Vision Music

[nylenny]

I've noticed from transcribing that the licks of riff-based players -- such as Robben Ford, Benson, Grant, Kenny and Wes -- fit nicely over CAGED shapes and the underlying modal patterns. So, if you think of shapes/patterns, it's easier to remember the riffs.

Has anyone else noticed this or thought of it in this way? Is this a recommended way to learn? It sort of seems that by thinking in this way, you can cover scale practice, arpeggio drills, and transcribing in one fell swoop.

[Dave Illig]

What do you mean by "riff based" players?
_________________
The hippest note you can play is a rest.

[nylenny]

By "riff based," I mean players that play licks or riffs, rather than relying on scales. I'm not sure that it's a precise distinction, because most players combine the two, but some sound more scale-based than others. IMHO -- and Mark please chime in here -- that blues-oriented players sound more lick-based.

I understand that it's a controversial statement because: a) licks come from scales, and b) everyone uses a combination of the two to some degree. It's really just more of a sound, and how music sounds to me.

[Mark]

[nylenny]

Thanks Mark.

I agree -- the licks do make it easier to solo. It's liberating to find that you can move licks around the fingerboard like you can chord shapes. Difficult-to-play changes can become manageable.

I do find, however, that I can see chord shapes under most licks, and that makes them easier to remember (and to morph).

[thaydon]

[nylenny]

Yes, I find it helpful overall to notice the shapes. I try to look for CAGED shapes in everything -- from transcribing, to rhythm guitar, to arranging, because it makes it so much easier to remember things and integrate.

[Mark]

[Dave Illig]

Yes, my question was tongue-in-cheek. I have run the gamut in trying to sound like a jazz player. I started, as Mark did, only using scales. Not anymore. I have heard, probably not true, that Wes didn't know the names of the chords he played. He just played what sounded good to him. I tend to reference chords now if I use shapes as I can readily "see" the notes of the chord for soloing. Although, when I am just blowing sometimes I don't know what I was thinking, it just comes out. Of course on close inspection, they are all things I have played many times before.
_________________
The hippest note you can play is a rest.

[woland99]

[Brad Kinder]

I don't really use the cage shapes so much but when I'm learning licks I visualize them over the chord grip and take note of what chord tone it starts and ends on. That's usually how I catalog them in my brain at first until they just become sounds that I can use at will.

[Mark]