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Okay, I've been developing my guitar skills in parallel, playing both
blues and surf for more than a year. But I am finding that, other than
technique, the two don't cross paths too much. (Forgive errors that
will be made - I am still sketchy on various aspects of theory).
For instance, most of the early surf stuff was written with major and
minor chords, while the blues are mostly in 7th, 9th and 13th voicings.
Furthermore, the surf riffs seem to be based around Major and Minor
scales, rather than the Pentatonic blues scale patterns.
Okay, so here's my point: if you were me, how would you go about
becoming a better surf player? Would you work dillegently to learn the
C Major and C Minor scales in all positions, or continue working on
the Pentatonic as well as the (full) Major and Minor scales?
Is it better for me to learn as many surf songs as I can, or continue
to work on my scales and fretboard understanding? Bear in mind, I
already dedicate about 2 hours a day to playing, but am not sure if
that time is best spent working on scales (not too fun, but good for
technique) or chords (useful for accompaniment) or songs (good for
memorization). There isn't enough time in a day for all of it! So, I
need a game plan here, folks!
Aargh! I know it's all important, but I am just uncertain what
percentage of my time is best utilized in each area. And, mostly, if
the blues stuff really bears a lot on the surf stuff, which
ultimately, is what I like to play.
Advice?
Gavin:
this is a toughie!
I have played bass and guitar for 25 years, and there seems
to never be enough time to practice the things I am
interested in.
If I had to choose one area only to work on, I believe that
chords and chord theory would be most valuable. I am
currently working on a text called "Chord Chemistry" by Ted
Greene...this book is not dedicated to one style or
another...rather it approaches guitar chord leading
holistically. Check it out.
Another approach I use often is to do only one thing at
each practice. One day I work on scales, one day new chord
changes, one day I work on learning some new tunes...
some days I approach it with no plan and just jam alone or
with CD/LP accompaniment...or with pals, or play old tunes
that I know really well and see if I can approach them
differently... for me, variety seems to be the key.
What are your goals? Do you see yourself as a rhythm guy, a
lead guy, a bass guy or an all around guy? Your goals
should help lead your practice sessions.
For me, I am surf crazy...however, I still play plenty of
blues, country, metal, rock, Motown, electronica,
jazz...whatever strikes my fancy...right now I am
4-tracking and updating techno/surf TV themes...I Spy,
Mission Impossible, The Avengers, The Thunderbirds, Speed
Racer, I Love Lucy...etc.
So, like anything with music, you will ultimately have to
arrive at your own conclusions...
good luck,
Dave P
--- Gavin Ehringer <> wrote:
> Okay, I've been developing my guitar skills in parallel,
> playing both
> blues and surf for more than a year. But I am finding
> that, other than
> technique, the two don't cross paths too much. (Forgive
> errors that
> will be made - I am still sketchy on various aspects of
> theory).
>
> For instance, most of the early surf stuff was written
> with major and
> minor chords, while the blues are mostly in 7th, 9th and
> 13th voicings.
>
> Furthermore, the surf riffs seem to be based around Major
> and Minor
> scales, rather than the Pentatonic blues scale patterns.
>
> Okay, so here's my point: if you were me, how would you
> go about
> becoming a better surf player? Would you work dillegently
> to learn the
> C Major and C Minor scales in all positions, or continue
> working on
> the Pentatonic as well as the (full) Major and Minor
> scales?
>
> Is it better for me to learn as many surf songs as I can,
> or continue
> to work on my scales and fretboard understanding? Bear in
> mind, I
> already dedicate about 2 hours a day to playing, but am
> not sure if
> that time is best spent working on scales (not too fun,
> but good for
> technique) or chords (useful for accompaniment) or songs
> (good for
> memorization). There isn't enough time in a day for all
> of it! So, I
> need a game plan here, folks!
>
> Aargh! I know it's all important, but I am just uncertain
> what
> percentage of my time is best utilized in each area. And,
> mostly, if
> the blues stuff really bears a lot on the surf stuff,
> which
> ultimately, is what I like to play.
>
> Advice?
>
>
>
>
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Gavin:
a little bit more:
Back in the day, it didn't seem like the original surf cats
were "trying to play surf"...they were simply trying to
play electric guitar through fender amps and reverbs. Many
influences permeated 1st wave surf: latin,
country,classical, jazz, lounge, "pop" and even "soul
ballad"...many original surf cats were doing there version
of the Wes Mongomery/Chet Atkins/Ventures/Santo and Johnny
instrumental tunes with electric reverb overdrive. Even
old Dick Dale played covers while inventing his "heavy
power surf metal" style.
2nd wave surf dudes were basically punk dudes who adopted
the old school aesthetic. Bands like Agent Orange, John and
the Nightriders, The Wedge, The Halibuts, and the Surf
Raiders (and others) seemed to take "old standby" tunes and
inject them with their "new wave" energy and aesthetics.
Granted, many were attempting to carry on a "trad" style,
but, nonetheless their individuality would shine through.
the 3rd wave of surf dudes seems to be a mixed bag.
Firstly, there are way way way more 3rd wave bands than
there ever was 2nd wave bands...
3rd wavers seem to divide into distinct camps: "trad surf",
"experimental surf", "neo-techno-surf", "lounge-surf",
"rock-a-billy-surf"...you get the idea...sort of the
"mallization of surf"...the "Hot-topicization of surf"...
I guess what I'm getting at is that there is no real
"formula" to getting in the surf groove. I believe that
the hallmark (the raison d'etre) of surf is its overiding
individuality...within the equipment limits we set for
ourselves (reverbs, fenders, mosrites, tubes, instrumental
music etcetera)...
I believe that surf tones are holy relics that must be
cherished and continually reincarnated and reborn into new
viable forms...sort of heavy...but, in my reality: surf
tuneage is an eternal constant. "Surf" is something
eternally worthy of pursuit...
good luck on your quest, grasshopper,
Dave P
--- DP <> wrote:
> Gavin:
> this is a toughie!
>
> I have played bass and guitar for 25 years, and there
> seems
> to never be enough time to practice the things I am
> interested in.
>
> If I had to choose one area only to work on, I believe
> that
> chords and chord theory would be most valuable. I am
> currently working on a text called "Chord Chemistry" by
> Ted
> Greene...this book is not dedicated to one style or
> another...rather it approaches guitar chord leading
> holistically. Check it out.
>
> Another approach I use often is to do only one thing at
> each practice. One day I work on scales, one day new
> chord
> changes, one day I work on learning some new tunes...
> some days I approach it with no plan and just jam alone
> or
> with CD/LP accompaniment...or with pals, or play old
> tunes
> that I know really well and see if I can approach them
> differently... for me, variety seems to be the key.
>
> What are your goals? Do you see yourself as a rhythm guy,
> a
> lead guy, a bass guy or an all around guy? Your goals
> should help lead your practice sessions.
>
> For me, I am surf crazy...however, I still play plenty of
> blues, country, metal, rock, Motown, electronica,
> jazz...whatever strikes my fancy...right now I am
> 4-tracking and updating techno/surf TV themes...I Spy,
> Mission Impossible, The Avengers, The Thunderbirds, Speed
> Racer, I Love Lucy...etc.
>
> So, like anything with music, you will ultimately have to
> arrive at your own conclusions...
>
> good luck,
> Dave P
>
>
>
>
> --- Gavin Ehringer <> wrote:
> > Okay, I've been developing my guitar skills in
> parallel,
> > playing both
> > blues and surf for more than a year. But I am finding
> > that, other than
> > technique, the two don't cross paths too much. (Forgive
> > errors that
> > will be made - I am still sketchy on various aspects of
> > theory).
> >
> > For instance, most of the early surf stuff was written
> > with major and
> > minor chords, while the blues are mostly in 7th, 9th
> and
> > 13th voicings.
> >
> > Furthermore, the surf riffs seem to be based around
> Major
> > and Minor
> > scales, rather than the Pentatonic blues scale
> patterns.
> >
> > Okay, so here's my point: if you were me, how would you
> > go about
> > becoming a better surf player? Would you work
> dillegently
> > to learn the
> > C Major and C Minor scales in all positions, or
> continue
> > working on
> > the Pentatonic as well as the (full) Major and Minor
> > scales?
> >
> > Is it better for me to learn as many surf songs as I
> can,
> > or continue
> > to work on my scales and fretboard understanding? Bear
> in
> > mind, I
> > already dedicate about 2 hours a day to playing, but am
> > not sure if
> > that time is best spent working on scales (not too fun,
> > but good for
> > technique) or chords (useful for accompaniment) or
> songs
> > (good for
> > memorization). There isn't enough time in a day for all
> > of it! So, I
> > need a game plan here, folks!
> >
> > Aargh! I know it's all important, but I am just
> uncertain
> > what
> > percentage of my time is best utilized in each area.
> And,
> > mostly, if
> > the blues stuff really bears a lot on the surf stuff,
> > which
> > ultimately, is what I like to play.
> >
> > Advice?
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
> >
> > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > .
> > Visit for
> > archived messages, bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
> >
> >
> >
> > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> __________________________________
> Do you Yahoo!?
> Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design
> software
>
>
> ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> .
> Visit for
> archived messages, bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
>
>
>
__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design software
When I was in my teens, and my dream was to play professionally in a
rock band, I used to practice like hell all the time. I had a drummer
friend who would practice rudiments for 3 hours a day, before moving
on to his more complex studies. We never had any fun, or did anything
besides practice all the time. At least, thats how it seems now.
Later, when I studied Jazz and Classical with a teacher, and had to
completely relearn everything, it was more excercises for hours every
day. If I slacked, I caught hell from the teacher. It became no fun.
It became a burden. I began to hate the guitar. Finally, I wanted to
smash it. I am not alone in going through this. I told my teacher I
couldn't do it anymore. He encouraged me to switch to another
instrument, and suggested the banjo. I did that, and he and I formed
an old timey group, and I played the banjo for 20 years, and never
touched a guitar, and rediscovered my love of music, and making music.
After a while, I also took up keyboards, and played piano and synths
for 10 years,and made planetarium soundtracks. At a certain point, my
passion for the electric guitar came roaring back, and I sold all of
my banjos and keyboards, and just focused on the guitar again. I still
try to work on new stuff every day, but I make sure to spend the
majority of my time not working on covers or skill exercises, but just
playing: improvising, exploring, composing--just for fun. There is a
balancing act, time wise. I find that the periods of child like play
inspire me to want to keep playing, and a little discipline helps me
to expand my skills. You like the blues, play the blues. You like
surf, play surf. I like to do weird things like translate songs for
the balalaika, or irish fiddle tunes, or klezmer, or Chinese folk
tunes, and mix them together in different styles, which causes me to
think fresh. Long ago, after I abandoned the notion of going pro, it
was such a relief just to have fun playing music with friends again.
Not for fame, money or chicks, but just for fun. After I lost the
desire to perform for others, I rediscovered how much fun it is just
to play for the thrill of discovery and invention.
Of course, your mileage may vary.
--- In , DP <noetical1@y...> wrote:
> Gavin:
>
> a little bit more:
>
> Back in the day, it didn't seem like the original surf cats
> were "trying to play surf"...they were simply trying to
> play electric guitar through fender amps and reverbs. Many
> influences permeated 1st wave surf: latin,
> country,classical, jazz, lounge, "pop" and even "soul
> ballad"...many original surf cats were doing there version
> of the Wes Mongomery/Chet Atkins/Ventures/Santo and Johnny
> instrumental tunes with electric reverb overdrive. Even
> old Dick Dale played covers while inventing his "heavy
> power surf metal" style.
>
> 2nd wave surf dudes were basically punk dudes who adopted
> the old school aesthetic. Bands like Agent Orange, John and
> the Nightriders, The Wedge, The Halibuts, and the Surf
> Raiders (and others) seemed to take "old standby" tunes and
> inject them with their "new wave" energy and aesthetics.
> Granted, many were attempting to carry on a "trad" style,
> but, nonetheless their individuality would shine through.
>
> the 3rd wave of surf dudes seems to be a mixed bag.
> Firstly, there are way way way more 3rd wave bands than
> there ever was 2nd wave bands...
> 3rd wavers seem to divide into distinct camps: "trad surf",
> "experimental surf", "neo-techno-surf", "lounge-surf",
> "rock-a-billy-surf"...you get the idea...sort of the
> "mallization of surf"...the "Hot-topicization of surf"...
>
> I guess what I'm getting at is that there is no real
> "formula" to getting in the surf groove. I believe that
> the hallmark (the raison d'etre) of surf is its overiding
> individuality...within the equipment limits we set for
> ourselves (reverbs, fenders, mosrites, tubes, instrumental
> music etcetera)...
>
> I believe that surf tones are holy relics that must be
> cherished and continually reincarnated and reborn into new
> viable forms...sort of heavy...but, in my reality: surf
> tuneage is an eternal constant. "Surf" is something
> eternally worthy of pursuit...
>
> good luck on your quest, grasshopper,
>
> Dave P
>
>
>
>
>
> --- DP <noetical1@y...> wrote:
> > Gavin:
> > this is a toughie!
> >
> > I have played bass and guitar for 25 years, and there
> > seems
> > to never be enough time to practice the things I am
> > interested in.
> >
> > If I had to choose one area only to work on, I believe
> > that
> > chords and chord theory would be most valuable. I am
> > currently working on a text called "Chord Chemistry" by
> > Ted
> > Greene...this book is not dedicated to one style or
> > another...rather it approaches guitar chord leading
> > holistically. Check it out.
> >
> > Another approach I use often is to do only one thing at
> > each practice. One day I work on scales, one day new
> > chord
> > changes, one day I work on learning some new tunes...
> > some days I approach it with no plan and just jam alone
> > or
> > with CD/LP accompaniment...or with pals, or play old
> > tunes
> > that I know really well and see if I can approach them
> > differently... for me, variety seems to be the key.
> >
> > What are your goals? Do you see yourself as a rhythm guy,
> > a
> > lead guy, a bass guy or an all around guy? Your goals
> > should help lead your practice sessions.
> >
> > For me, I am surf crazy...however, I still play plenty of
> > blues, country, metal, rock, Motown, electronica,
> > jazz...whatever strikes my fancy...right now I am
> > 4-tracking and updating techno/surf TV themes...I Spy,
> > Mission Impossible, The Avengers, The Thunderbirds, Speed
> > Racer, I Love Lucy...etc.
> >
> > So, like anything with music, you will ultimately have to
> > arrive at your own conclusions...
> >
> > good luck,
> > Dave P
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > --- Gavin Ehringer <gavinehringer@e...> wrote:
> > > Okay, I've been developing my guitar skills in
> > parallel,
> > > playing both
> > > blues and surf for more than a year. But I am finding
> > > that, other than
> > > technique, the two don't cross paths too much. (Forgive
> > > errors that
> > > will be made - I am still sketchy on various aspects of
> > > theory).
> > >
> > > For instance, most of the early surf stuff was written
> > > with major and
> > > minor chords, while the blues are mostly in 7th, 9th
> > and
> > > 13th voicings.
> > >
> > > Furthermore, the surf riffs seem to be based around
> > Major
> > > and Minor
> > > scales, rather than the Pentatonic blues scale
> > patterns.
> > >
> > > Okay, so here's my point: if you were me, how would you
> > > go about
> > > becoming a better surf player? Would you work
> > dillegently
> > > to learn the
> > > C Major and C Minor scales in all positions, or
> > continue
> > > working on
> > > the Pentatonic as well as the (full) Major and Minor
> > > scales?
> > >
> > > Is it better for me to learn as many surf songs as I
> > can,
> > > or continue
> > > to work on my scales and fretboard understanding? Bear
> > in
> > > mind, I
> > > already dedicate about 2 hours a day to playing, but am
> > > not sure if
> > > that time is best spent working on scales (not too fun,
> > > but good for
> > > technique) or chords (useful for accompaniment) or
> > songs
> > > (good for
> > > memorization). There isn't enough time in a day for all
> > > of it! So, I
> > > need a game plan here, folks!
> > >
> > > Aargh! I know it's all important, but I am just
> > uncertain
> > > what
> > > percentage of my time is best utilized in each area.
> > And,
> > > mostly, if
> > > the blues stuff really bears a lot on the surf stuff,
> > > which
> > > ultimately, is what I like to play.
> > >
> > > Advice?
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
> > >
> > > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > >
> > > Visit for
> > > archived messages, bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> > __________________________________
> > Do you Yahoo!?
> > Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design
> > software
> >
> >
> > ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
> >
> > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> >
> > Visit for
> > archived messages, bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
> >
> >
> >
> > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> __________________________________
> Do you Yahoo!?
> Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design software
>
