Connecting chords lesson / How I write these doodles
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- čas přidán 12. 11. 2021
- Here we look at how my mind works in relation to writing guitar pieces and connecting chords. Hopefully someone will pick something up from this. Happy noodling folks!
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Equipment used today:
Gibson Les Paul Gold Top (*more info below)
Marshall Astoria Custom
No pedals, except Reverb from Strymon Flint
No computers, no audio interfaces, no special microphones etc. Just my humble little iphone, then iMovie then CZcams.
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* My Gold Top is part of a special run at the Custom Shop, all done in 2009. This was the year of Les Paul’s death. This is one of only 564 made worldwide, with 6 made for each year he lived (1915 to 2009). It weighs 9lb 3oz. It’s stock except I swapped the stock trapeze tailpiece for one from MojoAxe. I’ve also relic’d (ruined / devalued) it. Controversial, yes, but come on, you can’t have a pristine Gold Top! I absolutely love this guitar 💕
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Further info about me, including contact details, can be found on my CZcams home page (click “ABOUT”) - Zábava
I love your music theory - "That's not a D chord. That's a D chord with a cherry on the top". Brilliant. Great video. You answered so many questions I've had while watching your videos. I love your musical meanderings and the way your create. Thanks so much. Please do more of these.
Thank you XLBIKER13, I’m surprised but delighted with the feedback I seem to be getting on these lesson videos. Will do, cheers 😊
So nice 🤤 Like learning a language with a good friend walking around town showing you all the best spots rather than working through hours of dense books
I like your analogy Padovann 😊. Cheers
This is the best leson I've seen on youtube in sometime, in fact you might be right behind Mr. Bukovac in terms of sheer gold and quality. His stuff is great but often gets quite advanced and lacks explanation, and you're like the medium making this palatable for mere mortals. I say this as someone who went to school, understands theory, can transcribe just about anything by ear. Keep up the good work man this is wonderful! You're doing god's work, teaching the stuff they refuse to teach in music school!
You said this better than I can. Music first and enough 'street theory' (I think Tom called it that way back) to get you there. Paul's channel is in the same spirit as Homeskoolin. Both brilliant.
Thank you Kylan, what a lovely comment. Thank you 🙏
Brilliant - I second that, very well said, hear, hear
PSC - what a guy.
Writing tips, chord progressions, understandable theory, and all with musicality at the forefront. Thank you Paul.
Well thank you Leo, what a lovely comment. Cheers mate
You know how you have to listen to a song a few times before it catches your ear then you begin to like it. I listened to your chordal piece "once" and "immediately" wanted to rewind and listen to it again! Your chord choices, voiceings, dynamics and technique... with all those cherries on top! ...really makes your playing "revolutionary"! Thanks again for the breakdown!
Thank you Wayne! 👍
Come ON! Your explaining what your thinking series now this Idea is pure " FIRE"
Been playing since 1998 and I learn absolutely the most. From you and your channel.
And Active Melody Channel. You both teach how to become free thinking, musical " Guitar Players.
So I thank you for your channel of inspiration and I'm connecting dots.
I also like, when you use terms like, Brain Adams Chords. Because it shows how many people learn SONGS/ Artists Styles and make them your own. You do these chords from Artists thing, allot, when illustrating your theory and thinking . It helps me ,mutate/ infuse , song/ Artists bits ,I've learned, and to mix them into my noodling, to make a passage sound, pleasing to my ears!
Just thank you. It's about a year, I've been watching and your teaching has changed into a REAL powerful tool, to learn six strings.!
Wow, what a lovely comment MindDezign! Really, it’s a thrill to read such a compliment. Thanks man 🙏
Outstanding! So many nuggets of goodness packed into this video ! Thanks Paul.
Love this. Makes my heart sing and ache
Thank you Alan 🙏
Thank you for sharing your love of music and guitar mysteries .
You are a gifted player and teacher .
much gratitude Paul
Thank you Kevin, appreciated 🙏
Can I be envious for just a second over that beautiful gold top. 😁 I love a Les Paul, the scale length, the feel, the growl, everything about it.
Thanks JFJ. Yes, I’m a very lucky boy. Glad you like it too 👍
Yours are the most fun and approachable lessons. Reminds me of sitting around w/buds in the days of old, having a ball figuring out guitar.
Thank you MF Harris! Appreciated
Love your tones. Thank you.
great tone and beautiful playing, thank you for sharing knowledge
Thank you. You are truly the gift that keeps on giving, sharing your knowledge, music, and sense of humor.
Thank you Ken, cheers 👍
5 mins in and already relaxed! Loved the first doodle and literally said “ahhhhh” out loud when you spoke about the A
What a massive difference between the Marshall and the Cornell, The latter has become a dream amp for me, awesome tutorial as usual
Thank you Paul! Yes, I’m a lucky boy to own both. And definitely a difference in tone.
The tune at the heart of this video is absolutely gorgeous Paul....it's given me proper goosebumps! Thank you so much for making and sharing 😀
Thank you Steven, my pleasure 😊👍
Great stuff Paul! I’m picking up a little here and there! I have to absorb it slowly.
Simply beautiful Paul!
Thanks Mike 😊
Hey paul, your latest videos have been fantastic. so much great info. awesome playing mate.
Well thank you Glenn, with comments like yours it’s a pleasure to keep posting 😊👍
Cool as! I could listen to you all day!
Thank you Jason 😊👍
Cannot overstate how much this has helped me connect dots. Thank you!
Thank you Neal! That makes me smile reading comments like that. 👍
Wow! I just read the history of your Gold Top! I had no idea. That guitar is really special! I wouldn't have had the guts to relic it but you did good! I prefer the look of yours over the others from that collection! Nice job.
Cheers Paul. Nice to see the Goldtop back in your hands.
Thanks Graeme, yes I forgot how nice it is.
A peak into the mind of Paul Cook... so cool. I really like your style of playing.
Thank you Todd. 👍
Great video and lesson.! Another beautiful piece of music, Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Nessa 😊
Thank you very much for taking time to make your vid very helpfull and wonderful to watch.Cheers Bob.keep it up
Thank you Bob 👍
Love how you describe the emotion that drives the connection to the next chord or note.
Thanks Steve, your comment makes me smile. 😊. Cheers
that was smashing, every time you do stuff like this it helps me make sense of the stuff I know but didn't know i knew if you know what i mean :) thanks for posting mate
My pleasure, cheers Charlie 😊
Solid Gold. Thanks!
Beautiful guitar. But most of all outstanding tutorial thank you sir.
Just what I needed. Really helpful and useful sir. Puts all my understanding of the guitar well together👏👏🎸
Thank you PerrinG 👍
The best on CZcams. Thanks Paul 🎶
Ah, thank you so much Hayden 😊
Love the music. Beautiful tune and guitar playing. thanks.
Thank you Paul! 👍
Superb lesson! Thanks, Paul.
My pleasure, cheers nombrado6
Love the channel!! It’s great to see someone that just loves to play without some other motive or goal!!! U have great feel and emotion in your playing!! Love learning from u!! Keep it up!
Thank you Johnnie Page ! Comments like yours make it a pleasure to post videos 👍. Cheers
Yet another pearl of a lesson from a master guitarist AMAZING SOUND off that gold top thanks paul
Thank you Chris! 👍
Brilliant. I appreciate you explaining your methodology - very useful!
Thanks Bill 👍
Just brilliant. Thanks once again Paul
Thanks Zofo2112 👍
@@paulstaffordcook8799 I have watched and learn't so much from this video - thank once again Paul. Could it be a good idea to use the chords in the key of A and explain the 1, 4, 5 as I would love to fully understand that as there is nowhere that explains it probably and in context
I just stumbled across another one of your videos but I think I’ve just found a new guitar role model! Jeeeeeeeesus
Great lesson Paul. You really Are a good teacher man!
Thank you Chuck! Maybe this little driving instructor from Edinburgh has found his true calling 🤣👍
Snap. Very nice. I really like your style. It helps inform where I want to one day go.
Thank you Gabriel 😊.
Brilliant pacing of the lesson.....you're a gifted teacher mate
Ah, thank you Greg 🙏
Great concepts and playing. Dude is good.
Thank you A P 😊
Great stuff. Amazing sound from that guitar and amp. Thanks for breaking this down.
My pleasure, cheers Bill
“Baby d minor chord”
Love it Paul! Thanks for sharing!
My pleasure, cheers Jonathan
Found your vids through your one on Buk, love your lessons , you got a nice touch. Much appreciated 👍
Thanks NorthernMonkey, appreciated 👍
Always love your input
Thank you Lance 👍
Superb as always. Just amazing tone.
Well thank you MarkTheCard 👍
I know all of this stuff, you just make me realize it, you have the perfect vibrato Paul, love your channel, enjoying my Saturday morning here, thanks!!!
Thank you Jim, and I’m delighted you notice my vibrato 👍
@@paulstaffordcook8799, I watch other guitar educators and some of them overdo it with their vibrato, yours is spot on with a certain smoothness about it, my vibrato is very similar to yours which made me have to comment, just very tasteful!!!
Luv the dark rosewood on that 'un...
Looks like it travels all the way back to 1952
Thanks Jonny, yes it’s a joy to own 🙏
your lessons are brilliant, get me out of a rut like all players fall in and just make me want to play more guitar. Double nice one mate!
Thank you rosewoodsam 👍
So do I hear a wee bit of Scottish folk in some of those licks, beautiful lesson, very inspiring.
Fantastic lesson Paul which will give me hours of fun, I will follow this video a lot easier with my tele and the Mustang micro amp, wish I had this technology when I started many moons ago, thank you☺️
Thanks rorykarate! Glad you liked it. 👍
These half chords & linking double stops really open up the fret board. I started to do it when it helped me get round nerve damage to my left hand and then realised I should have done it all along, it's so liberating and creative, well done for bringing it to the wider audience.👌
Thank you Paul 👍
Loving it
Thanks Thomas, cheers
Great tutorial sessions Paul. 16K subs is a crime. You deserve more than 2M...
Ah, thank you Kostas 🙏
Sounds beautiful mate. Cant beat a P90 in a Les Paul for shaking your soul🙏
loved this one Paul, cheers from Denver
Thank you Mark. And man, what a place to live! That’s definitely on my bucket list to visit!
Great lesson and love how you reference Tom Bukovac, going to spend some time with this as think it will take my playing to the next level - thank you
Thanks Paul, hope you get something out of it 😊. And yes, Tom Bukovac’s influence is never far from playing…
Thanks for that Paul ,great stuff.
My pleasure, cheers Tom
Good stuff. Love that guitar 👍🍷
Cheers Emlyn 😊
I love your love of guitar!
Thank you Flying Jeff Sutherland! Cheers mate
very helpful indeed.
Thank you brother Paul...for the great lesson, it's what I've been trying to implement into my guitar playing for a long time and what i mean by that is learning how to play more melodically chord to chord then adding senseful lead work over that. I.e. going back and learning more theory...its really rewarding to do so, intead of emulating hard rock riffs for 20 years thats cool however like i said, thanks much for this channel my friend, and lastly for now anyway, I play a wonderful stratocaster not unlike the one you have behind you but WOW I would really! Like to experience playing that les paul black beauty, i love all your guitars actually i only have the one guitar at this time.
Thank you man, for such a nice comment. And I’m delighted you like my black beauty. It’s an absolute joy 🙏. Enjoy your playing my friend, it sounds like you’re getting some joy out of it all. 👍
GOOD lesson Paul , just loved the C sharp SUS.
Thanks rpmblues 👍
Thanks for the video bud, banquet for thought. 😟Respect and stay healthy all.
I LOVE "cheating"! Thanks for connecting the dots for us! I always hear this in my head while playing, but have trouble "stringing" the changes together!
Thank you Rone 👍
Just WOW!
Thank you Alberto 👍
thats a great tone.
Thanks man👍
Hey Paul thanks for the lesson, really outstanding playing and this is a great format and a really nice pace which I find makes it nice and easy to just jam along and pick up some bits along the way. So I shall be using this for the weekends practice and hoping some of it sinks in, and if it does I shall certainly be stealing some of it! :) Cheers man!
Thank you Sir, it’s great to see your name pop up on my channel. I’ve recently subscribed to you and I’ve been catching up with many of your videos. You really do excellent work man, and you have a great, transparent and “non-snobby” way of comparing guitars. It’s great to see your admiration for the current run of Epiphone guitars, especially their “inspired by” series. You really do make us question why we’d spend 5 times the price (often more) on Gibson etc. Anyway, cheers for watching and I hope you get that situation with your black LP Junior sorted to your satisfaction 👍.
@@paulstaffordcook8799 Cheers Paul, and thank you for the kind words! :)
Paul......your brain? It’s not from around this part of our galaxy sir! Please keep using your powers for good! It’s keeping me sane!
Thank you
👍🇦🇺
Ah, thank you so much Shane 😊. Appreciated
Very good
So greatly unique, brilliantly explained and played. Is the tone magnificent? Thanks very much from Boxford, MA.
Well thank you Chuck! Appreciated. And greetings to you in Massachusetts 👋😊
Amazing, will be spending hours practising/learning this…
Thanks Dennis, happy practicing 😊
Fantastic playing
I wish I could play that good
Ah, thank you so much vintage strings, appreciated 👍
I heard at least 12 songs in your musical shenanigans Paul.
Very nice.👌
Of course the Gold Top, with those super deep tones, definitely added a significant dimension as well. The "E" is such a great place to start because you can literally go anywhere and find something great to work with! Esus, E flat, even a peculiar E7 tension will find a nice home somewhere between the F#m7, Bm7, maybe Dm, or Asus to A7, and look, there's still G and C to play with.😉
Your Celtic, Western Swing, Bluegrass, R&B, Brian Adams ballad is a very nice piece.🤙
Funny how those exact same chords with a Rock N Roll, Heavy Metal feel would probably grind your teeth.😄🤣😂😆
Awesome vid, cheers.👍🤙
Thanks GW 👍
I didn't know that I knew all that. Thanks.
That goldtop sounds amazing!
Thanks Johan! Yes, it’s such a lovely thing to own. Sometimes the morning light catches it as it hangs on my wall…. and just fills me with awe just looking at it 🤣🙏
@@paulstaffordcook8799 haha i can send you my adress ;)
dear mr fantasy, very nice indeed
I've stolen that little index finger move after the C# chord haha good vid paul!
Well, steal away Teddy boy, you’re welcome 🤣👍
thank you again paul very good, vancouver Mal
Thanks Malcolm 👍
Wonderful lesson/insight, Paul. I love all four of the Les Paul variants that you have, each with it's own character. Every time I hear one I think 'That's my favourite. Definitely!', that is until you play one of the others. This coming from a man who doesn't own a single Lester (yet - your fault). I should stop watching your videos, but I can't. They're too brilliant, inspiring and compelling.
Oh, and there you go using Secondary Dominants again! Y'see if you break this progression down not everything is strictly diatonic (in the scale). THATS where knowing too much theory can pin you down, because what you're doing doesn't just work, its exciting and a joy to listen to. It doesn't matter if the chord's name or extension is unknown, if it works in context and sounds good, its right. That's a subtext for us all in and of itself. I know you've mentioned this before. I totally agree. Actually it's very liberating.
I see one of the higher end Epiphone Les Pauls or lower end Gibson's on the horizon, together with a Marshall Origin 20 Head (I already have a decent Marshall 1 X12). Just need to sell some shit first.
Thank you Peter, great comment. Well I hope you do get your hands on that new equipment…… I think now is a particularly good time for Epiphone with their “inspired by” series. I’m subscribed to a CZcams channel called The Guitaristas”…. And he just LOVES this latest run of Epi’s, even compared to Gibsons.
@@paulstaffordcook8799 I can blame Colin from The Guitaristas too! I’m already a fan of Epiphone because I have a lovely 1990 Korean made Sheraton.
Hi Paul,
Thanks for the amazing lesson. Would really love to know your approach of playing lead over a chord progression backing track. Can you please make a lesson on how to do it. Thanks
Thank you Karthik, that sounds like good idea for a video. It’s going on my list 👍
Thanks for the noodling advice, and keeping it simple for people like me! When you play over that bridge P-90, the clarity is beautiful to behold. When you did some "relic" work to that guitar, I assume you sanded the finish off the back of the neck..? I'm about to do my first relic job today: got an LP Special from 2002 on Reverb, but it didn't have a gloss finish as I thought, the pictures were deceptive making it look shiny. It has Gibson's "faded" finish instead, which is nitro, but without grain filler and gloss coats, so it saves them time and money - why faded and satin guitars cost hundreds of dollars less. I don't like the feel of this "faded" finish, but it looks cool. But the neck feels "tacky", however, so the finish must come off - no? I'll get some 0000 steel wool and fine sand-paper at the hardware store, after I finish this comment, while walking my service dog. I once did some additional relic work on a heavy-relic Nash Broadcaster, which I bought used, finished-up Nash's sanding of the neck, which had only been partially done - I wanted the entire neck sanded. It was easy to do, the thin nitro came right off. I've read the "faded" finish Gibson uses comes off easily, and thankfully it's still nitrocellulose lacquer. I got this LP Special to put Firebird pickups in, replacing the hot Gibson humbuckers (490's?). I've been gassing for Firebird pickups lately, have a set on order, which are being built in a humbucker sized mount. Firebird guitars are not very popular, so Firebird pickups don't get enough respect. Johnny Winter has some of the best slide tone I've ever heard, and Firebird pickups in other types of guitars still have that sound. What do you think of Firebird pickups..? Thanks again for the tutorial, I'll be going through it again later. Cheers!
Thanks for your comment Pharmer David. And good luck with your relic’ing. It’s not for the faint hearted 🤣. Yes, I took wire wool the back of the Gibson neck…. much more comfortable after that. As regards Firebird pickups… it’s funny, Firebirds have just totally escaped my radar. So I’ll be sure to pay attention next time I see one being played. 👍
Lovely tone 😏
Thanks Bill 👍
I KNEW you knew of Bukovac. You've taken a few pages from his book... As have I. 😉
Hi Paul. Thanks for continuing to post and sharing your wonderful playing and knowledge with all! You inspire me to continue with my learning of the instrument. So you start off saying "what chords are in the family of A". How would I know that? Is there something you would suggest that could help me learn this? Also that Marshall Astoria sounds wonderful. Is that good for great tone @ comfortable home volumes? And, which version of the Astoria do you have? I play primarily country/pop-country music . . . good for that? Thank you in advance Paul. Sorry for all the questions.
Hi Jayzcat. Thanks for the questions, all good. Firstly - what chords are in the family? Well, the human ear seems to like the sound of certain chords going together. And that really is the answer to your question. So at the most basic level, think of two songs (1) Happy Birthday and (2) Silent Night. Do you agree that the chords are the same in both songs (albeit in different orders)? So if you play those songs in the key of A, then both songs would contain A, D and E. So that family (A,D & E) are clearly a close knit family, probably the most close knit in the whole world of music, hence why most popular songs in the world will contain them. A musician calls them the “1” (which is the A) the “4” (which is the D) and the “5” (which is the E). If you agree that these three chords go together in an extremely obvious, predictable and pleasant way then there’s your family. Now I expand that family by adding an F# minor. Boom, suddenly your ear agrees that F# minor sounds obvious, pleasant and predictable. Voila, you’re starting to build the family
Oh, you asked about my Astoria. It’s the Astoria Custom. And yes, it sounds wonderful at low volume. Most of my vids are bedroom volume. However, it’s typically Marshall, i.e. an acquired taste. So I’d imagine a Fender style amp would be more appealing for country and pop 👍
ok, im stealing that lick at 3:58 call the cops lolololololol
Steal away 😊. Cheers James
This if Fn AMAZING that this kind of knowledge is out here for free. Incredible all around. Forgive me cause I've only watched this three times (have bookmarked and will be playing along) but is there a specific *progression* you're following? Or just moving from chord to chord as the mood strikes? How do you know which voicing of a chord (ie: Dim, sus, min7, etc) to use?
Thanks MaxCooperAVL 🙏. Delighted you liked the vid. As to your question…. I’m moving between chords that are widely recognized as fitting within the family of the key of A. So at the most basic level that’s gonna be A, D & E. But all I’m doing is expanding that family to include ALL the relatives. So hopefully the human ear is instantly pleased with each chord because it’s “in the family”. As regards the actual voicings? That comes from having a large toolbox of voicings to pick from. These are voicings I’ve just picked up, copied, stolen over the years. So it’s kind of trial and error and experimentation until I find a voicing that pleases my ear. Hopefully that helps ? 👍
@@paulstaffordcook8799 Thanks Paul!
Great playing as always. Two questions: which amp was being used and why does my cat come running and sit in front of the computer when she hears your playing?
🤣, well I can’t explain why your cat is doing that…. But I’m flattered 👍. Yes, this was my Marshall Astoria, set relatively clean with just a hint of breakup. Cheers Kevin
Hi Paul, I've watched this video dozens and dozens of times. I love your sensitivity on the instrument and your inspiring doodles. Can I ask you a question? I am very undecided about buying between a Les paul junior 57 CS (Yamano ) and a Les Paul 56 CS . I have many guitars but none with p90 and I love chubby neck and clean sound. You have both, what advice would you give me? I am a beginner on the tube but a true guitar enthusiast and when I was young I worked a lot as a composer in Italian pop music but also some soundtrack. In recent times I start to taking some sound sketches as in a diary and so every now and then I publish some videos for me and my 24 followers :). Thank you very much.
Hi goindawn 👋. Firstly, apologies for late reply…. work has been crazy busy. What a good question….. Gotta say, I’d suggest the ‘56 Les Paul. (I presume we’re talking about a gold top, two soap bar P90s). The Junior is more of a specialist treat that you reward yourself with, when you have all the others. It’s not essential…. just lovely to have. Whereas, to me, a Gold Top with 2 soap bars is simply essential 👍
Great video, very much appreciated! side question, do you have much of a 60 cycle hum with your P90's under gain?
Thanks Scratch Padski! Actually, when the guitar was stock, the answer to your question was YES. It was my noisiest guitar in terms of hum. That said, it was just a quirk of the guitar and it’s pickups, it didn’t particularly bother me. However, I ended up over-tightening a bolt on the trapeze tailpiece one day - long story, ended up having to get the local guitar tech to replace it with a Mojoaxe bridge. In doing so, he added a ground wire from the pickup cavity to the strap button / base plate of the tailpiece. That has significantly improved the hum 😊
@@paulstaffordcook8799 that's a great idea, I'll have to look into that. Thanks Paul!
Is A a guitar friendly key??? Nice video Paul very informative as always
Thanks Les 👍
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Thanks Paul, nice insight. Btw, your accent. Your not from around here are ye?
Yes, I’m Scottish, from Edinburgh. Greetings 🍻
Thanks again. An interesting video. And by the way.. were you in ' Gregory's Girl '? 🤔😃
Thanks Peter 👍. And yes, I get asked that a lot…. definitely an uncanny resemblance 🤣
what you called the “baby version” of the Dm well, guess you unconsciously stole it from MK’s Local Hero! Very well done!
Great video!
Thanks Massimiliano 👍
If your even an advanced player you should be following Paul. I promise you will pick up things ✌
Thank you T Mc! What a lovely compliment! 👍