How setting objectives will a BIG difference to your guitar playing and other areas of life. In this video I examine the importance of setting yourself objectives and goals in your guitar development as as SURE fire way to develop on the instrument. The ideas in the video are not only suitable for guitar playing but can be transferred to all aspects of life.Many of these kinds of ideas are explored in my Guitar Creativity book, which opens up the guitarist to new ways of thinking about their practice, the instrument and creativity on the instrument.What are your current objectives?EnjoyPeaceNeil
The Problem with learning licks
Guitar licks
Learning guitar licks is a not only a major part of developing as a guitar player, it is also a fundamental part of the learning experience. Learning licks is very much like learning phrases in another language. With the internet awash with videos and tutorials telling you about the 30 licks you must know, in the following video I highlight some of the problems with the approach and MOST importantly how to overcome them.For more in-depth information on maximising your practice time and finding your own voice on the instrument, check out my book Guitar Creativity - A new way of thinking https://gumroad.com/l/zCAXyEnjoy!PeaceNeil
The SECRETS of how to play guitar in a band
This is a question I often get asked.....what advice would you give for someone wanting to play guitar in a band? Well, I thought it would be a good idea to put all of my tips and advice into a single video. It is never easy starting a band, and it is even harder joining a band when you don’t have too much experience. There are a number of things you can do straight away to ensure that you are successful, both with your band mates and making your band a success.I would also love to hear your advice and guidance as well. Please let your thoughts in the comment box!Top tips and advice on how to be successful when you start playing guitar in a band.EnjoyPeaceNeil
3 ways to study effectively online
Yes!! The internet has changed the way we learn! I have changed everything, but with so much information out there, how do you go about LEARNING EFFECTIVELY from online sources? Watch the video to find out the 3 ways to effective online learning!So I have created this video for you guys and hopefully it answers ALL the questions!!An introduction to a new creativity and guitar lesson series I am going to be doing. The idea is that I will play devil's advocate on a number of issues that we all may hear about or know about. This is my opinion on the topic and I will also try and question that opinion as well.The main thing is asking the question, and seeing how I would answer and how you would answer, There is no right or wrong, and we all may learn something. Some of the topics might be controversial, some might wind you up a little bit, but please be part of the conversation and let's see where this goes.For more in-depth information on maximising your practice time and finding your own voice on the instrument, check out my book Guitar Creativity - A new way of thinking PeaceNeil
8 ways playing rhythm guitar with help your lead playing! FACT
The Rhythm Revelation!
It was a revelation! Thanks to my amazing guitar teacher at Berklee, Mike Williams, when he said,MW: "What to you spend 98% of your time doing during a gig?”My answer, “Playing rhythm guitar?"YES, that is the one. In band or session situation, you are judged and employed for your rhythm skills and then (if you are lucky) for 16 bars you’ll get to wail! But do not fret (no pun intended!), playing all this rhythm stuff and practicing it actually has a massive by product…you WILL improve you lead playing, without even trying!!Yes, Yes it is true and I have put together a video detailing the 8 ways YOU WILL IMPROVE by practising rhythm!!
The 8 ways you’ll improve your lead playing
In the video I discuss in-depth the following 8 ways that practicing and playing rhythm will make you become a much, much better lead player. It is a fact! Check it out.
- Timing
- Chord knowledge - Start to learn more chords, and therefore more arpeggios and sweet notes
- Finger Independence
- Fretboard Knowledge
- Ear Training
- Playing for friend….confidence building
- Dynamic Solo ideas
- Fusing Rhythm and Lead, Hendrix’s legacy in a nutshell
EnjoyPeaceNeil
Improve your finger independence for guitar - try chord voicings
Facing the finger
Improving finger independence is one of the biggest challenges facing beginner (and more advanced!) players, there are a whole host of finger exercises out there (including student's favourite...the spider). I have found that another way you can tackle this area and work on building your finger independence is to use chord voicings and switch between them.
Video Lesson
So I posted this video lesson which uses some more 'complex' chord shapes and then spend your time switching between them. This is also a great 'musical' method to improve finger independence over the more traditional spider exercises.Download PDF of chord shapes here For more in-depth information on maximising your practice time and finding your own voice on the instrument, check out my book Guitar Creativity - A new way of thinking Follow me onTwitterFacebookInstragramLinkedInEnjoy!PeaceNeil
Brucie's Extreme Guitar | Opinionated lessons and thoughts on guitar playing
Along with my Guitar Creativity videos on Youtube, I have now started a new series of videos. These videos are entitled 'Brucie's extreme guitar' and I am offering opinionated lessons and thoughts on guitar playing.The idea of these videos is to think through and play devil's advocate on some ideas and opinions relating to guitar playing and the whole guitar world. I really want to suggest some things which might get you thinking or maybe even get you all fired up.Here is the play list of the videos so far and the first is any introduction to the series.I hope you enjoy and would love to hear your thoughts!EnjoyPeaceNeil
Steve Vai's Guitar Intervals Ear Training
Training the Ear
So, I thought today I would share an ear training method that I have borrowed from a lesson that I had with Steve Vai. I will put this out there first that there are so many good ways of practicing ear training and.....there are SO many good apps out there are well.
Personally, I recommend having a look at EarBeater (you can use it for free on the website) or download the app.
Visualisation : Auralisation
The best way to start with ear training is to start listening out for intervals, the relationship of one note to another and with each of these relationships for an octave (12 intervals) try and assign a aural ‘clue’ or a visualisation of something you can recognise as the interval from an existing song or theme.For example, a descending 5th is the interval of the first two notes of the Flintstones, an ascending b2 (and descending) is the theme from Jaws.
The link below is a list of intervals that I use to make these associations, you may not know some of these tunes or songs, and I would encourage to use your own if you ‘hear’ something more obvious to you.
Interval list.
Now you have an idea of what intervals sound like and hopefully have some strong associations with existing themes, you should be able to start naming intervals when you hear them.
Steve Vai ?
So where does Steve come in?
Well, Steve suggested a number of great methods for working on your ear, including singing the note before you play it, and singing harmonies to the lines you are playing. The one I am going to expand on here is using an existing recording of lots of intervals with them names after they are played, this should enable you to hear the interval, guess the interval and then get the confirmation of the interval.
He suggests recording a whole series of intervals, both ascending and descending and listening to them when you can.For those of us with busy lives, we could then listen to these recordings on the way to work or on the train or at the gym.
And as a BONUS for my loyal readers, I have recorded a series of ear training intervals for you to download for FREE here.
I hope you find them useful and enjoy this exercise and that it helps you with your ear training. Remember it is a continual learning experience!
Enjoy!
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sharing my content online.
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Peace
Neil
Guitar Creativity - Finger independence? Chords are your friends!!
Finger indepence is one of the most important techniques to master when playing the guitar, of course you want your fingers to go where you want them to, when you want them to and work independently. Usually when starting off (or even when you reach performing level), you learn a whole series or finger independence exercises and the continue to practise and work on these for years to come. Not only do they help with stamina, coordination and strength but also provide a great warm up too.
So what's the problem?
Well there is no problem!! Except that these exercises can be a bit dull and boring and your mind can wander when doing them (in front of the TV perhaps??) and crucially as they are chromatic, well you can't really use them in playing and well they just aren't very musical are they!! SO, step forward the humble chord. Chord shapes actually require a great deal of independence of your fingers especially when switching between them! So this Guitar Creative Video, suggests that you try using chord shapes are you finger exercise as well. This lesson is using complex chord shapes and switching between them as a 'musical' method to improve finger independence over the more traditional spider exercises.
Chords are your friends!!
You can download a PDF of the chord shapes used in this video here.The amazing chord swap finger exercises PDFFor more in-depth information on maximising your practice time and finding your own voice on the instrument, check out my book Guitar Creativity - A new way of thinking Enjoy!PeaceNeil