I am saying that if you play guitar, for instance, you should know all the notes on every fret and string.. Why? You should not have to travel all over the instrument to play a note when it may be right there in the position you are playing in. You can get pretty tired from jumping up and down the neck to play a certain note. Play the scales in every position so that you get familiar with the notes in other places on the guitar. Try finding, let's say, the note D in the same octave all over the guitar, then do the same thing with other notes. Then do the same thing with chords, but, when doing chords try turning the chord around and play different root notes. Example - if you are playing Cmajor 7th try playing it with the G or the B on the bottom and so on. You will find that these little different inversions will add depth to your playing and make it a lot more colorful. I use colors because when you play music you can color a dull chord by adding on to it with 7th's and 9th's and such. Especially playing ballads, you can find the sweet chord to embellish the sound of the chord and make it fuller. These may be some things you know but for those who don't, try these tips and see how it works for you and the music you play and create. Adding on to chords is like putting salt or sugar on your food. You put it on to taste not too much so that it is overpowering or too little that you can't taste it at all. Make your music tasty!

Well, that is it for now, I am off again. Please check my website and my myspace page for dates in your area.

I still love you all so if I am late a little bit remember that I am in the midst of touring season and I will get to you as soon as possible.

Peace, Nick

P.S. Forward this newsletter to your friends or sign them up yourself by sending an email to jazz@nickcolionne.com. Adults welcome, too.