with other modes by changing the appropriate intervals. Includes access to downloadable companion audio and video online




Fluid Soloing - Book 1


Book Description

A modern arpeggio handbook and comprehensive training manual for developing fast, flowing arpeggio runs that connect the entire fretboard. Emphasis is on developing fluid, non-shifting arpeggio patterns (across the neck) using hammer-ons and pull-offs for speed and fluidity; and also on developing smooth position-shifting arpeggios (along the length of the neck) using slides. These two types of motion are then connected and combined in an extensive collection of soloing etudes for full assimilation. The result is a complete system of arpeggio pathways that connects every part of the fretboard and facilitates maximum speed, fluidity, and range. Complete whole-neck connections are presented for major 7th, dominant 7th, minor 7th, minor 6th, half-diminished, diminished 7th, major triadic and minor triadic arpeggios. This book is for all guitarists who are serious about improving their ability to solo over chord progressions using arpeggios, in any style of music; including rock, jazz, fusion, blues, country or pop. Having the ability to instantly outline any chord in a song with a fluid arpeggio run (no matter where your hand is on the neck) is immensely valuable for every guitarist. This book methodically teaches you the skills that make this possible. Loaded with melodic arpeggio passages that can be applied to your music immediately, this is perhaps the most practical and powerful arpeggio book ever written. CD included. Standard notation and Tablature.




MBGU Rock Curriculum


Book Description

Chord-Lead Soloing for Guitar is a complete method for developing fluid double- stop chord melody. This style of playing can be heard most notably in the playing of Jimi Hendrix (in songs such as 'The Wind Cries Mary', Little Wing', and 'Castles Made of Sand'), as well in the music of the guitarists he influenced, including Steve Vai, Eric Johnson, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Chord-lead style playing bridges the gap between straight lead and strictly rhythm, because it is simultaneously chordal (implying a specific major or minor chord) and melodic (carrying a distinct singable melody). This book shows the guitarist how to develop this technique and create continuous connections of moving voicings, merging lead and rhythm into one flowing melodic chordal texture. This is accomplished through a comprehensive collection of chord-lead phrases, each of which is presented in at least three different fingerings (important for whole-neck flow). These phrases are then assembled into soloing etudes that demonstrate practical application over different chord progressions Chord-lead playing can be adapted to every style of music, including rock, jazz,blues, alternative, funk, R and B, country, and pop. Mastering chord-lead soloing also greatly increases a guitarist's ability to 'stand alone'; that is, to play by himselfunaccompanied by other musicians, mixing and switching between chording andlead improvisation. This book is perhaps the most definitive guide ever written for mastering this highly sought after (yet elusive) style of playing. CD included.Standard notation and tablature




Improvising Without Scales


Book Description

In this remarkable book, Carl Verheyen teaches his philosophy and techniques for improvising. Rather than hashing out scales, Carl teaches how to play lines with strong melodic content. By approaching melodies through intervals and chord qualities, infinite lines can be generated. Carl stresses the importance of collecting lines that can be used in improvised settings. These lines and examples will provide outstanding material for any guitarist yearning for melodic ideas and inspiration. Presented in standard notation and tab.




MBGU Jazz Curriculum: Diminished Workbook


Book Description

The Diminished Workbook is a comprehensive study and explanation of diminished chords and scales. It is geared toward guitarists but can be used with any concert key instrument. the book employs exercises, etudes and examples to illustrate the many different ways diminished chords can be used and is accompanied by a CD featuring a rhythm section of world-class New York musicians. Author Bruce Saunders is a Professor in the guitar department at world-renowned Berklee College of Music in Boston, is a respected member of the New York city jazz community and has many recording credits to his name, including his release on Mel Bay Records entitled 8 x 5. This is his fourth book for Mel Bay Publications. Standard notation and tablature.