Hello music lovers,

This week we have four freebies: How to memorize chords level 1 for beginning guitarists, How to play Sweet Georgia Brown and an analysis of Honey Suckle Rose for intermediate to advanced guitarists. We also have minor scales for cuatro. All the lessons contain videos, tab, and/or chord diagrams. Comments and questions are always welcome.

Memorizing Chords level 1

Guitar chords level 1 consist of the 7 friendly keys. They are friendly because no barre chords are involved. Memorizing a lot of chords can seem like a daunting task but when you understand the number system the task becomes much easier. The chords in level 1 are what we call the I IV V (Roman numerals) chord progression.

Here it is:
The I, IV, V chord progression.

Sweet Georgia Brown

Sweet Georgia Brown may be the first swing song I learned. My earliest recollection of it is watching the Harlem Globe Trotters on TV when I was a kid. It was their theme song. Anyone raised in the 60s remembers the whistling version of Sweet Georgia Brown. In the following video you will see my ace student, Asher Rives,  performing the classic. I also have versions by the legendary Django Reinhardt, Louis Armstrong, and more. The chords, tab, and melody are also provided.

Here it is:
Sweet Georgia Brown

Analysis of Honey Suckle Rose

Last week I showed you Honey Suckle Rose. Let’s discuss why and how the chords work.

Here it is:
Analysis of Honey Suckle Rose

Minor Scales for Cuatro

In these videos we will learn the pure minor scale and the harmonic minor scales in the key of Dm and how to use them over the Andalusian cadence. The chord progression is know as the Andalusian cadence.

here it is:
part 1
part 2

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In case you missed last weeks!
Friday’s Freebies #1

Sweet Georgia Brown may be the first swing song I learned. My earliest recollection of it is watching the Harlem Globe Trotters on TV when I was a kid. It was their theme song. Anyone raised in the 60s remembers the whistling version of Sweet Georgia Brown.

Reportedly Ben Bernie came up with the concept for the song’s lyrics – although he is not the accredited lyricist – after meeting Dr. George Thaddeus Brown in New York City: Dr. Brown, a longtime member of the State House of Representatives for Georgia, told Bernie about Dr. Brown’s daughter Georgia Brown and how subsequent to the baby girl’s birth on August 11, 1911 the Georgia General Assembly had issued a declaration that she was to be named Georgia after the state, an anecdote which would be directly referenced by the song’s lyric: “Georgia claimed her – Georgia named her.”

The tune was first recorded on March 19, 1925, by bandleader Ben Bernie, resulting in a five-week number one for Ben Bernie and his Hotel Roosevelt Orchestra.^[1]

One of the most popular versions of “Sweet Georgia Brown” was recorded in 1949 by Brother Bones and His Shadows and later adopted as the theme song of the Harlem Globetrotters basketball team in 1952.

First, let’s us check out four versions:

Now let’s learn the song:

First, let’s analize the chords. The A section of Sweet Georgia Brown follows a chord progression that is very common in jazz known as backing cycling or the cycle of 5ths progression. Notice you start on E7 (at 4 o’clock) and then you go counter clockwise until you reach G, then you skip up to B7 and back cycle again. The B section is a I V in the relative minor (Em).

Here it is:

Tab and chords in the key of G

Tab and chords in the key of F

Let me know if you have questions.

Thanks,

Brian

Hello music lovers,

This week we have three freebies: Chords Level 1 and how to use a capo for beginner guitarists, How to play Honey Suckle Rose for intermediate to advanced guitarists, and how to play Seis Mapeye for Puerto Rican cuatro lovers. All the lessons contain videos, tab, and/or chord diagrams. Comments and questions are always welcome.

Enjoy and thanks!
Brian

Chords level 1
and the capo

Guitar chords level 1 consist of the 7 friendly keys. They are friendly because no barre chords are involved. With these chords and a capo you can play in any key. The first video explains how to read the diagrams. The next video explains how to use a capo. You will also find a quiz at the end to see if you are ready to proceed to level 2.

Here it is:
Guitar chords-level-1 and the cap

Honey Suckle Rose

Honey Suckle Rose is a classic song that was composed in 1929, but it never gets old. The music was written by the great Thomas Wright “Fats” Waller (May 21, 1904 – December 15, 1943) and the lyrics by Andy Razaf. It was recorded my countless musicians and it is considered a jazz standard in what has become known as The Great American Song Book. Like most songs by Waller, this song is very upbeat and great for dancing. The lyrics are funny and light hearted. This song seems to always bring a smile to to faces in the audience.

Here it is:
Honey Suckle- Rose

How to Play Seis Mapeye on the Puerto Rican cuatro

Seis Mapeye is a song I was introduced to me by a Puerto Rican friend. In the video you’ll see me playing the melody. The tab and backing track is also provided.

here it is:
Seis Mapeye

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Honey Suckle Rose is a classic song that was composed in 1929, but it never gets old. The music was written by the great Thomas Wright “Fats” Waller (May 21, 1904 – December 15, 1943) and the lyrics by Andy Razaf. It was recorded my countless musicians and it is considered a jazz standard in what has become known as The Great American Song Book. Like most songs by Waller, this song is very upbeat and great for dancing. The lyrics are funny and light hearted. This song seems to always bring a smile to to faces in the audience.

Former student Joel White, winner of multiple awards. Guitarist for the 1 o’clock Jazz Lab Band at University of North Texas..

My rendition:

The original:

When creating an arrangement of jazz standards I have a process:

1. I learn the chords.
2. I learn the melody as written, which is usually the lower octave in the first position.
3. I learn the melody an octave higher.
4. I put the chords and melody together creating chord melody or a solo guitar arrangement.
5. I improvise over the chord changes as illustrated in the video.

I have provided charts below with the chords, notation and tabs for the melody. The chords may look intimidating at first glance, but if you look closely you, will see many of the fingerings of the chords are the same.

Honey Suckle Rose: chords, tab, and notation, (low octave)

Honey Suckle Rose: chords, tab, and notation, (high octave)

I hope you enjoy and as always I encourage comments and questions.

Lyrics:

Hello music lovers,

It has been a while since my last mail out. I hope you had a wonderful summer. I had a good time visiting Puerto Rico this summer. I have also been upgrading my tools for teaching. I have used them in some youtube videos and web pages I have created recently.

Here are a few examples:

First, I have arranged Away In The Manger in 4 levels from beginner to intermediate for students using tab, notation, and audio files. It is free to everyone. Check it out!

With my  arrangements of Away In The Manger I have provided pdf and audio files so anyone should be able to use them. What you hear is computer generated (not me on guitar) at a slow tempo so it will be easier to learn.

Away In The Manger level 1 (pdf)

Away In The Manger level 2 (pdf)

Away In The Manger level 3 (pdf)

Away In The Manger level 4 (pdf)

Second, I did a video for you cuatro lovers teaching the C major scale.

Third, I have created a web page for guitarists discussing chord enrichment.

The following is my web page with enriched chords discussed in the video: Guitar Chords level 2

Last, here are the moments of my Puerto Rican vacation with my lovely wife.

A new school year is upon us and I am looking forward to producing more material. If you have a subject you would like to see discussed please drop me a line. I would love to hear from you!

Keep on jamming!
Brian Turner

My wife at Playa Melones, Culebra, PR

5 ways to play the C major scale:

I hope you have had a great summer with a lot of fun and sunshine! Over the summer I had the pleasure of doing a YouTube video with my eleven year old, ace guitar student, Asher Rives.

Musician Robert Johnson is best known as one of the greatest blues performers of all time, a recognition that came largely after his death at age 27.
Robert Johnson is considered to be one of the greatest blues performers of all time. His hits include “I Believe I’ll Dust My Broom” and “Sweet Home Chicago,” which has become a blues standard. Part of his mythology is a story of how he gained his musical talents by making a bargain with the devil. He died at age 27 as the suspected victim of a deliberate poisoning.

Phone: 281.386.6982 Email: brian@guitarlessonsbybrian.com

Purchase How To Play Guitar

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1930s

Charlie Christian (Benny Goodman Sextet)

Django Reinhardt (Quintette du Hot Club de France)

Oscar Aleman

Robert Johnson

1940s

Freddie Green (The Count Basie Band)

Oscar Moore (Nat King Cole Trio)

Herb Ellis

T-Bone Walker

1950s

Les Paul

Chet Atkins

Joe Maphis

Muddy Waters

1960s

The Beatles

Jimi Hendrix

Joe Pass

Nokie Edwards (The Ventures)

1970s

Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin)

David Gilmour (Pink Floyd)

Steve Howe (Yes)

Doc Watson

1980s

Steve Morse

Eric Johnson

Phil Keaggy

Stevie Ray Vaughn

1990s

Danny Gatton

Michael Hedges

John Jorgenson

Bucky Pizzarelli

2000s

Tommy Emmanuel

Howard Alden

Richard Bennett

John Pizzarelli

Phone: 281.386.6982 Email: brian@guitarlessonsbybrian.com

There are now three ways to purchase How To Play Guitar

Digital download directly:

[purchase_link id=”4027″ style=”button” color=”yellow” text=”How To Play Guitar By Brian Turner” direct=”true”]

Kindle download from Amazon:

$6.99 – How To Play Guitar Kindle Version

Hard copy:

$30 – How To Play Guitar Hard Copy

ALL 116 VIDEOS of the exercises in the book are FREE!