Colin,
Try this:
1. Begin at any fret.
2. Pick strings 4, 5 and 6. let them sustain.
3. Engage the B and C pedals and. Let them sustain.
4. Slide up 2 frets. Let them sustain.
5. Slide up 3 more frets and pick 4, 5 and 6 no pedals. Let them sustain.
6. Slide up 2 more and let them sustain.
7. Engag the B and C pedals and let them sustain.
8. Slide up 5 frets and repick strings 4, 5 and 6 WITH the B pedal and the knee lever that lowers the E's. And let them sustain.
9. Let off the pedal and the knee lever while the notes sustain.
Now why did I have you do this? Well you may recognize the "Do Re Me.......... Do" scale.
And that is what it is ALL about. Now do it backwards. Do this forward AND backwards until you can do it in your sleep. Now, do it starting at progressively higher frets up or down, until you have covered All 12 keys.
This chordal scale is the root of most western style music. It is what the ear tends to want to hear.
After you have this down pat and can do it blind folded. Use all or parts of this scale when you are listening to a song while backing it up as you are practicing.
As you do, you will see how chords tend to progress and see it come alive to you.
You are accomplishing several things here.
1. You are training your ears.
2. You are learning Chord relations to each other.
3. You are learning passing tones.
4. You are learning the relationship of "relative" minors etc. within the chordal structure of music.
5. You are execising a pedal you don't normally use.
6. You are learning timing, picks, blocking, bar movement, etc; so you can enjoy playing and not have it become all mechanical.
As you do this, try OTHER string grips, etc. And, other combinations of pedals and/or knee levers.
If you do this my friend, You are ON your way.
Good luck, may Jesus richly bless you and don't forget to enjoy the "ride". Cuz it is one heckuva journey.
carl<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by C Dixon on 22 June 2002 at 01:36 PM.]</p></FONT><FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by C Dixon on 22 June 2002 at 01:41 PM.]</p></FONT>
