EP491 : Cool Blues Chord Ideas.

[Geoff]

I feel this lesson adds a new dimension to playing the blues with those 6th and 9th chords and the way you can transition from the 6th to the 9th by going back or forward two frets.

I play out the lesson as in the first half and, in the second, I do the poor mans attempt at applying those 6th and 9th chord ideas to my own improvs. One thing challenging was trying to do those fast mandolin style strums in this, it was hard not to be sloppy with those but I did my best 🙂

[Guido]

Brilliant rendition, Geoff! The first Brian’s cycle flawlessly played with a great soulful touch. And you don’t have to sell yourself short for the second cycle, because I personally liked it very much, very melodic and you let breathe the notes and phrases in a wise and pleasant way. Liked also the use of the vibrato bar here and there. Very enjoyable and inspiring!

Guido

[Geoff]

wow. Thanks so much Guido 🙂

To tell you the truth, I have been working very hard on coming up with nice phrasing. It is so tempting to play fast and fill it all up with lots of notes and I have been working hard on letting this breath and coming up with space between the notes. I really do think that phrasing is King and speed is a ‘nice to have’.

[Garry]

I’m glad you posted this one Geoff, it’s a great lesson! Really well played and re: second cycle you are developing excellent impro skills. Very cool licks, nice phrasing and as mentioned by Guido leaving space so the music can breathe. 👏👏🌟👏👏. Also fantastic to hear the tremolo arm being used. I rarely use it but I should incorporate this effect more often myself. Thanks for sharing. All the best! 😎🎸😎

[Geoff]

Hey thanks Garry. You know, I am not even consciously aware of developing improv skills. I know the blues scales in all the positions and I know the key and I just, kind of, wing it with that. I guess, all the phrasing and all of that just comes with playing a lot.

I have really taken to using the tremolo arm lately. It sounds nice to fill in with that subtly when there is a long pause. I’m certainly not a fan of overusing it.

[John H]

Bro
This is very reminiscent of T-bone Walker. I am jealous. You are getting such a clean, bluesy voice from the guitar. I think you got the Blues Fever under all the classical training. Nicely played Geoff.

PS-Is this not EP 591?

John

[Geoff]

Thanks John.

You know, I thought I was getting a little bored with the blues until I heard this lesson. I just love the extra dimension these 6th and 9th chords add to this. It feels a little like I am crossing into jazz territory -:)

I have a jam buddy downstairs and i started using them in our jam session and surprised at how nice they sound. Going to be doing a lot more with them I can tell you that.

You are right. I messed up the EP number.

[Dieter]

Really great ideas – very harmonic and soulful.

Dieter

[Geoff]

Thank you Dieter. As a fellow classical guitarist I always appreciate your comments 🙂

[Liam Innes]

Hi Geoff,

Nicely done.

Those 6 and 9 chords are very tricky so well done for managing to hit them right.

I liked your improv also – something I always struggle with.

Liam.

P.s. yeah I think John is right this is ep 591

“We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams. “

[Geoff]

I was surprised Liam. Those 6th and 9th chords are not as tricky as you might think. Just give them a go in your own improvs and you will see what I mean I think.

John is right. I messed up with the EP number 🙁

[Ralph P.]

Nice Jazzy Blues Geoff. I really like Brian’s 6th to 9th moves too. Easy to visualize and it sounds great. Your improv fit the song well.
Ralph

Ralph P.

[Geoff]

Thanks Ralph. Speaking for myself, I think this is one of Brian’s best blues lessons and I really enjoyed having a go at it. I loved using those 6th and 9th chords and it is really handy the way one can just slide between them.

[sunjamr]

Good one, Geoff. I reckon all AM members should pay attention to that lesson. Including me.

Sunjamr Steve

[Geoff]

For sure. It’s a great lesson Steve.

[San Luis Rey]

You will now be referred to as the classical blues man Geoff! Nice playing the lesson and the improv. You have an innate sense where to go with it.

Mike

[Geoff]

Thanks for listening Mike

[Andy N]

Nice playing Geoff. You aced that first cycle, adding plenty of emotion to those phrases and had plenty more ideas for the second cycle with those different 9th/6th voicings and some sweet lead phrasing of your own. I’m a huge fan of these hybrid rhythm and lead lessons Brian does and have been playing with this one too. 9th and 6th voicings change the game for blues rhythms, once you’ve started down that road you won’t want to go back.

[Geoff]

It seems that way. Thanks for listening Andy.

[David L]

Excellent, Geoff. You nailed it. Very jazzy, with an appropriately matching tone and sultry vibe. Terrific improvs. I enjoyed this quite a lot.

[Geoff]

Hey, thanks David. I loved this lesson and I am glad you enjoyed listening to it 🙂

[Helen Lazaridou]

Well done my friend!!!!!I believe that with this improvising you must feel absolutely content with yourself because you let the notes ring out in a really chilled,relaxing and soulful way without hurrying at all🥰🥰🥰🥰you definitely inspired me to check out this lesson.💕❤️I odont remember if I’ve told you that lately I’ve also been playing another lesson by Brian which is about 6ths ,7ths and 9ths – Icant remember the number 😩😩😩😩-so I must definitely have a look at yours now💕❤️💗💕

[Geoff]

One thing I can tell you Helen, is I never feel content but I was reasonably happy with this one. The thing I realize when I play this back for myself is I could have left even more space and hurried even less 🙂

One thing I have noticed about Brian’s lessons is the same things come up over and over just in different ways. He has covered this whole business of sliding between 6th and 9ths before.

[Tao]

It sounds really good! I’m working on this one too.

Tao

[Geoff]

Hey thanks Tao. Enjoy! Looking forward to hearing your version 🙂

[Guo, Tao]

Very jazzy and very tasteful Geoff! 👏👏👏👏

Friend of Ray (The Corgi)
Vive la music!
--- Tao

[Geoff]

Thanks for giving this a listen Tao.

[Bill]

This is one of my favorite lessons this year. Great T Bone sounding licks and chord movements. You’ve really nailed it Geoff, great job!

[Geoff]

Thank you Bill. So much more to learn here but it was a fabulous lesson 🙂

[John B]

Geoff I’ve been away from Active Melody for a couple of years. I just rejoined a couple of days ago. Anyway I remember when you started and played mostly beautiful classical music and were just starting to play blues. I have to commend you for sticking with it. That was awesome playing and you really brought out the beauty of the blues. I could feel it and it felt great. I felt like I was just not progressing but being away for a couple of years I can see the progress you’ve made which is really inspiring. Cudo’s man!!!!!

[Geoff]

Welcome back John -:) I am so glad you enjoyed this.

All I can say is we all go through those “stale periods”. I have been playing guitar on and off for nearly 50 years and I have had periods lasting 5 or 6 years at I time when I wasn’t playing at all.

The thing that keeps me inspired, I think, is I play lots of styles of guitar not just the blues and that just maintains my interest. Recently started picking up on Flamenco music because I really enjoy that too. At least, this is what works for me and I know we are all different. All I can say, is stay inspired and just keep playing. Fortunately Brian has so many good lessons some relatively easy and others not so easy – if you can take a tiny nugget away from each one of those that is the best way to progress.

[Author]

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