The launch of Unit 7: 9th Chords of my guitar method, Vertical Truth: Chordal Mechanisms for the Guitar will open in just a few days. I have been working towards this point for 10 years! So you can imagine how excited I am to finally be at this point!
I started with the launch of Unit 3: Triads, in 2014 and, in the years since then, have been steadily launching each Unit of the method as I complete it. Even though Unit 7 is not the end (there are 10 Units altogether, as well as much that hasn't been formally codified), this upcoming launch is where I wanted to get as far as converting my original book into an internet-optimized format. Whether or not I get around to the last 3 Units, which are on Bitonality, will depend on whether there's a significant enough demand, and how much longer I live (I am 69).
As I said, I am very excited for this launch next week, and based on the feedback from the last two blogs, I know many of you are as well; especially those who have obtained the previous Units.
The opportunity presented in next week's launch is to obtain a complete, methodical approach to learning 9th chords - all types, positions, voicings and alterations. This material notched up my own playing significantly when I was first taken through it by my teacher, John Elliott. As far as I know, it is a unique approach and is superior to anything I have seen. Check out the Table of Contents. To see what the PDF looks like, see a short promo HERE.
Blues, Country, Rock, Jazz, Pop, Funk, R&B, Soul and more all use 9th chords. Trust me when I say that learning 9th chords will up your game no matter what genre you’re into.
As a result of going through this lesson series you'll wind up knowing more about playing 9th chords than many professional guitar players - in just a few months.
Besides the fact that it worked for me (I have made a living gigging, writing, recording and teaching guitar for almost 50 years - and raised 5 kids doing it), I have successfully prepared students for the University of Missouri at Kansas City's Conservatory of Music, Berklee College of Music in Boston, Guitar Institute of Technology in Los Angeles, and the Jazz program at Miami University. Here's what a few (out of thousands) of my personal students have said about Unit 7 specifically:
Unit 7: 9th Chords has brought a new freedom to playing guitar and I would highly recommend it to any player who is stuck, or wants to take the mystery out of complex chords to take your playing to the next level. - Nick Duchene
Jay’s approach to 9th chords in Unit 7 is the best I’ve seen and material you won’t find anywhere else. Even if you’re not a jazz guitarist, Unit 7 will increase your knowledge of the neck and expand your playing abilities. I highly recommend! It’s amazing stuff! - Bill Foster
Unit 7 is a continuation and development of what’s learned in Chapters 5 and 6 of Jays’ Vertical Truth. As with Jay’s other units, you’ll learn how to play these throughout the Key Circle. If you’re looking to further your chordal vocabulary, this is a must! - Brian Manning
I'd like to address your most-asked questions:
Question: Looking at the Table of Contents, I'm kind of intimidated by the amount of stuff in there!
Answer: I get it. That's one reason I discourage my personal students from looking ahead; just focus on the lesson at hand, today's lesson is sufficient for today.
The other side of that coin is that it’s a MASSIVE value! And…I take you through it, one step at a time. If you follow instructions and are patient, persistent, and do the drilling just like I demonstrate in the videos, as I said above, you'll wind up knowing more about playing 9th chords than many pro guitar players - in just a few months. That’s months, not years.
Trust me and trust this method; I've guided many, many students through this material, and I can guide you through it as well.
And remember, I am personally available to Site Members for guidance, consultation, oversight, accountability - whatever you need when working through this material.
You commit to a process; I commit to lead you through it.
Question: Are previous Units necessary to know before going through Unit 7: 9th Chords?
Answer: It depends on what kind of learner you are:
Random Acquisition: What this means is that you learn by rote whatever you pick up from here and there, adding it to what you already know with some kind of intuitive, idiosyncratic method. So with that in mind, my approach makes liberal use of fretboard diagrams and demonstration videos. Take what resonates and leave the rest. Therefore you don’t necessarily need the prerequisites.
Method-Oriented: You want to know “Why?” How does all this fit together? What’s the concept? You desire a step-by-step approach with each step built on the one before. You want a logical progression. You understand that a methodical approach results in a BIG PICTURE with no gaps, which piecemeal, random acquisition can never achieve. Therefore you need the prerequisites.
I'm willing to deal with both types.
Question: I'm a method-oriented type guy. I'm interested in 9th chords but I feel I need some of the previous Units but haven't purchased any; will I have to buy those?
Answer: First of all, to try and determine whether you need any (or all) of the prerequisites, check out the product pages - there's a ton of stuff that will help you to ascertain whether or not you need any of that material.
Don’t buy anything! You will be able to get these lessons at below the Site Member Discount given on the sales pages above during the launch next week.
Now, as promised, a quick freebie - building on the 9th chords you've learned in the last two emails/blogs.
We can alter (sharp or flat) the 5th of the open voicing and the 9th of the close voiced dominant chords you learned in the previous emails/blogs. That gives you 5 more chords! Check it out:
What I've taught you in the last 3 emails/blogs is a miniscule portion of the totality contained in this lesson series on 9th chords.
The opportunity to download the entire series in one PDF will open this coming Monday, December 9th, at 6am CST and close at midnight CST Friday, December 13th.
The launch emails going out next week will explain all the options and will contain the link to the downloads.
The emails next week will be sent to SITE MEMBERS ONLY!
If you are not a Master Guitar School Site Member you will not receive the emails!
You can SIGN UP HERE! It's free and will ensure you get the launch emails next week. Access to launches like what will happen next week is one of the many benefits of site membership.
If you want more information on site membership, see Why Become a Site Member?
As I said above, I'm excited about launching this lesson series and I hope to see you next week!
Jay
P.S. Remember; the emails going out next week with the link to the download will be to SITE MEMBERS ONLY! SIGN UP HERE!
Comments