By "complex," we mean it has all the parts. It's full. The necessary ingredients are there - we're cruising. We're not technically lacking anything once we have these 3 elements. We need Bass, Melody, and Rhythm at a minimum. You can add from there (chords, other bright melody, arpeggio or ear candy, harmony, dynamics, etc). One thing to consider is, you could say a violin solo could be complex and complete in itself. That is very true. Since we're having fun with ideas here, let's take a look at that. A violin melody/solo is also going to have movement and change. With that movement and change, there is rhythm, and that's what keeps our interest is its ability to move forward - forward motion. That's rhythm (which is one of the 3 important elements). Then you could say, well, where's the bass? I would say the fact that the bass is not present is what gives delicacy to the violin solo/melody. It sores unchained. In that case, that's the beauty of it. It's fragility, or even confidence in the lack of and anchor. Its "complexity" is its boldness to fly with the wind. Looking at it another way, you could say there's an "understood" sense of bass, with the mystery, your mind could fill in the absence of the bass. How is this helpful to have these 3 elements top of mind. Where's the practical aspect? What can I do with it? As a musician, we often want more out of our instrument, but are unsure of what to do about it. We ask why do I sound simple, boring, uninteresting, it's not "moving me," it sounds uninspired, I'm not offering anything of substance. When you take an approach of making sure you: 1. have a solid rhythm pattern that's somewhat predictable and groove-able, that you're 2. giving an aspect of bass, that stands apart from the chords or any melodic movement, and am I 3. giving something in the upper register that feels like melody or arpeggio, or something the listening ear can hold onto, as it moves along the rhythm train. When you go through that thought pattern, it'll open up new possibilities for you. You'll consider new things, and will learn to add them or reshape what you're doing into something more significant. Find more free resources at www.insideoutONLINE.com

What does it mean to play "in the key of" something? When someone says, "this song is in the key of G," what does that mean, and what does it mean for you - how does it change the way you approach the song? This is an introductory video into that concept. Knowledge is power, and it's important to approach songs with confidence and tools. This video introduces the Level 2 player. In level 2, you're seeing the bigger picture of how songs are structured, you're learning all your open chords and seeing how they fit into "keys." You should have been playing for about 2+ years, but that's going to vary widely from person to person. For more info, check out www.insideoutonline.com #playingguitar #guitar #musictheory #understandingmusic #howtoplayguitar

We all want to be able to move confidently through a song. We want to be on the rhythm train. We want to move our attention away from the immediate task, and cruise along with ease. Sometimes it's hard to get there, and it takes lots - and lots - and lots of time, and experience. Here are some things I see my own students struggling with. This is a level 2 video, which means you should have been playing for around 2 years plus. You've memorized and mastered 7+ chords, and you've been working on songs. Here are 4 things to consider and implement into your habits. For more info visit: insideoutonline.com #guitar #howtoplayguitar #learningguitar

We're having fun with ideas here. Nothing serious. It's good to not just play music, or learn the hard theory, but sometimes it's fun to step back and simply discuss music in a broad, maybe simplified way. In this video we discuss the 2 types of notes in common music: in notes, and out notes. In notes give you a feeling of tension. They are like pulling back on the bow. They lift you, they hold energy. The out notes release that energy. They go forward, or you can think of it as landing, or going back home. They resolve. Genres like modern worship, pop, and country typically stay within the major key, causing the melody and other musical movement to weave in and out, back and forth between in notes and out notes. This gives us the holding and releasing of tension as the song moves along. We unconsciously crave this constant motion. It's what moves us. We refer to some of these "in" notes as suspended notes, most commonly the 2 and 4 notes. We also have the 6 and major 7 note as a part of the "in" - holding tension notes. The out notes are our key major chord notes, the 1, 3, 5 of the key. These notes feel resolved, comfortable, landed. See you on that next video. www.insideoutonline.com

Everyone uses this chord. It may be the most common "type 2" chord used today on acoustic guitar. Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, and every worship or country guitarist in the last 20 years has become obsessed with this chord. Why is it it so common, and useful? It's easy enough to play, it sounds fancy and cool, and everyone is doing it. That's what defines a "type 2" chord, and the Cadd9 chord may be the most common of all type 2 chords out there. Going back in history, it's really taken its commonality in the 21st century. Thanks to songs like "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" in the late 80's, then in the 90's, you have "Good Riddance," by Greenday, "Wonderwall," by Oasis, and by the time it hits the 2000's, this common shape of chords has become the standard. Along with the Cadd9 chord, when in the key of G, it's common to partner it with the Em7, D or Dsus, and the modern G shape. We're just having fun here. Hope you enjoy the video. www.insideoutONLINE.com #edsheeran #taylorswift #lynyrdskynyrd #christomlin #brandonlake #poison #everyrosehasitsthorn #oasis #greenday #kristianstanfill @philwickham @SkynyrdOfficial @christomlinmusic @oasisinetofficial @TaylorSwift @EdSheeran

This video discusses the 3 necessary ingredients of being a professional musician. Though it focuses on the musician, you could apply these skills to other areas and professions. The 3 pillars of being a professional or "successful" musician start with your personal development - you as a person, your character, your expertise and natural talent, your ability to prepare. It is the work you do behind the scenes, focusing on your personal self. The second one has to do with your social interactions. This is where you get feedback as to what's working and maybe what's not. In the "real world," you find out more about yourself and areas you need to work on. Do you show up ready, are you a good person, can you get along with others, are you loyal, kind, trustworthy, do you deliver, do you have something to offer? The third has to do with the tools for the trade. Do you have the means and access and a skill set for the proper equipment needed to get the job done, and done well. Hope you enjoy the video, and feel free to comment or share. www.insideoutonline.com

This is the second video for the G chord, designed for someone probably play around 2 years or more. We cover other keys the G chord is found in (what his buddy's are). It's important to see chords from within the key that you're playing them with. The G chord is found in the Key of G, Key of C, and Key of D. Knowledge is power, and thinking about it, talking about it, experiencing and processing it is all an important part of the journey. For more free resources, check out www.insideoutONLINE.com #howtoplayguitar #gchord #guitar

This is the second video for the Em (E minor) chord, designed for someone probably play around 2 years or more. This is for people having played the guitar for a couple years or more, and want to take things to that next step. We cover other keys the Em chord is found in (what his buddy's are). It's important to see chords from within the key that you're playing them with. The Em chord is found in the Key of G, Key of C, and Key of D. Knowledge is power, and thinking about it, talking about it, experiencing and processing it is all an important part of the journey. For more free resources, check out www.insideoutONLINE.com #howtoplayguitar #eminorchord #guitar

This is the second video for the C Major chord.. This is for people having played the guitar for a couple years or more, and want to take things to that next step. We cover other keys the C chord is found in (what his buddy's are). It's important to see chords from within the key that you're playing them with. The C chord is found in the Key of G, and the Key of C, most commonly. Knowledge is power, and thinking about it, talking about it, experiencing and processing it is all an important part of the journey. For more free resources, check out www.insideoutONLINE.com #howtoplayguitar #cchord #guitar