Strengthen your technique with guitar lessons that combine practical skills and music theory in a clear way.

Hector and Jennifer reviewed music theory concepts, including scales, modes, diminished scales, and chord progression analysis. Jennifer practiced applying scales and arpeggios and worked on chromatic scale exercises. Hector assigned practice exercises focusing on 2-5-1 progressions and chromatic scales in F and C, and they scheduled the next session for October 31st.

Hector and a learner from Rockridge worked on bass guitar finger exercises to improve dexterity and coordination, focusing on alternating finger patterns across different strings while using a metronome. The individual also began learning to read music, practicing rhythms with whole, half, and quarter notes. Hector assigned practice exercises for finger dexterity, rhythm reading, and learning the baseline for "My Girl" by The Temptations, and will share a Google Drive folder with lesson notes and practice logs.

Hector led a lesson with Jennifer, delving into modes and their practical application in jazz chord progressions, with a specific focus on minor 2-5-1 progressions and turnarounds. Jennifer dedicated her time to practicing scales and chord analysis, honing her ability to visualize scales on the fingerboard and connect them smoothly. For future practice, they plan to utilize iReal Pro and apply these newly learned concepts to the song 'Alone Together'.

Hector and a learner explored advanced scale and chord alterations for jazz bass, focusing on applying these concepts to 'Girl from Ipanema.' The learner, a resident of Grogan's Mill, practiced major and Mixolydian scales, including altered versions, and began learning slap bass techniques. Hector assigned exercises to practice scales in different positions and to incorporate 'spicy' notes into the melody, and will provide a scale chart for the song.

During a recent lesson, Hector and Jennifer delved into "The Girl from Ipanema," concentrating on chord voicings, voice leading, and the "2-5-1" progression. Jennifer specifically worked on playing rootless chords and soloing by utilizing the third and seventh of each chord. Her homework assignment involves practicing the song with a backing track, with a focus on voice leading and soloing using guide tones, and recording a bassline, rootless chords, a melody, and a solo across the song's structure.

Hector recently conducted a music lesson for a student from the University of Texas at El Paso, covering music theory, chord progressions, bass guitar tone, and rhythm exercises. The learner actively practiced chord changes, specifically the 3-6-2-5-1 turnaround in C major, and applied rhythmic patterns to these changes. Looking ahead, Hector plans to send a video on soloing, offer more examples of 3-6-2-5-1 progressions, and they also discussed options for recording the student's playing.