Sunday, September 30, 2012

Pentatonic/Blues Scale Tutorials!

This evening I thought I'd share some excellent tutorial videos of how to play the pentatonic or blues scale on all sorts of instruments. These scales are move-able to any key you want to play in! Warning: you WILL want to have your instrument IN YOUR HAND when you watch these videos, so you can try them out and play along :)

Violins/Violas/Cellos go here to see a 5 string electric fiddler:
http://youtu.be/q3vUP8eSR7I
Note: The performer (Shenzu) plays in a key that is great for Viola and Cello, not so much for violins. Violins should pause the video to try out the pattern on the G string, or shift to 3rd position on the A string to play along with the video.

Guitars go here to learn both minor AND major pentatonic scales:
http://youtu.be/BgRzzvVWBrU

Ukuleles go here to learn the minor pentatonic scale:
http://youtu.be/WSevRgWnBbY
...and here for the major one:
http://youtu.be/wXwA7wPHVZE

Then watch this video for some inspiration of how to put some feeling behind the notes: Mark O'Connor's Hot Swing Trio playing 'In the Cluster Blues' live!
http://youtu.be/r4kvzWLSDT4

Monday, September 24, 2012

Allons A Lafayette

This morning we go Cajun!
Kim made some great recordings of the fiddle and guitar part, Shane added a bass (cello/viola) part, and at the bottom, the Coobie Joe band plays "Allons de Lafayette" at the first annual Cajun Music Festival at Magnolia Mound in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  Take a RISK, try it yourself!

FIDDLE


GUITAR


BASS (VIOLA, CELLO)



http://youtu.be/tBIJzF8PtzQ

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Medieval Fiddle

 Today, we go medieval with Brounswycke Almande.  For your enjoyment, here is how all the parts sound together:

Brounswycke Almande by RiskyFiddler

Violin melody, harmony 1, harmony 2, guitar, and bass (viola) all played by Shane

Here are the parts individually, to make them easier to learn:




Good night, and good luck!

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

This fall, take a RISK!



R.I.S.K. begins it's 3rd year of bringing folk music to Vashon!  This Tuesday, Sept. 18, the Rock Island String Kollective will bring together violins, violas, cellos, guitars, ukuleles, and other stringed instruments to play music from around the world: from old world gypsy tunes and medieval dance music to the Beattles and Red Hot Chili Peppers, from jazz to swing to cajun to celtic to klezmer. 

ALL NEW: Now the RISK calendar can be found through the link at the top of the page, and can be linked to your own google calendar.  Also new this year, keep an eye out for the RISK t-shirt, coming soon!  As always, sheet music, videos and recordings can be found here on the blog.  Drop your email address into the box at the right to recieve all new sheet music and recordings directly in your inbox!

AND FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, we are offering monthly evening music with RISK @ the Roastery!  Every second Thursday, from 7 - 8:15pm, at Minglemint.  The first musical evening will be Thursday Oct. 11th. 

Looking forward to a great winter of lively music!

Shane, Kim & Sarah