In this lesson we’ll talk about using what I call, “marks,” to learn passages that are difficult to count, or to save yourself counting situations where it might be unnecessary.
To be clear, counting, and knowing exactly which beat every single note of your lick sits on is paramount – and is the only “guaranteed” option.
But for some folks, this can work really well, especially in situations where you might have a really long string of notes in a slow blues and you just have to cram them all in there somehow.
30 replies to "Using Marks To Learn Licks Faster And Better"
Tough AHA moment. Counting works for me when learning licks. Period. So why doesnt it transfer to my playing?
I noticed watching this video that I don’t think or plan solo’s in terms of stringing together ‘licks’. Which is why counting doesnt help me much. My current strategy is to improvise off the vocal melody within a scale or mode. (Works much better in Country or Pop than Blues.) Blues Melodies seem to be defined by the players and licks more than having a hummable vocal. The closest I get to licks is 2-4 note reusable hooks. So when I play with others or with a jam track, I got nothing to say. I wander around scales waiting for something to sound good until the break is over…
My takeaway – Licks are not ‘cheating’. They are the Melody of a Blues song. So I need to learn how to hear and play them!
I NEVER USE SHEET MUSIC. I HAVE BEEN COUNTING MY LICKS FOR 40+YEARS. I USE MY LOOPER WITH A DRUM MACHINE. THEN I JUST CLOSE MY EYES AND LISTEN TO THE CORDS.,THE FOOT TOM ON DRUMS FOR MY BEAT. I HAVE MY INNER METRONOME AND THAT’S HOW I PRACTICE.
counting is a weakness of mine. never looked at tabs that way. This should be very helpful. will set the framework
Thanks Griff. Very useful watching with the Tab.
Hear you talk about a lot of Blues guitarist. Just saw one of the best at Ground Zero Blues Club in Biloxi Mississippi. Eric Gales. Worth a mention
What a freekin player!!
Thanks.
Also helped me to link tabs to music notation and note names.
Aussie Chris
I was thinking of getting a practice set and taking drum lessons to help my counting skills or lack thereof without the added complication of tripping over my finger placements on the ands & uhs.
This should make counting a bit easier. I am doing your BGU courses and counting slowly helps but I lose it when trying to get up tempo. Now as long as I only count the beat, not “and” or “and uh”, and make sure the right note is played on the right beat, the rest should be close to what is required.
Geez, this helps me understand notation in a way I should have realized long ago. Relied on tab too much, without thought on where the beat lands looking at standard notation….
You’re right. My teacher insisted that he teach me standard notation, which he had to do at music college himself on guitar. I never liked it but have to admit that it was worth learning. He had me playing Bach violin pieces etc. on electric guitar, which can sound really good with single lines. When you need to learn the ‘heads’ of tunes later on, it can be invaluable. And I never follow Griff’s licks from TAB alone, but always use the notation as well. He’s completely correct when he says it helps with knowing the correct beats. For our music I reckon it’s also essential to tap your foot, and you get to know instinctively which beat you’re on. I never even listen to songs and stuff on the radio without making sure my foot knows what beat the they’re on in the bar that I’m listening to. Let’s face it, us Musos are all nerds about music.
Griff. I (think) this is what I’ve been doing. I can’t seem to get the hang of counting. I try but it throws me off. Any suggestions. Thanks Mike🎸🎶
This is really helpful! I find sometimes that even when I’m counting, the sound is out because I’m not keeping up with the beat!
Thank you for this idea!
Griff… Great lesson!….In regards to counting , could you provide some instruction SPECIFICALLY designed for 12/8 timing, giving examples how to count using quarters, eights, triplets and sixteenths (say from beginning to more difficult combinations) within a solo. They can get rather difficult(at least for me) to count and play in each measure when they are mixed together in a 12 bar Blues Solo. Thx, John
12/8 time is like 4/4 time where each of the 4 beats in a measure is a set of triplets. So you count 1 and uh, 2 and uh, 3 and uh, 4 and uh. That’s 1 measure. In this time signature a quarter note is 2/3 of a “best” (“1 and” or “and uh”) a sorted quarter note is 1 entire of the 4 beats (1 and uh) an eighth note tired to a quarter note (or the opposite) gets the same value as a dotted quarter note. So, in sum, just count 1 and uh, 2 and uh, 3 and uh, 4 and uh for reach measure and use the time blues set fourth about for reach type of note.
FOR 12/8 I THINK OF HEART OF STONE
I count to learn licks and sometimes I count when I play, especially if I have a challenging lick. Even at that, sometimes learning a new lick is hard to do even with counting. And yes, sometimes it feels like counting gets in the way of learning a lick.
I’m surprised I never thought of this method before. The down beats are by far the easiest notes to play “right on the money”. And, as you said, if you get those critical “down beat” notes right, the rest of the notes pretty much have to be on time–or real close to it.
My take away: count because if you do then you will be playing a note at the right time. Sounds so simple and “stupid” but it makes sense and I am finding it works.
Best and most helpful blog post, learned something really useful here today
Hi Griff,
I am forever amazed that many of the lessons that you send our way touch on the things
I happen to be struggling with at the moment I.e. timing… I found the tips on using “marks” very helpful
In recognizing where the beat is which helps me see where everything else falls into place. I am very grateful to you for your help!
Thanks Griff
I abandoned this solo some time ago because I could not get past this very lick. I tried counting but just could not get it. Will give it another go once I finish my current course and see if it helps.
Griff- the only problem I see with this is that people will have to be somewhat conversant with standard notation to apply this idea. On the Forum we have discussed marking up the music with numbers and “ands” and “uhs”. My method of marking “beat boundaries” is very similar to your “markers” and may work for those that are more visually oriented.
But yeah. identifying those notes that are “on the beat” and making sure that’s where you play them while counting- that’s a good thing.
‘The first note of the beam’comment is incredibly helpful. Thanks again Griff.
Griff, you have peeled back yet another layer of the mystery, and made music notation much more accessible.
And like peeling back the layers of an onion, brought a tear to my eye.
Thanks, Teach.
Keep us in line Griff!
7/2/19
Talking about timing, today, In the post I have received the book “How to Jam the Blues Alone” which compliments the Course I recently purchased. Therefore this blog is a great support to tackle the 1 and 2 bar licks. Having successfully streamed the course and spent the past week reviewing the Sections and Examples I cannot wait to get started on the project. In addition I must say the presentation and content of the course is really, really the tops. Cheers Griff and the team my money is well spent.
Geesh I feel so guilty. Haven’t bought your coarse. I’ve learned something from your e mails and all of a sudden things changed. Now I understand what I was missing. Thank you Giff, give yourself a A plus, a true teacher. So to everyone else buy the coarse and imagin how you to can be a great Blues person.
great lesson Griff, know jusg need to apply it! “le petite train va loin”!
Thanx Griff. This is just what I need because I am focused on counting at the moment.
How do we know if while counting out loud that that we keep the rhythm? My biggest struggle is working with a metronome because I find it difficult to know if I am playing on the beat when I hear the beep tone.
If you are not sure, keep the metronome off and just count until it is more comfortable. Then come back to it. I can assure you that when you are doing it right you will know.
Thanks Griff for another helpful counting tip.
Excellent tip to aid counting, thanks Griff.