Friday, May 31, 2013
Whats Your Excuse
Having trouble finding time to practice?
We all have busy schedules, but those that really want to learn guitar simply find the time! Ive heard enough excuses that Ive toyed with the idea of writing "The Beginning Guitarists Excuse Book.) Kids, family, work, vacations, you name it, theres a never ending list of excuses.
Get up earlier? Are you kidding me?
Learning to play guitar, or any other instrument, requires commitment and time to practice. Too many people are content with practicing 15 to 20 minutes a few days a week, then upset because they dont see much progress. I go through their typical day, and if it seems like theres not a spare minute, they look at me like Im a space alien when I suggest staying up later or getting up earlier.
"I havent practiced, should I come to my lesson anyway?"
Another pet peeve. You should absolutely come to your guitar lesson anyway, we can still teach you something. Skipping the lesson is like skipping the gym, the more you do it the easier it becomes. Your guitar teacher can find lots of ways to fill the time even if you havent picked up the guitar all week. You can work on theory, rhythm, scales, finger exercises, or just spend the lesson doing what you should have done all week, practice.
"Im going to take a short hiatus."
Again, bad idea. I can tell you with absolute certainty that the vast majority dont come back, or at least not in a short time frame. Usually its a couple years later, accompanied with lamenting about how they should have stuck with it.
The bottom line.
The bottom line is that if youre going to pursue anything, playing music, writing a book, learning a skill or a hobby, you have to commit yourself to it. My theory is that if you really, truly want to do it, youll find the time.
We all have busy schedules, but those that really want to learn guitar simply find the time! Ive heard enough excuses that Ive toyed with the idea of writing "The Beginning Guitarists Excuse Book.) Kids, family, work, vacations, you name it, theres a never ending list of excuses.
Get up earlier? Are you kidding me?
Learning to play guitar, or any other instrument, requires commitment and time to practice. Too many people are content with practicing 15 to 20 minutes a few days a week, then upset because they dont see much progress. I go through their typical day, and if it seems like theres not a spare minute, they look at me like Im a space alien when I suggest staying up later or getting up earlier.
"I havent practiced, should I come to my lesson anyway?"
Another pet peeve. You should absolutely come to your guitar lesson anyway, we can still teach you something. Skipping the lesson is like skipping the gym, the more you do it the easier it becomes. Your guitar teacher can find lots of ways to fill the time even if you havent picked up the guitar all week. You can work on theory, rhythm, scales, finger exercises, or just spend the lesson doing what you should have done all week, practice.
"Im going to take a short hiatus."
Again, bad idea. I can tell you with absolute certainty that the vast majority dont come back, or at least not in a short time frame. Usually its a couple years later, accompanied with lamenting about how they should have stuck with it.
The bottom line.
The bottom line is that if youre going to pursue anything, playing music, writing a book, learning a skill or a hobby, you have to commit yourself to it. My theory is that if you really, truly want to do it, youll find the time.
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Major Scale A lil Step Ahead
Hi,
I still want to write more about the major scale. Hence, today I am very happy coz my friend namely Ponco Satrio. A very good guitarist originally from Indonesia willing to share his video regarding the E major scale classical style.
Look how firm his picking and fingering. Maybe some of you feel this video quite fast. Then you should try to play it slowly.
Anyway. Thanks to my friend Ponch(Ponco Satrio)
I still want to write more about the major scale. Hence, today I am very happy coz my friend namely Ponco Satrio. A very good guitarist originally from Indonesia willing to share his video regarding the E major scale classical style.
Look how firm his picking and fingering. Maybe some of you feel this video quite fast. Then you should try to play it slowly.
Anyway. Thanks to my friend Ponch(Ponco Satrio)
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Telecaster Direct Through Mod
A direct-through mod is a very useful tone shaping tool. It will help you make your Telecaster tone brighter and more dynamic when you will need that. It's based on a DPDT switch (push-pull), used to connect pickups directly to the output, by omitting pots.
Diagram:
Magic of Simple Single Pickup Guitars
Sometimes a simple electric guitar with one pickup is enough to get many cool tones. In this post, I would like to present some inormation and music videos about this kind of axes. It will be about simple, but quite iconic guitar constructions, used by famous guitarists.
Edward Van Halen
Home made Frankensteins or Frankenstrats, Charvels and Kramers are guitars, that Eddie was using frequently to reach many famus hard rock vibes and tones. This guitars were usually equipped with one humbucker, one vulume pot, and the Floyd Rose bridge.
Edward van Halen - Cathedral - Kramer
Van Halen - Panama - Kramer
Van Halen - The Full Bug - Frankenstein
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Internet Guitar Lessons Blessing or Curse
Are you improving your guitar playing by using the internet?
I have a couple new students who love surfing the internet to find beginning guitar information. The good news is that theres plenty of information out there, the bad news is that a lot of it isnt presented in a logical, understandable way. Consider how long youve been playing guitar and then decide how helpful some of these sites are. For example, if youve been playing for less than a year you probably dont need to work on complex scale patterns, barre chords or dig too far into music theory. A lot of it depends on what kind of music youll be playing and how involved you want to be in the construction of the music. Some people love knowing everything about the theory while others just want to play.
Whos doing the teaching?
There are many good teachers out there, but there are even more that dont appear to have ever given a lesson. The fact that you can play well doesnt necessarily mean that you can teach. Ive seen many flawed examples of teaching guitar from players who mean well but dont realize how complicated their simple explanations are. Theres an idea called the "curse of knowledge". In a nutshell, Im explaining something to you that I think is perfectly clear while you have no idea what Im talking about.
Can the internet substitute for a live teacher?
In my opinion, yes and no depending on the student. The ease of understanding, the logical approach, and the ability to evaluate progress are the advantages of lessons with a live teacher. Your guitar teacher can spot bad habits, help with trouble spots, and most importantly, encourage you. A lot of progress depends on the feeling that youre getting somewhere. The guitar student who has played other instruments or who uses a combination of teachers can benefit from both experiences.
I have a couple new students who love surfing the internet to find beginning guitar information. The good news is that theres plenty of information out there, the bad news is that a lot of it isnt presented in a logical, understandable way. Consider how long youve been playing guitar and then decide how helpful some of these sites are. For example, if youve been playing for less than a year you probably dont need to work on complex scale patterns, barre chords or dig too far into music theory. A lot of it depends on what kind of music youll be playing and how involved you want to be in the construction of the music. Some people love knowing everything about the theory while others just want to play.
Whos doing the teaching?
There are many good teachers out there, but there are even more that dont appear to have ever given a lesson. The fact that you can play well doesnt necessarily mean that you can teach. Ive seen many flawed examples of teaching guitar from players who mean well but dont realize how complicated their simple explanations are. Theres an idea called the "curse of knowledge". In a nutshell, Im explaining something to you that I think is perfectly clear while you have no idea what Im talking about.
Can the internet substitute for a live teacher?
In my opinion, yes and no depending on the student. The ease of understanding, the logical approach, and the ability to evaluate progress are the advantages of lessons with a live teacher. Your guitar teacher can spot bad habits, help with trouble spots, and most importantly, encourage you. A lot of progress depends on the feeling that youre getting somewhere. The guitar student who has played other instruments or who uses a combination of teachers can benefit from both experiences.
Monday, May 27, 2013
How a DPDT Switch Works DPDT in Guitars
You can use a DPDT (Double Pole, Double Throw) SW in your guitar wiring in many ways. You can base on this thing many kinds of tone switches. You can use it as a pickup selector. It can switch coils in your guitar pickups (series/parallel, split humbucker, reversed phase, on-off etc.). It's also a good part to make a switchable signal bypass or a loop.
This diagram will show you DPDT connections in a few, popular examples:
Read more »
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Not Happy With Your Progress on Guitar
What may be holding you back and what to do about it.
Lately Ive been getting more and more calls from beginning guitar students frustrated with their perceived lack of progress. Learning guitar is an ongoing process, and unfortunately its one that you cant speed up very much. Here are some observations Ive made recently as well as some helpful hints to improve your progress.
Expecting too much too soon.
I cant stress enough how important it is to learn, understand, and be able to execute a technique or concept. Beginning guitar players tend to rush through things so they can play the songs they want to play. Like learning math, guitar depends on your building a solid foundation. Being patient in the early stages is extremely difficult, but its what will make you a better musician in the long run. Well meaning friends will try to tell you to learn barre chords, scales, alternate picking and other techniques that you may not be ready for. This is where having a live, caring teacher comes in. Your guitar teacher can guide you and make sure youre learning things in a logical order. Ill sometimes get a theory question from a student and the answer will be that you really dont want to ask that question right now!
Information overload.
The internet is a great invention, but again, Im seeing and hearing from more and more frustrated guitar players. The best way to avoid information overload is to take small steps and to be sure that youre ready for the next concept. Go slow and absorb all the things youve learned. Ignore the wild claims that convince you that youll learn the "secrets" of playing guitar. Do you want to know the secret to learning guitar? Commit time and effort, know what your goals are and practice. And no, youre not going to be the second coming of Jimi Hendrix in one weekend! Sorry, you have to put in the time.
Realize how important small signs of progress can be.
Minor breakthroughs are very important. If youve been working on a song and can now play it flawlessly and up to speed, it doesnt matter if its Yankee Doodle, its a breakthrough. Savor it and use the positive feelings to encourage you and to help you advance to the next level.
Push yourself, but dont pressure yourself.
Trying to improve, working hard, and spending time practicing are all worthy goals, but you dont need undue pressure. The value of taking private, one on one guitar lessons is that there is no competition and therefore, no pressure. Learning guitar is tough enough without adding the burden of expecting more than youre capable of playing.
Lately Ive been getting more and more calls from beginning guitar students frustrated with their perceived lack of progress. Learning guitar is an ongoing process, and unfortunately its one that you cant speed up very much. Here are some observations Ive made recently as well as some helpful hints to improve your progress.
Expecting too much too soon.
I cant stress enough how important it is to learn, understand, and be able to execute a technique or concept. Beginning guitar players tend to rush through things so they can play the songs they want to play. Like learning math, guitar depends on your building a solid foundation. Being patient in the early stages is extremely difficult, but its what will make you a better musician in the long run. Well meaning friends will try to tell you to learn barre chords, scales, alternate picking and other techniques that you may not be ready for. This is where having a live, caring teacher comes in. Your guitar teacher can guide you and make sure youre learning things in a logical order. Ill sometimes get a theory question from a student and the answer will be that you really dont want to ask that question right now!
Information overload.
The internet is a great invention, but again, Im seeing and hearing from more and more frustrated guitar players. The best way to avoid information overload is to take small steps and to be sure that youre ready for the next concept. Go slow and absorb all the things youve learned. Ignore the wild claims that convince you that youll learn the "secrets" of playing guitar. Do you want to know the secret to learning guitar? Commit time and effort, know what your goals are and practice. And no, youre not going to be the second coming of Jimi Hendrix in one weekend! Sorry, you have to put in the time.
Realize how important small signs of progress can be.
Minor breakthroughs are very important. If youve been working on a song and can now play it flawlessly and up to speed, it doesnt matter if its Yankee Doodle, its a breakthrough. Savor it and use the positive feelings to encourage you and to help you advance to the next level.
Push yourself, but dont pressure yourself.
Trying to improve, working hard, and spending time practicing are all worthy goals, but you dont need undue pressure. The value of taking private, one on one guitar lessons is that there is no competition and therefore, no pressure. Learning guitar is tough enough without adding the burden of expecting more than youre capable of playing.
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Bb7 open voicings
In previous Guitar Chord a Day posts, weve looked at 12 Dominant 7th Chords Every Guitarist should know weve also looked at modifying these chords to create major7, altered, m7b5 and other chords.
These open voicings can be created by modifying the original dominant 7th guitar chords that weve learnt. Todays guitar chord is the day can be created by taking this dominant 7th inversion and moving the note on the top E string of the guitar down to the bottom E string.
You can create a whole series of open voicings like this, by taking the same approach - dropping the note on the top E string two octaves and playing it on the bottom E string - with all of your dominant 7th chords, and the minor7, 6th, 9th, major 7th, m7b5 etc chords that have been created by modifying the original chords. Doing this results in hundreds of new voicings and is well worth exploring!
Subscribe to the RSS feed and tune in tomorrow for another Guitar Chord Of The Day
You can create a whole series of open voicings like this, by taking the same approach - dropping the note on the top E string two octaves and playing it on the bottom E string - with all of your dominant 7th chords, and the minor7, 6th, 9th, major 7th, m7b5 etc chords that have been created by modifying the original chords. Doing this results in hundreds of new voicings and is well worth exploring!
Subscribe to the RSS feed and tune in tomorrow for another Guitar Chord Of The Day
Friday, May 24, 2013
C is Simple
Hi there,
I have problem with my ADSL modem and network card, was struck by the thunder lightning. The service provider just exchange the modem and I changed the network card my self. Phewww...!!!!!! Sweating, man!!
Okay thats another story. Lets talk about the guitar tips. for today I like to tell you guys that C is simple. The chord is simple to remember, the key of C is very simple to remember and the Scale of C is very simple.
Lets start with the chord of C. Most people who started play the guitar already know how to grip the C chord. But if you just feeling begin to play the guitar can check on the internet. Is very simple chord. Like this picture:
A little bit further, for the key of C. There are 7 notes in the scale of C, those are C, D, E, F, G, A and B. See, if you re-arrange them, it will be A B C D E F and G. Such and easy and simple interval to remember. Try to identify these notes on your finger board and try to do some riff on the scale.
A little bit advance, for the relatives chords playing in the key of C is:
1. C
2. D minor
3. E minor
4. F
5. G
6. A minor
7. B
All these chords are consider simple chords to play. easy to remember, If you creative enough you can try to arrange those chords in some pattern so it will be sound so rhythmic and nice to play.Thats the tip for today, Remember! C is simple.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Curing the Proverbial Tin Ear
Do you insist that youre tone deaf?
We hear it all the time. I cant carry a tune in a bucket, Im tone deaf, believe me, you dont want to hear me sing. Heres some good news for you: your ear can be trained! The fact is, very few people are truly tone deaf, most of them have just never been trained. If your environment growing up didnt involve music, if no one in your family is "musical", then it can feel like you are tone deaf.
OK, how do I cure it you ask?
If you dont have an electronic tuner for your guitar, go get one now! The last thing you want to do is get used to your out of tune guitar sounding good to you. Practice tuning until the tuner agrees that your guitar is in tune. Now, pick out a song that you know by heart and try to pick it out on the guitar. Keep in mind that it has to be one youre completely familiar with. Happy Birthday, Jingle Bells, Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, something like that. Work on it until youre sure its right, then play it for someone just to be sure. When you can do that, try to figure out a song thats a little more complex. Again, do it until youre sure its right, then play it for someone.
Keep at it and try tuning by ear.
Now that you can pick out a melody, tune one string to the tuner, put the rest of the strings out of tune, then try to tune it by ear. Check it with the electronic tuner and then repeat. Do this a few minutes a day and before you know it, youll have a much better ear for music.
We hear it all the time. I cant carry a tune in a bucket, Im tone deaf, believe me, you dont want to hear me sing. Heres some good news for you: your ear can be trained! The fact is, very few people are truly tone deaf, most of them have just never been trained. If your environment growing up didnt involve music, if no one in your family is "musical", then it can feel like you are tone deaf.
OK, how do I cure it you ask?
If you dont have an electronic tuner for your guitar, go get one now! The last thing you want to do is get used to your out of tune guitar sounding good to you. Practice tuning until the tuner agrees that your guitar is in tune. Now, pick out a song that you know by heart and try to pick it out on the guitar. Keep in mind that it has to be one youre completely familiar with. Happy Birthday, Jingle Bells, Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, something like that. Work on it until youre sure its right, then play it for someone just to be sure. When you can do that, try to figure out a song thats a little more complex. Again, do it until youre sure its right, then play it for someone.
Keep at it and try tuning by ear.
Now that you can pick out a melody, tune one string to the tuner, put the rest of the strings out of tune, then try to tune it by ear. Check it with the electronic tuner and then repeat. Do this a few minutes a day and before you know it, youll have a much better ear for music.
10 Great and Simple Guitar Riffs
Some old school music makers, who knows how to rock:
(unranked)
Deep Purple - Perfect Strangers
Muddy Waters - Mannish Boy
The Troggs - Wild Thing
Saxon - Wheels Of Steel
Black Sabbath - Iron Man
AC/DC - Highway To Hell
Eric Clapton - Cocaine
The Doors - Hello, I Love You
ZZ Top - La Grange
Johnny Cash - San Quentin
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(unranked)
Deep Purple - Perfect Strangers
Muddy Waters - Mannish Boy
The Troggs - Wild Thing
Saxon - Wheels Of Steel
Black Sabbath - Iron Man
AC/DC - Highway To Hell
Eric Clapton - Cocaine
The Doors - Hello, I Love You
ZZ Top - La Grange
Johnny Cash - San Quentin
-
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