Tomo Fujita Guitar Wisdom

Just in case, I highly recommend to learn this blues etude.
FB Bb Blues Soloing Etude.

When I teach my audio cassette tape lessons for Japanese students. (I teach in Japanese)
First lesson, I teach following: 1) How to set your amp EQ, guitar tone & volume 2) Chromatic scale on 4th string 3) R 3 7 Swing Groove 4) Bb Blues soloing etude

This blues etude parr is only my performance like in this video. I don't explain the details at first lesson. 2nd lesson these items are as homework. Often my students cannot play those phrasings in the beginning. CH M3 5 M6 R for I chord... and R M3 5 M6 5 for IV chord.
Because they are so accustom to play a minor pentatonic 5 positions so solid.

So this exercise / homework, I can hear clearly what that student really needs.
Which is triad inversions.

PS, I am still teaching this type lessons for limited numbers of Japanese students.
One person is still doing this. Very very nice person! His lesson numbers is Lesson 115!
So he has 115 lesson tapes!

Please check this lesson. Try it and let me know your feedback on this lesson.
Thank you so much!

Tomo

https://tomovhxtv.vhx.tv/videos/fb-bb-blues-soloing-etude

Thank you Jeffrey for your feedback on this lesson video.

Thank G minor triad is Bb6 chord. Could be EbMaj7 chord too. Depends on root and function.

When you are losing track of where you are...then stop playing solo.
Back to work on rhythm guitar more.

Yes. Use more space and do not fill everywhere.
Sometime you don't need to play every chord. Leave more space.

Thank you.

Tomo

Thank you! Thanks for sharing this video again with us. I’m finding when rewatching a lesson after having been through it in the past get much more out of the lesson.
Ahhhh ok. See the e flat maj 7 there too. That’s interesting.
Great advice along with back to work on rhythm guitar will leave space and just do a little bit of fills/ do not fill everywhere. Use more space!

Perfect! This exactly the lesson I have been looking for (: I am so stuck on minor pentatonic that it is nauseating to me, like a bad habit. I am looking to break that barrier with lessons like this. More melody like this, swing, with balanced expression sounds so much enjoyable to play. It is a great challenge and keeps me entertained while practicing. Most definitely a 'don't expect too fast' moment in my learning to break a habit and not fall into the same old Thang. It is like learning to forget, yet remember, but don't go there (pentatonic) all the time, keep balance. Practice is so much more enjoyable this way. A change of attitude to etude. :) Greatly appreciated!! Sincerely - johno

This gives me a meaningful focus to figure out. The notion of phrases found in an etude like this is interesting to me in identifying the notes applicable to solo. I am listening for that color to fill in the blanks of 5 notes. Thank you for sharing your insights on this thread. It a journey of fullment, and today, this fills my cup for my next practice session. On my list, check. :) - johno

Love these etude lessons! Thank you Tomo.
I have another favorite of Tomo's etude lessons that I revisit.
Tomo's YouTube video called "Perfect Song to Practice - Tomo's Fun Jazz Blues Solo Etude" from 3 years ago.
The chord progression is the one from FB Bb Jazz Blues Fingerpicking lesson and the FB Bb Jazz Blues Walking Bassline lesson. This one is fun to learn.
Kurt

Thanks for sharing the this Kurt! I have not seen this one. Now I will be listening to the theory and chromatic triads. It makes good sense and is helpful in building my practice with these supporting pallet colors. This is yet another puzzle piece and how they connect to flow. Very useful, thank you - johno

Thanks Johno and Jeffrey. This is an amazing lesson. I remember these dark old pandemic days, early in the morning, and Tomo's room was dark then sometimes. He takes flight at 17:20. Truly inspiring. Funny lesson too. I get a lot out of it whenever I revisit.
Very best,
Kurt

Hi!
Wanted to show you all that guitar I found. It had been abandoned in the back of a nasty old storage unit for years and years.
I don't think I've ever played this thing standing up. It is REALLY light!
1948 Gibson L-50
A quick try at Bb Jazz Blues Etude from the YouTube lesson.

Kurtis

Beauty sounding guitar that’s awesome !

Hey Kurt, thank you for counting it off at the git go! Franz is solid.. Nice etude on that vintage Gibson. A bit of a rush in drama and you seemed calm after all that, holy crap!! Talk about a clean focus man. I guess you gotsta roll with it. Thanks for sharing your video. - johno

One thing I realized about this original blues etude Tomo shared for this thread:

https://tomovhxtv.vhx.tv/videos/fb-bb-blues-soloing-etude

It is like two different blues progressions combined. The first part is different from the 2nd part!
The first part hangs on the one chord (Bb) in the beginning. The second half has a quick change to the 4 chord (Eb) and the #4 diminished chord.
First part:
1111
4411
541 (5)

Second part:
1 4 1 1
4 #4 1 1
5 4 1 (5)

Kurt

Interesting Kurt. Will check this later. I think I know what you mean. I remember working on that bb king phrase and finding out it works on one and four chord so can just cruise along and play the same phrase over the change. But need to go back later to see