Here is a blues in A. The basic form is executed with ninth and 13th chords, interspersed with bass runs outlining the 1st 3rd and 5th of each chord, with a chromatic run from 3rd to 5th. The solo style is constructed around each chord, using bends on the b3rd, and adding 2nd’s, 6th’s, 4ths and major thirds. There are minor pentatonic sequences, myxolidian sequences, and chord sequences. I tried to give extra attention to phrasing in this piece, climaxing in the second last chorus, with a sequence beyond the 12th fret, before a final chorus to recuperate in the 5th position.
Open Days at Samford and The Gap
Come along to my open days on Friday 28th January at Samford and Monday January 31st at The Gap. Book in for a trial lesson, free of charge. Say hello, and lets have a bit of a jam! All levels from beginner to veteran’s welcome! All ages welcome!
Teaching term will commence on Monday 31st January! I have openings in Samford and The Gap.
This is a piece with the help of my looper pedal. The first layer is a bass riff using the E minor pentatonic scale. Next comes some E9th chords. A third layer is 12th fre harmonics on the top three strings, which are an E minor chord. The total harmonic effect is of #9 and 9 juxtaposed – very bluesy. Then follows some soloing using the open position E minor pentatonic scale. A fourth layer is looped in with some funky Em7 chord, using a fifth fret shape. Then some more soloing up arround the 12th fret, still the E minor pentatonic scale!
Solo Piece: A damp afternoon.
Here is a solo guitar piece in A major, I have entitled “A damp afternoon”. In it I seek to evoke a strange combination of ennui and mild rapture resulting from the enforced idleness of a damp afternoon contemplating the beauty of drizzle and grey skies. The composition is built around the major scale harmonised in sixths, or inverted thirds. After repetition of an A and B phrases, the same melody is largely repeated a fourth higher, in the key of D, with the final section replaced by desending sixths to the dominant chord, E, before repeating the melody again. In the second repeat of the melody, the defending sixths are replaced by ascending sixths finishing on the root an octave above. A middle eight follows of desending chords, starting on the fourth, which becomes minor, and moving through various shapes to a dominant chord, E. The first theme is repeated again, and concludes with descending sixths over an E pedal tone, before resolving to A major to end..
The music score is available for purchase from Sheet Music Direct
Blues in E No. 1
Improvisation in A minor
Here’s me noodling away to entertain myself! One of the great things about being able to play the guitar is that you can always enjoy creating some nice music for yourself, and indeed for others too! This piece is based around A minor, using the open A, D and E strings to create a bass pedal tone. Its important to be able to control the pick and move quickly from string to string, and you will observe that I use a floating hand technique to achieve this! This technique, combined with some scale and arpeggio knowledge, allows one to come up with solo pieces that sound rich and full! At least I think so, but have a listen, and you can form your own opinion!
Sculpting tone with flesh harmonics
Here’s a video lesson on how you can shape your tone by flesh harmonics. By allowing the flesh of your thumb or finger to also touch the string when you pick a note, you can access new dimensions of tone. Good tone starts with the instrument and your technique!
We’ll be discussing this at the “Talking about the Blues” workshop on Tuesday 12th January, at The Gap.
Rob’s Gigs in April
Acoustic Jazz
You can catch me down at the Samford Homestead Restaurant on Friday nights in April, starting from Friday 12th April. Phone Steve on 3289 1485 for bookings and to confirm that there have been no late changes. Music starts at 6:30pm.
Here is a sample of what’s on the musical menu:
All of Me, by Gerald Marks and Seymour Simons. Performed by Rob Reeves.
Electric jazz and funky grooves
I am also playing Zegatos at the Ashgrove Golf Club on Saturday nights starting Saturday 6th April. This month I will be presenting a new set of electric jazz and funky grooves! Phone Shane or Tony on 3366 1842 for bookings and to confirm that there have been no late changes! Music starts at 6:30pm, and goes through till 9:30pm.
Rob’s Residency at the Homestead Continues
You can still catch me down at the Samford Homestead Restaurant on Friday nights in February and March – (except Friday 2nd March). I play from 6:30pm till 10:00ish.
Phone Steve at the restaurant for bookings or more information, on 3289 1485.
I do a set of guitar jazz favorites, accompanying myself using looping pedal! Here is my version of the theme from Black Orpheus – a Bossa Nova classic by Luis Bonfa! Enjoy!