LESSON 1
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Hi Lila,
This is a sample of how we would do the lesson webpage. I figured our major triad scales would be a good subject to use, so you have them documented here. I go over it in the video too so you can see all the shapes and hear the sounds. Don't forget to practice SLOWLY! Have fun, Z |
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Here's an arrangement of the first verse of "Somewhere over the Rainbow" using the triad shapes in the key of C. You can use the fingerings from the above chord scales or try out any fingering that feels good!
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LESSON 2Diminished Chords! We're talking about fully diminished 7th chords here. Four notes separated by minor 3rds. Because of this symmetry there are only 3 possible diminished 7th chords: C, Eb, F#, A C#, E, G, Bb, D, F, Ab, B. Once you figure out the two main shapes on the guitar, you can make all inversions of the chord by sliding up or down the neck by three frets. Diminished chords create tension in the music and are often used as Dominant (V7) chords! (C diminished = B7b9) A b9 is what we call a chord extension and is a color note added to a triad or 7th chord. A b9 is just a half step above the root. You can try substituting Diminished chords for dominant chords in your chord progressions, or adding them as a V chord to any chord you want to precede with more movement. Let your ears tell you if it's working!
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Lesson 3
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Hi Lila, Today we're talking about diminished seventh chords functioning as V chords. These examples are of the C# diminished 7th chord. You can think of this chord as four possible V chords: C7b9, Eb7b9, F#7b9, and A7b9. I wrote out a bunch of possible voicings for you to check out. These dominant 7th flat nine chords lead most naturally to minor chords, but they are used to cadence to major chords as well. Just think of them as V chords with a little "sauce." Have fun! z
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LESSON 4Lila! It's CAGED time. You should be able to get it pretty clearly from the tab and the vid. It's 5 shapes of the major scale all based on open chord shapes: C shape, A shape, G shape, E shape, and D shape. All scales are movable to any key and I put the fingerings in there to help keep them smooth.
Warm up scale routine: Set your metronome to glacial (like 55 or 60) and go! Up and down each of the CAGED shapes at least two times. First, focus on technique. Light fluid touch with the left hand and no extra finger movement. EMPTY THE FINGERS! Once that starts to settle in you can move on to saying the names of the notes as you go. When the shapes get a little more comfortable, you can increase tempo or do like I do and play the slow tempo and then double it. Have fun! (15 minutes) |
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Lesson 5
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Lila - Here is a more targeted look at the C and A shapes in the CAGED system. Practice them as fast as possible. Just kidding - you know what to do. SLOW! Try to visualize the chord/arpeggio shapes and how the scales fit around them. Work on going from C shape to A shape and back again. Good luck! I'm working on "Just a Little While to Stay here" for next time. z
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LESSON 6
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Hi Lila! I hope you are beating the heat and that the bugs are leaving you alone. I worked out the first couple phrases in the Geoff Muldauer tune. It's your basic alternating bass in drop D with a couple of marginally tricky bluesy moves. You'll get it no problem!! Also I've uploaded a D drone track. You can use this to space out when the horses get riled up or something... it's also good for hearing how a scale relates back to the bass note. Try improvising melodies in your CAGED positions while the drone is going. It's fun. See you soon, z
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LESSON 7
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Hi Lila! Today we're working through the next phrase or two of the Muldauer tune, and the G shape of the CAGED system. While you're working on the tune, check out the cycle of V7 chords! Red flag!!! In this cycle the vi, ii, V7 chord progression is altered to contain all dominant chords. It's a move used commonly in the blues:) My video explains most of this, but I wanted to make sure you got it. I'm a little all over the place in this one, so when in doubt refer to the sheet music! (bet you never thought I'd say that!) I show you the G shape in the video too. You know what to do. Practice it wicked slow and add it to the mix. Have fun!!! z
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lesson 8
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Lila! That Muldauer is a cool guy. I figured out the 2nd page of that arrangement, and dug into YouTube to figure out how he ends the song. Hopefully you'll get all you need from this video, but if clarification is needed, we can work on it in lessons. The main thing with this tune is to keep that swing groove going and work to make smooth transitions. You can achieve this goal by practicing it really fast. If you don't get all the notes right, its no big deal! (kidding of course). You know what to do. Check out the cool augmented 7th (9) chord he uses at the end! See you tomorrow, z
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lesson 9
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Lila! Here's a much overdue lesson for you to check out. I've been working on "California Dreamin' " for you, but that damn song escapes me. It's pretty, but I can't get it to do what I want it to do. In the meantime, I made a simple arrangement of "Hey Jude." The idea here is to play just the melody and the bass notes. Keep the timing free and floaty, and get a feel for just playing bass and melody. It's what I wanted to do with that other tune... We've done this before with "Hobo" but this is a different kind of melody, and will be a good thing to practice. Good luck and have fun! z
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Lesson 10
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Lila! Here is the complete chord scale chart in the Key of C with the new string set (3,4,5). Remember that once you get this new string set down, the next and final string set will be exactly the same shapes! So your in the home stretch. I worked out the chords to the bridge of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and added them to the chart. I didn't use that G7 augmented chord because I wasn't digging the sound of it. Instead I used a G7(9) chord. These are, of course, just suggestions. You can play it any old way you want. Have fun and let me know if you've got questions! z
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lesson 11
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Lila! I finally made some headway on "California Dreaming." Apologies for the rambling video. There's some good stuff in there if you can find it! I promise I wasn't stoned. Check and see if making the F chord with your thumb is a comfortable alternative. Then I proceeded to take the melody up an octave and circle the cosmos. There are some good triad shapes in there and some ideas of adding bass notes to those shapes for fingerstyle arrangements. The sheet music is just the first phrase of the melody with the new triads. Give it a shot, and we can convene during lessons to make something linear out of it. Good luck! :) z
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lesson 12
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Lila! This week I thought it might be helpful to talk about practice routines. You've got a lot of irons in the fire, so lets get organized:) I talk most of it over in the vid...but here's the basic layout: 1. Technique RH and LH 2. Fretboard/Harmony 3. Ears 4. Tunes You can divide each subject by time or by material. Like I'll spend 10 minutes on technique or I'll get through this much stuff... I find time works better for me because there is just too much stuff to get through to be practical. If you try to hit each area when you practice you'll get better faster! Our brains like repetition so doing something daily tends to work the best. If it was a pie chart, you could think of it like 15% technique, 15% fretboard/harmony, 15% ears, and 55% tunes. Or something like that... None of this is gospel, it's just one way of doing it! Have fun, z
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lesson 13
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Lila! This week we're talking about "Here Comes the Sun." What a great tune. I play through it a few times in the video and then break it down into phrases. I think a good way to practice these phrases is to play them as loops until they are smooth. Remember to give yourself a four count of the thumb groove out front to set the feel. Have fun! Psyched to be working on this one...z
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lesson 14
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L- We're talking about "Here Comes the Sun" and "Autumn Leaves" this week. I uploaded the next phrase of "Here Comes the Sun" in the video. It's a pretty easy extension of the previous phrase. No problem! Check out "Autumn Leaves" and see if you can get the melody down in the first position. I play through it a few times in the vid, and there's charts with the melody and chord changes. Have a blast! z
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lesson 15Lila! This week we're focusing in on "Here Comes the Sun." The video and chart get us through the first verse and the fancy lick. Have fun and take it SLOW! z
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Lesson 16
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Hi Lila! It's Barre chord time. There are four two main shapes we are working from- one with the bass note on the 6th string and one with the bass note on the 5th string. The video and chart will show you how to form the major, minor, and various 7th chords from these two shapes. While your practicing, try to get the shapes down and don't be too concerned with the sound. It takes a little while for the strength to build up... don't let that bog you down! You can practice the shapes lightly on the guitar if your hand gets tired. Have fun and let me know if you've got questions. See you Sunday, z
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carnegie hall maintenance lesson
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lesson 17
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Hi Lila! This week we're looking at how to smooth out our chord changes for "Here Comes the Sun." We're using the ultra slow motion "Matrix" method. I go through two changes in the video. Remember to check in with your fingers as your practicing to remind them to "empty" or stay as relaxed as possible. Shoot for efficiency and smoothness. Also remember that SLOW MAKES SMOOTH! Have fun. Can't wait to hear it! z
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Lesson 18
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Hi Lila! This week we are continuing our Odyssey on "Here Comes the Sun." I go over the lick portion in the video and break it down into sections for you. Keep working the super slowdown method and get each movement as precisely as you can. This particular part has some important wrist rotation! Yay! Have a blast and I'll see you soon. z
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lesson 19
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Hi Lila! This week we're checking out "Autumn Leaves." We're sticking to the first position and really focusing on getting the melody smooth and the chord changes in the right spots. I play through it a few times in the video, so you should have plenty to listen to:) Just take it one phrase at a time and really pay attention to your fingering. Embody the turtle as always. z
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lesson 20
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Lila! Well, we've got a new president elect. It's a good day for the Beatles:) In the video I go over the "Chorus" section. The timing is a little odd, but I run over it enough times that hopefully you'll be able to figure something out! If you need a more definitive roadmap, let me know and I'll count it out and chart it up. Have fun and see you next week, z
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lesson 21
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Hi Lila! We're looking at "Here Comes the Sun" this week. I wrote out the whole arrangement for you so you can have it all in one place. I added the roll and transition between verses and after the chorus. It should all be there and good to go, but let me know if there are any typos as I did it pretty fast:) Also is a picture of the rhythm we discussed from "California Dreamin." I go over it in the video too, so hopefully the combo of the visual and the audio will help to clarify! Have fun and have a great weekend, z
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lesson 22
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Hi Lila! We're making friends with the metronome this week. It's a skill and it takes time. I find it helpful to tap my foot to the click, but some people find it distracting... try it out and see what works for you. One thing I learned as a drummer is to relate everything back to the big beat. The big beat is usually the quarter note. When you're playing fingerstyle guitar the quarter note is in the thumb. Start by just playing the thumb to the metronome and feeling it synch up. Then add the chords and melody, but always let the thumb be in the drivers seat. You like the blues, and the blues is rhythm. You can think of the pentatonic scale as a five note drum set. One music teacher I had, who I really liked, said that every instrument is a drum when you get right down to it. I think there's something to that:) Have fun! z
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lesson 23
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Hi Lila! A long video this week. I go over the rhythm for fingerstyle exercise 12 and play it slowly for awhile so you can play along. There's also an explanation and play along section for playing quarters and eighths in the fingers while keeping the alternating bass in the thumb. Let me know if the play along tempos are slow enough! Have fun focusing on rhythm. There's a great book called "Your Brain on Music" or something like that. It says that melody and harmony activate the more advanced "thinking" parts of our brain, while rhythm resides in the subconscious of the brain stem. Heartbeat kind of stuff. Use that metronome and don't think too hard... you know, like a drummer! Have fun, z.
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lesson 24 |
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Hi Lila! Here it is... your definitive 3/2 lesson! In the video, I go over some step by step exercises to practice the rhythm. I wrote out these steps for you just beneath the rhythm we did last time. They aren't titled because the ipad program I'm using is beyond my comprehension:) Have fun with polyrythms! If you were looking for the dorkiest thing you could do with your music time, you may have found it! See you soon, z
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lesson 25
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Hi Lila! Here is a video to play along with. It's Fingerstyle exercise no. 12. I keep time with the metronome, so once you have the fingering practiced and pretty smooth, cue it up and play along! Glad to hear you're making friends with your metronome:) Have fun and I'll see you soon, z
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Lesson 26
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Hi Lila! Happy New Year! La Vie en Rose! Here's a video thats probably too long... it meanders a bit, but it's got some good ideas for you. The heart of it is to approach this song like we've done before by finding the melody and bass notes. Fill in the harmony later! I give you some good voicings and positions to help along the way. We can check it out more next lesson too! Enjoy the alternating bass at the end. I think it works, but you be the judge!! Life in Pink, z
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Lesson 27
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L- Here are my thoughts on this blues piece. Four solid takeaways are: 1. E minor pentatonic works over all the chords in a blues. 2. The position on the fourth fret is a big one for blues playing! Get to know it well:) 3. The variations of the descending intro line are standard vocabulary that can be played in almost any blues tune. 4. The half step approach chord (C7 to B7) is a great way to add some interest to the V chord. It's most often seen in Minor. Have fun and see you later this week, z
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lesson 28
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Lila! Here are some charts for first position arpeggios. There are diatonic 7th chords in the keys of C and G. This means that you are starting an arpeggio on each of the scale tones 1 through 7. I notated them ascending, but you can play them the other way too by flipping the paper over and reading it from the other side:) I also wrote out an exercise in C that is useful. Its just the diatonic triad arpeggios in the key of C. One leading into another like a melody. You can play this one in reverse too! I didn't include fingerings, but the general principle of keeping your index finger on the first fret, middle finger on the second fret, etc. applies here. Have fun and let me know if you need any clarification. Have a great weekend! See you sunday, z
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lesson 29 |
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Lila- Here is a chart and a video of some of the up the neck bar style chords I used in "La Vie en Rose." I know they are a little tough on the hands, so take it SLOW! The most important thing is to get the concept behind the chords, and to be able to find them on the neck. Let me know if you have any questions! See you Sunday, z
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lesson 30
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Hi Lila! We're moving up the neck!! These charts and video show you how to play a c major scale (and c major pentatonic), and an a minor scale (and a minor pentatonic) up around the fifth fret. Things to remember: The pattern for a minor scale is WhWWhWW. A major pentatonic scale is just the 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 of the major scale. A minor pentatonic scale is just the 1, 3, 4, 5, 7 of the Minor Scale. C major and a minor contain the same seven notes. C major pentatonic and a minor pentatonic contain the same five notes. A brook trout is not really a trout but a separate species called a Charr. z
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lesson 31
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Hi Lila! We're looking at some technique for "La Vie en Rose" this week. I demonstrate the fingerings for the first half of the song, and play through it slowly at the end to give you something to play along to. Remember to get all the fingerings down for each section before you try to play it all the way through. Keep in mind how your fingers are traveling from chord to chord and keep everything as relaxed and smooth as possible. Keep the bass note planted when applicable, but don't worry too much about adding the arpeggios yet. Really work on getting the melody to sing! See you soon, z
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lesson 32
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Lila- Deceptively simple lesson here. In the video I play through the chords of "La Vie En Rose" so you can play along a focus on the melody. Your goal is to be able to play just the melody notes with the backing track from memory! You know this song really well by now, so just take the leap and get off the page! Have fun jamming with virtual me, and let me know if you've got questions. z
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lesson 33
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Lila- Here is a video for "Hobo's Lullabye." I looped the chords on my loop pedal and play through the melody. Try playing the melody along with me and then playing it on your own with the chords. You know this tune! Get each phrase under your fingers and then go for it. Resist the urge to look at the music:) Have fun, z
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lesson 34
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L- Here is a video about improvising. A good way to start is to invent little games to limit the possibilities. I think Stravinsky has a quote about limitation being the mother of composition or something... good thing to look up if we get a minute:) In the video, we're limiting our choices by just using five notes of the C major scale that are easily available to us while we hold the C chord. I go over some ideas on how to use these notes. A good melody for this is "Oh When the Saints Go Marching In." It has a small range and uses a lot of arpeggio notes. Have fun with it and let me know if anything needs clarification. z
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lesson 35
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Lila- Baby Please Don't Go by Lightnin' Hopkins. Work on the melody first and then add the bass! You should be able to get going from the video and the chart, but if anything needs more clarification, just let me know. Off to fish:) See you soon, Z P.S. Don't forget to watch and listen to L.H. play it himself!
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lesson 36
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L- Here's a video of Lesson 12. It goes over how I would practice the material and I play through it slowly a few times. I'll see you tomorrow! (The main thing here is to nail that alternating bass while you vary the top notes. It's all about the groove on this one!) z
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lesson 37
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Hi Lila! In this video lesson I go over the rhythms to the pull off sections of "Baby Please Don't Go." When you get those down, add the bass line interludes that Lightnin' Hopkins incorporates between the verses and the instrumental "Chorus." Have fun and remember to take it slow! See you soon, Z
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lesson 38
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Hi Lila! In this video I play through "Baby Please Don't Go" with the metronome at 60 and then again at 80. Warm up by practicing the tricky spots, and then see if you can play along. Remember to really let the melody sing out! See you soon, z
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lesson 39
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Lila! Here it is- The cowboy chords version of Life in Pink:) The idea here is to just strum along while you sing the tune. Sometimes when we work on instrumental stuff we lose that sense of a song just being a song! (if that makes any sense). You know this tune really well, so work on giving your analytical brain a rest and just strum it and sing it. Get a feel for when the chord changes happen underneath the melody. Have fun with it and relax! z
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lesson 40
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Hi Lila! Well here it is... the long awaited "La Vie En Rose" melody play along. I bit the bullet and transcribed the melody from the Edith version to be sure and get the real deal. I wrote it out on a lead sheet as well. Have fun and focus on getting it to sound as "vocal" as possible. Get to know the melody so well that you could play it while having a conversation! See you soon, z
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lesson 41
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Lila- We're working on Legato playing here. Get the three G major scale shapes under your fingers, and then work on playing them with a light touch and "Empty" fingers:) Try to connect the notes as much as you can so it sounds smooth like a voice. Check in with your left hand as you go and notice if there is tension there. This will get better and better with less tension in the left hand! Have fun, z
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lesson 42
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Lila! Here's "Skip to my Lou" - I go through the whole Zak method. Enjoy! z
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