Proposal for Future EP and Micro Lessons

[Richard G]

I’ve been giving more thought to our recent discussions on the future of EP lessons delivered so expertly by Brian.

Two important issues emerged from the last Zoom meeting and recent Forum comments:-
1) Many of us members don’t or cannot keep up with the weekly EP lessons, especially if we are also practicing for a monthly challenge
2) How long can Brian keep up this blistering rate of producing weekly ‘deep dive’ EP lessons without risking burn-out

On that basis, my proposal could meet both concerns and involves splitting the current EP lessons into ‘‘Basic’ lessons followed by ‘‘Enhanced’ lessons, wherever appropriate.

For example:-

* Brian could post a normal EP lesson, explaining the method and theory etc as usual but design the lesson so it’s reasonably ‘Basic’ and achievable for most of us in perhaps a shorter time than currently.
* Then, the next week post a follow-up, linked to the previous lesson as an ‘Enhanced’ lesson, which could include harmonies, alternative slides, pull-offs, hammer-ons, double stops and backing, etc etc.
These follow-up ‘Enhanced’ lessons could also include, Intros, Vamps, Grooves and Outros (linked to the Basic lesson) and posted as either EP’s or the shorter Micro lessons.(ML’s)

This proposal, I believe gives four main advantages:-

1) It allows Active Melody members an easier and quicker way to learn a new ‘Basic’ lesson.
2) It also allows members the choice to take up the additional ‘Enhancedments’ (in the follow-up lessons) as far and as in-depth as they want to take it.
3) The Intros and grooves etc could be adapted and used across further or separate improvisations by members.
4) And finally, It takes the heat off Brian in producing the current weekly ‘deep dive’ EP lessons all in one go. The ‘Basic’ EP’s followed by ‘Enhanced’ shorter lessons posted as ML’s could be spread across following weeks.

NB: Follow-up lessons from Brian are not new, he has produced linked lesson in the past but not as Basic and Enhanced lessons.

I would be interested in your thoughts on this proposal as a way forward.

Richard

[Rob N]

Hi Richard,

That is a good idea, if Brian likes it then I’m sure he’ll give it a go.

In a way though, he already does this with the public YouTube video plus the more in depth extended Part 2 video plus the tab and practice materials which serves to tempt people to sign up. Brian is offering a teaching service and our reasonably priced subscriptions ensure he gets paid for all the excellent lessons he and any support staff there may be to keep going.

He certainly has a winning formula, it must be harrowing sometimes to keep producing these long detailed lessons and materials every week but maybe that’s the only way he can make it work?

[Don]

Some songs Brian comes up with I can learn in a week, others I struggle with for a month or longer. No way could I learn a lesson a week.

I wish there was a test I could take to find the holes in my knowledge. Some are so big you can drive a semi through them.

I like the idea of a lesson for beginners and another for advanced. But, ultimately, Brian has to make the call of what works best for him.

It would be cool if there was a system in place so some of the more advanced students on here, that were interested in teaching, could be mentors to beginners and meet in a zoom session and help them.

I played basic open chords from 1976 to 2022 when I finally decided to try to learn more. The more I learn, the more I find there is to learn. AM is helping to learn and fill those holes. I thank God for Brian and AM!

[Andy N]

That’s an interesting proposition and there is some precedent for it already in AMs back catalogue where there have been two or multi part lessons. The latter being mini series.
For AMers who’ve signed up it would have lots of advantages, giving us more time to go deep on a lesson or elect to move on. I think splitting a compositon into its basic element and those add ons you mentioned would make it easier to learn too.
I guess the key question for Brian (and one that only he can answer as he alone has the stats) is whether that would be an attractive enough proposition for to get new members to open their wallets.

[sunjamr]

Hmmmm….that’s an interesting idea, Richard. I have often said that back when I first joined AM (not long after the EP lessons were started) I could easily learn most lessons in a week, and I mostly kept up with them. In those days, the tabs were often only a half page long. Now the tabs are usually two pages and often more complex, so it might take me a month to become proficient at them. If I were just starting my journey with Actve Melody, I would probably spend most of my time on the microlessons.

Some teachers grade their lessons into Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced, and some AM members have suggested that Brian could try that approach.

Honestly, I don’t think Brian needs ANY more “song” type lessons. 600 is more than enough. In early days, almost all AM members were total beginners, including myself. Now days, I reckon 80% of us are intermediate players, and maybe 10% beginners and 10% advanced. Some people have said that I have entered the category of advanced, but I feel like more of an advanced intermediate. So what would us intermediate players like to learn now? Here’s my wish list:

– I want some ideas for how to achieve better phrasing
– I want to get better at long runs that go up and down the fretboard
– I need to learn more major key licks (that became apparent after the latest challenge)
– I love doing deep dives into the styles of famous guitarists, blues and otherwise

Sunjamr Steve

[Richard G]

Interestingly I spoke with Brian regarding this proposal before posting it here, he definitely saw some potential in building on a Basic lesson across several weeks.

Richard

[Manfred M]

In my opinion, that’s a good idea, Richard.

As I wrote in another post with the topic ” Brian’ Plans going Forward”, I would find it very appealing to have lessons that build on each other over 2 or more weeks.
This could, as you suggest, have Richard, basic and advanced sections or simply the opportunity to delve deeper into a topic in the following weeks.

Everyone can then see which scope is suitable for them, but would still have the feeling of having dealt with the topic offered.
In my opinion, it is also an opportunity to deal with a topic over a longer period of time, which also results in good learning effects.

Just think of what it does for all challenge participants to familiarize themselves with a task over a period of weeks and how much we all learn in the process. At least that’s my experience.

I definitely like the approach you’re taking, Richard, and would be delighted if Brian could develop something along these lines.

Take the chance to meet your AM friends on Zoom
The next Meetup will be in spring 2025

There will be a detailed announcement here in the forum a few weeks before.

I look forward to meet you.
Manfred

[Alan L]

Great thoughts so far.

I always liked the micro lessons where it’s just a song, and no explanation. I imagine those are easier to produce and edit. I could see that coming out one week, and then explain it the next week.

There was resent release of two consecutive lessons that used the same backing track. I really liked that. I notice many lessons are 2 verses of a solo. I could see breaking up the two verses over 2 weeks as well.

[Alan L]

For example, in EP 602 Brian mentions taking 2 paths- playing the key or playing the changes. In that lesson he takes us down the path of playing the key.

I was goofing around with triads over the changes on that lesson, and there are some very tasty chromatic voice leadings in that progression. I think it would be really great to use that same progression and backing track, dive deeper and write a second lead following the playing the changes pathway.

[Author]

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