Michael D Ricketts "Putting it all together"

[theguitarwiz]

Hey There

Yes it is! And its as good as the day that Jim Ellicot put it together for me back in 1987. I swear I have done nothing but restring it. It is awesome!

Best

Mike

[jeffstone72]

Hey Mike is that guitar one of the many great ESP customs coming from the old River City Guitar. I know it has been a while but it looked a lot like one of the custom body's Steve had hanging up on the wall. 

[theguitarwiz]

Howdy

Hope it helped.

Mike

[bobstax69]

This guy was my first teacher 20yrs ago...

he use to charge 5 bux...and the lessons always ran over...he would hand write em out...I still have em....he is a great guy!!!!!

[theguitarwiz]

Hi Bob

Wow man how are you doing? Pretty flattered by your comments. Still playing after all these years. (3 nights this week) Go to CD Baby and search for Clark Pauken Ricketts. Thats a CD Jeff and I did with a monster bass player a couple years ago. Next one is will be out in the spring. Are you still around Clinton? I will be there for a few days next week for Turkey day.

All the best.

Mike

[Gelufinteraf]

Damn you're good. This is exactly the kind of advice I was looking for, and the kind every guitar player should know. Thanks a lot and keep 'em coming!

[theguitarwiz]

Hi

Been playing along time but still learning every day!

Thank you for the compliment.

Stay tuned.

Mike

[wprestidge1]

good lord, i watched all the mode videos. by far the most helpful on youtube. literaly all makes sense now. also cool pic with evh and jimmy page, wait or was that brian may?, anyways, thanks a bunch!!!!

[theguitarwiz]

Hi

Thanks a bunch for taking the time to let me know these vids helped. It makes it all worth while. These vids are the seven patterns that make up the fretboard. Modal playing is a different subject and Im thinking about doing some vids on that.

Thanks again.

Mike

[Biake22]

Hey again, last time, I wanted to say thanks. Your videos have really opened my eyes to some new things that I wasn't finding elsewhere, appreciate it.

[theguitarwiz]

Hey Again Blake

Good deal:-) Have a couple new ones in the making so stay tuned!

Pardon the pun.

Mike

[Biake22]

Hey, im somewhat new to these modes. so all these videos are patterns out of their proper key, im confused. if i want to play like that i need to learn the blues versions? also if these arnt modal how do they sound good, what are you playing in this video?thanks, blake

[theguitarwiz]

Hi Blake

These vids show the fretboard broken down into 7 patterns each named after the degree of the scale they start on. 5 of them have a blues pattern associated with them. The musical examples are just played from within the pattern shown in the video. These are all in Emajor/C#Minor.

Modal playing is something entirely different. Example, play the Phrygian pattern at the open position and then strum an E Major chord. Hear the flavor thats happening there?

Hope this helps.

Mike

[AnnihilatingAngel]

What I can't do is instantly change to the appropriate mode when the chord changes. If, say, I'm on the 1 chord and playing around with the 3 different Ionian patterns, how do I SEAMLESSLY switch to the right mode when the time comes - even without shifting hand position? And should I always begin the new mode pattern on its root?

Right now all I can do is play the modes rather mechanically, and that's not making music. I want to be able to express myself with true improvisation like you do.

[theguitarwiz]

Hi

I really dont think about changing scales through the chord changes. These seven patterns tie the fretboard together in one key (Emajor/C#minor in this example) Everything can be shifted to play in other keys, just keep the patterns tied together in the same sequence. As you play, listen to the chord changes your playing over and let you ear guide you as to which notes to emphasize.

Hope this helps.

Best

Mike

Clark Pauken Ricketts "Reactivated"

[AnnihilatingAngel]

Hey, thanks for the reply! I really appreciate it. Yes, it's emphasizing the right modal notes smoothly when the chord changes that's hard, because it entails knowing where I am on the fretboard at all times, and the knowing where to put my fingers to replicate what I hear in my head. Making music, rather than being a mere "typist".

[ChaseWatkins]

I think Im memorizing the scales wrong. All this time Ive thought of them in sections, which makes it hard to shift up and down the fretboard like that...

What should I do to fix this, this late in the game?

[theguitarwiz]

Hi

Its never to late. Heres an idea, learn these seven patterns and how they overlap. Then practice sliding up into the next pattern while staying on the same string. When you get the E string mastered, do the same thing on the A string, then the D string, then the G string, then the B string and then finally the high E string. Keep after it and you will find that will be able to move up or down the fretboard between patterns with ease.

Best

Mike

Clark Pauken Ricketts "Reactivated"

[Malmsteen1990]

i can't understand the video... it shows all the modes played one per one?..

because.. i can't hear the changes, i only see the chords progressions change.. but.. not the mode,

[theguitarwiz]

Hey there Malmsteen1990

These are just the pattern videos that build up the fretboard. I have had enough mode video comments though that I may do some videos on those this winter.

Best

Mike

check out Clark Pauken Ricketts "Reactivated"

She rocks:-)

[mrtyles]

evh at 0:17.

[guitarhawk96]

Yeah, and let's not forget that Brian May fellow at 0:18.

[theguitarwiz]

Howdy

EVH, Brian May and Michael D Ricketts at NAMM 1984 before the Kramer Jam on top of the Hilton in New Orleans.

As I recall, it would have sounded better had we not hit the party Steam Boat before hand.

Mike

michaeldricketts dot com

[mistameanlead]

oh and also i noticed u do a lot of blues....is it easier to make a good sound out of blues rather than ditonic and penatonic? and if so just like chromatics u can use blues modes in any type of music as long as u can fit the notes right? thanks

[theguitarwiz]

Howdy

The blues modes tend to lend themselves more to feel, the full modes tend to lend themselves to more melodic playing. Chromatics help smooth things out. Blending in notes from the full modes when your playing blues modes does the same thing. Listen to the Clark Pauken Ricketts samples on I tunes and you will here how it can all come together.

All the best.

Michael D Ricketts

michaeldricketts dot com

[mistameanlead]

hey ive been playing guitar for about 3 and a half years.... i love a lot of old rock. i know all the modes and where they go and all but i can never get them to sound right.....i can never find what bends to use and for some reason i cant get them to sound as good as i can with chromatics though i know ive heard much better lead come out of modes than chromatics....any advice on specific note ordering or how to fit the lead better with modes?

[theguitarwiz]

Howdy The modes are spaced just like the scale. For the key of E, it would be. Ionian Open and 12th fret. (E) Dorian 2 fret and 14th fret (F#) Phrygian 4th and 16th fret (G#) Lydian 5th and 17th fret (A) Mixolydian 7th fret (B) Aeolian 9th fret (C#) Locrian 10th fret (D) Hope this helps! Mike Ricketts :)

[JMDDE]

thats some kl shit right there, am startin to learn the modes maself bt cn u tell me where you play each mode if you stay in one key for example E, does each mode need 2 be played at a specific area of the fretboard for it to fit?

[wrathchildaca]

hey man thats some awesome playing. i just started playing the modes and its very inspirational to see and hear other players bust out some modal leads

[theguitarwiz]

Hey thanks, glad you like it and hope it helps. Stay tuned will be posting a new video shortly.

Mike Ricketts

[theguitarwiz]

Hey

Thanks for the compliment. Ive been playing for a long time and I am still learning. You never ever really master the guitar.

Take care.

Mike Ricketts

[padey]

Very Smooth =). Very in control. Awesome player.