Topher Blog

Pentatonic Arpeggios

2010-11-28T20:18:00.000-08:00

In my recent practice, I have found another lovely thing about pentatonics - arpeggios.

Let's review
Minor pentatonic
Root - b3rd - 4th - 5th - b7th

Major pentatonic
Root - 2nd - 3rd - 5th - 6th

Both of these pentatonics have an arpeggio built in, all you have to do is remove one note (actually, if you include extended chords, each of these pentatonics is an arpeggio - minor pentatonic is a minor 11th, and major pentatonic is a major 6/9).

If you remove the fourth scale degree, the minor pentatonic is a minor seventh arpeggio
Root - b3rd - 5th - b7th

If you remove the second scale degree, the major pentatonic is a major sixth arpeggio (aside - I prefer the major sixth or major 6/9 to the major 7th as I like the space between the 6th and the root better than the major 7th and the root, but that's just me).
Root - 3rd - 5th - 6th

What's also cool is that the major and minor arpeggios have the same fingering.

Minor 7th arpeggio (root on 6th string)

R		b7	b3	5	R
x	x	x	x	x	x
	5	R
b3				b7	b3

Major 6th arpeggio (root on 6th string, fourth finger)

6		5	R	3	6
x	x	x	x	x	x
	3	6
R				5	R

Basically, an A minor 7th arpeggio has the same finger as a C major 6th arpeggio.

Here is how I practice this.

First I play the pentatonic in each of the five positions. Then I play the corresponding arpeggio. I usually start at the fifth fret and repeat all the way to the 12th fret. In this way, I can hear the harmonic context of the arpeggio within the pentatonic.

My two cents

Pentatonic Add-One - Phrygian

2010-09-19T19:11:00.000-07:00

I want to look at something I call a "Pentatonic Add-One", which is simply adding a note to the pentatonic scale (in this case, minor pentatonic).

Let's face it, if all you played was one scale all of the time, it would get boring. This "Add-One" gives more color to it.

This time, I will talk about adding a b2. This gives it the Phrygian sound, for those less inclined to technical music terms. it gives a "Spanish" sound.

The Phrygian is used quite frequently in heavy metal (as well as Spanish music). So, when you add this b2, the pentatonic sounds darker and more exotic.

Here are 5 positions of this scale.


R	4	b7	b3	5	R
b2					b2
	5	R	4
b3		b2		b7	b3

	5	R	4
b3		b2		b7	b3
			5
4	b7	b3		R	4
				b2

			5
4	b7	b3		R	4
				b2
5	R	4	b7		5
	b2			b3


5	R	4	b7		5
	b2			4
		5	R
b7	b3		b2	5	b7

		5	R
b7	b3		b2	4	b7

R	4	b7	b3	5	R
b2					b2

I like this touch because you can add that b2 by hammer-ons and half-step bends. In other words, they are easy to get to.

My two cents.

Melodic Minor Pentatonic

2010-09-12T19:00:00.000-07:00

For some unknown reason, I like the melodic minor. I think one of the reasons is how the modes sound. I will get to that.

I am talking jazz melodic minor, in C, the scale is
C-D-Eb-F-G-A-B

Which can be looked at as either a minor scale with the 6th and 7th degree raised a 1/2 step, or as a major scale with the third lowered a 1/2 step.

Now, let's look at it as a pentatonic.

Standard minor pentatonic is - C-Eb-F-G-Bb
Raise the 7th and the melodic minor pentatonic is C-Eb-F-G-B

Here is a layout that I like to use

- - 11 - 13 -
- - - 12 13 -
-10-12 -
-10 - - 13 -
-10 - - - 14
- - 11- 13 -

I like to use a mix of the minor and melodic minor pentatonics.

I use the minor over the I chord in a blues progression. And to add some flavor, over the IV, I use the melodic minor pentatonic, the B is the #4/b5 of the IV, and the B is the 3rd of the V.

The implied modes are:
Over the IV: Lydian Dominant (R-2-3-#4-5-6-b7)
Over the V: Mixolydian Flat 6 (R-2-3-4-5-b6-b7)

Just a little way of mixing up a blues progression.

My two cents

Jazzing up the Pentatonic

2010-09-06T19:10:00.000-07:00

I am going to look at using the minor pentatonic in a "jazzier" way, over a dominant seven chord.

First, let's look at the chord - C7

Notes
C - E - G - Bb

You can play the standard minor pentatonic (C-Eb-F-G-Bb) over this, and you are adding two color tones - the #9 (Eb) and the 11th (F). This is the standard "blues" sound.

Now, if you take the minor pentatonic, and root in D you get the following scale - C-D-F-G-A which gives the following color tones, 9 (D), 11 (F), and 13 (A). This is a good "outside" sound, without adding much tension.

Now if you want tension, take it up another half step, to Eb. Your scale is now C#-Eb-F#-G#-Bb. This creates tension because it add the following "altered" tensions - b9, #9, b5, #5. This is a nice little departure in a solo, because of the tension it adds. You can use this scale in place of the altered dominant (Super Locrian) scale.

Now, for a little scale I derived. I don't know who invented it, but I like how it adds passing notes (chromaticism).
I call this the Bebop Blues Scale, and it goes something like this- C-Eb-F-F#-G-Bb-B.

I know this isn't a pentatonic, but it lays nicely on the fretboard.
Here it is depicted graphically.
- 7 8 - - 11 -
- - 8 - - 11 -
- - 8 - 10 11 -
- - 8 9 10 - -
- - 8 9 10 - -
- 7 8 - -11 -

This add the Bebop Dominant Passing Note (B (maj7)) and the blue note F# (b5).

My two cents

Navigating the ii-V-I (part 2)

2010-08-29T19:17:00.000-07:00

A little more ii-V-I

Let's look at the minor ii-V-I, which is:

ii(m7b5) - V (or V(alt)) - i

Let's go to the key of A minor

For the Bm7b5, you can play:
D minor pentatonic
E minor pentatonic
A minor pentatonic

For E7 you can play:
F# minor pentatonic
B minor pentatonic
C# minor pentatonic

Or if you are playing an altered E7 (with either a b9, #9, b5, or #5)
G minor pentatonic minor
D minor pentatonic

For the Am7
A minor pentatonic
B minor pentatonic
D minor pentatonic
E minor pentatonic

As you can see, you can play a D minor pentatonic over the whole progression if you are using the V(alt). You could also use the D minor pentatonic over a standard V(dominant 7) to create tension.

My recommended progression for the ii-V-i (in A) would be:
D minor pentatonic - B minor pentatonic - A minor pentatonic

Over the ii-V(alt)-i, it would be:
D minor pentatonic - G minor pentatonic - A minor pentatonic

Two cents

Navigating the ii-V-I (part 1)

2010-08-22T19:30:00.001-07:00

OK, let's apply some of this pentatonic stuff.

Here is a very traditional progression
ii-V-I

So in the key of C, that is:
Dm7-G7-Cmaj7

1st option - Play it with one scale

Use the D minor pentatonic

The scale over the ii is D-F-G-A-C (1-b3-4-5-b7)
Over the V is G-A-C-D-F (1-2-4-5-b7)
Over the I is C-D-F-G-A (1-2-4-5-6)

Or A minor pentatonic

Over the ii is D-E-G-A-C (1-2-4-5-b7)
Over the V is G-A-C-D-E (1-2-4-5-6)
Over the I is C-D-E-G-A (1-2-3-5-6)

Or the E minor pentatonic
Over the ii is D-E-G-A-B (1-2-4-5-6)
Over the V is G-A-B-D-E (1-2-3-5-6)
Over the I is D-E-G-A-B (2(9)-3-5-6-7)

In jazz, it is common to play the Dorian mode over the ii, the Mixolydian mode over the V, and the Ionian or Lydian mode over the I. So here are all of the minor pentatonics you can use over this progression.

Dm7
D
E
A

G7
A
D
E

Cmaj7
D
E
A
B (Lydian)

For a little more "jazziness" try this over the ii-V-I (Roots in bold, #4 in red)

D minor pentatonic -
-10--13-
-10--13-
-10-12--
-10-12--
-10-12--
-10--13-

D minor pentatonic (remember G is the root)
-10--13-
-10--13-
-10-12--
-10-12--
-10-12--
-10--13-

B minor pentatonic
-7--10-
-7--10-
-7-9--
-7-9--
-7-9--
-7--10-

2 cents

Pentatonic Substitutions

2010-08-15T19:26:00.001-07:00

Here is a quick list of where you can use various pentatonics.

I will put down a type of seventh chord, and what degree of the scale you can start a minor pentatonic. Hopefully this will make a little more sense as I move along.

Major Seventh (R - 3- 5- 7)
2nd
3rd
6th
7th

For example, if you are playing over a Cmaj7, you can play a minor pentatonic rooted on the D, E, A, and B. The pentatonic built on the 7th degree has a #4 for a lydian feel.

Minor Seventh (R -b3 - 5 - b7)
1st
2nd
4th
5th
b7th

The pentatonic on built on the b7th contains the b2, for the Phrygian feel.

Dominant Seventh (R - 3 - 5 - b7)
2nd
5th
6th

If you notice, you can use the pentatonic based on the 2nd for all of those chords. This happens to be the neutral pentatonic (1 -2 - 4 -5 -6).

Now for a few more "exotic" chords
Altered dominant 7 (alt)
b3rd
4th
b7th

Minor 7 b5
b3rd
4th
b7th

As you can see, the same pentatonics can be played over these chords.

minor 6th or minor/major 7 (melodic minor)
2nd

Well, that's my 2 cents for today.

Modal Pentatonics

2010-08-08T20:12:00.000-07:00

We talked about what pentatonics are (and why I like them). Let's look at some application.

I will consider the traditional minor pentatonic the first mode.

First mode
Root - b3rd - 4 - 5- b7

This is the traditional minor pentatonic, the one you hear a million times. You can play this in place of the following modes.
Dorian (best place), Phrygian (not recommended), Mixolydian (b3rd as blue note), and Aeolian (natural minor)

Second mode (start on second note (b3rd) of minor pentatonic)
Root - second - third - fifth - sixth
This is the traditional major pentatonic. Play this in place of
Ionian (major), Lydian (not recommended), and Mixolydian

Third mode (start on third note (4th) of minor pentatonic)
Root - second - fourth - fifith - b7th
I will call this the neutral dominant pentatonic. You can use this in place of
Dorian, Mixolydian

Fourth mode (start on 4th note (5th) of minor pentatonic)
Root - b3rd - 4th - b6th - b7th
I will call this the natural minor pentatonic. Use in place of
Phrygian (still not recommended), Aeolian, and Locrian

Fifth mode (start on 5th note (b7th) of minor pentatonic)
Root - 2nd - 4th - 5th - 6th
This is a truly neutral pentatonic, no third or seventh. Use in place of
Ionian, Dorian, Mixolydian, and if you want to get saucy melodic minor.

I figured out why I like music theory, it is kind of like math.

My two cents.

Why I like pentatonics

2010-08-01T19:34:00.000-07:00

Wow, this blog took a U-Turn.

That's ok, guitar gives me much more joy than politics ever did.

Why do I like pentatonics?
1. On a finger speed/dexterity scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being John Petrucci/Yngwie Malmsteen, and 1 being the drummer from Def Lepard, I am about a 3. I like the two notes per string.
2. Angular...not quite jazzy as far as scales go.
3. One scale can fit several modes (I will talk about this on another day).
4. Very versatile...for more info Pentatonic Khancepts by Steve Kahn really opened my eyes.

Let me start with the basic minor pentatonic.

Notes
Root - flat third - fourth - fifth - dominant seventh
1. Shape - two notes per string
----5--8--
----5--8--
----5-7---
----5-7---
----5-7---
----5--8--

2. Angular - conains two augmented intervals; root to flat third, and fifth to dominant seventh
3. Modes...can be used in the following modes - dorian (Santana mode), phrygian (Spanish mode) and Aeolian mode (natural minor). I wouldn't recommend it for phrygian because it doesn't have the exotic first to flat second interal which defines the mode.
Also, you can use it under a dominant seventh chord for the "blues" feeling, minor third note vs. the major 3rd in the chord.
4. Versatile - The minor pentatonic contains a the minor seventh arpeggio (root, flat third, fifth, and dominant seventh) and a scalar run (flat third, fourth, fifth).

I am in the future going to break down some pentatonic "modes", modified pentatonics, and various uses. A lot of this may be new, but I just want to approach it from my angle, and this also lets me keep a record of my thoughts.

My two cents...

The Bad News

2009-10-11T19:49:00.000-07:00

I have been convicted to renew my relationship with God.

So I decided to start where Martin Luther did, the book of Romans.

I came across this passage, which is taken from various parts of Isaiah and Psalms.

Roman 3:10-18
¹⁰As it is written:
"There is no one righteous, not even one;
¹¹there is no one who understands,
no one who seeks God.
¹²All have turned away,
they have together become worthless;
there is no one who does good,
not even one."
¹³"Their throats are open graves;
their tongues practice deceit."
"The poison of vipers is on their lips."
¹⁴"Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness."
¹⁵"Their feet are swift to shed blood;
¹⁶ruin and misery mark their ways,
¹⁷and the way of peace they do not know."
¹⁸"There is no fear of God before their eyes."

These give the characteristics of sinful man (italics are my thoughts).
Not righteous - immoral
Does not understand - no interest in God's instruction
Worthless - does not serve God's purpose
Does not do good - does harm or complacent
Deceitful - lies
Bitter - angry with the world
Murderous - full of hatred
No peace - internal struggle
No fear of God - does not respect God

That's the bad news, the good news is that Christ's redemption has given us the opportunity to be righteous.

My two cents

What's Next?

2009-09-16T19:12:00.001-07:00

I think we may be in a dangerous time right now.

Obama's popularity and support are waning, ACORN is being exposed, Obama's advisors are being exposed, health care is losing steam, but...

When does the next crisis happen? As most well know, the dollar is losing value at frightening levels. The inflation we may see is just frightening. When the economy is tanking, and there is unrest (notice the race-baiting that is happening), there could be a massive domestic crisis. That is how many a dictator has taken control.

I am proud of the Americans who showed up in DC on 9/12. I am proud of the people doing the work to expose corruption. I just hope this stuff doesn't trigger something bad.

I hope I am just paranoid.

My two cents

Are You Kidding?!?

2009-08-25T17:46:00.000-07:00

Our lovely elected officials...HAVE THEY READ THE FREAKIN' CONSTITUTION???

To quote Russ Feingold
"Lindsay Graham and I sponsored legislation to have pilot programs in five states," Feingold told the audience. "Maybe we should try some different things. There might be a single-payer state. There might be a co-op state. Let's get some evidence on the ground. This thing right now is not going in the right direction. We might be in a situation where there won't be a bill worth passing." (The Lakeland Times)

Anybody remember that 10th Amendment Thing...you know, Enumerated Powers.

This country was not founded so the federal government can use individual states as testing grounds. States decide for THEMSELVES what they think is best.

I would like to share my favorite tweet regarding this:

@topherbrenner (me) Anyone disturbed the Senate wants to tell different states what to do http://tinyurl.com/n7u3ue #tcot #tlot #gop #iamthemob

@betseyross "Disturbed" is one way to put it. I'd say madder than 40 hells is more like it.

Exactly,

@betseyross, couldn't have said it better myself

My two cents

We the Living

2009-08-17T20:47:00.000-07:00

I am reading "We the Living" by Ayn Rand (mostly known for "Atlas Shrugged").

This book is downright frightening. It shows the slippery slope to socialism. Private industry is socialized and then there a few things that make or break a life
- Union membership (the workers)
- Free Professions (middle class)
- Private Traders (the rich)
- Unemployed (the unemployed)

The most troubling passage regarding this is as follows.

In discussing playing for a clogged chimney, the Upravdom (landlord?) gave the breakdown on how the house would pay for it.

"The workers pay three per cent and the Free Professions ten, and the Private Traders and umemployed - the rest."

Sound like anyone's tax plan?

My two cents

Constitutional Abomination

2009-08-11T21:05:00.000-07:00

Amendment IV: The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.(emphasis added).

Well, who feels safe now? If this health care/insurance reform bill passes, the government will be able to access financial records, medical records, etc. Bet they don't issue warrants for these records.

I guess my biggest issues with all of these bills (health care, cap and trade) come down to two things
1. The economic disaster they will cause
2. The increased hand of government in our lives

If we disagree, we get muscled and ridiculed. Don't remember anything in the constitution about that. It was patriotic to disagree with "W", but you are a racist to disagree with BHO. Without a watchdog for the media, I really don't think we have any hope of defeating these bills. By all means, unite with purpose, unite with peacefulness; but I am feeling really cynical about this.

I don't like what Washington (Democrat and Republican) is doing. And I don't know if we will be able to undo the damage if these bills pass. Let's hope "the mob" can keep them from passing in the first place.

My two cents

Is this a new smoke screen?

2009-08-07T22:46:00.001-07:00

I have to give it to the folks in DC, all this calling town hall attendees "mob" nonsense should take the attention away from:
- Over one trillion dollars in debt
- Cap and Trade to be up for vote in senate
- Another activist judge on the Supreme Court
- Even if "Blue Dogs" get their way, health care reform still $900 billion
- Cash for Clunkers is a huge price fixing scheme

Also, where are the republicans? They seem to be happy with a compromise, but as a conservative, I would love to see a completely different bill, one with tort reform, less government regulation on insurance, tax deductions for doctors whose patients don't pay, etc. Republicans are fighting over minutiae, not a new bill.

Where are the conservative advocates in Washington? Where are the congress members defending the "mobs"? Let's face it, conservatives are not represented in congress, only the interest of those seeking reelection.

My two cents

Where did it go wrong

2009-07-27T19:50:00.000-07:00

Where did it go wrong? The role of president I mean. This isn't just about BHO. It is also about those who came before him.

Here are the roles of the president as defined by the US Constitution.
-Commander in chief of the military
-Sign treaties as approved by the senate
-Approve or disapprove bills passed by the legislature
-Appoint ministers as approved by the senate
-Pardon those convicted of crime against US
-Ensure that the law is being executed

That's it

When did we lose our way?

My two cents

Quotes that shaped me

2009-07-26T21:38:00.000-07:00

This isn't exactly the most original post, but here are some quotes that have shaped me into what I am.

At any rate, I am convinced that He [God] does not play dice.
-Albert Einstein

Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.
-Thomas A. Edison

The collection of taxes which are not absolutely required, which do
not beyond reasonable doubt contribute to the public welfare, is only
a species of legalized larceny.
-Calvin Coolidge

All great change in America begins at the dinner table.
-Ronald Reagan

I owe my success to having listened respectfully to the very best advice, and then going away and doing the exact opposite.
-G.K. Chesterton

If you tell the truth you don't have to remember anything.
-Mark Twain

Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.
-Winston Churchill

When you come to a fork in the road, take it.
-Yogi Berra

Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one.
-Thomas Paine

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
John 14:6

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6

Play Action Politics

2009-07-23T18:24:00.000-07:00

Obama's stream of consciousness
"Let's see...

1. The largest tax increase in US history is on the table with Cap and Trade.
2. We are going to control life (a la "Brave New World") with nationalized health care.

People are kinda ticked about that so...

I know, I know...let's play the race card again. Neighbor sees guy trying to get into house forcibly. But wait, that is an African-American man (and even a friend of mine), and his door is jammed. Policeman follows up on call, asks for ID, man verbally assaults police officer, police officer arrests for disorderly conduct. Racism is such a problem in this country...yea...that's the ticket."

Harry, Nancy,

Now that everyone is distracted, think we can get those bills through?

My two cents

Health Care Reform = Tort Reform

2009-07-21T21:06:00.000-07:00

One of the ways we can reform health care is by reducing cost. If we could lower malpractice insurance for doctors, I would think their cost would go down.

How to accomplish this?
1. Cap the amount of money that can be rewarded in a malpractice suit. I don't have a number off of the top of my head, but I would think malpractice insurance rates would go down.
2. Institute "loser pays" in lawsuits (idea from Mark Levin). If you have to pay all legal fees when you lose, you are less likely to file a frivolous lawsuit.

My two cents

Where are we?

2009-07-06T21:17:00.000-07:00

I am on information overload.

In the past few weeks, I have read(by book or book on CD)
Fahrenheit 451
Brave New World
Common Sense
Liberty and Tyranny
The Promise of America - Thomas Paine

Where have we gone? A country that wanted independence from a corrupt English government. A country that wanted MINIMAL government involvement in life. A country that wanted the states to do most of the governing.

Now, our government is corrupt. Our government wants to be in every facet of our lives. Our government wants to disregard the rights of the states.

Let's be honest, I am freakin' scared. Increased taxes, hyperinflation, interest rates; all because we want to spend spend spend. And now there are rumblings of another stimulus - GOP included.

Stop it! Tell me where my money is going, to the last dime. Let me choose what I want to believe regarding the environment and global warming. I am sick of bailing out other states, paying for the health care of people whose path I will never cross, giving money to Social Security I will not see.

I want sovereignty, I want to be heard. But no one listens, no matter how much I yell, no one listens.

My two cents

Hold Them Accountable - Article I, Section 9

2009-06-28T20:55:00.000-07:00

I was doing what the cool kids do on a Sunday nights, and was glancing over Article I, Section 9 of the constitution. (Online source, Cornell School of Law - http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/constitution.articlei.html)

Here is what I saw.

"No money shall be drawn from the treasury, but in consequence of appropriations made by law; and a regular statement and account of receipts and expenditures of all public money shall be published from time to time."

In Southern Indiana words, if you borrow our money so you can spend it, you best be telling us where it is ALL going. It is flat out in the constitution.

If congress can't tell us where every cent went, then they have no right whatsoever to use our money. I want to know.
- Where did ALL of the TARP money go?
- Where has ALL of the stimulus money gone?
- Where will ALL of the health care money go?
- Where will ALL of the cap and trade money go?

I am not talking a cute, little pie chart. I want to see it to the last cent. If it cannot be provided, than congress is violating the constitution.

Let's tell our congress that we want to know where ALL the money is going, and we will hold them accountable to the nation for either upholding the constitution, or violating it.

Another way to fight the tyranny.

My two cents.

Random Thoughts - 6/22/09

2009-06-22T21:08:00.000-07:00

The dawning of a new year is upon me. Causes me to want to record some random thoughts.

Does the disputed election in Iran matter if they don't overthrow the Ayatollah and his council?

When does Underwriter's Laboratories (UL) become a government agency?

Who are half of the celebrities I see on "E! News"? If they are so famous, why don't I know who they are?

When do I get my own reality show?

I think if you want to change government, you need to vote all of congress out. Ron Paul is the only conservative I know of who is actually doing something, the rest of the Republicans seem to just talk a lot.

Is it just me or does President Obama make "W" look like a libertarian?

I wish someone would introduce a sport between NBA and NFL season. Baseball is as tedious as Sean Hannity.

Can someone really wealthy please put together a debate between Mark Levin and Barney Frank?

If someone brought up global warming for the first time today I may actually believe them. I sweat when I open the refrigerator.

Has Obama actually taken time to do anything? He must drive his kids nuts.

Is anybody else jealous that they didn't get to punch Perez Hilton?

Was that thought a hate crime?

Is 34 the new 33?

My two cents

Random Conspiracy Theory

2009-06-14T19:51:00.001-07:00

Here is a random conspiracy theory(with assistance from "Taking of Pelham 123").

Is it possible that Geithner, Obama, Bernanke, Soros, or various proponents of creating a large deficit, have invested heavily in gold or yuan in the past ten years?

Because with all the printing of money and increased US debt, those two instruments should be skyrocketing shortly. Could someone have instigated the financial crisis as a get-rich-quick scheme? Just a random thought.

My two cents

Government Media Complex

2009-06-12T22:06:00.001-07:00

Yes, I stole that from Michael Savage, but I think it is appropriate.

If the right doesn't get their stuff together, they will get smoked again in 2010. Why do I say this?

Here are my 2 examples.

Carrie Prejean makes her comment about gay marriage (which I agree with by the way). The media goes nuts attacking her. Therefore, much left and right wing media spend lots of time attacking/defending her.

Sarah/Bristol/Willow Palin. Letterman makes joke/comment, Palins are outraged (and for good reason). Left and right wing media spend lots of time attacking/defending Palin and Letterman.

While this is going on; government took control of tobacco, North Korea truly plays with fire with nuclear weapons, health care almost nationalized, etc. The point being, while the media runs on and on with Palin and Prejean, the government is taking over America. Keep watching the news, and you won't see what's going on.

If the right wants to take control, they will need to take action. First of all, get the focus on the really important things: economy, national defense, immigration; and off of personal matters.

Secondly, take action. Ron Paul's proposal to audit the fed is a great example of this. Don't whine and do something about what's going on.

We need to present solutions and actions, not just regurgitations of the problems. We need a strategy on how to take the power back (thank you Rage Against the Machine). We need a way to implement the strategy. While we spend our time talking about problems, the left is mobilizing and acting. Pay attention...

My two cents

Why Get Rid of Dealerships

2009-06-07T19:30:00.000-07:00

Time for me to play a little devil's advocate.

I think it is good (financially) for Chrysler and GM to part ways with some of their dealerships (it would be nice if they were compensated, however).

Why? It limits supply, thus potentially creating demand. It is a gamble, but if it works, it could make both companies more profitable.

Not to sound like cold-hearted business guy (which I am not), but this happens in my industry a lot. I work in plastics, and when the price of plastic gets to low, the producers shut off their reactors to reduce the supply. Thus, when someone needs plastic, they are willing to pay more because it is harder to come by. The same goes with petroleum, when there is too much supply, producers turn off the pumps to raise prices. This is the basic premise of supply-demand that we learn in Econ 101.

Also, if the number of cars is limited, then those who truly need cars would be more willing to pay more. This is assuming that product produced by GM and DCX is equivalent or better to their competition (a big if). Higher prices, mean more % profit, which is the figure many shareholders find most important.

If there are less dealers, than GM/DCX need to produce fewer cars. This reduces labor costs, as well as the cost of running plants that are not being utilized to capacity. If fewer cars are made, than there is less aged inventory available. Why is that important? You cannot borrow against inventory over a certain age, which I believe is 18 months. Old inventory means less available credit.

Do I like this? No! I don't like people losing jobs, I don't like to see people lose their dealerships. I want to see this economy return to its vibrant self. However, due to our governments fiscal and monetary policies, I think we will see a lot more of leaner and meaner companies. I think this decision benefits GM/DCX, however it does hurt its employees and dealers as well. However, if they don't do this, they would possibly have to liquidate; which would be bad for our economy (that is why they are getting bailed out).

Personally, I would have liked to see GM and DCX go through Chapter 11 and reorganize to more profitable organizations, without government intervention. But whatever makes them profitable, increases the chance that our government will sell its share of the companies to private investors. These private investors will (if government allows it) be able to make these companies more successful, and perhaps introduce practices which will help them sustain their profitability.

My two cents.