So let's have this CAGED conversation...

[Eagle]

From my experience I gotta say it did not happen this way for.

Quick recap, I went from minor pentatonic like most, to 7 positions. Of course I thought those were modes.
To 3nps, with a quick detour to 4nps to 5 positions.

Shedded changes like mad with my newfound knowledge of where the roots were.
Like playing in one position moving through different cycles. Like minor thirds.

Now mind you at that time I still broke stuff down to keycenter. As in over say G7 I was playing C target the sounds of its V chord.

Then I added the altered options which is where it got funny.
Let’s say you play G-7 C7 F-7 B♭7 E♭-7 A♭7♭9♯5 D♭△7 finding the roots coming from the 2-5s staying in position when chords change every half bar or bar made for a fun exercise but sure not music.
Just the same with the practice everything in 12 keys.

What finally worked well for me was learning lines and seeing and hearing their internal harmony without chords underneath.

As in any line has points of tension and resolution. Once I got that learning how that harmony and actual harmony it goes on top of start to make for interesting stuff I was finally able to improvise in a sensible manner that wasn’t hodgepidging scale runs, arpeggios and tricks.

But that leaves you stringing lines together and not improvising either even if it sounds like you are

 

[Ed DeGenaro]

But that leaves you stringing lines together and not improvising either even if it sounds like you are

And for every guy that claims otherwise I show you a liar.
Think about how use language. It’s not like yogujjb hu fetch did ggfcss gig gggiuyrr

I transcribed a metric buttload of shit and the channelling the define is such bullshit it might as well be a Düsenberg. Lol

 

[Eagle]

And for every guy that claims otherwise I show you a liar.
Think about how use language. It’s not like yogujjb hu fetch did ggfcss gig gggiuyrr

I transcribed a metric buttload of shit and the channelling the define is such bullshit it might as well be a Düsenberg. Lol

So true.

 

[ctreitzell]

I was in music theory class in HS when I started playing guitar.
Thus I learned scales on piano keyboard first because learning all scales maj/min-harm-mel over two octaves with both right and left hands was a requirement to perform. Sight reading to tempo was not a requirement. We spent plenty of time writing notation, mainly with a harmony focus.

Let me also add, I went to Plano Senior High School (west) which had a graduating class of 5000 students. This school is 2 years; Junior and Senior years. That means 10K students. After those that dropped out of the initial 20 students in my class, there were 16 students in my class. I don't mean to brag here, just to say that for those that chose to learn music theory we were a huge minority. And I have seen that similar minority in general population over the past 40 years.

Initially I had the typical Mary Had A Little Lamb intro to guitar. Then a friend showed me the intro to Bastille Day by Rush and I was hooked. A short time later, I started by learning songs from records on guitar by ear. I always felt more comfortable playing guitar, but visualizing music on the piano keyboard as I still do now today.

That said, for my viewpoint I have never been and never intend to be a covers player; original songs and improv has been my wheelhouse. I find live improv my preferred form of music. I do not consider improvising over known pop/ standard songs or progressions as improv, per se; for me improv is on-the-spot composition. All that said, I quit playing live many years ago

As far as 3NPS, I have no idea what that is...I go look it up.

 

[ctreitzell]

ah, OK
sure, 3NPS is the basis of my approach as well, but sliding oct intervals or more is certainly part of my technique as well

yeah, I more lean on 3NPS patterns than "know" the notes I'm playing
follow my mind's ear and create on the spot

and I certainly lean on plenty of chromatics to keep out of the vanilla rut living full time in a key

that said, G major is home for me...so I often work at breaking out of G and exploring the entire fretboard

 

[ctreitzell]

Like I said, I learned scales and (and thus key sigs) on piano. I hadn't consciously considered that before. I brought that up with my brother and with my buddy who is a musical wonder (main instrument Bass) and they both learned scales on piano/ vibraphone first as well.

I wonder how many here have only ever approached music making using the guitar? Fodder for another thread

 

[Eagle]

Like I said, I learned scales and (and thus key sigs) on piano. I hadn't consciously considered that before. I brought that up with my brother and with my buddy who is a musical wonder (main instrument Bass) and they both learned scales on piano/ vibraphone first as well.

I wonder how many here have only ever approached music making using the guitar? Fodder for another thread

Me.

 

[Ed DeGenaro]

Me.

Well I started with sight singing in second grade and hated it as much as cello i started at 6 thanks to my violin playing musician father.
Along the way I dabbled with piano.

But I literally transferred everything to and from guitar. Over the past 55 years of playing.

But I do also play bass, lap steel, uke etc and am proficient enough arranging on piano. But as I said that came from the time spent learning shit in guitar and transferring it back to the source.