Understanding Guitar

One Beginners’ Efforts

So, I wrote a very simple chord progression. It is the “start” of a song that I’ve been wanting to write for my wife. Points! Anyway, it is a simple 12 bar blues progression in the Key of G.

At this point, the chords involved (I’ve yet to dress it up at all) include G Major, C Major and D Major. However, I’m experiencing a problem that I think most beginners have or will experience… I’m having trouble switching between the chords quickly enough for the pace I’ve set the progression at – that is, I’m not switching between the chords fast enough.

I’ve been practicing the progression with little improvement and keep in mind that I’ve been playing these chords for at least the last 4 months — almost daily!

To be honest, it started to aggravate and frustrate me… I tend to be a bit of a perfectionist. But I’m also very analytical, so I decided to do some research via Google search to find some tips.

I found two tips; the first one more helpful than the second one but the second one is worth looking at.

The first tip to change chords quickly: http://www.cyberfret.com/chords/changing/index.php

What the above article explains is an exercise to learn how to form the chord before you actually place your fingers down. The exercise is basically to form the chord and raise your hand off of the fretboard a 1/4 of an inch or so… Then, put it back (you’d stay on the same chord)… Repeat this process and your hand should (theoretically) learn the new chord’s form.

The article explains that putting the entire chord shape down at once is much quicker than individually positioning your fingers. (That, obviously, makes sense.. In practice, however, it is a lot easier said that done…)

The second tip comes via YouTube:

Update: [5/1/2008]: Acoustic Guitar Magazine published a great article along the same lines as this topic. Check it out!

A while back, when I was first starting out with Guitar, my wife got me a book as a present.  The book is called “The Gig Bag Book of Guitar Complete.” I’m almost sure anyone who has gone past the music isle in a Borders or Barnes and Noble has seen this book.

I see the book all over the place.  The book contains, among other things, scales and Chord diagrams. Both of which I have found useful overtime. I’m very glad my wife purchased the book for me.

However, there is a diagram within the pages that I do not understand. I’m sure that I’m not the only newbie guitarist who is lost when looking at the diagram.

With all respect to the publisher (and I truly hope they don’t mind) I’ve scanned an example of this diagram.  It is below:

Can anyone explain the area that is outlined in Red? Click here for a bigger version of the same image. I’ve included the scale above it in case that is somehow related to the diagram, but I’m not sure it is…

Thank you all!!

On Jan 26th, I wrote about my efforts and troubles learning how to play the Bm chord. I found another video posted by another blogger about the chord. I wanted to share it because we’ve received a large response from the internet population on the topic… Apparently, I’m not the only one having difficulties with the chord!

This video not only includes the Bm I wrote about earlier, but it shows several other valid methods of playing the chord. Though, I do believe the barred method is the “preferred” method in the guitar world.

Read the rest of this entry »

I just signed up for a service called Blog TopList… Being that this is a new blog, I’ve been trying to get some exposure. Though, the primary content for this site comes from myself, I’ve always considered that a good portion of the content would be derived by the readers (either through questions or comments). And in order to add content due to readers, I simply need more of them!

If you find this blog is helpful, even in the smallest way, please click the button that says “Vote For Me.” Clicking that button, will simply give me a bit more exposure on the www.BlogTopList.com website, which is a list of Blog sites sort of like this one.  The thing is, is this blog has a very specific audience and will never have the follow-ship of some of the more general blogs. So, any little bump will help!  Thank you!

Recently I decided to disband from my guitar teacher and go back to self-study for now. When I originally picked up a guitar, I thought that I’d learn how to play myself.  Over time, though I realized that I’d be better and would get further with an instructor.

My search for an instructor begins… I found two instructors. The first one was not a good teacher at all. That instructor was a good player and could sight-read music, but didn’t have the ability (and perhaps the patients) to teach others. I think the instructor was doing it for money while in college. That ended after the first session.

Very shortly later, I found the second teacher. I continued with the teacher for the last 5 months. And I must say my playing did vastly improve as a result of working with the instructor. We went over everything, form Chord Theory to proper technique. It was all helpful!

So, you might ask why I decided to discontinue working with the instructor.  I think the answer is quite simple. While the instructor wasn’t bad, I didn’t feel they were that good either. Sometimes the pace was too fast and at other times the material didn’t seem to “flow” and furthermore, sometimes when I didn’t understand certain material the instructor could not explain it so it made sense. So, I worked with the instructor for a time and got out of it what I needed.

I now plan on taking what the instructor taught me and continuing to build my skills. I’ve also planned on utilizing books to aid in my learning. (If anyone can suggest good books or training material, I’d love to hear it!)

I do plan on eventually going back to using an instructor but I think I need some time to absorb and practice what I’ve learned.