Tag: fretboard knowledge

Week 10. Summary

Black Friday got me busy for almost 3 full days. So I’ve still been practicing daily but the amount of time and willing to do it was not the best. So I sticked to the same routines I did last week in order to increase their consistency and get the better sound.

All went as usual – three more 1234 combinations are now played as 8th notes at 150 bpm, I practiced scales dexterity and a bit of note pronunciation, also kept trying to play the barre chord progression for longer period of time without the left hand fatigue. Also I’ve been practicing ear training almost every day in the bed before sleep.

I succeeded in almost every goal, which is great, but haven’t managed to proceed further through course. So that’s what I’ll focus at the next week – Module 16 and chord construction routines.

As always, here’s the video. I think I’m getting better at editing and it takes me less time to edit these summaries. So as long as I have at least some time I’ll try to keep them like this.

The goals for this week were:

  • [Done] 3124, 3142, 3214 as 8th notes at 150 bpm on the 5th fret
  • [Done] Scales pronouncing notes using the random scale machine [under 5 min per string]
  • [Done] Consistently get to the level with 7 intervals on ear training at tonedear.com [4 of 6 times]
  • Implement Modules 15-16 routines

My goals for the next week:

  • 3241, 3412, 3421 as 8th notes at 150 bpm on the 5th fret
  • Get to the level with 8 intervals on ear training at tonedear.com 3 times
  • Implement Modules 15-16 routines
  • Implement left hand fingers movement reducing routine

1234 exercise

3124 on the 5th fret – 8th notes @ 120 bpm → 8th notes @ 150 bpm
3142 on the 5th fret – 8th notes @ 120 bpm → 8th notes @ 150 bpm
3214 on the 5th fret – 8th notes @ 120 bpm → 8th notes @ 150 bpm

Scales

Major scales – 1-12 frets – EADG strings – 8th notes @ 150 bpm (increasing consistency)
Minor scales – 1-12 frets – EA strings – 8th notes @ 150 bpm (increasing consistency)

Major scales – E string – Pronouncing notes – 3:44 → 3:35
Major scales – A string – Pronouncing notes – 4:21 → 4:18
Major scales – D string – Pronouncing notes – 5:20 → 4:36
Major scales – G string – Pronouncing notes – 5:47 → 4:38

Minor scales – E string – Pronouncing notes – 4:55 → 4:33
Minor scales – A string – Pronouncing notes – 5:49 → 3:54

Strumming

Module 15 pattern – 120 bpm (increasing consistency)

Ear training

Intervals – 207 of 250 – 82.80% → 255 of 300 – 85.00%
Minor 2nd, Major 2nd, Minor 3rd, Major 3rd, Perfect 4th, Tritone, Perfect 5th, Octave

Day 70. Back in business

Today I finally practiced more that I did the previous several days. The end of the week – that’s a time to finalize things.

1234 exercise

3124 on the 5th fret

8th notes @ 150 bpm

3142 on the 5th fret

8th notes @ 150 bpm

3214 on the 5th fret

8th notes @ 150 bpm

Scales

Major scales

8th notes @ 150 bpm

E string – Pronouncing notes [Fretboard knowledge]

A string – Pronouncing notes [Fretboard knowledge]

D string – Pronouncing notes [Fretboard knowledge]

G string – Pronouncing notes [Fretboard knowledge]

Minor scales

8th notes @ 150 bpm

E string – Pronouncing notes [Fretboard knowledge]

A string – Pronouncing notes [Fretboard knowledge]

Strumming

Module 15 pattern

120 bpm

Ear training

Not great again… Didn’t even get to 7 intervals this time.

Summary

Got a lot to do today, just want to conclude this week.

Routines

3124 – 5th fret – 150 bpm – 8th notes – 3 min
3142 – 5th fret – 150 bpm – 8th notes – 3 min
3214 – 5th fret – 150 bpm – 8th notes – 3 min

Major scales – 1-12 frets – EADG strings – 150 bpm – 8th notes
Minor scales – 1-12 frets – EA strings – 150 bpm – 8th notes

Major scales – E string – Pronouncing notes – 3:35
Major scales – A string – Pronouncing notes – 4:18
Major scales – D string – Pronouncing notes – 4:36
Major scales – G string – Pronouncing notes – 4:38

Minor scales – E string – Pronouncing notes – 4:33
Minor scales – A string – Pronouncing notes – 3:54

Strumming – Module 15 – 120 bpm

Day 64. Random scales

Today I included three 1234 variations in the routine, started practicing fretboard knowledge scales wise using the random scale machine and realized I don’t have time for anything else.

1234 exercise

All three of the new combinations are harder on the way down the strings because I need to press the next string with the ring finger while holding the pinky pressing the previous one.

3124 on the 5th fret

8th notes @ 120 bpm

3142 on the 5th fret

8th notes @ 120 bpm

3214 on the 5th fret

8th notes @ 120 bpm

Scales

Major scales

8th notes @ 150 bpm

E string – Pronouncing notes [Fretboard knowledge]

A string – Pronouncing notes [Fretboard knowledge]

D string – Pronouncing notes [Fretboard knowledge]

G string – Pronouncing notes [Fretboard knowledge]

Minor scales

8th notes @ 150 bpm

E string – Pronouncing notes [Fretboard knowledge]

A string – Pronouncing notes [Fretboard knowledge]

Strumming

Module 15 pattern

120 bpm

Summary

These fretboard knowledge routines take so much time that after them I just didn’t want to do anything else. Not sure what result do I want with them. Maybe sub 4 minutes for all strings or so. But I need to use some theoretical knowledge as well in order to achieve that faster. So maybe that’s what I’ll be doing for the next few days.

Routines

3124 – 5th fret – 120 bpm – 8th notes – 3 min
3142 – 5th fret – 120 bpm – 8th notes – 3 min
3214 – 5th fret – 120 bpm – 8th notes – 3 min

Major scales – 1-12 frets – EADG strings – 150 bpm – 8th notes
Minor scales – 1-12 frets – EA strings – 150 bpm – 8th notes

Major scales – E string – Pronouncing notes – 3:44
Major scales – A string – Pronouncing notes – 4:21
Major scales – D string – Pronouncing notes – 5:20
Major scales – G string – Pronouncing notes – 5:47

Minor scales – E string – Pronouncing notes – 4:55
Minor scales – A string – Pronouncing notes – 5:49

Strumming – Module 15 – 120 bpm

Week 9. Summary

This week I concentrated myself mostly on consistency. I played 2341, 2413, 2431 combinations across the neck the whole week and became much better at it.

The scales are much more reliable and precise right now too, which I’m also happy about.

I watched Modules 15-16 and now I’m really excited about implementing routines from them. Chord construction is so much fun! But I’ll be working on this topic the next week.

Anyway, the most major update is the video summary format. I decided to put everything in a single video so that it became more watchable and even more organized. There are time codes in order to separate the chapters and cards with links to the full routine videos as well.

UPD. There are no cards cause there’s a limit – 5 per video. I added all links in the description instead.

The goals for this week were:

  • [Done] 2134, 2143, 2314, 2341, 2413, 2431 as 8th notes at 150 bpm across the neck
  • [Done] 12, 13, 14, 23, 24, 34 as 8th notes at 150 bpm across the neck
  • [Done] Improved consistency of the scales as 8th notes at 150 bpm across the neck
  • [Done] All the scales pronouncing notes in less than 5 min starting on ADG strings
  • [Done] Get to the level with 7 intervals on ear training at tonedear.com

My goals for the next week:

  • 3124, 3142, 3214 as 8th notes at 150 bpm on the 5th fret
  • Scales pronouncing notes using the random scale machine
  • Consistently get to the level with 7 intervals on ear training at tonedear.com
  • Implement Modules 15-16 routines

1234 exercise

2341 – 8th notes @ 150 bpm (on the 5th fret → on the 1-12 frets)
2413 – 8th notes @ 150 bpm (on the 5th fret → on the 1-12 frets)
2431 – 8th notes @ 150 bpm (on the 5th fret → on the 1-12 frets)
12, 13, 14, 23, 24, 34 – 8th notes @ 150 bpm (on the 5th fret → on the 1-12 frets)

Scales

Major scales – 1-12 frets – EADG strings – 8th notes @ 150 bpm (increasing consistency)
Minor scales – 1-12 frets – EA strings – 8th notes @ 150 bpm (increasing consistency)
Major scales – 1-12 frets – A string – Pronouncing notes – 7:42 → 4:55
Major scales – 1-12 frets – D string – Pronouncing notes – 6:50 → 4:38
Major scales – 1-12 frets – G string – Pronouncing notes – 7:00 → 4:50
Minor scales – 1-12 frets – A string – Pronouncing notes – 6:54 → 5:02

Strumming

Module 15 pattern – 80 bpm → 120 bpm

Ear training

Intervals – 314 of 400 – 78.50% → 207 of 250 – 82.80%
Minor 2nd – 34 of 36 – 94.44%
Major 2nd – 21 of 28 – 67.86%
Minor 3rd – 11 of 25 – 44%
Major 3rd – 38 of 49 – 77.55%
Perfect 4th – 9 of 14 – 64.29%
Perfect 5th – 48 of 49 – 97.96%
Octave – 48 of 49 – 97.96%

Songs

The Phantom of the Opera
Gravity Falls Opening

Day 63. New format idea

Today I came up with a new format of recording week summaries and concluded all of the routines I had this week.

1234 exercise

I concluded all these today. Tomorrow some new ones will be practiced.

2341 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 150 bpm

2413 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 150 bpm

2431 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 150 bpm

12, 13, 14, 23, 24, 34 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 150 bpm

Scales

I’d tried to play scales with the metronome and failed completely so decided to skip this routine and concentrate on the notes pronunciation.

Major scales

D string – Pronouncing notes [Fretboard knowledge]

G string – Pronouncing notes [Fretboard knowledge]

Strumming

Module 15 pattern

120 bpm

Songs

Just for the week summary I played The Phantom of the Opera and Gravity Falls Opening again.

Summary

So this week I’ll record the report and edit every routine into one video in order to organize it even more. We’ll see how it works out.

Routines

2341 – 1-12 frets – 150 bpm – 8th notes – 3 min
2413 – 1-12 frets – 150 bpm – 8th notes – 3 min
2431 – 1-12 frets – 150 bpm – 8th notes – 3 min
12, 13, 14, 23, 24, 34 – 1-12 frets – 150 bpm – 8th notes – 6 min

Major scales – 1-12 frets – D string – Pronouncing notes – 4:38
Major scales – 1-12 frets – G string – Pronouncing notes – 4:50

Strumming – Module 15 – 120 bpm

Day 62. Gravity Falls

Today I watched through Module 16, repeated every yesterdays exercise and picked the melody from Gravity Falls Opening.

1234 exercise

2341 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 150 bpm

2413 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 150 bpm

2431 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 150 bpm

12, 13, 14, 23, 24, 34 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 150 bpm

Scales

Major scales

8th notes @ 150 bpm

D string – Pronouncing notes [Fretboard knowledge]

G string – Pronouncing notes [Fretboard knowledge]

Minor scales

8th notes @ 150 bpm

Strumming

Module 15 pattern

100 bpm

Ear training

Again didn’t manage to get to the level with 7 intervals… Still struggling with Major 2nd, Minor 3rd and Major 3rd intervals – they sound pretty much the same for me. It’s easier when the played notes are close but in other situations I just can’t differ them yet.

Songs

Today I figured out the opening for Gravity Falls. Here it is.

On the random riffs front there’s not so much today, I basically just repeated something I played before.

Gravity Falls Opening
Happy Birthday
Король и Шут – Лесник
The Phantom of the Opera
Marilyn Manson – Sweet Dreams
Ozzy Osbourne – Crazy Train [Intro]

Summary

I’m eager to end this week and start some new routines. Also the chord construction module is so much fun. It’s so simple yet enjoyable. I understood that one can play chords everywhere on the fretboard just by playing the correct notes right away, but now I know everything about it – inversions, positioning and so on. Maybe tomorrow I’ll start practicing something from that module routines.

Routines

2341 – 1-12 frets – 150 bpm – 8th notes – 3 min
2413 – 1-12 frets – 150 bpm – 8th notes – 3 min
2431 – 1-12 frets – 150 bpm – 8th notes – 3 min
12, 13, 14, 23, 24, 34 – 1-12 frets – 150 bpm – 8th notes – 6 min

Major scales – 1-12 frets – EADG strings – 150 bpm – 8th notes
Major scales – 1-12 frets – D string – Pronouncing notes – 4:50
Major scales – 1-12 frets – G string – Pronouncing notes – 6:49
Minor scales – 1-12 frets – EA strings – 150 bpm – 8th notes

Strumming – Module 15 – 100 bpm

Day 60. My first melody

Today I repeated everything I’d played yesterday, tried a new way of practicing 34s without letting my middle go everywhere and accidentally came up with a simple melody based on the major scale.

1234 exercise

Still struggling with my thumb placement. Either I don’t move it at all or have to stop playing because of a mistake.

2341 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 150 bpm

2413 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 150 bpm

2431 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 150 bpm

12, 13, 14, 23, 24, 34 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 150 bpm

34 on the 5th fret

8th notes @ 120 bpm. My previous way of reducing middle finger movement didn’t work out so I tried something else – taped my index and middle fingers together and made an attempt of playing 34s like that. I think that the main issue is in the lack of stretching so I’ll try to something for improving it.

Scales

Major scales

8th notes @ 150 bpm

A string – Pronouncing notes [Fretboard knowledge]. Under 5 minutes!

Minor scales

8th notes @ 150 bpm

A string – Pronouncing notes [Fretboard knowledge]. Almost under 5 minutes, but I’ll count that anyway!

Ear training

Today I finally got to the level with 7 intervals! The overall percentage of successfully guessed intervals is lower but insignificantly.

Songs

Just before recording this video I randomly played some scale parts and came up with the melody which I want to share. Also I decided to make some list of riffs to make these videos more organized.

The Melody I Came Up With
The Phantom of the Opera
The Offspring – You’re Gonna Go Far, Kid
Король и Шут – Лесник [Intro]
Black Sabbath – Paranoid

Summary

What a fun day it was. I’m kinda stuck with 1234s and really need to improve the consistency of these combinations across the neck. So maybe I’ll try to start a new module and see what routines are there. Anyway I still need to practice major scales notes pronunciation on the D and G strings, so presumably I still have things to practice for now and don’t need something else.

Routines

2341 – 1-12 frets – 150 bpm – 8th notes – 3 min
2413 – 1-12 frets – 150 bpm – 8th notes – 3 min
2431 – 1-12 frets – 150 bpm – 8th notes – 3 min
12, 13, 14, 23, 24, 34 – 1-12 frets – 150 bpm – 8th notes – 6 min
34 – 5th fret – 120 bpm – 8th notes – 2 min – New approach

Major scales – 1-12 frets – EADG strings – 150 bpm – 8th notes
Major scales – 1-12 frets – A string – Pronouncing notes – 4:55
Minor scales – 1-12 frets – EA strings – 150 bpm – 8th notes
Minor scales – 1-12 frets – A string – Pronouncing notes – 5:02

Day 59. The Phantom of the Opera

Today I continued working on 1234s and scales and in the end kinda went over the top with picking up the whole melody and chords for The Phantom of the Opera.

1234 exercise

It’s funny how one day you have an issue and then the next day it’s gone but you’re struggling with something you’ve never noticed and had problems with before. Some combinations were harder on the way up the neck but now they are much easier on the way down some how and the other way around.

2341 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 150 bpm

2413 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 150 bpm

2431 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 150 bpm

12, 13, 14, 23, 24, 34 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 150 bpm

Scales

Major scales

8th notes @ 150 bpm. Muscle memory slowly but surely appears, which I’m happy about. Still struggling with D and G strings though.

Pronouncing notes [Fretboard knowledge]. During the exercise I used to though of the A string as if it was E string. So I messed up a few scales and had to start them over again. Hence it took far too long.

Minor scales

8th notes @ 150 bpm. The shape is really easy, but I need to work on the tension, especially in my pinky.

Pronouncing notes [Fretboard knowledge]. Surprisingly I managed to finish in less time that before although there was some mistakes as well.

Ear Training

The progress is quite unnoticeable but it is presented 🙂

Songs

I ran out of ideas for guitar riffs, so some new ones are really necessary to implement in this section. Will chose some soon.

Green Day – When I Come Around
Green Day – Welcome to Paradise
Green Day – Boulevard of Broken Dreams
Green Day – Brain Stew
The White Stripes – Seven Nation Army
Би-2 – Феллини
Deep Purple – Smoke on the Water

The Phantom Of the Opera

It all started when I accidentally played something remotely similar to the melody of this song.

Firstly, I picked up this part, then got interested in the song’s key and chords and noticed that playing the same melody in the shape of the scale is much easier. So I re-figured it out again on the other part of the neck.

This process repeated for a few times. Finally I got some chords and progressions between the verses. It was fun but took me literally hours. Anyway, here is the result.

Today I really wanted to make something like a cover of this song, but now I’m not that sure. Anyway, figuring out a song completely by ear and understanding how to play it more comfortable for myself was really great. Need to do it more.

Summary

The Phantom of the Opera part was a complete surprise and I liked it so much. But the new camera angle is not that good. I like the previous one better. Tomorrow I’ll experiment with the lighting and camera positioning and much likely sit down again.

Routines

2341 – 1-12 frets – 150 bpm – 8th notes – 3 min
2413 – 1-12 frets – 150 bpm – 8th notes – 3 min
2431 – 1-12 frets – 150 bpm – 8th notes – 3 min
12, 13, 14, 23, 24, 34 – 1-12 frets – 150 bpm – 8th notes – 6 min

Major scales – 1-12 frets – EADG strings – 150 bpm – 8th notes
Major scales – 1-12 frets – A string – Pronouncing notes – 6:48
Minor scales – 1-12 frets – EA strings – 150 bpm – 8th notes
Minor scales – 1-12 frets – A string – Pronouncing notes – 5:50

Day 58. Random riffs

Today I ordered a tripod for the phone, changed the lighting a bit and practiced the same routines as yesterday. Also I continued my new idea of playing some random riffs that were in my mind right then.

1234 exercise

2341 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 150 bpm

2413 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 150 bpm

2431 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 150 bpm

12, 13, 14, 23, 24, 34 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 150 bpm

Scales

Major scales

8th notes @ 150 bpm

I was rudely interrupted in the middle of the exercise, so here is another attempt.

Pronouncing notes [Fretboard knowledge]

Minor scales

8th notes @ 150 bpm

Pronouncing notes [Fretboard knowledge]

Ear training

I felt like I was failing more than yesterday but the results are getting better. Unfortunately, this process is not as fast as I want.

Songs

I really like this new tradition of mine 🙂

Marilyn Manson – Sweet Dreams
Black Sabbath – Paranoid
Blur – Song 2
Green Day – Holiday
Green Day – Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) [Intro]
Billie Eilish – bellyache
Ozzy Osbourne – Crazy Train [Intro]
Three Days Grace – The Good Life [Intro]
Green Day – Troublemaker
Green Day – American Idiot

Summary

I’m so into my random riffs idea 😀 It’s fun. My only concern is that I won’t be able to learn something new as fast and these videos will have many songs in common. But maybe it’s not that bad at all and we’ll see about that.

Routines

2341 – 1-12 frets – 150 bpm – 8th notes – 3 min
2413 – 1-12 frets – 150 bpm – 8th notes – 3 min
2431 – 1-12 frets – 150 bpm – 8th notes – 3 min
12, 13, 14, 23, 24, 34 – 1-12 frets – 150 bpm – 8th notes – 6 min

Major scales – 1-12 frets – EADG strings – 150 bpm – 8th notes
Major scales – 1-12 frets – A string – Pronouncing notes – 6:31
Minor scales – 1-12 frets – EA strings – 150 bpm – 8th notes
Minor scales – 1-12 frets – A string – Pronouncing notes – 5:58

Day 57. New lighting and idea

Today I started practicing 1234s on the whole fretboard and tried to increase my playing scales skill. The second part didn’t work out…

1234 exercise

It was a rough start but considering it’s the first attempt I did pretty well.

2341 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 150 bpm

2413 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 150 bpm

2431 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 150 bpm

12, 13, 14, 23, 24, 34 on the 1-12 frets

8th notes @ 150 bpm

Scales

I don’t know what’s up with me and scales but I just constantly keep messing them up. Maybe I should decrease the speed a bit or practice on a single fret instead of the whole fretboard at once.

Major scales

8th notes @ 150 bpm

Pronouncing notes [Fretboard knowledge]

Minor scales

8th notes @ 150 bpm

Pronouncing notes [Fretboard knowledge]

Ear training

Gradually increasing my ears skills. The process takes much more time than I hoped it would take. There were a few moments when I though I could get to the next level but every time I failed just by the end of the progress bar when I needed 2-3 more correct answers to proceed. I’ll try practicing every day before I go to sleep in order to reach my goal this week.

Songs

I decided to start a tradition of playing random riffs that I know and want to play right now. It’s just for fun and in order not to get bored of other routines. I was so excited about the new light that I came up with that idea just to record something using it 😀

Nirvana – Smells Like Teen Spirit [Intro]
Король и Шут – Лесник [Intro]
The Offspring – The Kids Aren’t Alright [Intro]
Green Day – 21 Guns [Solo]
Green Day – 21 Guns [Chorus]
Arctic Monkeys – Do I Wanna Know? [Intro]
The All-American Rejects – Dirty Little Secret [Intro]
Green Day – ¿Viva La Gloria? (Little Girl) [Solo]
Green Day – Boulevard of Broken Dreams [Solo]

Summary

The first half of the day was not that productive, but the thing with the new lamps got myself a second breath so I became very enthusiastic about recording something else. Need to maintain this kind of mood to proceed further easier and with more fun!

Routines

2341 – 1-12 frets – 150 bpm – 8th notes – 3 min
2413 – 1-12 frets – 150 bpm – 8th notes – 3 min
2431 – 1-12 frets – 150 bpm – 8th notes – 3 min
12, 13, 14, 23, 24, 34 – 1-12 frets – 150 bpm – 8th notes – 10 min

Major scales – 1-12 frets – EADG strings – 150 bpm – 8th notes
Major scales – 1-12 frets – A string – Pronouncing notes – 7:42
Minor scales – 1-12 frets – EA strings – 150 bpm – 8th notes
Minor scales – 1-12 frets – A string – Pronouncing notes – 6:54