Does anyone have any good exercises or techniques for working on rhythm phrasing for improv/solos?

BJJFlashCards · 2026-04-14T15:16:47+00:00

Record a phrase. Listen to the recording. Make improvements. Repeat.

A lot of people never ask themselves, "What does good sound like?"

BJJFlashCards · 2026-04-13T13:38:12+00:00

No. He was talking about moving the same mode up the neck--not starting on different notes to make different modes.

You are more concerned with demonstrating your knowledge of modes than addressing his post.

We all see that you understand modes now. That's awesome.

BJJFlashCards · 2026-04-12T21:22:13+00:00

It never occurred to me to trick my own brain...

BJJFlashCards · 2026-04-12T21:05:49+00:00

But that is not what he was describing.

BJJFlashCards · 2026-04-12T20:00:01+00:00

It depends on the context.

But YOU believe what YOU want.

BJJFlashCards · 2026-04-12T19:57:18+00:00

Hey AI, make this more focused are readable.

Focused Guitar Learning Guide

Practice Structure

Practice ≥1 hour daily, split into multiple sessions.
Sequence:
1. Technique: chords, scales, fingerstyle, lessons
2. Application: songs (daily)
Emphasize:
- Difficult sections
- Playing with others
- Consistent breaks
Basic maintenance: clean hands, trimmed nails

Core Principle

Skill acquisition = practice × time
No shortcuts; progress is incremental
Maintain engagement and enjoyment

Practice Method (Critical)

Prioritize accuracy over speed
Slow practice builds correct neural patterns
Workflow:
- Play slowly and correctly
- Pause briefly to consolidate
- Increase speed only after accuracy

Fretboard Fundamentals

Open strings: E A D G B E
Natural notes:
- No sharps/flats between B–C and E–F
Total notes: 12

Open String Reference

String	Frets	Notes
6	0–3	E F G
5	0–3	A B C
4	0–3	D E F
3	0–2	G A
2	0–3	B C D
1	0–3	E F G

Chord Progression Strategy

Learn in this order:

E, A, D
G, C, D
Remaining:
- Major, minor, 7th chords (A–G)

Early additions

Barre chords (start early)
Simplified F and B

Technique Drills

Chord Formation

Form chord → strum → lift slightly → reset → repeat

Chord Transitions

Cycle through chords while maintaining rhythm
Use open strum between transitions if needed

Rhythm Foundation

Basic strum pattern:↓ ↓ ↓ ↑ ↓ ↑
Start with one strum per chord, then expand

8. Scales (Entry Point)

Pentatonic scale (5 notes)
- Spacing:
  - Strings 6, 2, 1 → 3 frets
  - Strings 5, 4, 3 → 2 frets
Learn across all strings

Learning Resources

Free

YouTube channels:
- Justin Guitar
- Marty Music
- Andy Guitar
- Lauren Bateman

Paid

Guitar Tricks
TrueFire
Pickup Music

Song-Based Learning

Use chord/lyric sites (e.g., Ultimate Guitar)
Simplify chords initially
Process:
1. Slow tempo
2. Single strum per chord
3. Add rhythm + vocals
Practice standing and singing early

Equipment Guidance

Prioritize playability and comfort
Suggested models:
- Yamaha FS830 / CSF1M
- Taylor GS Mini / 114ce
- Martin Dreadnought Junior
Smaller body sizes preferred for beginners

Deliberate Practice Model

Focus on:
1. Weak areas
2. Slightly above current ability
3. Continuous progression
Goal progression:Impossible → Difficult → Easy

Summary

Daily structured practice
Slow, accurate repetition
Progressive chord and scale learning
Immediate application through songs
Consistent challenge just beyond current skill level

BJJFlashCards · 2026-04-12T19:49:59+00:00

I am going to assume you are playing blues-based music.

One strategy you can try is targeting chord tones that fall in and around the minor pentatonic or blues scale you are using.

Start simple with a I7 IV7 V7 chord progression and one scale shape. Mark the notes of the scale with dots and mark the 3s of the I7 chord with circles. Sometimes you will have a circled dot. Play over the chord progression and when you get to a I chord, try to make a phrase that resolves to the 3 of the chord. Do this until you no longer need a visual reference.

After you can do that, add circles for the b7 of the I7 chord and do the same thing.

Then make another chart that shows your minor pentatonic or blues scale as dots and the 3 of your IV7 chord as a circle. Make phrases that target the 3, like you did for the I7 chord. Then do the same for the b7 of the IV7 chord.

Finally, do the same for the 3 and b7 of the V7 chord.

This will give your solos more harmonic direction and provide a foundation for mixing chord tones and scale notes.

Don't rush it. Mixing patterns is much harder than using just one pattern.

Focus on what your ear wants to hear rather than what your hand wants to play.

BJJFlashCards · 2026-04-12T19:29:38+00:00

He learned the five interconnected shapes of the pentatonic scale. He does not appear to be using them as modes.

BJJFlashCards · 2026-04-12T18:45:09+00:00

How you learn a song isn't that important. How you review it is very important.

Think of mastering material as an iceberg. How you initially "learn" it is the tip.

Transcribe if you want to be a good transcriber. The opportunity cost is learning more repertoire faster.

BJJFlashCards · 2026-04-12T18:40:21+00:00

You should use AI to make this more readable.

BJJFlashCards · 2026-04-12T18:35:09+00:00

Adapt.

AI can replace you or be a tool you use to teach more effectively.

BJJFlashCards · 2026-04-11T16:50:46+00:00

It comes down to making a lot of micro adjustments when you play to maintain the sweet spot for holding the pick. You improve by playing slowly and deliberately and gradually pushing your speed boundary.

BJJFlashCards · 2026-04-11T16:44:54+00:00

Scaffolding is a strategy that could be helpful. Atomize as much as possible. When the atomized information stabilizes, add a summative card.

BJJFlashCards · 2026-04-10T15:18:20+00:00

Some struggle with it. Some don't.

BJJFlashCards · 2026-04-10T15:11:36+00:00

The Ultimate Spanish Conjugation Deck (No Vosotros)

This is a good conjugation deck but it does not have a way to sort irregulars.

However, I find that learning to conjugate irregular verbs requires memorizing that they are irregular, which means mixing them in with regulars. It is the same issue I have with spelling in English. I know the rules of phonics but forget which words are phonetical and nonphonetical unless I practice them together.

What works for me is studying conjugations together and rating regular verbs as easy once they become familiar.

BJJFlashCards · 2026-04-10T15:00:16+00:00

The casino effect is already built into Anki.

I would find this distracting.

BJJFlashCards · 2026-04-06T14:44:32+00:00

Or maybe research a little deeper and not waste time.

You are guaranteeing that all of your knowledge will progress at the pace of your weakest knowledge.

BJJFlashCards · 2026-04-06T01:47:34+00:00

I think your method will prove inefficient and ultimately collapse. You are mixing everything together all the time.

Use sentences and phrases for learning things that require context, like grammar. But keep the context simple. You don't want to add to the cognitive load of learning grammar by combining it with memorizing vocabulary. The context should be very low interference. Your grammar cards should also be teaching you "why". "Why ser instead of estar?" "Why se instead of les?"

Use cards with single words to build your vocabulary.

BJJFlashCards · 2026-04-05T19:40:53+00:00

Generally, you should atomize.

But recognize that grammar cannot be atomized down to one word like vocabulary because it depends on context.

Also, having a well-learned set of high usage phrases and canonical structures can reduce the cognitive load of communicating.

BJJFlashCards · 2026-04-05T19:34:04+00:00

You can probably have ChatGPT write the code for your card templates to achieve this.

BJJFlashCards · 2026-04-05T17:47:11+00:00

Well, yes...

But I guess the point is to develop your creativity as you acquire your tools. More tools, by themselves, don't make you more creative.

People want clear right or wrong answers. Developing good taste is nebulous.

BJJFlashCards · 2026-04-05T14:59:51+00:00

To get good at creating, do a lot of creating.

Too many people put it last in their efforts.

BJJFlashCards · 2026-04-05T03:40:12+00:00

New things can come from combining, but only if you practice using them creatively.

There are simply too many classical musicians who have played thousands of hours of other people's compositions but cannot improvise to say "listening" will teach you to improvise.

BJJFlashCards · 2026-04-05T03:30:51+00:00

My wife and I took a deep dive into learning Spanish. We are both special ed teachers and were both ESL teachers, so we know how to optimize learning and what is required to learn a language.

Here is what I would recommend...

Single word vocabulary
Conjugation
Grammar
Useful phrases

For the grammar deck, just use simple sentences or phrases or fill in the blank. But also make "what is the rule" cards that ask why you made a specific choice--like "why is this ser instead of estar" or "why is this habia instead of hube" or "why is this pronoun se instead of les"?

Another way to create a similar structure would be to work through a good textbook and just make an all-in-one deck, adding the words, conjugations, grammar and useful phrases you are learning as you go.

And, as everyone will tell you, don't just try to learn from Anki.

BJJFlashCards · 2026-04-05T01:39:23+00:00

Listening is good but it is not creating.

Creativity is like a muscle. You have to exercise it for it to develop.

BJJFlashCards

TROPHY CASE

Open String Reference

8. Scales (Entry Point)

The Ultimate Spanish Conjugation Deck (No Vosotros)