In this masterclass, Guthrie Trapp dives into the essential elements of creating music with your guitar, focusing on the importance of using your ear to distinguish between major, minor, and dominant seventh chords. Guthrie emphasizes that the goal of playing music is not just to have fun but also to express oneself through the instrument. He shares his philosophy on avoiding getting bogged down with too many technical details like licks, instead focusing on what works musically. Guthrie's approach is practical, drawing from his professional experience rather than traditional teaching methods. He discusses how his teaching style has evolved, especially through the pandemic, and how he aims to convey the bigger picture of music making to his students.
The masterclass also touches on the significance of understanding the song or the chordal foundation behind music. Guthrie explains how the Nashville scene has influenced his focus on the song itself, ensuring that every musical element serves the song's overall feel and message. He introduces the concept of targeting chord tones and creating melodic lines that fit within the context of the song. Guthrie stresses the importance of practicing with a purpose, suggesting that musicians should spend time familiarizing themselves with different chord sounds and how they relate to each other. This includes exercises such as playing arpeggios and scales, starting with different notes of the chord to internalize their sound fully.
Finally, Guthrie delves into the technical aspects of playing over chord changes, discussing how to move beyond relying solely on pentatonic scales. He explains that understanding chord shapes up the neck and how they relate to each other is crucial for improvisation and creating music that resonates. Guthrie challenges the notion that certain scales are specific to genres, arguing that the fundamentals he teaches are genre-less and applicable to any musical situation. He encourages musicians to expand their listening habits to inspire their playing, noting that being stuck in one genre can limit one's musical growth. Guthrie's masterclass offers valuable insights into the art of guitar playing, focusing on ear training, musical expression, and the importance of understanding the foundational elements of music.
