Synaptic Studios — Chris Finch

Eric Johnson: Trademark

August 23, 2009 By Chris Finch 1 Comment

Many great guitarists such as Albert Collins, Freddie King, Billy Gibbons, and Stevie Ray Vaughan have come from Texas. Another great is Eric Johnson. By far one of the most well respected guitarists around, Eric is also a singer, songwriter, and pianist. Playing the Austin club scene in the 1970’s, he drew from an eclectic mix of blues, country, jazz, and rock, to help create his individual approach to the guitar. The influence of piano, his first instrument, is also a large part of his … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Essential Listening

Lesson 2: 12 Bar Variations – The Texas Shuffle

August 7, 2009 By Chris Finch Leave a Comment

There are many variations of the 12 Bar Blues. These variations are found in the chords and rhythm. The previous lesson showed a standard 12 Bar Blues with a shuffle feel. A variation on that is the “Texas Shuffle”. This uses the same chord progression with a shuffle feel but a few more notes added. The major difference with this blues is what we will be playing rhythmically. Once your left hand is comfortable with the riff, try strumming through it - Down Up, Down Up, Down Up, Down Up. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Lessons Tagged With: blues, Chords, major, progression

Lesson 1: The Blues In A

August 7, 2009 By Chris Finch Leave a Comment

The guitar is a highly expressive and powerful instrument. It’s capability of endless tones is astounding. No matter what style of music you choose to play it’s all found within the 12 notes on the guitar. The fundamental elements such as scales, chords and especially rhythms are really what define a style. However, through my hours of practicing the most important aspect has been feel. Without emotion the guitar is simply chords and scales. A few simple notes played a certain way can be … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Lessons Tagged With: blues, Chords, progression

Jeff Beck: Brush With The Blues

August 3, 2009 By Chris Finch 3 Comments

Jeff Beck is regarded as one of the most innovative guitar players of all time. Known for his “hands on” approach, Jeff uses the entire guitar to produce a unique vocal style. His limited use of a pick and mastery of the whammy bar, volume, and tone controls allow for true sonic creation. Reinventing himself throughout his career, Jeff has released records in genres such as blues rock, jazz fusion, rock, and electronic music. Through these recordings he has been a four time Grammy Award … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Essential Listening Tagged With: blues, jazz, rock

Advanced Music Theory Lesson 2: Scale Tendencies

May 7, 2009 By Chris Finch Leave a Comment

Now that we have introduced all of the modes, let's look at what roles individual notes take in these scales. In a tonal context, they all have certain tendencies. Stable Tones: (1,3,5) Tonic: The tonic is the 1st degree of the scale. All other notes are based around the tonic and gravitate towards it. Dominant: The dominant is the 5th degree. This is a solid or stable note. Third degree: The 3rd degree is stable; however, it is not as stable … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Advanced Theory, Theory Tagged With: Modes, Scales, Tendencies, Theory

Advanced Music Theory Lesson 1: The Modes

May 7, 2009 By Chris Finch 2 Comments

As we discussed in previous lessons, the Major scale is also know as Ionian and the Minor scale as Aeolian. We also know that the relative minor is the major scale starting from it's 6th degree. The scales starting from all of the other degrees will now be introduced. This group of scales is known as "the modes". Lets start in the key of C. If we re-spell the C Major scale (Ionian) starting from each subsequent degree in the scale, we end up with the following: Mode … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Advanced Theory, Theory Tagged With: major, minor, Modes, Scales, Theory

Basic Music Theory Lesson 2B: Minor Scale Construction

April 8, 2009 By Chris Finch Leave a Comment

The minor scale (also called Aeolian) is a major scale with its 3rd, 6th, and 7th degrees flattened. As we saw in lesson 2 (major scales part 1), the placement of tones and semi-tones is what gives each type of scale its individual sound. If we take the C Major scale and flatten the 3rd, 6th, and 7th degrees, we get the following placement of tones and semi-tones. If you were to start on any note and apply this order of tones and semi-tones ( T, ST, T, T, ST, T, T) you would end … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Basic Theory, Theory Tagged With: major, minor, Minor Scales, Scales, Theory