Lyrical Guitarist Melanie Faye Discusses the Number System

[@LessonFace]

Go to Lessonface.com for great music teachers, great lessons, guaranteed. When it comes to online music instruction, "the top choice is Lessonface." - LA Times.

[@chadlong1109]

30 seconds into this video, I realized that I already know the Numbers System. I watched the video until the end just to listen to her play, though. What a tone!

[@robbrown8483]

Chad Long: the sweet tone is due in large measure to the fact she's playing with her finger tips.

[@danglyding-dongs3403]

"we take the first chord in the key and we call that chord 1" *beautiful jazz noodling* "and we call the fifth chord in the key chord five" *beautiful jazz noodling*.

[@ronaldessi]

same here, I think it's just looking at the same thing but from a different perspective and boy it's helpful!

[@BodyBuildingBanks]

Chad Long sameee 😍 she’s a legenddddd

[@helmerluis5292]

Chad Long same!

[@vanessa-ny4od]

her pinky is the john cena of fingers

[@Paul_Aderoju]

vanessa damn right!

[@ChopStixLoL]

Ya I can't see it

[@versnellingspookie]

Because its fukken strong?

[@MrKongatthegates]

I see it

[@Pure_KodiakWILD_Power]

it's wearing a baseball hat? 🤔

[@jeremiahokakwu5013]

I came her about 5 months ago and didn't understand a word But now after 3 months of playing I can say I do😁

[@Farahimn]

how did you do ? like what did you do learn ?

[@jeremiahokakwu5013]

@@Farahimn basically I just learnt the chords in a key and tried playing them in different positions

[@kevinsanchez8862]

Understand each chord

[@rennisdodman8739]

@@Farahimn i understood straight away bcuz i play the piano try google image: chord progressions (most/all are piano, but just focus on the chord names & numbers) Pictures help so much more than explaining in words. i suggest: 1. Learn basic chord progressions like 1-6-2-5 (jazz) 2. Have like a printed chart of chord progressions and get it in ur head 3. also it helps to understand the music theory on how chord progressions are built 4. Then just practice &practice until u can play by ear. (like u meet a new friend, the more they talk to u, the more u are familiar with their voice) at 1:52 she talks about playing by ear (recognizing chord progression/pattern from a music u hear for the first time)

[@wavymoney9326]

Jesus Christ Official Thanks Jesus

[@Bidwellz9]

basically what i take from this is, once you learn the guitar....come back

[@anonn9058]

Bidwellz9 lmaoooo frrr

[@charlestidd4616]

I think she has it just right...the number system should be learned early on in one's study of guitar for the reasons she outlined.

[@cgavin1]

I laughed too but c'mon, seriously, in all fairness anyone actually trying to learn the guitar needs to learn the steps she outlines: open chords, keys, major and minor intervals and progressions etc. These things aren't advanced concepts, they are the basics. My opinion, personally, is that if you can learn by ear as she says she does (and that is also pretty basic tbh), why do you need a number system? Every note has a letter, every chord a name. Scales and modes exist for a reason. Music theory is millenia old, notation centuries old. Why re-invent the wheel? 🤷‍♀️

[@OdaKa]

@@cgavin1 Because musicians need to communicate, and the number system is a very efficient form of communication, as well as being a good way to conceptualize the function of each note or chord as a scale degree no matter what key you are in. 4 is 4, whether you're in the key of B# or Fb.

[@OdaKa]

Yeah, this isn't a beginner guitar course that teaches you the parts of the guitar, how to sit up straight and angle the neck, how to use your fingertips and where to place your thumb, strength building to avoid fret buzz, the name of each string, beginner chords and scales, and just the most basic elements of guitar, etc. This is a video on how to conceptualize what you do on the guitar once you've learned the bare basics.

[@mjolnircarlssen4211]

I know that this intended to be a comprehensive lesson on the Numbers System, but her tasteful playing absolutely stole the show. What an incredible talent. Incredible.

[@rightfromtheart]

In a recent interview with John Mayer, John was asked if he had heard any guitar players which had impressed him lately .... John immediately mentioned your name, so I had to check you out - now I see why he was impressed! Great job! =) Blessings!

[@bensblues]

john mayer is trash

[@sstelect]

Ben lol. Have you seen him play?? Eric Clapton called him a master of guitar. John is far from trash! lol.

[@torkjellbysheim7642]

@Inget Namn what the fuck is this purity testing nonsense? Clapton is an amazing guitarist even if it's not your style, and so is John. What does coke and/or racism have to do with it?

[@TheIndogamer]

@@bensblues hey at least injecting some more sophisticated musical tastes to the more popular music fanbase

[@nathanrobertschultzmusic2609]

Those embellishments are drop dead gorgeous.

[@mragunathan1627]

This young girl just explained the Nashville Number System more clearly than all the other "experienced" men on KZbin lol.

[@ThomasBrubach]

@@mragunathan1627 Nice negative and divisive spin on it!

[@ProfessorGroyper]

@Dan Bertucci >African-American plays African-American genres. >not remotely African lol

[@yourphone5380]

@@ProfessorGroyper there's a difference between African and African-American you know...

[@ProfessorGroyper]

@@yourphone5380 ooga booga there is not much different than ooga booga here

[@ambient0902]

I like how she's kinda awkward when she speaks but then plays the guitar so full of life and elegance that it really is a clash of expressions. Amazing technique and feel. Someday I'll be at that point.

[@jeromybrackemyer4026]

Jesus i literally started playing guitar because of cliffs of dover on guitar hero 3. i really feel this shit on a spiritual level melanie faye

[@david.sthilaire]

Lol really? So did I

[@panama1942]

Same dude, that and One by Metallica. Been playing for ten years now

[@VanHalensApprentice]

Yo what is it about cliffs of Dover 😭😂. That's the exact reason I started taking guitar seriously too

[@sistagaia]

Cliffs over Dover... honestly guitar hero three changed lives!

[@b_a_fps1569]

I started playing Guitar Hero because I wanted to play guitar! I played it until I could afford a guitar.

[@alanoffer]

I like the sea foam green guitar

[@themorrigan1312]

Its a D'Angelico Premier DC

[@JohnJohnson-bo5sv]

Don't really like Sea Foam Green..but I respect anybody that wants to stand out and Rock it'...or Jazz it' as the case may be. Your Playing is great really cool to see you do your thing.

[@themorrigan1312]

@Hebert Brietzke damned if i know. And probably not, but theres a possibility

[@ricrodgers7575]

very cool playing

[@codectified]

"Its so much easier When sea foam green is in fashion"

[@Redfoxx4eva]

3:48 ive never felt so understood lol. cliffs of dover, or as i kept calling the song cliffs over dover lol... is so amazing.

[@candidx7057]

I like to watch your face when you play, as though you sing your guitar. You spoke of your vocal approach to playing guitar. That comes across in your natural person. May you never lose that realness.

[@1masterfader]

I use the number system. I've yelled the numbers to musician while playing my originals and IT WORKS.

[@k.b.elliott9591]

You are very amazing. I been playing for seventeen years yet your dedication to jazz and essentially what's encompasses all music is truly inspiring.

[@glennnmurphy]

I love the fact that she doesn’t smother her sounds full of effects. It’s raw and sounds amazing

[@univuniveral9713]

That is why I like acoustic guitar. When I started guitar in 2017 (I don't know any other instrument) I only went for the acoustic one. By the way I am 51 now and eager as a beginner. I do not want any electric guitar.

[@mysteretsym]

@@univuniveral9713 You can make an electric guitar sound better than an acoustic or like one. what matters is your tone and some people arent into the distortion. and its not necessary

[@brandonanege3292]

@@mysteretsym Instead I tend to feel it's easier to make an acoustic guitar sound like electric especially when connected to a good mix/amp. No electric guitar has ever given me the feels of an acoustic. Myself, i practice only with acoustic but when i play an electric or jazz guitar it feels kinda too easy with chord shapes, solos, bends, hammer-ons etc..

[@cameyyo3]

I’m a bass player and drummer and NOW because of her I will learn electric!

[@user-tf9de5qi5r]

2:43 suunday mornin raaiiin is falling..

[@jaynomad7741]

N oh yeah

[@user-tf9de5qi5r]

in this progression actually, a 2-5-1 in cmaj I believe, you can substitute the 5 chord for one a tritone above it, also known as the tritone substitution. you can do this anytime the 5 chord is resolving to the tonic, or the 1 chord. Or you might hear it called a "functioning dominant." so in this case the 5 is a G7, so the substitution would be a C#7 which is a three tones, or six semitones up from the G. it adds for some flavor in your playing, can creates a nice chromatic feel and be mixed up in alot of ways in itself

[@cool7654321]

THANK YOU Lol i love that song, was singing it there too

[@xjustvibex]

That s like what came to my mind ... i dont even really know the song but i started mumbling some like sunday morning reh meh fah lihn....

[@kai-alexandercasey8957]

her pinky got gains.

[@anonymous-nt4sy]

it do.

[@abuventertainment2856]

her pinky game is insane

[@crosscountrycrusader]

"You can be inspired by things that are not the guitar" - That's the crux of it. Great message!

[@beatlabpro1]

She is fantastic! Her guitar is melting my soul

[@DanM-ys5pz]

So young and this girl is already this good. Crazy talented.

[@jamesculley845]

A very wise and wonderful young woman! Thank You! ❤️🙏🏻🕊🌿🌻📿🕯🎸

[@stevedouglas7375]

Very, very nice explanation. Calm and straight forward. Love it. She has a nice, soft touch on the fretboard. She was meant to play guitar. I'm going to check out what she has available to listen too. Thanks Lessonface for posting this!

[@johnhendricks1998]

I love the 2,5,1,7,3,6 chords you where playing, that was awesome.

[@RakanKongsiBuragas]

In my country oif you put jazz styles in your music the songs remained forever. Many musician in my place like jazz with chords progressions. The rock, the pops and blues fans will salute you.

[@TimBoykinGuitar]

Excellent lesson, especially when she emphasizes the root or bass note being the ‘number’ of the chord in a key, in relation to the key chord. This is somebody who has worked and had a lot of practical experience as a guitarist, with a strong ability to convey it as a teacher. Aspiring guitarists, take heed!

[@salomahoney2675]

Really refreshing to see a young person giving advice on KZbin :') I don't see enough people in their 20s (ish) giving out useful music advice on social media. I love her playing style :')

[@DTRider1]

Very nice Melanie, I play too, all by ear, learned chord progressions when I was 10yrs old. RnB, some classic rock and funk, blues. Gotta love it.

[@taejun9017]

6:23 and on is one the most inspiring things I have heard on guitar in a very long time

[@ryanjensen4692]

I dig this ladies style n she understands music theory well and shreds A+

[@MrGabriribeiro]

What if I say her advices inspire me on code learning? She makes me want to be as good at coding as she is at playing the guitar.

[@scottstrand1874]

You are an outstanding teacher. Clear, concise, and practical.

[@williampaisley826]

One of the best guitar teachers I've found latly.

[@ryancarona4199]

“ I approach a guitar melody in a way a singer would sing”. That’s a underrated statement right there. I never stoped to think about it like that.

[@azwanazmi1484]

Bb King’s inspiration was mainly horns.

[@imyouyoureme3399]

Beautiful talent, and beautiful human.

[@1Ma9iN8tive]

The world is gonna be good people ... the youth of today have got this ...

[@m74568]

Stfu

[@seanmolloy9297]

Man, I hope you're right...I think you're right. Oh, and Amet....stfu!!!

[@1Ma9iN8tive]

Loremipsumdolorsit Amet - Stfu = Soulfully Transforming Fecund Universalities ... back at ya Amet

[@jobernardo4321]

Matangaro Matangaro love your energy

[@357CLOUDY]

Yes!

[@estarling8766]

I like the way you talk, the way you present your subject.

[@77hodag]

Love your melodic noodling at the end!

[@clarencegarraway700]

Wow she is not only great but she is humble as well thus she can only ..excel excellent

[@Violetcas97]

Her phrasing is absolutely beautiful. I could listen to her noodle mindlessly like that for hours

[@Nova_Zed]

I’m a pretty novice guitar wanna be player, but this number system clicked with me as soon as she explained it. My guitar teacher gave me the actual note names, but I’ve always wondered why guitarists everywhere keep calling out the random numbers during playing sessions. Now, I know they’re not just random numbers. They correlate to specific notes. For me...this was key to my essential understanding of how to play. No pun intended.

[@teddypantelas]

You have a sweet touch when you play. Even with chords you use inflections by sliding the melody note of the chord as a singer would. Very unique and enjoyable to hear. Keep it going!

[@rascal1717]

She makes guitar playing look so easy it’s not even fair.

[@TomoFujitaMusic]

Melanie Faye is my new student!! She is doing so awesome!!

[@Taylor-dl2kr]

TomoFujitaMusic we need a video of you two jamming!!

[@tbassrollin5990]

Melanie you are amazingly talented and are a beast on guitar. Keep strumming Lady!!!

[@AM2PMReviews]

Love how she is pumping out notes while casually talking about it.

[@reviewforthetube6485]

Her thought behind music and her leads are beautiful and it opens your eyes and ears just listening to her for real I gauruntee what she just said an showed me I will approach it differently from here on out this is a true musician

[@jamesprice6381]

whoa !! Eric J got me into chordal work..altho loved his lead! i grew up listening to country, n my fav, oohh love to love u baby. oohh love ta love ya baby, Donna Summer in early 70's...

[@chrispitts5999]

Great video! I always start with explaining the qualities of each chord in a major key. 1 4 5 major 2 6 7 being minor (7 diminished) Killer video again. Really enjoyed your playing 😊

[@PurpleLightning6was9]

Beautiful in every way

[@alexojideagu]

This applies to scale shapes. Once you learn the scale shapes you automatically also know the Mode shapes and how they fit together. You can just transpose them up and down the neck regardless of the key.

[@cesalt2408]

Very refreshing approach, and so talented. More Melanie Faye!

[@CinnafunNation]

I knew she was special since 2011 when i first heard her my heart was captured by those strings

[@blueplanet8750]

Gifted guitar player and teacher. Wow - enjoy her many cover versions.

[@Darkmatter321]

One of the best videos I've seen so far. Learned more from this than 20 other vids

[@bonethugsfiend]

That melody at the end was great.

[@owenthunderguns3608]

Great video!! Her lead guitar philosophy is refreshing...

[@Nautilus1972]

I have no idea what she's talking about, but I love listening to her.

[@TheLegenDacster]

Thanks and well done, you're a great teacher. Too many people on YT trying to teach in ways that are complicated.

[@LM-lv1hh]

This number system helped me the most. Learn it right from the start. I use it to find notes in scales and chords. I learned where each number is from the root. Example the fifth is on the same fret on the string above except going from the g to b string. The minor 3 is down a string back two frets etc.

[@masterlifeandlove6757]

my god......................... nearly 30 yrs stuffing round avoiding theory she made that so simple. Ok now i shall do. subscribed. plus shes a legend.

[@BB-th3pg]

Thank you. She gets to the point, explains and gives a quick example.

[@dougthealligator]

She’s a crazy talented guitarist

[@samguna]

Oh wow!wow!...your touch is just but amazing.Watching from kenya and i can't wait to have more of your inspiration and lessons....Jazz opens up the know-how of music.

[@nomdeplume8393]

She's Good. Don't stop Melanie ! Bests, Nom

[@petertep7844]

Could listen to her play all day

[@cole.alexander]

Here bc JM interview, so glad to have come across your playing. Wonderful understanding of the instrument, thank you for sharing so much

[@kellyshilima8747]

Lovely touch on the guitar and the sound is amazing. Thanks for sharing the perspective of approaching lead playing like it's singing..

[@ricardobowles8895]

Hi Melanie Im from Santa Cruz(Bolivia southAmerica) see your videos,sealing in the web you teachig pretty much(excuseme my bad english) i see your methods of play and movements, i love your passion of play the guitar...

[@lestmbly]

She is an angel and is an excellent communicator of guitar theory and musical ideas...

Enjoyed her playing. Yes Jazz and classical music are great foundations, no matter what genre of music you specialize in.

[@timchildress2048]

So calming! God Bless.

[@mykylc]

That tone is gorgeous.

[@spectralmelodies5979]

She's absolutely right about being inspired by different instruments, a lot of early electric players were inspired by horn players.

[@busywl69]

effortless talent. would love to hear a sitdown with her and nile rodgers just talking music theory.

[@michaelshehu3321]

I love jazz and will continue to

[@triskalrecords2863]

just lovely chord sounds

[@Chilajuana]

Right on Melanie. You got a great guitar tone!!!!

[@vincentsabatino4480]

Melanie , Came across you while searching , You sound great fingerpicking and your tone is inspirational you are in your Great Future gotta look you up on You tube for songs Love listening to you play !

[@Hexspa]

This 'number system' is roman numeral analysis. I'd call the progression at 3:39: || Imaj7 | IIm7(b5)/VI | V7/VI | V7(#9)/3/II | IIm9 | V13sus | Imaj7 || Mostly, I do this for my own sake. When you have a certain mental model, mine is based off calling the 'III7' by it's relative function, 'V7/VI' in this case, and are somewhat new to using extended chords on a regular basis, it's easy to get confused. I like how I think of it because, while 'III7' is shorthand and easier to remember while playing, it doesn't help you understand why that chord is there or how you can come up with progressions like this on your own. I'm not totally familiar with diminished chords but, the fact that she puts the maj7th color tone in there makes me feel like this is more of a V7/3/II (five-seven first-inversion of two) function as opposed to a VIIdim7/II although either is probably fine. Hope this is useful to anyone new to this.

[@EddyLynnMusic]

I am so inspired, I've just started! Next guitar is a D'angelico too!

[@gaetanomarino5495]

Thank you! I enjoyed listening to you and love your guitar too. Hope to see more of your videos.

[@garysnowdon1918]

Great Video, ussually people just talk about gear. It's Blar Blar Blar, great lyrical playing and lots and lots of information. I love the slurring phrasing x

[@aprilskyalive1363]

Love the guitar playing! You go girl!

[@TheMonsterterrific22]

i started when i was 17 learning songs with my ears through a cassette tape! if you’re very fond of music you’ll know the root or the “1” .. and the rest will be easy to pick. and don’t forget to sing the doremi for a start.

[@existace]

Those notes are so relaxing

[@deeman524]

I haven't been practicing for awhile, but thanks to her; I make my resolution today!!

[@tyrriahiggins7172]

Excellent . Structure is critical to learning guitar . The methodology is good . A great right hand .

[@Coolgardt]

If I could play like this I would play everyday all the time

[@johnhendricks8140]

Great lesson, Ive been playing for awhile and still havent grasped the number system, you gave some thing to keep in mind when playing. You've come a long way from guitar hero.

[@Kerwalk]

Man you have a great tone and I love watching your fretting hand. Beautiful

[@jarodferkin2585]

“Pop context” *still is totally neo soul*

[@AndreaAustoni]

Yep. No pop song would have a 13th chord nowadays

[@conquerncam]

Yeah I was thinking maybe rhythmically? But that doesn’t make sense either

[@arkhaam1]

sunday morning - maroon five

[@FrettieFingers]

Love this lady and her playing.

[@connorclose3084]

woah! i struggle with fully diminished chords but your voicing makes so much sense! it’s just a dominant seven chord with the root raised a half step! thank u melanie

[@ericmutuku8094]

what a wonderful teacher thank you

[@matiasdominguez2076]

Wtfff this Is like watching my self, same way yo see guitar AND músic, same inspirations AND way to play i fucking love her

[@amado1swgi]

Wonderful! Very clear and helpful, Melanie! Thank you. Blessings...

[@CheckeredSweaters]

This was like the most informative theory/music based lesson I've ever seen! Thanks so much :)

[@里_慎一郎]

Fantastic ! Thank you , so much ! I'm Shin'ichiro,Sato(male). from Japan . I think , you love many Guitars and playing many Guitars. See you ! May , 17.friday. 2019.