145 Voiceleading | Guitargate

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Instructors
Jamie
Lyle
Guthrie
Jack
Michael
145 Voiceleading

In this masterclass, Michael Palmisano dives deep into the concept of voice leading using triads and explores how musicians can apply these concepts practically on the guitar. Michael starts by demonstrating a 1-4-5 chord progression in the key of E, using major scales and harmonized triads to lay the foundation for the session. He breaks down the construction of each chord within the progression and emphasizes the importance of making these chords and scales tangible and usable for guitarists. Through his playing, Michael showcases how to arpeggiate through the progression, focusing on maintaining the closest moves between chords to facilitate smooth voice leading.

As the masterclass progresses, Michael shifts the focus towards the practical application of these theoretical concepts. He encourages participants to create a loop based on the 1-4-5 progression in E, and then arpeggiate along with the loop, highlighting the significance of choosing specific string sets to start on. This approach helps in visualizing the fretboard more efficiently and understanding how to voice lead effectively across it. Michael provides examples of playing the progression on different string sets, demonstrating how to navigate the guitar neck seamlessly while maintaining the harmonic context of the music.

Furthermore, Michael discusses the broader implications of voice leading beyond guitar playing, touching upon its importance in arranging and songwriting. He delves into how voice leading can influence the overall sound of a band or ensemble, ensuring that all instruments align harmonically for a cohesive sound. The masterclass concludes with Michael inviting questions from participants, reinforcing the key takeaways, and encouraging them to practice voice leading within their playing. He emphasizes the value of understanding and applying voice leading concepts to enhance musicality and create more engaging and harmonious arrangements.

Transcript Summary

  • Introduction and Overview (00:00:02 - 00:02:27)
    • Michael Palmisano opens the stream, engages with the audience, and sets the tone for the session.
    • He plays a bit of guitar to warm up as attendees join the live stream.
    • Mentions the focus will be on applying learned guitar concepts in a practical manner.
  • Applying Major Scales and Triads (00:02:28 - 00:24:27)
    • Michael discusses the importance of making theoretical knowledge, like major scales and triads, tangible through playing.
    • He introduces a 1, 4, 5 chord progression in the key of E and demonstrates how to arpeggiate these chords.
    • Emphasizes playing along with loops and focusing on specific string sets for practice.
  • Exploring Voice Leading (00:24:28 - 00:50:07)
    • The concept of voice leading is introduced, explaining its role in moving smoothly between chord inversions.
    • Michael showcases how to lead with different strings to create melodic lines within chord progressions.
    • Details the process of choosing which string will carry the melody through the progression.
  • Practical Voice Leading Application (00:50:08 - 01:30:26)
    • Michael applies voice leading principles across various string sets, demonstrating the technique's versatility.
    • He plays through different inversions and string sets, illustrating how to maintain melodic continuity.
    • Advises on practicing voice leading to enhance one's ability to create cohesive and engaging guitar parts.
  • Introduction to Double Stops (01:30:27 - 02:22:27)
    • Explains double stops and their significance in guitar playing, especially for creating fuller sounds.
    • Demonstrates how omitting the middle note of chords can lead to interesting sonic textures.
    • Encourages practice with double stops to add variety and depth to guitar parts.
  • Concluding Advice and Q&A (02:22:28 - 03:25:08)
    • Michael concludes the masterclass by summarizing key points and encouraging further practice with the techniques discussed.
    • Opens the floor for questions, offering additional insights based on audience queries.
    • Shares personal anecdotes and encourages participants to continue practicing and exploring voice leading and double stops.

Michael is the one who runs this whole thing! 

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