Genre based training


dnkygirl23
Registered User
Joined: 02/24/22
Posts: 6
dnkygirl23
Registered User
Joined: 02/24/22
Posts: 6
03/12/2022 11:37 pm

My ultimate goal is to play neo soul, r&b, pop however finding training that is focused on the specific things I need to know is very difficult. Learning the basics is one thing but it doesn't appear to be enough for it to translate over in the genres I want to play. I'm getting frustrated with being able to find a solid resource for what I want to do. Most of the guitar related training focuses exclusively on rock. Why is that?


Ast3rix----

# 1
ChristopherSchlegel
Guitar Tricks Instructor
Joined: 08/09/05
Posts: 8,328
ChristopherSchlegel
Guitar Tricks Instructor
Joined: 08/09/05
Posts: 8,328
03/13/2022 4:35 pm
Originally Posted by: dnkygirl23My ultimate goal is to play neo soul, r&b, pop however finding training that is focused on the specific things I need to know is very difficult.[/quote]

I'm not sure what your skill level is, but these tutorials are aimed directly at R&B style guitar playing.

Soulful R&B 1

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=1316

Soulful R&B 2

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=1454

These tutorials are more jazz oriented, but can be very helpful in learning certain musical elements that are also used in soul & R&B (extended harmony chords, chord progressions with modulations, shell voicings, outlining chord tones with embellishments).

Jazz Blues in F

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=2605

Jazz Blues In B-flat

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=2595

16 Bar Blues

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=1342

Originally Posted by: dnkygirl23Learning the basics is one thing but it doesn't appear to be enough for it to translate over in the genres I want to play.

That's a good observation. And it's true of most genres. There are very specfic & specialized techniques & ways of voicing chords, playing scales that are genre specific.

There are fundamentals applicable to all styles: notes, fretboard layout, major & minor chords, major & minor scales, picking, strumming, basic rhythms. That's why the fundamentals are largely taught in a non-specific genre manner.

Then after you get the fundamentals down you learn to use those very generalized concepts & skills in very specific ways to get the end result of a highly specialized music genre.

[quote=dnkygirl23]I'm getting frustrated with being able to find a solid resource for what I want to do. Most of the guitar related training focuses exclusively on rock. Why is that?

Rock is the most guitar-centric genre. It puts more emphasis on the guitar than other genres. So that's what most people who want to play guitar want to learn. Rock is a little unusual in that the guitarist is often as important or notable as the vocalist.

Like most popular genres, Soul & R&B are typically vocal-centric. The focus is more on the vocalist or the tune. Rock kind of flips that traditional script.

After getting the basics down, then you can work through some of the tutorials I linked & see if that helps with your goals. And start learning tunes in the style you like! That's where you really build a vocabulary. And a private teacher specialized in that style is a good idea down the road when you are ready.

Please ask more if you have more questions. Hope that helps & best of success!


Christopher Schlegel
Guitar Tricks Instructor

Christopher Schlegel Lesson Directory
# 2
dnkygirl23
Registered User
Joined: 02/24/22
Posts: 6
dnkygirl23
Registered User
Joined: 02/24/22
Posts: 6
03/15/2022 12:40 am

"After getting the basics down, then you can work through some of the tutorials I linked & see if that helps with your goals. And start learning tunes in the style you like! That's where you really build a vocabulary. And a private teacher specialized in that style is a good idea down the road when you are ready."

[/quote]

I have been unable to find anyone in my area that focus on these styles. I can only find rock focused instructors. This is what i meant by frustrated with trying to find training. I will continue with the basics and get more of the fretboard under my fingers. I just can't believe that it's this difficult to find something so specific and prolific. Funny thing is I hear guitar all the time in R&B, hip hop, trap, and pop. While vocals are highly emphasized the use of guitar is still very prevalent in todays popular non-rock music. Also almost every online training site lacks instruction directly on these genres which makes it seem like guitar doesn't exist in todays popular music... which is just not true. It's a very different style of playing and requires unique skills to pull it off... I fear that on my own I will only be able to learn chords and scales and never be able to advance beyond it because i don't have access to resources that teach the things i need to know.


Ast3rix----

# 3

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