Steve Morse - Power Lines

Name: Steve Morse - Power Lines
Uploaded: 2015-11-06T20:22:36.000Z
Duration: 1 h 52 min 49 s

Techniques to Enhance Your Playing

Introduction to Techniques

The video covers various techniques to enhance guitar playing, including polyphonic ideas, chromatic ideas, and arpeggiated ideas.

Examples from the speaker's own tunes will be used to illustrate these concepts.

Discussion will also include phrasing, tone, and a segment on harmonics.

Tuning Up

The speaker emphasizes starting with tuning the A string as it is considered the most stable string for maintaining pitch.

It’s important to check all six strings thoroughly; floating bridges may require repeated tuning adjustments.

Warm-Up Exercises

A warm-up is essential before practice; it should gradually increase in intensity similar to how athletes prepare for physical activity.

Hands should be warmed up properly, especially in colder climates; running hands under warm water can help achieve this.

Unique Warm-Up Scale

The speaker introduces a symmetrical scale exercise that involves three notes per string using alternate picking.

This exercise helps stretch fingers and improve left-hand positioning while providing a good picking workout.

Timing and Rhythm

Emphasizing rhythm during warm-ups is crucial; accenting certain notes (like every third or sixth note in triplets) aids in keeping time.

Music should convey a sense of timing even when played solo; maintaining rhythm is vital throughout practice sessions.

Diminished Chord Exercise

A pattern over diminished chords serves as another warm-up exercise; it incorporates whole step and half step movements.

Left-Hand Exercises

If tension builds in the right hand during practice, it's beneficial to perform left-hand exercises while allowing the right hand to rest.

An example includes placing fingers one fret apart on adjacent strings and practicing hammer-ons for finger control.

Scales as Foundations for Licks

The session transitions into scales which are foundational for learning fast licks commonly found in tonal music.

A Major Scale Techniques

Stretching and Finger Placement

The instructor emphasizes the importance of stretching between the third and fourth fingers while practicing scales, particularly for speed.

Transitioning to the second note of the A major scale involves using a different finger placement, highlighting adaptability in technique.

Exploring Different Fingerings

The same notes can be played starting with different fingers, which alters hand positioning and shapes.

Starting on the second or third finger introduces new patterns; this flexibility is crucial for developing diverse playing styles.

Advanced Scale Practice

The instructor suggests beginning every scale point with the fourth finger to explore various fingering techniques.

Practicing scales up and down the neck helps solidify understanding of finger placements across different notes.

Utilizing Scales in Chord Progressions

Diatonic Chords in A Major

The discussion shifts to applying scales within chord progressions, specifically focusing on diatonic chords like F sharp minor and D.

Emphasis is placed on using arpeggiated ideas derived from triads (root, third, fifth), enhancing melodic lines.

Arpeggio Patterns

Outlining chords through arpeggios allows for creative expression by playing one note at a time while maintaining harmonic context.

Introducing variations in arpeggio patterns can cover more ground quickly across the fretboard.

Rhythmic Excitement Through Licks

Creating Rhythmic Patterns

The instructor shares a lick that enhances rhythmic excitement by changing only specific notes when transitioning between chords.

Common tones are utilized effectively to maintain continuity while shifting between F sharp minor and D chords.

Practical Application of Techniques

High notes are emphasized in patterns to ensure they stand out in mixes; this approach aids in creating dynamic soundscapes.

Understanding Chromatic Possibilities in Music

Introduction to Chromatic Concepts

The speaker emphasizes the importance of not accenting the downbeat until reaching it, suggesting a focus on timing and rhythm.

A discussion on chromatic possibilities begins, with the speaker reflecting on the definition of "chromatic," linking it to color (chroma) and half steps in music.

Adding Color to Scales

The speaker illustrates how introducing chromatic tones can add color to a simple scale, specifically using the minor pentatonic scale as an example.

Demonstrates ways to insert chromatic notes into a blues feel while maintaining one position on the guitar for ease of play.

Techniques for Playing Chromatically

Explains a technique involving repeating notes across different strings, which creates a clean tone and enhances musical texture without excessive movement.

Highlights that playing the same note on adjacent strings produces slightly different sounds, adding complexity and intrigue to the music.

Practicing Scales as Musical Phrases

Encourages practicing scales or variations as phrases rather than isolated notes, making it easier to incorporate them into actual music.

Introduces polyphonic ideas where multiple sounds are suggested through single-note playing, akin to juggling two balls with one hand.

Exploring Polyphonic Lines

Creating Polyphonic Effects

The speaker explains achieving polyphonic effects by alternating between lines while only hitting one note at a time.

A melodic tune is played slowly to illustrate how one note can ring over another while maintaining rhythmic integrity.

Practical Application of Polyphony

Discusses how top notes act as melodies while lower notes provide harmonic support; encourages viewers to learn this technique for better finger positioning.

Playing Scales Polyphonically

Technique Breakdown for B Minor Scale

Introduces playing a B minor scale polyphonically by adding additional notes while keeping certain tones ringing throughout.

Details specific finger placements needed for executing this technique effectively, emphasizing strategic use of fingers for optimal sound production.

Guitar Techniques and Licks

Basic Chord Progressions

The discussion begins with a straightforward explanation of playing a B minor chord, transitioning to an A minor position using specific finger placements.

Emphasis is placed on using the third finger for certain notes while scrunching fingers together to achieve separate notes, particularly focusing on F sharp and C.

Arpeggios and Chromatic Notes

The instructor introduces a simple lick that combines arpeggios with chromatic notes, highlighting the importance of finger positioning for smooth transitions.

A demonstration of playing an arpeggio over an A minor chord is provided, emphasizing the technique of holding one note while moving between others.

Advanced Lick Concepts

The focus shifts to a powerful G lick that incorporates various techniques such as arpeggios and polyphonic suggestions.

The instructor encourages creativity in applying these licks to enhance personal style and musical expression.

Finger Positioning Strategies

An introduction to using unconventional fingerings starts with a high A note in an A minor context, explaining how this can facilitate easier transitions between notes.

The concept of chromatic passing notes is discussed, showcasing how they can enrich melodic lines without complicating fingering patterns.

Distortion Techniques

Transitioning into distortion techniques, the instructor explains how different approaches affect sound clarity when multiple notes are played simultaneously.

The use of G chords is explored further, noting variations in fingering that accommodate unique note combinations.

Intervallic Patterns and Harmonics

Introduction to intervallic concepts derived from Jody Oreos' teachings; this involves skipping around strings while maintaining rhythmic patterns.

Instructions are given on moving patterns up by major thirds across the guitar neck for varied tonal exploration.

Harmonic Techniques

Discussion about power lines in playing emphasizes creating impactful sounds through harmonic techniques alongside traditional methods.

Understanding Harmonics on the Guitar

Exploring Harmonic Techniques

The lesson begins with an explanation of how to play a note and find a harmonic that is 12, 7, or 5 frets above it. The easiest method discussed is finding the harmonic 12 frets above the played note.

The instructor demonstrates playing an E note on the B string while simultaneously touching the fret wire 12 frets above. This technique produces a distinct sound from the string.

As the discussion progresses, it becomes evident that using harmonics at shorter intervals (like 7 or 5 frets above) can be more challenging and may require different finger placements.

The instructor encourages students to use whichever technique yields the best musical results, emphasizing flexibility in approach based on personal preference and skill level.

Acknowledgments and Closing Remarks