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For the CAGED system in scales, I’m looking for a little clarity. It looks like the C shape is not a C scale if played at the start of the neck, and instead the A shape would be a C scale. And then playing an A scale you’d use the G shape. Is that right then? So for starting a C scale, I’d start with an A shape, and then the next C scale would be a G shape? And so on down the line. Just a little confused since CAGED for chords starts wit the open shape of the chord as named in CAGED, but for scales it seems to start on the pattern that follows the letter of the scale name? Or am I missing something?
Ah well now I’m more confused because the scale pattern’s I was looking at when I made the above assumption don’t seem to match the scale patterns that you included in the hand out.
Well I guess I just needed to mull it over a bit in my head. Just like the intent of it, it’s movable, so in the case of a C shape C scale, on the hand out we got the fret position is irrelevant, just root on the A string 3rd fret (c) and play open strings for the positions indicated as fretted on the “2nd” frets. and so on down the line,
Hi Tony,
I can’t find the Fretboard Wizard Forum. A little help please.
I alos can’t find out how to finsh the last 4 steps to complete this course. I have went vback and taken all of the quizes that I didn’t have a gren check mark on and a few that did have a green check on it. Any ideas on how to finsh it?
I have 2 songs that I want to finsh the course/ put it all togrether with, record, and post but it’s tough to do when you work 12 hour shifts and then yard and garden work on the days off.
Your student and friend,
Sheriff Dave
Proof read? Apparently not! 🙂
Dave,
Thanks for asking, the FW forums are on the fretboard wizard home page and in the internal menu you will see a link for the forum. To make it easy here is a direct link: http://tonypolecastro.com/groups/fretboard-wizard/forum/
As for completing the course the live q&a replays have a mark complete button on them as well so make sure to hit those up 🙂
We just put our garden in so I hear you about the yard work 🙂
Sending you good vibes from TAC headquarters!!!
Cheers,
Tony
Tony and Pals,
Thanks, I have really enjoyed the course. I have studied music theory for fretboard from other sources before but this course totally blew them out of the water. It now makes sense to me it ways it never did before. By the way what brand of capo do you use?
David O.
David,
Thank you so much for your kind words, I am so glad you enjoyed the course. There are two capos that I really like: The Shubb Deluxe and the Mckinney Elliot Capo.
Cheers,
Tony
As much as I tried I cannot locate scale sheet. Can you paste link in course comments? Great stuff on improvising and soloing with much more then light bulb moments. More like turning on the football field lights at midnight. Thanks.
Tom,
Not a problem at all, here is a link to that scale sheet download 🙂
https://tonypolecastro-ckbdavmhncmrvyyjwuzy6gzyrunnb3nn.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Improvisation-Module-Bonus.pdf
Cheers,
Tony
I’m playing catch up on this holiday Monday. I just finished Module 3’s quiz and watched the Improv Framework video. I don’t know that I’m going to dive right into what sounds like a tough quiz.
I found the song used as an example on the Improv video to be so hauntingly beautiful that I did a search for it – I Go Alone by Shelly Besler and our very own Tony Polecastro. I’ve now added Half Broke Horse to my collection. Some great music.
Jack,
Thank you for the shout out on the tune 🙂 I am glad you dig it!!! Also, a huge thanks for being here in the FW course 🙂
Cheers,
Tony
OK, Tony I finally got it right. I left a comment after the Q&A session. That comment I would remove if I was able. I had judged totally on the the information given without working thru this improvisation lesson which gives a massive amount of info related directly to soloing which was my reason for taking the coarse. Please remove that comment and accept my apologies. I need to fly with both engines running. In-fact this coarse met and surpassed my expectations. Thanks, good coarse and the quiz I will have to take over again. Another case of single engine running on a twin engine aircraft.
OK, Tony I finally got it right. I wrote the above comment after the Q&A session. This comment I would remove if I was able. I had judged the info totally on the the information given without working thru the improvisation lesson which gives a massive amount of info related directly to soloing which was my goal and reason for taking the coarse. Please remove the above comment and accept my apologies. I need to fly with both engines running. In-fact this coarse met and surpassed my expectations. Thanks, good coarse and the quiz I will have to take over again. Another case of single engine running on a twin engine aircraft.
Gene,
No worries at all, I am a touch late at getting to comments today. I removed that comment per your request and am happy that you visited the module and it helped out 🙂 I always welcome feedback in fact the feedback I get helps out tremendously when designing curriculum and helping match expectations so no problem at all 🙂 Three cheers for both engines running smoothly 🙂
Cheers,
Tony
Ok, Apparently I need help finding the bonus worksheet. May I have some assistance please/
Barry,
All you have to do is go to the week 4 replay, located under the drop down area next to the module (Improvisation Framework) and once you are on the replay page there is a link in the description to download the bonus worksheet 🙂
Cheers,
Tony
Hi, Q&A Replay not yet up or something wrong?
(Levi still in bed and sleeping, while we here in Europe are already approaching evening? 😉 )
Adolf,
It’s all up and ready to go 🙂 We had to edit it due to some technical difficulties.
Cheers,
Tony
Fully apologized and rehabilitated, Tony and Levi 🙂
Can anyone tell me when the Q&A Replay for 5/25 is going to be posted?? I’m very busy and, with the technical difficulties during the Live Q&A preventing me from watching, I’m getting behind and anxious….
Tim,
No worries at all, I just posted the replay along with the bonus download 🙂 You can watch whenever you wish and remember you have access to this information even after the live portion has completed so work through it at a pace that is comfortable for you 🙂 If you have any questions just holler 🙂
Cheers,
Tony
Tony, or anyone for that matter,
Where is the download for the Wizard Bonus?
Gene,
I just posted that this morning along with the replay 🙂
Cheers,
Tony
Yo Tony!…you’re missing some #’s in your chart!
Yo Tony!…never mind…my bad…
Tony, I just watched the improvisation lesson. First off, I just learned more about soloing than anything that was taught to me when I began learning, and definitely more than I was able to retain trying to memorize scale patterns.
Secondly, due to the fact that I am always looking forward as to how do things tie together, I have this question…….
When soloing in the “chord method” You mentioned using the notes within the song’s chord structure. Knowing that using the entire neck will add options and more color to your voicing, could you expand the use of the chord tones through the CAGED system for that key so you can add depth and variety to your solo. In other words: If the song is in the key of D, can I then work my way up the neck forming the D chord in the “C”, “A”, “G”, and “E” positions to add that color? Just curious? Something I plan on playing around with after I get through the lesson but wanted to ask.
Thanks again for the guidance. You have opened the door again for me to explore the guitar. Keep strummin’
Anthony
Anthony,
This is a great question and I would recommend checking out the live q&a replay 🙂 I actually highlighted your question and I think it will help outline the connection of CAGED to improvisation… especially the scale patterns download 🙂
Cheers,
Tony
Damn Tony, I think you are actually sneaking some knowledge into this thick scull of mine!
Strong work!
Thanks Bennett!!! I am glad that you are learning and absorbing this knowledge!!! Great job sticking to it and working through the modules!!!
Cheers,
Tony
Great reminder for me that when soloing over the II, III, IV etc. chords, it’s still soloing over the same key center with the same tones. Thank you, Tony!
I was often making my life far too complicated (and fleeing to pentatonic and blues scales) because I was not enough aware if this.
Helps also when dealing with at first difficult appearing modes like dorian, mixolydian etc.
Great connection Adolf!!!
Cheers,
Tony
How can I stop in the middle of this, save what I have completed and then return later?
Hi Tim,
I don’t think there is a “save” function on the quiz. You can leave a dedicated browser window open on your desktop, and come back to it later. Though at some point TAC logs you off automatically for inactivity after a while.
Tim,
Unfortunately the quiz software doesn’t have that feature yet… I am hoping it comes in an update 🙂
Cheers,
Tony
I get it. But is it going to take some work to really get it.
For sure. Doing a solo seems to be a little further in the future than I was hoping 🙂
Hey Tony,
I loved this lesson. I always have constructed solos or riffs based on the melody of the song. I find that to be my comfort zone for sure. My question is then when going up the neck to other territories do you then just find those notes in other places? So if the song is in D would you then incorporate your CAGED method and work your way up the neck to create the solos?
Also on a side note, with the passing of Chris Cornell what were your thoughts on him has a guitar player. I always appreciated his for his use of odd time signatures and unique chord patterns or reverse chords. Just curious as to your thoughts.
Thank you
Frank
Frank,
I am so glad you dug this lesson 🙂 You just made a huge connection with the CAGED system… not only is it used for chord locations, but also for the corresponding individual notes… and scale patterns as well 🙂 (bonus material to come on Thursday’s live q&a shhhhhhh 🙂 ). I always thought Chris was a great guitar player, not known for it, but his use of alternate voicings and odd rhythms are top notch!!! A great example!!! I always think that it is so cool when we are able to observe players and their use of different chord voicings while playing. It really shows other dimensions and aspects of a player. Another who is very good at mixing up chord voicings is Bob Weir, and also Darrell Scott 🙂
Cheers,
Tony
Sorry Tony…not grasping this exercise at all. Fretboard Wizard I am not. Not likely too either. I think I will just stick to simple strumming.
Tony,
Great explanation on both chord based and melody based soloing. I have been told to start solo on the root note of the key the song is in and to return back to the root within the solo (emphasize it).
QUESTION??
??? So would I be right to use that approach within each chord in the song? Since each chord has a different root? Or does one use the root from the Key (chord) throughout???
David
David,
Great question here 🙂 The crucial thing to know here is that you will stay within the Key of the song throughout your solo (I thought differently when I started soloing 🙂 ). That being the case you will use that key’s scale and focus your efforts on the chord tones that the chord matrix reveals 🙂 There are lots of repeats so if you happen to be soloing and you are not jiving with the current note of the scale if you go one degree up or one degree down you are likely to find a chord tone 🙂 Also, you can always reference those chord shapes when soloing just to double check where your chord tones are 🙂 I hope this helps!!!
Cheers,
Tony
It is a slow process for me since I still need to draw out the chord matrix and think what is the 1,4,5 and count where they are on the fretboard . Can anyone clear this up…when you make a c chord using the chord matrix for a c major scale,
you have C E G, you are actually playing more than those three notes , you play everything from the root down, so technically C includes all 5 notes right…..seems like a silly question, but does the triad C e g, in this case simply mean the strings you put your fingers on? Feel like I am missing something here
Laurel,
When you finger a C chord and strum from the fifth string down what notes do you play?
C chord = C,E,G
fifth string = C
fourth = E
third = G
second = C
first = E
All of the notes you strike in the chord are in the chord. If you try out some other chords you should find that i true most of the time.
David
Thank you David!
Those 3 notes you put your fingers on are the triad
Thanks Darlene
Some notes double up in a chord. So a e chord is e,b,e, g#, b, e
So only three notes but e and b repeat
Laurel, remember the sweeter spot “G” scale and the close proximity of the cord triads that were used to play the song? You can use those triads to solo , along with the G scale that’s right there with them. OK now you’re probably thinking what if the songs in E? Well you can use that same scale pattern that started on the A string and simply move the starting point down 3 frets to the E note. You have the same scale and chord triads right there close to the scale.
.
When you play a C chord our playing C-E-G. If your playing a C with all 6 strings ringing your still only playing C-E-G. The other C’s E’s & G’s may be an octave higher or lower or in the same octave on a fatter string which sounds fuller (or not as bright). But your still only playing C E & G.
I hope this helps
That does help Gary! Thank you, I am still wandering through the fog on this stuff but it is getting clearer thinking in those terms
Wow, what a quiz!
I didn’t realise I spent more than 2 hours on it. I was so into it…time flew.
This specific test helped me build confidence. The fact that I had to fill gaps rather than ticking answers ruled out any lucky guess possibility.
I even helped a forum member for the first time today.
Fantastic work Chris!!! Digital high fives all around!!!
Cheers,
Tony
Hi Tony,
Thanks sooo much!
Have a great day.
Chris.
Brain hurts, but that was fun and I got through it (using garage band smart guitar as my real guitar is off limits at the moment) also I know where I went wrong on the questions I got wrong – which is good.. Apologies if I’ve missed someone asking this …. What happens with the number system if there’s a pesky key change mid song?
Jon,
Great question!!! If a key change occurs mid song then (in terms of notation) the key change would be noted and everything afterwards would be in relation to the new key. The good news is is that often when there is a key change the format or chord progression still stays the same (i.e. 1,4,5). I hope this helps 🙂
Cheers,
Tony
Ah yeah that makes sense !! Thanks Tony
Great test! Jimmy Brown the Newsboy threw me for a loop because I couldn’t figure out how they played that Carter style melody in open G. Then it hit me, capo on 7 and play C position. I was actually able to figure out the melody by ear. CAGED system at work. Thanks Tony
Great ear Trent!!!
Cheers,
Tony
Wow! After that session I was glad I kept my notes handy from module 2 it was tough but fun.
In joining TAC I figured I’d be building callouses and fretting finger dexterity. I didn’t expect such a brain workout!
Made myself stay away from the piano keyboard during the quiz. My usual go-to for transposing keys and chords. It helped me become more familiar with how the chord matrix and N’ville number system works.
I’ve got a chandelier full of light bulbs since we embarked on this adventure – I’m understanding the ‘science and math’ of what we’re doing but the ear portion of this quiz kicked my Texas tail. I’ll take a lil walk of shame and get after it again tomorrow.
Thanks, Tony. Great lessons. Great quizzes. Tough! Shows I need practice listening for chord changes. I was hearing some that apparently weren’t there.
Had to use scratch paper for a lot of it to keep things straight, plus I’m glad I have fingers to count on! If I can memorize and just “know” the 1-4-5s of each scale it would provide a quicker framework for mentally figuring out chord progressions on the fly. Then just add the minor 6, 2 or 3 as needed. Some of these I’ve known for years (I just didn’t know I knew)!
A D E
B E F#
C F G
D G A
E A B
F Bb C
G C D
Brian
Brian
Great idea gonna try and add these to the “memorized column” and figure out the 2,3,6 and relative minor as needed. Helps me to remember the Rel Minor is the 6m in Nashville….or the other way is 3 half steps before the key note.
David
Wow….I’m exhausted after completing the Module #3 quiz. I feel like I’ve been eaten by a coyote and crapped off a cliff!
I took a little over an hour to finish the quiz, and I can honestly say that I really had to apply myself. It was rewarding to get a good score on the quiz, and I feel like I’ve truly accomplished something! Love this FW course!!!
Nice work Tony!!!
It took me twice that time and change. You may have been rushing a bit Tony.
light bulb moment. use my ears not my head.
john
well thought out plan to deliver this info. with me feeling like iam falling behind due to life’s responsibilities i can take comfort in knowing tony gave us the time
to fit it in.
thanks
tony
You got it John 🙂 And remember you can come back to this info at anytime since you will always have access to it 🙂
Cheers,
Tony
Great Course, this helps tons
got all the question on key and changing correct but the songs kicked my butt,,,,,Again.
Very tough quiz for me. I found the academic portion very slow to perform but very comprehensible. I had an extremely difficult time hearing the right chord at the changes. Today the bear got me.
15 out of 20 (with a couple of stupid mistakes). Took a long time. THIS COURSE IS GREAT! I hope it’s profitable for you. Just a great service to those wanting to really learn to play guitar. I’ve learned way more on the past two years than the preceding 40+. Thank you. You deserve good things in your life.
Robert,
Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement 🙂 I am so glad that this course and TAC are helping you progress, keep up the outstanding work in the course and on TAC 🙂
Cheers,
Tony
Tony,
This was challenging for sure! I admit to using my nifty Shubb Transposing Guide on a few!
Cheers!
Jean
Jean,
Hey if it helps I say go for it!!! Everyone needs a guide every now and again 🙂
Cheers,
Tony
This was a great one! Really got to combine all the new skills we’re learning. There is nothing like seeing it light up green.
Whew. A tough one. But I really felt like I was really getting it at the end. And my son wandered in as I was doing in, wondered what I was doing and became fascinated. Another convert!
Jim,
Yes!!! I feel the new trend will be learning guitar theory as a family function 🙂
Cheers,
Tony
A very good quiz. Could get the right key but not the right order of chords after. If I could just turn off the singer it would help some.
The good news is I’m getting better at picking out the chord progression, still not good at it. I’ll be adding that to “things to work on regularly”
I need a break though, so I’ll be enjoying the regular TAC program for a few days.
PS: Chrome was just as glitchy as Safari on the iPad and in the exact same way.
Gregor,
Thanks for the note on the tech, I will relay it to the tech folks 🙂
Cheers,
Tony
I was a little critical of the earlier quizzes for being to easy with goofy answers. I take it back. This one was tough. Holy crap!
No worries Dave 🙂 I have to ease everyone into a quiz of this caliber 🙂
Cheers,
Tony
ARGH! CURSES! Would’ve had 15/15 but I forgot to put the sharp sign in one of the F#m’s! 14 instead. That said, this was tough, but a PHENOMENAL exercise!!! This is the first time I’ve ever been able to transpose any piece of music and it’s entirely due to the straightforward way Tony presented the info. He actually did the impossible and made it so even I could understand! A true lightbulb miracle! Thanks, brother!!
Adam,
Scratch those lightbulb moments we are here for lightbulb miracles 🙂 Great job and keep up that awesome progress!!!
Cheers,
Tony
Had to work pretty hard over quite some time and BONUS it made be learn the concepts … or at least start to learn. If I didn’t have a major scale cheat sheet I would have been helplessly lost. Good learning structure.
Glad you stuck with this one Robert!!!
Cheers,
Tony
My ear needs lots of work.
Laura,
Ear training is one of those types of training that is always necessary 🙂 Hang in there and celebrate the small wins even if they are tiny 🙂 My ear to this day still deceives me with certain tunes 🙂
Cheers,
Tony
Hmm, this quiz or a root canal? This quiz or a colonoscopy?
Jim,
LOL I will take the quiz 🙂
Cheers,
Tony
Great one. Love the exercices with the songs. Thanks Tony.
This is the toughest quiz yet. I missed the 1st song horribly, partly because I accidentally wrote Bm instead of B for some reason. I still would have got it incorrect. The 2nd song I made 1 mistake. I had the right answer, but wrote one letter incorrect. Got the rest correct.
phew!
Kevin,
Nice work!!! This is definitely the hardest quiz so far 🙂
Cheers,
Tony
I’m really having a difficult time navigating this site on my IPad. I press next course and it goes to this discussion page? None of the links to the live have worked? This is getting frustrating.
Ron,
Each module is time released Module 3 Transposing will be released on Monday of next week. Any module that has not been released will take you to the discussion page by default. I hope this helps 🙂
Cheers,
Tony