Mastering the Diminished Scale #1

For quite a while I tried to wrap my head around two ideas;
1. Why classical music education (most of the time) doesn't give you an easy to use vocabulary that is actually usable "in the real world".
2. How to improve my technique to be able to shift fast from "linear" playing to a more "angular" approach.

I will come back to the first idea also later, for now, here are some diminished arpeggios in triplets on the diminished scale, notes grouped 3 by 3 in a zig-zag pattern. Usually, a zig-zag pattern is easier to use, it's not really a "lick" but it can be used as one, as well as used as a daily exercise/ routine/ warm-up, to keep your fingers moving.

The exercise starts on low F# and ends G1, but you should be able to start wherever you want (on C1, for example) and go whatever direction you chose. You should internalize it and play it without notes, changing direction or even going in "spider pattern" (start on G, go on A♭, then F#, then A, then F, then B♭, then E... etc, you get the idea).

You may download the music sheet as PDF, or in MuseScore format, so you can edit, transpose, transcribe and customize it to your own needs. Click the image to download the format you want:

  

Disclaimer: All materials are properties of their owners, and are used here for informative and educational purposes. I don't accept any responsibility for any damage, loss, liability, injury or upset caused to or suffered by you as a result of misusing this material.

Cheers and happy learning,
Mihai

Ra-ta-ta - Easy Version

"Ra-Ta-Ta", or "Ra Ta-Ta-Ta" is a 1970 German song written by Hamburg pianist Chris Juwens and Christian Heilburg (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia).

It was in some popular tv series from 70s and 80s, and for some reason a remix of it got popular with the kids this year. Normally, some of my trumpet pupils wanted to play it, so I transposed to B♭ to be easier to play. Here's the cover version that got my pupil's attention:

You may download the music sheet as PDF, or in MuseScore format, so you can edit, transpose, transcribe and customize it to your own needs. Click the image to download the format you want:

  

My cover version starts directly with the trumpet, the backing track to play along has a short intro, so you have enough time to press the play button and take the trumpet, or to give you a count in, so you get the tempo.

Here's the example track:

 and here is the backing track:


Disclaimer: All materials are properties of their owners, and are used here for informative and educational purposes. I don't accept any responsibility for any damage, loss, liability, injury or upset caused to or suffered by you as a result of misusing this material.

Cheers and happy learning,
Mihai