PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE!!

[rclite]

As I've only been playing a while I'd like some advice.

What areas should be practiced on guitar every day? at

 

BEGINNER

 

INTERMEDIATE

 

ADVANCED

 

level .... ?

 

THANKS IN ADVANCE

[Tedster]

Well, to me...

 

For a beginner, the main thing I'd get down is chords...being able to change fluently from chord to chord. Open chords first, then full barre chords (but I wouldn't hit them with that until they had open chords DOWN). I'd also make sure that said beginner is using proper rhythm in their strumming or picking hand.

 

Most beginners I've come across have difficulty changing chords, and many have a sloppy rhythm hand. Making sure someone can change chords rapidly, in time, and is keeping good tempo is imperative to whether that person continues as a player. Some folks just...well, just don't have it. They're either tone impaired, or rhythm impaired, or both. I do believe that those skills can be acquired to a degree, but, if ya ain't got it, ya ain't got it.

 

To that end, if someone wants me to show 'em how to play, I'll begin with this sequence of showing them open chords...

 

Em...Am...C...FMaj7...D7...G

 

What the hell is that, you ask? Well, beginning with probably the easiest open chord to play, Em, then changing strings, adding the 1st finger to form Am, then moving the third finger to a C, then changing the 2nd and 3rd finger to an FMaj7 (not F...most beginners can't play it)...then moving the 3rd finger again to form a D7...then the jump to G...and back again.

 

I used to try to show beginners I-IV-V open chord cadences, but most couldn't do them at first. The above exercises get their hands in shape to make the changes. Once they can make those simple changes, you can mix up progressions, adding more open chords until they have them in their repertoire. But, for beginners, definitely open chords...as, if they get no farther, at least they'll be able to strum along at campfires or jam on simple tunes with their buds.

 

For more intermediate players...open chords continued...full barred chords, and beginning scales. If they're acoustic players, you can give them an intro to fingerstyle or flatpicking. For electric players, scales (with heavy emphasis on alternate picking), bends, introduce them to vibrato and palm muting, pulloffs, hammers, etc.

 

For more advanced players, just more in depth studies of the preceding.

 

Now, keep in mind, this is only my take on it. Someone else will tell me I'm full of horsecrap...but, the preceding works for me...

[Wickerman]

Ted said it perfectly. Only, he left out one important detail. Learning theory! Once you understand the music, you can play much easier as well as writing, improv and, you'll be able read music, a dying skill.

[Tedster]

Oh yeah...theory. But not so much for beginners. For beginners, make them learn theory, but don't let them know they're learning theory.

[Nollykin]

hehe

 

I am having serious problems with chords. My pinky finger is curved slightly inward - and I have small fingers to start with. I know Em, C, and G... heh. But I'm getting there. I dont need to be an amazing guitarist, I need to be able to write and hear my music on guitar. So yeah. I need to be able to do it - slowly

 

Nolly

[Tedster]

Nolly...

 

I've seen that pinky problem before. You're not alone...plenty of people have that problem.

 

Start with the chords I mentioned above. Change slowly at first, then more rapidly. You do have a chord book, don't you? If not...

 

Am

0

1

2

2

0

0

 

FMaj7

0

1

2

3

0

X

 

D7

2

1

2

0

0

X

 

As for the pinky thing...I'm not sure...but just stretch it slowly as far as you can. Little by little, hopefully, you'll see some improvement.

 

And, you're right...you don't have to be Yngwie. Bob Dylan just strums chords, and he's a lot more well-known than Yngwie...

[Nollykin]

Ah, ta very much Teddy That will be a big help. I dont have a chord book yet. I know sites with chord charts though. Ta again I'll look into that.

 

I'll learn those ones.

 

Nolly

[Wickerman]

Originally posted by Tedster:

Oh yeah...theory. But not so much for beginners. For beginners, make them learn theory, but don't let them know they're learning theory.

Amen! Alfred's "Complete Acoustic Guitarist" does it well. It teaches base theory. (How to read music basically) and people don't even realize they can read music til it's too late!!!

[Tedster]

Just out of curiosity, what is H2SO4? I recognize the Hydrogen, Sulfur, and Oxygen...is it Sulfuric Acid?

[Nollykin]

I think its sulphuric acid. either way - its corrosive

[Dak Lander]

Originally posted by Tedster:

Just out of curiosity, what is H2SO4? I recognize the Hydrogen, Sulfur, and Oxygen...is it Sulfuric Acid?

'Tis indeed Sulphuric Acid.

[Wickerman]

Originally posted by Tedster:

Just out of curiosity, what is H2SO4? I recognize the Hydrogen, Sulfur, and Oxygen...is it Sulfuric Acid?

Yes sir. Kinda sick, but entertaining. Hard to believe but that's from a christian band...

[Dak Lander]

Originally posted by Wickerman:

Yes sir. Kinda sick, but entertaining. Hard to believe but that's from a christian band...

I'm not so sure. Many years ago I heard that saying. In high school if I remember right. The only difference is the "Johnny is not more". I heard it "Johnny is no more".

It could very well be that a band took that old saying and ran with it.

Cool deal in any case.

[jimmyspick]

My pinkie curls in a bit too so when I was learning there were some chords I couldn't do. However, practise and stretching enabled me to reach those frets. I am talking about more unusual chord shapes here but keep in mind, the pinkie CAN be tamed!

 

If certain shapes are too hard, choose a different shape/location for that chord. This can add a bit more variation to your playing if you're forced to move higher up the neck for certain chords.

 

In terms of practising, I recommend learning the names of all the notes on the guitar, 6 strings and 12 frets. This is not as bad as it sounds (72 notes) as there are only really 7 notes which keep repeating and with sharps/flats in between.

 

This will help when playing chords and scales further up the neck. I know a few guitar players who don't go any higher than the fifth fret and their playing bores me so much.

[Nollykin]

I really dont know guys. I dont think you understand. my pinkie moves in so far that if I keep all my fingers straight - put them side by side on the table in a relaxed possie, my pinky moves up and over my ring finger, all the way to just past the middle. It is perfectly straight, until the last joint, where it veers off toward the ring finger. Its always liek that, and it is PAIN to straighten it out to normal (by holding the top joint and moving it). I'm really worried about this.

 

Perhaps I should stick to lead - but even lead I have trouble... this better not be the endof my dream. God this is depressing.

[Tedster]

Nolly,

 

You will persist.

You will prevail.

 

A lot of fine guitarists only use three fingers, and their pinky just hangs out there doing nothing.

 

Well...so there...just adapt your ability to your style. There are no rules...I mean you read about people with one finger putting a bottleneck slide on it and going to town. So, get on it!!!

[TurboDog]

Clearly Nolly, there's only one solution. We're gonna have to break that pinky and reset it straight.

 

Or...just keep practicing. It should get better. When I first started, my pinky gave me problems too. It would curl so far, and suddenly snap to a much tighter curl. Now I can do whatever I want with it.

 

By the way, Clapton doesnt use his pinky on solos. At least not that I've ever seen. But you can't just be a lead player. Rythym is 90% of playing.

 

Practice fretting like 1-2-3-4. And be sure to pull off 1 before going to 2, 2 before 3, etc.

 

Then practice 1-2-4. Then 1-3-4. Do all these up and back down. Start SLOW and make sure you can get it clean, then gradually speed up. And do this with no distortion, as it hides mistakes.

 

Then you can practice runs, doing above excercises starting on the low E string, then A, etc. And then back down.

 

It takes a while, but your coordination and strength will vastly improve, making your chord fretting easier as well. (Keep practicing chords also!)

 

Jim Soloway has been a teacher for a long time, maybe he has some good excercises for your particular hook pinky.

[ed hamilton]

Django Reinhart Played with only 2 fingers and KICKED BUTT!!!

 

Do not be discouraged. Your pinky will make you play differently - this is a good thing.

You will probably end up writing differently - damn good thing.

 

Just keep at it until you find your own way of dealing with it.

Get a couple of Django records and you will never feel bad about that pinky again!

 

best of luck.

[Nollykin]

Originally posted by TurboDog:

Clearly Nolly, there's only one solution. We're gonna have to break that pinky and reset it straight.

Ahahahahahahah *falls over laughing*

 

Or...just keep practicing. It should get better. When I first started, my pinky gave me problems too. It would curl so far, and suddenly snap to a much tighter curl. Now I can do whatever I want with it.

 

By the way, Clapton doesnt use his pinky on solos. At least not that I've ever seen. But you can't just be a lead player. Rythym is 90% of playing.

 

Practice fretting like 1-2-3-4. And be sure to pull off 1 before going to 2, 2 before 3, etc.

 

Then practice 1-2-4. Then 1-3-4. Do all these up and back down. Start SLOW and make sure you can get it clean, then gradually speed up. And do this with no distortion, as it hides mistakes.

 

Then you can practice runs, doing above excercises starting on the low E string, then A, etc. And then back down.

 

It takes a while, but your coordination and strength will vastly improve, making your chord fretting easier as well. (Keep practicing chords also!)

 

Jim Soloway has been a teacher for a long time, maybe he has some good excercises for your particular hook pinky.

Yeah - practice practice practice I know I will persist. I will prevail.

 

 

Nolly

[DC]

Nolly,

 

I don't know how functional your pinky is, but you should be using it for your G chord. This makes going to G7 or C very much easier. Also use it for Dm. I never did then I saw George Harrison doing it that way so I changed.

 

Oh, Dm = first finger first fret first string, 2nd finger 2nd fret third string, pinky on third fret, 2nd string and strum the bottom four strings.

 

It really is the saddest of all keys.

[Nollykin]

I can indeed use my pinky on the G. I do that - its too hard to switch to C etc, otherwise. I have trouble stretching it out to reach notes in lead mainly - which sucks, badly.

 

Oh well

 

Nolly

[Sylver]

Nolly, like everyone above said many players don't use the pinky on leads. As far a chords go, just find a fingering that works for you, just like you've been doing. See ... you found the solution yourself!

[6string]

Nolly,

I too consider myself a beginner. Both to the guitar and to this forum. My pinky is also curved but admittedly not to the extent you describe. I can only comment on what works for me. My pinky also has a mind of it's own. Or more accurately it wants to follow along with the other fingers instead of doing what I want it to. I found the D chord forms the easiest and most fun way to train that little errant digit to make it's own way to the position on the fretboard I want. Lifting the ring and using the pinky one fret down and then one fret up, In open position first then move up the fretboard as far as you comfortably can. Eventually you will be able to move two frets in each direction. Alternating ring and pinky makes them move in different directions and soon they will each go their own way effortlessly.

 

Exercises you can do away from the guitar such as holding your hand straight and moving one finger at a time helped me as well. Move them side to side and up and down. Just remember, only one finger moves at a time. When you start getting used to that try curling one at a time. It's quite a challenge at first but it gets easier with practice. This you can do anywhere.

 

As has been stated before, "practice, practice, practice". If you are as obsessed as I have become in the last year you will soon see improvement. With improvement comes more obsession. When you are completely possesed, as I have become, all you'll want to do is practice more and more. What a wickedly wonderful circle.

 

Good luck, but most of all have fun!