This lesson is part of a Study Group for Mandolin Master Class by Brad Laird.
To start at the beginning, go to this thread: https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/g...cussionid=5865
To purchase a copy of the book we're using, go here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/mandou-site/buymmc.html
List of all lessons in this series can be found here: https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/g..._message_61714
Lesson One: Music Theory and Musical Monkeys
This lesson introduces us to some deep concepts about playing music from the soul and with a purpose. Brad Laird makes some points at the outset of his book to set the tone for what is coming. In this lesson, we’ll digest Brad’s ruminating about monkeys on typewriters, apply what we can about those concepts to our own playing, and we’ll begin our study of music theory.
This lesson covers the section of Brad’s book titled “Monkeys on typewriters” and begins the section on “Learning to speak the language of music,” part one.
Assignments:
1. Study pages 1 – 6: Monkeys on Typewriters and the first few pages of Learning to speak the language of music. As you study, you will need to pay attention to the following:a. Brad made an error playing a phrase early in his career, and the error led to opening up his exploring improvisation. (p. 1)
b. The monkeys Jethro, Stubby, Bongo and Jimbo each have different results on their typewriters. How can you relate aspects of your own mandolin experience to each of them? Can you? (p. 2)
c. What do you think about “using random motion as an experimental tool to find new things that sound good” on your mandolin? Have you ever done that? With mandolin in hand try it. (p. 2)
d. When Brad writes about combining “the technical ability of Bongo with the intelligence and sensitivity of Jimbo” do you get his point? Can you think of at least one way you might move toward that goal? (p. 2)
e. Starting on page three, there is a basic introduction to music theory beginning with the notes of Western music. Make sure you understand the music theory being taught, and ask questions if you need any clarification. (pp. 3 – 6)
f. With your mandolin, play all the tablature between page 1 & 6, and think about what Brad has written about each example. (pp. 1 – 6)
g. Spend a few minutes playing the G and G# major scales in first position each day until the next lesson. The Scales, as written, can be pretty boring. Can you think of ways to play the scales that are not quite so boring? This is part of your assignment, see if you can find ways to vary the rhythm and add notes in a few places to make practicing these scales more interesting.
2. Study pages 44 – 45, ending with Self-Test #1 on Music Theory. When you have understood the material, take the self-test and check your answers. If you are unclear about anything in this part of the music theory introduction, ask questions below.
3. For those who are totally new to music theory, I invite you to read the articles on music theory I’ve been working on. They cover roughly the same material Brad has covered from my own perspective. They have not been tested, so use at your own risk and let me know how you think they could be improved. The first three are visible here: http://www.markgunter.net/cool_stuff...y-introduction
Feedback:
To get feedback, just post a comment or video in this thread.
Video:
"Monkeying Around"
"Spicing Up Your Scales"
"G and G#/Ab Scales Practice"
Download a PDF File for this lesson:
http://www.markgunter.net/lyrics/MMC_Lesson_One.pdf
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