Loog Guitar
Overview
The sheet music in our Loog Guitar series includes melodies (notation and tablature) and chord diagrams. The music can be played on any of the 3-stringed Loog Guitar models including mini, pro, and electric.
What Is Included
Music in our Loog Guitar series includes:
- Melody in notation and tablature
- Lyrics if the original music includes them
- Loog Guitar chord diagrams above the music
Required Skills
- Basic first position chords (assuming you want to strum the chords). You should be able to play these chords and switch between them easily. We try to limit the speed and number of chord changes, but this isn't always possible.
- Ability to read tablature. You will also benefit from the ability to read standard notation to help with the rhythms.
- Ability to play notes in first position with occasional position shifts to play higher notes.
- Ability to play simple rhythms. Most titles include simple rhythms, but you may encounter triplets, 16th notes, etc. in some songs. It isn't possible to simplify these in all cases. A limited number of titles may include more complex rhythms, faster tempos, etc.
If you don't have these skills yet, we recommend the Loog Guitar Method. It covers a lot of the basics you need to play the music in this series.
Chords
Below is an overview of how chords are chosen for this series:
Simplified Chords - Chords have been simplified as much as possible, but this isn't always possible since some songs only sound right with the original chords.
Chord Changes - We try to avoid more frequent changes than half notes in 4/4 at a moderate tempo. This isn't always possible where frequent chord changes are essential to the sound of the music. Simple chords or slower tempos may allow for more frequent changes.
Included Chords - Chords are generally limited to simple first position chords such as C, D, E, F, G, A, Dm, Em, Am, C7, D7, E7, G7, and A7. Songs may occasionally include sus2, sus4, m7, and other similar chords with easy fingerings. More challenging chords (e.g., barre chords) are only used when there is no alternative.
Keys
Keys are selected based on their suitability for the Loog. The most commonly-used keys include C major, G major, D major, F major, A minor, D minor, and E minor.
Since the primary focus is making the melody work for the Loog, the music may occasionally have a range that isn't as easy for singers.
Lyrics
We try to include up to 5 or 6 verses of lyrics within the music. Other lyrics may be included as text at the end of the music. Some lyrics may be omitted, but this is usually done only when the extra lyrics are rarely sung or when there are too many verses to easily include all of them (e.g., songs that include dozens of verses).
Lyrics may vary from the version you know. Some songs exist in many different versions. Different sources may have substantial variations in lyrics. Because of this, it isn't always possible to create a version of the lyrics that is familiar to everyone.
Rhythms, Tempo, and Time Signatures
Complex rhythms are simplified where possible. For example, we may double the value of rhythms in order to avoid 16th notes. This isn't feasible for all situations.
More difficult time signatures such as 6/8 may be changed to 3/4 when it results in simpler rhythms. This isn't done in all cases since some rhythms may become more difficult with this type of change.
Tempos are editorial suggestions in most cases. Feel free to choose your own tempo.
Position Shifts
Position shifts (moving from one place on the neck to another) are limited as much as possible. However, the limited ranged of the Loog Guitar requires position shifts for some songs. If possible, they are made easier by timing them so they happen after a rest or open string.
Fingering
Fingering may be included for a limited number of passages. It is provided when the passage might be tricky to play without the fingering.
Alterations to the Music
Music may be altered in some cases to allow the music to be played on Loog. This might include changing a few notes in the melody to fit the range of the instrument. This is only done when the change results in a reasonably satisfying version of the melody. The alternatives are to put the music in a more difficult key with notes higher on the neck or leave out the title altogether.
Changes are indicated with an asterisk above the changed note and a footnote with details about the original note.
Disclaimer
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