Notes On Third String: 35 bpm backing track

Hi,This post is for students of mine working on “Notes on the Third String”. It is a backing track for the piece, recorded at 35 beats per minute. Download from the following link and try playing along! You will need the sheet music from your lessons!

NotesOn3rd_35bpm_chords

Here it is with me playing the melody as well. Use this to check that you are playing the right notes and have your timing correct!

NotesOn3rd_35bpm_melody

Enjoy!

Practice Track: Reggae

Here is a basic practice track for beginning to intermediate bass players in a simple Reggae feel. It is to help you practice your reggae bass lines. The chords are A and D:One way to get a reggae feel happening in the bass is to be sure to hit the root note of the chord on beat one of the bar, or at the change of chord. Use octaves and fifths as the main notes of your line. Avoid thirds and sevenths, and use sixths and seconds for runs – as in the following fingering chart (root notes in boxes):

Slide from the lower position with finger 3 on the 7th fret, up two frets so that finger 3 falls on the 9th fret, where the 2nd and 6th can easily be played. Don’t forget to leave plenty of space!

Here is the track:

A_D_Reggae

Have fun!

Practice Track: Indie Rock

Here is a practice track which I have done in an Indie Rock style, to show that simple things can be very effective. It is suitable for guitarists and bass players of beginning to intermediate level. The chord progression is a very common one in lots of songs, involving the chords C, G, Am and F:To solo over the progression, first recognize that the progression is in the key of C major. So use the notes from the C major scale. One concept that you can use is to hit the first beat of every two bar group with a sustained note from the chord. That way you accentuate the harmony and sound “in control” of the progression. C chord: C, E, or G. G chord: G, B, or D. Am chord: A, C, or E. F chord: F, A, or C. To add interest, follow the strong note with some linking scale tones that lead to the next strong chordal note at the change of chord. Add interest by hitting the chordal note more than once, in different rhythms, to more strongly emphasize it. Interest and emphasis can also be added by first hitting the tone above or below the chord note, and quickly moving to the chord note. Another idea is to follow the first chord tone by another chord tone, thus doubly emphasizing the harmony.All these ideas can be heard in the following track including my solo (try to play along with me):

C_G_Am_F_lead

To practice your own solo, here is the track without the lead guitar:

C_G_Am_F

Have fun!

Upcoming Gig: Rob Reeves and his Virtual Guitar Orchestra

Rob will be playing at the Samford Homestead Restaurant this Friday night, 10th February, 2011, and Friday nights in February. The performance will showcase the “Virtual Guitar Orchestra” – which is Rob and his real-time looping system. On the menu will be jazz standards and original grooves with a dash of Balkan Style rhythms.

What: Rob Reeves and His Virtual Guitar Orchestra

When: 6:30pm to 10pm; Fridays in February

Where: Samford Homestead Restaurant, Main Street, Samford.  

Phone the restaurant on 3289 1485 to make a booking. Come along and say hi, and enjoy a nice meal as you listen to the music!

Practice Track: G minor groove

This practice track is suitable for intermediate guitar players interested in rock, funk and blues grooves, and is especially good for practicing the G minor pentatonic scale. A distinctive feature of blues and blues derived styles is the use of the bend: try to get some bends happening on the b3rd (Bb), the 4th (C) and b7th (F). Use your ear and bend till it sounds good! There are just two chords, Gm7 and C9:Two Bars Gm7 and 2 bars C9Here is the practice track, with just drums and guitar. Use it for practicing lead guitar or bass.

Gm7-C9_groove_Rhythm Guitar_Drums

After playing with the above track, try the following track, which adds a bass line. How does this change what you play?

Gm7-C9_groove_Bass_Rhythm Guitar_Drums

Finally you may care to listen to the following version, which adds a lead guitar riff. Practice playing in the ‘gaps’ left by the riff, or try to play the riff or a harmony line. The riff drops away after 16 bars, leaving you 16 bars to play on your own, then comes back for16 bars. Once again, how does this change what you play?

Gm7-C9_groove_Riff_Bass_Rhythm Guitar_Drums

Have fun!

Rob