Lesson 34
Notes to Lesson 34
Are you still grinning from all the fun we had in Lesson 33? It's a great lesson and along with Lesson 17 and several lessons to come, it's definitely in the top 5 most enjoyable lessons.
Lesson 34 gives us some new runs, major, minor, and dominant. Let's take 'em apart:
Run 1: This run is a Major 7 run for strings 3, 2, and 1. Mickey starts with G Maj7. Yeah, you guessed it! I added F, F#, and E to the runs and also a little rhythm guitar to let you hear how this run will sound in use. Note that there is a "typo" in the first measure. Mickey has a high B, but it should be an A. Make sure to get some white out and edit your book.
Run 2: This run is a brother to Run 1, but is on strings 4, 3, and 2. I've added a C and a B to the runs, plus the rhythm guitar. Note that starting at the 5th fret (F Maj7 run) are the exact same notes as the F Maj7 run in Run 1. Now for about 2/3's of our keys, we have a 2nd location to get the same notes. Handy, don't you think?
Run 3: This is the first of the 2 minor runs. Note we need strings 4, 3, 2, and 1. Also note the extra forms I added.
Run 4: Mickey calls Run 4 a minor run, but we can give it double duty as a dominant run as well. Or we can consider it to be a ii - V run. I've given you the minor chords which would be the "ii" and you tell me what are the V names?
Run 5: This run, a dominant and called a 7#9, is a great one measure run that can be used as a V run anywhere. Note this is the first time Mickey has used the terminology of a V7#9.
Run 6: This run, also a dominant run, can also be used as a diminished 7 run. Mickey shows the opening 1/8 note triplet as being picked, but I do that all as a series of pulloff's. I didn't show that as I'm trying to be as true to Mickey's original runs. Why don't you try it both ways and make up your own mind?
So there you have it, two major runs, two minor runs, three dominant runs, and a diminished run. Eight runs for the price of six!
Bonus Material: Bob Armstrong sends a group of arpeggios that he got from the playing of guitarist Johnny Smith. These runs are so versatile that by changing just one or two notes, the flavor changes between Major 6 to dominant chord. Bob says that they are useful in many ways, not just as runs. For example, they can be used to migrate from a lower position to a much higher position. Rather than make a separate exercise for each one, I've put them into one TEF so that you can listen to the subtle differences. I added a Mickey Baker style rhythm guitar to them, as well. Bob invites us to experiment with them and come up with our own variations. I did just that and the last run in the exercise is my variation. If you send me yours, I'll add it to the lesson.
Our work load is starting to increase and I know that some of you are still finishing Lesson 33. Personally, I'm also still trying to get comfortable with the B Major and Minor Scales! Maybe you are, too! If you need a break, why not harmonize another standard or two? I've done just that and here's my harmonization to "Long Ago and Far Away." This tune has a particularly beautiful harmonic structure to go with its lovely melody. It's easy to see how it is a standard.
Just keep it FUN!