One Chord Vamps

[DavidP]

I appreciated the reminder, no apology needed.

[DavidP]

Great tone, Shane, some cool licks and lines.

[JackPK]

That’s my approach to the One Chord Vamps challenge. The key is A minor.

[DavidP]

Some sweet tones, laid back vibes, Jacek. like the use of multiple tracks

[judi]

Hey all, I’ve enjoyed listening to your one chord vamps. I’m just starting to dip my toe into this improv stuff. I’m aware of the other topic on How do you make improvisation sound musical. I have some questions about “how do you make improvisation” full stop. I’d love to read your thoughts if anyone has a few minutes.

I’m an early Grade 3 beginner, and my skills aren’t nearly up to yours. With the guidance of my wonderful teacher (Richard, who has warned me that this is difficult and will take time!), I’m starting small: playing over single-chord drones, key of G, begin with chord triads on the first three strings then expand to the full scale - but still limited to those three strings. Does that even qualify as a vamp? (I previously did an exercise over a chord progression and came up with a nice tune, but that seemed a lot easier and took several days to complete.)

I don’t particularly “hear” anything musical in my mind. I’ve tried just relaxing and playing notes in various phrases, hoping that would inspire me. It hasn’t yet. A question: do you remember being as green as I am? If so, what was your experience like? Do you have any guidance (practice and patience, I know ) for developing both the skills and my internal ear, or just generally how to get going?

Another question regarding the vamps you’ve recorded. Did you just sit down, turn on the recorder, and play? Or do you noodle around for a while until the day’s vamp makes itself known to you? Or perhaps - do you develop a vamp over several days?

Thanks in advance!

[TheMadman_tobyjenner]

If you are just starting out best to explore for a while before recording. Plenty of one chord vamp BTs on YouTube and you can just play a minor pentatonic over most of them, just choose the Key.

Here’s one to get you going in A and at 47 minutes long plenty of time to just find your way around and discover what sounds good. Dust down that A minor pent and let go

One Chord Backing Track in A7

[sclay]

Hello Judi,

You seem to be on the right track.
Starting ‘small’ and steady, and building a strong foundation is the smart way to do it.
One chord vamps are great for learning and development, and help alot with phrasing.
Its good you’ve locked onto the triads so early too, as these are your chord tones. For me triads are key to improvising.

Become very familiar with your scales, major and pentatonic.
For practice, I have 2 general types. One is ‘Freeform’, where I’ve learnt something new recently, put on a BT, and just go for it. I video it.
The other type of practice is ‘Specific’, where I’m focusing on one very particular thing. eg. a specific lick, targetting 3rds on chord changes etc.
You mention your teacher, Richard. Im assuming you mean ‘our’ Richard Coles. You’re obviously in great hands there, so just keep going. And yes, it takes a little while to get going; but like anything this fun, its worth the effort ( and ‘occasional’ frustration).
All the best.

Cheers, Shane

[judi]

Thanks Toby! That might be a bit advanced for me now, but hey - maybe by Christmas? Yeah, I like that, goals are good,

[judi]

Thanks for the encouragement, Shane. Yes, I’m being well guided by ‘our’ Richard. I still find it useful to ping the hive mind to learn of additional experiences. For example: I like your idea of “freeform” vs “specific”. I’m inspired to tie this exercise to songs i’m working on…imagining improvising over a specific section of the song (as long as the chord is G ). But seriously, I have a drone track for each chord in the key of G.

Agreed on learning scales and triads. I’m not good at memorizing things in a vacuum, and this work gives me context to apply what I’m memorizing.