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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
The Advancing Guitarist by Mick Goodrick is a comprehensive guide for intermediate to advanced guitar players. It covers topics such as improvisation, chord voicings, and harmonic concepts, providing valuable insights for those looking to take their playing to the next level.
In The Advancing Guitarist, Mick Goodrick takes us on a journey through the mind of a guitarist. He starts by emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and critical thinking in honing one's skills. Goodrick argues that to truly advance as a guitarist, one must first understand their current abilities, their strengths, and their weaknesses.
He then delves into the concept of 'playing the guitar' versus 'playing music'. Goodrick believes that many guitarists focus too much on the former, and not enough on the latter. He encourages us to think of the guitar as a tool for expressing music, rather than an entity of its own.
Goodrick then moves on to discuss music theory. He introduces a concept called the 'cycle of 4ths', which is a sequence of chords that are commonly used in music. He claims that understanding this cycle can help guitarists to easily transpose music and improvise more effectively.
He also touches on scales and modes, explaining the importance of understanding their relationships. He encourages us to explore different modes and experiment with them, rather than just sticking to the familiar pentatonic scale.
Next, Goodrick discusses harmony and how it applies to the guitar. He introduces the concept of 'voice leading', which is the art of moving from one chord to another in a smooth and melodic way. He encourages us to pay attention to the intervals between the notes in each chord, and how they can be used to create a more harmonious sound.
He also talks about the importance of understanding the harmonic function of each note in a chord progression. By understanding the role of each note, we can create more interesting and complex chord progressions.
Goodrick then shifts his focus to improvisation. He argues that the ability to improvise is what separates a good guitarist from a great one. He encourages us to practice 'free' improvisation, where we play without any predetermined structure or key, in order to develop our musical intuition.
He also introduces the concept of 'playing the changes', which involves adjusting our improvisation to fit the underlying chord progression. He advises us to experiment with different scales and modes, and to listen closely to how they interact with the chords.
Finally, Goodrick discusses the importance of developing a personal style as a guitarist. He argues that while it's important to learn from others, we should also strive to develop our own unique voice on the instrument.
He encourages us to experiment with different techniques, scales, and chord progressions, and to find what resonates with us personally. He believes that by doing so, we can create music that is more authentic and meaningful.
In conclusion, The Advancing Guitarist is a thought-provoking exploration of what it means to truly advance as a guitarist. Goodrick challenges us to think critically about our playing, to understand the theory behind the music, and to develop our own unique voice on the instrument.
The Advancing Guitarist by Mick Goodrick is a comprehensive guide for intermediate to advanced guitar players looking to expand their musical horizons. It delves into advanced techniques, music theory, and creative exercises to help guitarists break out of their comfort zones and reach new levels of proficiency. With its unique approach and insightful advice, this book is a valuable resource for anyone looking to take their guitar playing to the next level.
Intermediate to advanced guitar players looking to improve their skills
Musicians interested in exploring new approaches to music theory and improvisation
Individuals who want to expand their creative potential and develop a unique musical voice on the guitar
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Get startedBlink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma