This month we’re going to be jamming over a cool B Dorian rock progression. The B Dorian mode is the second mode in the key of A Major. Simply put, B Dorian is the A Major scale played from B to B. The intervals we create by sequencing from the second tone of a major… Continue reading Trading Licks: Episode 9 – Targeting the Six and Nine
Tag: guitars
Trading Licks: Episode 8 – Melodic Contours
This month we’re going to be jamming over an R&B style groove, with a tonal center of E7. That means we’ll be phrasing our lines and licks towards the chord-tones of E7. The tones of E, G#, B and D will be the strongest tones to resolve on, from the two melodic devices I’ve chosen… Continue reading Trading Licks: Episode 8 – Melodic Contours
Trading Licks: Episode 7 – Double-Stop Phrases
This month we’re going to be jamming over a mid-tempo rock track, in the key of A. We’ll be phrasing a mixture of double-stop ideas that start on the upbeat of one. Phrasing on the upbeats sounds a little more “hip” than if we start our phrases on the downbeats … I think you’ll like… Continue reading Trading Licks: Episode 7 – Double-Stop Phrases
Trading Licks: Episode 6 – The Dorian Mode / Shifting Keys
This month we’re going to be jamming over a swing sixteenth Dorian progression, and modulating through four different keys. We’ll be targeting the Major 6th in all four keys to really evoke the characteristic sound of the Dorian mode. The Dorian mode, simply put, is the second mode of any Major Scale. So if you… Continue reading Trading Licks: Episode 6 – The Dorian Mode / Shifting Keys
Trading Licks: Episode 5 – Adding Tones To The Pentatonic Scale
Trading Licks – Adding Tones To The Pentatonic Scale This month we’re going to be jamming over a cool R&B progression in A Minor. We’ll be using the A Minor Pentatonic scale with added chromatic tones, and the Major 6th (F#) to create our five, four-bar phrases. I’ve added the chromatic tones to create 16th… Continue reading Trading Licks: Episode 5 – Adding Tones To The Pentatonic Scale
Trading Licks: Episode 4 – Question & Answer / Ascending & Descending Lines
This month we’re going to be jamming over a blues, rock progression with a tonal center resolution point of C7. We’ll be using C9 arpeggios and the C Blues Scale to create our eight licks. I’ve also added a healthy amount of chromatic tones to each of the melodic devices this month. Those chromatic tones… Continue reading Trading Licks: Episode 4 – Question & Answer / Ascending & Descending Lines
Trading Licks: Phrasing on the Downbeat of Two
In this month’s “Trading Licks” session we’ll be playing over a really cool E Mixolydian progression. We’ll be targeting the characteristic note and starting each two-bar phrase on the downbeat of two. We’ll be using the E Minor Pentatonic Scale and the E Blues Scale for our melodic device, and I’ve intentionally started each of… Continue reading Trading Licks: Phrasing on the Downbeat of Two
Trading Licks – Phrasing On The Upbeats
Download the Line 6 Helix patch Download audio backing tracks Join us as we dive into the Trading Licks series with Robbie Calvo. Trading Licks are a series of video jam sessions optimized to teach you improvisational concepts to expand your musical horizons and keep you moving forward as a musician. These monthly episodes feature… Continue reading Trading Licks – Phrasing On The Upbeats
Yamaha Guitars Pride 2022
In celebration of Pride this year, we’ve put together a collective playlist highlighting songs and artists from the LGBTQ+ community, as well as some allies. Chosen by Yamaha Guitars employees from different roles and locations around the world, these tracks each hold a special meaning for us and we’ve included a few below. Enjoy! Harry… Continue reading Yamaha Guitars Pride 2022