This is an out of print book that contains a lesson plan for building speed and an ear for improv.
http://s12.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2RBC7DAVMWY4D0JD6U6VB6PWE2
The file is 24M and you will need to know how to read notation to make much use of it. The idea of the system can be implemented without the music the book contains, but the music it contains is QUITE challenging (at least for me) and worth attempting. Some of the chord voicings he prescribes are rather difficult. If you don't know how, and don't want to learn, to read notation then you can still make use of the book by reading the first 10 pages or so and if you can read chord spellings all the chords are spelled out...you'll just miss out on figuring out those voicings.
Looks pretty cool Noah, Could be a good way to pick up some reading skills as you go also. --the dog
Hey Noah, is Howard Roberts your father :?: I seem to remember you mentioning the your dad played guitar also. --the dog
That's a pretty sweet book. Now if only I can learn to read standard notation.....
Our songs also have the standard pop format: Verse, chorus, verse, chorus, solo, bad solo. All in all, I think we sound like The Knack and the Bay City Rollers being molested by Black Flag and Black Sabbath.
Kurt Cobain
You know there is something to be said for that introduction.
Hey Noah, is Howard Roberts your father :?: I seem to remember you mentioning the your dad played guitar also. --the dog
No. There are a lot of Roberts out there. I don't know much about that side of the fam. My dad has a guitar but he isn't really a player.
I'm going to start doing this program again on Friday. That will be day one of week one. I was thinking a support group would be cool and the book even recommends something like that. So who's in? Who wants to start with me and help each other out?
I'll tell you what the hard parts for me are...reading the music and playing the chords as voiced. I can't site read, and can actually really barely read music, and this guys is kind of wierd. Then his voicings are a little tough and the chords he picked are just damn hard to play. But boy is it a push...when I was active in this program I was learning a lot...which is why I keep trying to go back to it and get through it all. So far the first time is the most I have made it through and I made it to week 5.
So who is in? Let's go! 8)
I'm in! I already have a question...Why does he have to be so chromatic? It annoys me. Let's start with the chords of the A-1 lesson. He goes from Bb to Bb Mix...I understand that. That's cool, but why when he's improvising does he flatten the D and make E natural durning the same measure of Bb mix? Does this supposed to sound good? Isn't flattening all the A's enuff for this man when going from Bb major to Bb Mix? Also, he flattens the 9 of the Bb13. Why does he want to do that when were in Bb mix. I don't get jazz...
I'm in! I already have a question...Why does he have to be so chromatic? It annoys me. Let's start with the chords of the A-1 lesson. He goes from Bb to Bb Mix...I understand that. That's cool, but why when he's improvising does he flatten the D and make E natural durning the same measure of Bb mix? Does this supposed to sound good? Isn't flattening all the A's enuff for this man when going from Bb major to Bb Mix? Also, he flattens the 9 of the Bb13. Why does he want to do that when were in Bb mix. I don't get jazz...
To tell the truth I haven't spent much time studying his improv lines. I didn't really get them either. I can see a lot of question answer stuff in there but going beyond that is a bit above me. He puts in a lot of odd chords and substitutions I don't quite understand but I think he does it to really train the ear.
It's a great program, and I'd love to join, but it'll be a few weeks. I can't really read music (I can pick things out given time, but it takes a while), and I have other things to do this week.
Our songs also have the standard pop format: Verse, chorus, verse, chorus, solo, bad solo. All in all, I think we sound like The Knack and the Bay City Rollers being molested by Black Flag and Black Sabbath.
Kurt Cobain
Well, I almost skipped today but I didn't. Man, I can't even come close to making it all 10 minutes with those chords though. I have to record the thing once through and the do a copy/paste to make it 10 minutes of backing. At the end of one go my hand is jello.
I've got a copy of this book and I am game to try it out.
I'm wondering if any one would care to share their experience going through the Super Chops program.
I've got Page Hamilton's DVD and he is a big proponent of Howard Robert's ideas and the "Super Chops" approach.
I tried the link, but got "page not found" error.
I started with nothing - and I've still got most of it left.
Did you know that the word "gullible" is not in any dictionary?
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I think I have the file on my old PC. I'll try to up load it to box net some time this week-end and post a link. It's been a while since I've heard from Noah. Last I heard from him was about a year ago.
