Tomo Fujita Guitar Wisdom

Dear Tomo,

I was wondering if you would have advice on two kinds of rhythm playing -- one for jazz jams and one for open mics.

Specifically, if there are additional time practices I could do. I do R37 swing and I strum patterns/finger pick to some pop tunes. I also think of the shuffle blues as time exercise, and I've watched the funk rhythm videos too, but its difficult! In addition, is there other time feel practices we could do? Like how you would do 3 different exercises for each muscle group.

I can feel that what I need to do most is work on my rhythm playing, but feel "stuck" on how to practice it beyond drilling R37 and strumming to tunes.

Also, two quick guitar/ theory questions that I've been stuck on!

1. How do you visually organize the natural minor scale (aeolian) on the fretboard? I can see it connects to the major CAGED shapes, but to translate it is too slow in real time. Is it the triads that you use to visualize it?

2. I've heard it said that one of the reasons why you think in modes is because it can help you avoid the "avoid notes" but I can't understand why that would be, since the modes are made of the same pool of notes.. not sure what I'm missing!

Thank you!

Thank you Kim Sun Ho for asking this question. "Two kinds of rhythm playing”
1) Jazz Jams
2) Open mins.

1) Listening Jazz Standards
2) Listening many styles possible.

1) For jazz playing, you need to learn blues well too. R 3 7 Swing groove & Shuffle blues bassline will help you your foundation. Funky rhythm is fun to do. (You need to pracrice more R 3 7 Swing Groove)
2) Learn simple pop tunes and learn triads over those chord progressions. Learn more melody and discover same melody in different posisitons. You can play same triad inversions on 113 set or 234 set or 345 set.

A lot of listening on same tunes. Practce rhythm guitar in general. You can try different tunes if you feel stuck. If you cannot play something really well & clean then you are not stuck. You should do same thing but be creative.

How to visualize? One string One finger approach! Can you play C Major scale on 2nd string? Can you play C Dorian or C Mixolydian on 2nd string? Can you play C natural minor (Aeolian), Melodic minor and Harmonic minor on 2nd string? Do you know those note’s name, intervals clearly? Then learn triad inversions on 3 ways. Can you play C triad inversions on 3 ways? Then can you play in F? Think more triad inversions/ intervals than CAGED shapes.

C Major Scale. Avoid note? To me avoid note is the note that not sound great if you sit it for 3-4 seconds but it is a great sounding note! I use F for playing over C Major7 chord but musical way. I think you are thinking a little too much on typical internet terms. “The Caged system” “Modes” “Muscle memory” “Roadmap for fretbord” I think you are going too fast and you ask questions too early. Many things are unknown until you do your study and it will take some time.

My pleasure! PS, Narrow down items. And do one thing super deeply!

Tomo

Dear Tomo,

Thank you so much for your detailed answers! I very much needed the reminder to slow down and focus on the details. Recently I've been feeling anxious for progress so my brain has been indeed thinking about things too much in internet terms. Now I feel more less confused. I'll focus on listening more as part of my practice and play more tunes. I really like the perspective of playing one tune but trying to make it more creative and intuitive, rather than trying to label it with theory! Thank you Tomo :))