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...865&do=discuss
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 Two: All about the Major Scale
In this lesson we continue our study of playing the major scales, which was barely begun in the last lesson, and we study music theory regarding major scales.
Assignments:
1. Study pages 7 – 9: Twelve Major Scales, each in one octave and How can major scales be used to improvise? As you study, you will need to pay attention to the following:a. Each of the scales given here covers only one octave. The scales cover all twelve keys in Western music, but of course they can be played in many different places on the mandolin. We are only learning one way to play each scale in a single octave in this lesson.
b. Think about position changes that are necessary to play these scales as written. Near the middle of page six we read, in the last lesson, about hand or finger positions on the mandolin. The scales we are learning on pages 7 & 8 are mostly in 1st position, but three of them shift to new positions. B Major and F#/Gb Major are written to be played in 2nd position, while the C#/Db Major scale is written to be played in 3rd position.
c. Spend a few minutes each day for the next week practicing all 12 scales. (pp. 7-8) You should play these scales until each one is as smooth and easy as the open G scale.
d. Play the altered scale patterns in the section titled How can major scales be used to improvise? And make up some patterns of your own once you’ve gotten those down smooth.
2. Study pages 45 - 47, Self-Test #2 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 section, ask questions below.
3. Study the lesson on Major Scales at my website and do the homework at the end of the lesson: http://www.markgunter.net/cool_stuff...e-lesson-three
4. Watch the videos that go with this lesson, and work on finding the right notes to extend some of your scales into the next lower or higher octave.
Feedback:
To get feedback, just post a comment or video here.
Video:
“12 Major Scales”
Basically just an introduction here.
“Extending Your Scales”
"The Dirty Dozen"
I've spent a few days now learning these scales from the book, and it has been a really good exercise. Take as much time as you need to learn these. Practice them every day or whenever possible. It's good and necessary to read these from the page, but even more important to think about what you're playing. You don't need to know all the notes of each scale, but you need to know the root notes - the notes you're starting on. Also, think about the patterns you are using. Find the similarities. Finally, you need to practice these scales without looking at the book. It's OK to cheat when necessary. You are your own teacher. But keep working on learning to name the roots and play the scales without looking at the book.
If you get frustrated, take a little time off. Maybe take a 15 minute break and listen to this podcast: Dealing With Frustration
In this video, I play each of the scales from memory. You'll see that I flubbed some things up, and I didn't always get clean, clear notes when I played them. No one's perfect, but we all want to get better, right? Do your homework, and you'll leave me behind in no time, progress-wise.
"More Variations"
In this video I highlight three additional variations for playing the scales.
Download Files for this lesson:
http://www.markgunter.net/lyrics/MMC_Lesson_Two.pdf
http://www.markgunter.net/lyrics/GMa...Variations.tef
http://www.markgunter.net/lyrics/GMa...Variations.pdf
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