tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3850071665889269392023-11-16T06:07:35.794-08:00Guitar 101An online resource for new and intermediate guitar playersGuitar Professorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07266455336468316919noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385007166588926939.post-79364263432801694592019-03-22T13:58:00.001-07:002019-03-22T14:04:44.532-07:00Blog Post Submissions Are Welcome<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Guitar Professorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07266455336468316919noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385007166588926939.post-68122682280072445792019-03-20T16:21:00.000-07:002019-03-20T16:36:16.294-07:00Learning to Read Music - Part 1 - Overview of the Staff<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY3oMae2mnLq0qIm0tqbSOy4O9Z-FdrE3VjCWp2jNgvWs4FYr2sabDS25r12wuYqULS-0BH_5QuC8jm_Ly1Z6GE7IiqYRHxVRkIkFUmAUKHehpbpzKlHngxCTpiBFHL-yijWR2TGqS-7c/s1600/staff.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="160" data-original-width="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY3oMae2mnLq0qIm0tqbSOy4O9Z-FdrE3VjCWp2jNgvWs4FYr2sabDS25r12wuYqULS-0BH_5QuC8jm_Ly1Z6GE7IiqYRHxVRkIkFUmAUKHehpbpzKlHngxCTpiBFHL-yijWR2TGqS-7c/s1600/staff.png" /></a></div>
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The musical staff is the basic framework for traditional music notation. The staff consists of a series of five parallel lines. The sequence of musical notes that make up a song are then placed along these lines.</span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The two dimensions represented on the staff are </span><em style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">pitch</em><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> and </span><em style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">time</em><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">.</span><br />
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<b style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Pitch</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> - whether a note sounds "high" or "low" - is represented by placing notes higher or lower in the series of staff lines.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Each line and space between the lines represents a specific note position. An oval shaped note under line 1 is understood as D. A note on line 1 is E. And so on, until we get to E again in the top space, and F on the top line.</span><br />
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<b style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Time</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> - There are actually two different components to the time dimension of music. Every piece of music has a </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">beat</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> which varies from song to song, and sometimes within the same song. This is called the </span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">tempo</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> of the music.</span><br />
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<a href="https://muzictrain.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt=" Get the FREE Course on Learning to Read Music" border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="648" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXikrKmZrsk8gZ_7wow6os656fVAbs-lMTd3djr9Yuta9Rnu-chu_HAjoE50CSunauS8VRgUs6QNsCI8V7kbsALrcNuSoMglcxqG1w00Bsr-eecT966KXcpDUjW7cbOCnpnIGXYhVIX9E/s200/learning-to-read-square.png" width="200" /></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Tempo</i> is normally measured in terms of </span><em style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">beats per minute (bpm)</em><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, and is indicated at the very beginning of the first staff line of a composition. In our example the tempo is indicated as 80 beats per minute. And this tempo is maintained unless a different tempo is indicated.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The length or </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">duration</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> of individual notes is measured with reference to that tempo. If a song has a tempo of 60 bpm, then each beat will be one second long (1/60th of a minute), and in 4/4 time, each quarter note will have a duration of one beat.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The notes placed along the staff therefore tell us three very different things about the sounds they represent. First, they tell us the pitch of the sound. Second, we are told how fast or slow the piece is to be played (its tempo). And third, we know from the shape of each note symbol how long that sound is to be held - the </span><em style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">duration</em><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> of each note or rest.</span>Guitar Professorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07266455336468316919noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385007166588926939.post-19888623187671473542019-03-14T22:40:00.001-07:002019-03-14T22:46:12.083-07:00Sometimes Playing on Fewer Strings is BetterWhen I work with a new student who is learning guitar from scratch we first play 4 string versions of G, C and D because they are a bit easier to play.
The fact is though, that these chords where you don't use all the strings may actually sound better than "full" chords in some cases.<br />
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For example a 4 or even 3 string version of D lets you highlight the higher strings. And an A (or even more commonly, a B chord) played on strings 4, 3 and 2 - where you don't play string 1, can sound perfectly adequate when used the right way.<br />
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Rock guitarists actually use <b>two</b> string combinations a lot. So-called "power chords" are 2 string chords played on the lower strings like the well known riff from "Smoke on the Water". And "double stops" are two string combinations played on the higher strings (a la Chuck Berry).<br />
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The bottom line is that a "chord" is not always played by strumming across all six strings. To get the best sounding string combinations you need to strike the most appropriate strings.
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="400" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/317068345" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe>Guitar Professorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07266455336468316919noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385007166588926939.post-86892078457999996282019-02-07T07:33:00.001-08:002019-02-07T07:34:04.218-08:00How to Hold the GuitarWhen seated, hold the guitar so you are not hunched over. The neck should be tilted upwards slightly to make it easier to reach all six strings with your hand that does the fingering (usually your left hand).
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/314113181" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe>
For more info and simple guitar playing tips see <a href="http://guitarcoach4u.com">Guitar Coach</a>
Guitar Professorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07266455336468316919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385007166588926939.post-62245436844224777812019-01-05T16:06:00.002-08:002019-01-06T10:30:40.773-08:00Learning the Most Important Notes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgucZIOseM8_zivlhVSFKrXxjKacsq7XwOiYlbMF5DMPSlzhE3L6G0SNlufGSRy5prrXuuoWVV-utHFrthwLzfOzewOXwbtXsPy0olT9Q94wmWDk14T_6Bou-dUkrpBC0USg1gXyBGLDxg/s1600/Fretboard-Notes-C-Open-at-A3.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="602" height="115" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgucZIOseM8_zivlhVSFKrXxjKacsq7XwOiYlbMF5DMPSlzhE3L6G0SNlufGSRy5prrXuuoWVV-utHFrthwLzfOzewOXwbtXsPy0olT9Q94wmWDk14T_6Bou-dUkrpBC0USg1gXyBGLDxg/s400/Fretboard-Notes-C-Open-at-A3.png" width="400" /></a></div>
Many "learn the fretboard" exercises begin by suggesting you learn each note (A, B, etc.) on all six strings.<br />
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I sincerely doubt this is the way most accomplished guitar players learn the fretboard.<br />
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This method may be helpful to give you some initial feel for note positions. But when it is divorced from playing the notes in songs and exercises, you will inevitably forget the positions. And simply being able to recite "A is at D7", for example, will probably not help much when you are in the heat of the battle (i.e., when you're playing.)<br />
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Of course, eventually if you repeat "A is at D7" often enough you will look at D7 and think, "That's an A isn't it!" But just think about it for a minute. You have learned that C is at B1, like most guitar players who've gotten past the first month or so, because you've played it a thousand times.<br />
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Either you've played it in the kind of simple songs we all begin with (<i>Ode to Joy</i>!), or as the root of the C chord we all learn to play in our first couple of practice sessions.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdCHbpTtadmMY_RF4gTVDqhyphenhyphen6GJ4NBqCO7HOBFN7XgE5E7_kZh1q2TEZTrWRzyb3atNVml4nID5c9pAbuZRXoI_A0ShKy6QdhxX621RHVweDd9KPner4YzJ6xKW5oUM0Y0AlXbV233TuU/s1600/Fretboard-Notes-Bb.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="142" data-original-width="300" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdCHbpTtadmMY_RF4gTVDqhyphenhyphen6GJ4NBqCO7HOBFN7XgE5E7_kZh1q2TEZTrWRzyb3atNVml4nID5c9pAbuZRXoI_A0ShKy6QdhxX621RHVweDd9KPner4YzJ6xKW5oUM0Y0AlXbV233TuU/s320/Fretboard-Notes-Bb.png" width="280" /></a></div>
And, by the same token, when you look at G3 you probably don't automatically think Bb. Why? Because that particular note has not been drummed into you as a point of reference (like G at E3, or C at A3, or C at B1.) And that's because beginning guitar players don't often play in keys that use Bb.<br />
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<b>In order to learn them you must <u>play</u> them</b><br />
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<i>So, after many attempts to come up with a "system" for learning the fretboard, I've come to the conclusion that the only lasting way to learn notes is to <u>USE</u> THEM - TO <u>PLAY</u> THEM - either in exercises, and even more effectively, in actual songs.</i><br />
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As I've said in other places, this almost inevitably means you will have to learn to read music. At this stage you shouldn't be surprised to hear that, since the impetus to learn the <i>names of notes </i>comes from the attempt to <i>understand</i> how the fretboard works. You've already pretty much bought into the traditional system by worrying about note names.<br />
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<b>The Most Important Notes</b><br />
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<i>The most important notes will be the ones you play the most and the ones that serve as a reference for others you use in your playing. </i>For example, if you do a lot of playing in the keys of C, D and G, (as most beginning players do), those root notes (C, D, G) will be very important.<br />
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Chances are you already know them. And if not your first task should be to learn where these notes are in Section 1 of the fretboard (frets 0 -5).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXMwe1smnHnBiMgNpOe6RlQzlQ1wqS8UElXWt1-TiM3ys6Xw4CXVYxl6b3biGkquPgsVQAXyH42rWUYLW9JK8XUGEyMa8TDU86Om2F8Ga1VOjffHT3IoGqocN7Z0XqrMB-nrCJxdof1fY/s1600/Fretboard-Notes-C-G.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="380" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXMwe1smnHnBiMgNpOe6RlQzlQ1wqS8UElXWt1-TiM3ys6Xw4CXVYxl6b3biGkquPgsVQAXyH42rWUYLW9JK8XUGEyMa8TDU86Om2F8Ga1VOjffHT3IoGqocN7Z0XqrMB-nrCJxdof1fY/s320/Fretboard-Notes-C-G.png" width="260" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4J0zPVkF-NBV1DVhNaaDkRFQ3oK7Gt8aqJwnGgQPOg0MILR5tYw2ygIrRmBFJA45do47NVt4zD_WhLL24zLvOv7H1Y9Z0jbURYU7K9z5x5WrHNi31eH43yFMQsWG2MrgD9QuMUK1Ij1o/s1600/Fretboard-Notes-D-G.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="380" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4J0zPVkF-NBV1DVhNaaDkRFQ3oK7Gt8aqJwnGgQPOg0MILR5tYw2ygIrRmBFJA45do47NVt4zD_WhLL24zLvOv7H1Y9Z0jbURYU7K9z5x5WrHNi31eH43yFMQsWG2MrgD9QuMUK1Ij1o/s320/Fretboard-Notes-D-G.png" width="260" /></a></div>
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C is at A3, G5 and B1<br />
D is at D0, A5, and B3<br />
G is at E3, G0, D5, and E3<br />
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<a href="http://practicetracks.org/A-Members/Guitar/Fretboard/Exercises/Exercise-1a-C-G-frets0-5.php" target="_blank">Here are some exercises and songs to help learn these note positions</a>.<br />
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Once you learn these note positions you should expand your repertoire of notes to include the rest of Section 1.<br />
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You could begin by adding E and A ..... and then F and Bb:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb97gS7CEOFAN8IIojHP5_37-yKWZ6zxyn9nshAS-tXaZ_-CH6lfk8dztEaYwZrwNaRN-BiQEdlCwvSBakBXkstq33HRw57G4WM2tab7KAz1AUivKr8aRxcHkBeeRsKSfl63AQxa1TlTc/s1600/Fretboard-Notes-A-E.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="380" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb97gS7CEOFAN8IIojHP5_37-yKWZ6zxyn9nshAS-tXaZ_-CH6lfk8dztEaYwZrwNaRN-BiQEdlCwvSBakBXkstq33HRw57G4WM2tab7KAz1AUivKr8aRxcHkBeeRsKSfl63AQxa1TlTc/s320/Fretboard-Notes-A-E.png" width="260" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsobPCc4qyUK5KQ4PtJzM0-nxzFO3nFyiw0AOAOQPzAwjg0K1zrH9cVOcFiB_YVdeadKFXBdb_d2q66XD4uYyMQrwbmgZIQKjW9qhrqtQssN0r_kON3CKrGXqdTcXAe0ZUQ3KVO95yNFo/s1600/Fretboard-Notes-F-Bb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="380" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsobPCc4qyUK5KQ4PtJzM0-nxzFO3nFyiw0AOAOQPzAwjg0K1zrH9cVOcFiB_YVdeadKFXBdb_d2q66XD4uYyMQrwbmgZIQKjW9qhrqtQssN0r_kON3CKrGXqdTcXAe0ZUQ3KVO95yNFo/s320/Fretboard-Notes-F-Bb.png" width="260" /></a></div>
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E is at E0, D2 , B5, and E1<br />
A is at E5, A0, G2, and E1<br />
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F is at E1, D3, and E1<br />
Bb is at A1 and G3<br />
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<a href="http://practicetracks.org/A-Members/Guitar/Fretboard/Exercises/Exercise-1c-A-E-frets-0-5.php" target="_blank">Here are exercises that focuses on these note positions.</a><br />
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We'll continue this conversation in the next post...Guitar Professorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07266455336468316919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385007166588926939.post-45778799369019881162018-11-25T14:32:00.000-08:002018-11-25T14:32:00.912-08:00Learning the Guitar Fretboard - Why Knowing How to Read is Helpful<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsln5DZBQYeJcnMUj1S_UFNbi9Yscj3Ivo7GvkQ5oN8jYEeRXuqQhbC7_aJYYT-YrObAPNXI-j9mGYBZ5yB72A_ijLTgdO8U_7FxzRm_TMVTpRn3AMfpzoS3YH0i2rCIgYo5TBi65Dv8/s1600/guitar-fretbrd.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 2em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsln5DZBQYeJcnMUj1S_UFNbi9Yscj3Ivo7GvkQ5oN8jYEeRXuqQhbC7_aJYYT-YrObAPNXI-j9mGYBZ5yB72A_ijLTgdO8U_7FxzRm_TMVTpRn3AMfpzoS3YH0i2rCIgYo5TBi65Dv8/s320/guitar-fretbrd.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
In a previous post I suggested what is hopefully an efficient way to learn the guitar fretboard. The steps I outlined there were:<br />
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><i>Find a strategy that simplifies the task of learning the fretboard, and stick with it.</i></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><i>Learn as many of the most important notes as you can</i></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><i>Learn how the "mathematics of the fretboard" results in some easy-to-remember patterns.</i></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><i>Use it or lose it! Practice! You don't even need a guitar to do this. You can just visualize the keyboard even when you're lying in bed at night. Just keep working on it.</i></li>
</ol>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">Now, in the next series of posts I want to expand on these points and add a few techniques I've found helpful. But before I do I want to emphasize that <b>it is useful to learn how to read traditional music</b>. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">I know, I know. Guitar players usually think playing from formal music is totally impractical. And in many cases I completely agree! But the truth is, learning the positions of, say, C, at various places on the neck is of limited value if you can't relate it to formal music notation.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">And from the learning-the-fretboard perspective knowing "how to read" opens up practice and learning possibilities that you just won't have if you can't read music.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">For instance, let's say you want to use some simple melodies as exercises to help you learn note positions. <a href="https://practicetracks.org/A-Members/Guitar/Level-1/index.php" target="_blank">There area number of these simple melodies right here</a>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">Take the melody of <i><a href="https://practicetracks.org/A-Members/Guitar/Level-1/Ode-to-Joy-C-at-B1.php" target="_blank">Ode to Joy</a></i> for example. You can play the exact same tune at different places on the neck. <u><i>This is absolutely the best way to learn note positions on the fretboard</i>.</u></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><u><br /></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">If you are a complete newbie when it comes to reading music, and if you are interested in learning, here are some <a href="http://thebandleague.com/blog/?p=311" target="_blank">blog posts that will help you learn music reading</a>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">So much for that! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">In the next few posts I will touch on the learning-the-fretboard strategy points I've outlined above, starting with: <b><i>Learning the Most Important Notes</i></b>.</span></span></div>
Guitar Professorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07266455336468316919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385007166588926939.post-27857455103544612572018-11-13T06:33:00.002-08:002018-11-13T06:33:44.527-08:00A Practical Approach to Learning the Guitar Fretboard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWM2nlZLOLUdFNWcalSvOu5Ygc52_juRT1j-zWEGEoK1PLqQ_ocTZKvm_yWG3gkFY1V5VqHCV8u4mNAiaPnCch8gU-ZeLJ8K0mE77O3oYZlF-iOmOP6rFc5OAW9E9PQNRBbYt_V5FpJ8g/s1600/girl-hugging-guitar-500l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWM2nlZLOLUdFNWcalSvOu5Ygc52_juRT1j-zWEGEoK1PLqQ_ocTZKvm_yWG3gkFY1V5VqHCV8u4mNAiaPnCch8gU-ZeLJ8K0mE77O3oYZlF-iOmOP6rFc5OAW9E9PQNRBbYt_V5FpJ8g/s320/girl-hugging-guitar-500l.jpg" width="234" /></a></div>
There are lots of guitar gurus who will tell you they have the secret formula for learning the notes on the guitar fretboard. Don't believe them. There is no simple formula. If you know the notes of the guitar fretboard you have probably spent years playing and studying the instrument.<br />
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However, having said that, there are effective strategies and not-so-effective strategies. And there is no guarantee that the strategy that works for one person will work for another.<br />
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Here are some things about learning the guitar fretboard we can say with some certainty:<br />
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<ol>
<li>The fretboard has a lot of notes. Learning them all at once is very difficult for most of us. <i>You need a strategy that simplifies the task.</i></li>
<li>Some notes will be used over and over again.<i> Learning the most important notes is an easy and effective place to start.</i></li>
<li>Because of the way the guitar is tuned there are simple-to-learn, repeatable patterns. <i>Learning these patterns will help a lot in understanding the fretboard.</i></li>
<li>You have to play all over the fretboard in order to really learn the notes and lock in their locations. <i>Use it or lose it!</i></li>
</ol>
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There you have an outline of an effective strategy.</div>
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<ol>
<li>Learn the most important notes. See some suggestions here...</li>
<li>Learn the most important patterns. See some descriptions here...</li>
<li>Find some exercises that target note locations up and down the neck...</li>
<li>Play songs and melodies, scales and arpeggios at different locations up and down the neck...</li>
</ol>
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Guitar Professorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07266455336468316919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385007166588926939.post-83773113099551338872018-09-09T16:12:00.000-07:002018-09-09T16:23:38.551-07:00Free Printable Work Sheets for Bass Players<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio3Ez_gD22hbMBGMTW6xxd8y0Oxvq3cpQYNzNTEoY2PNX4p2ZDvxdrIIUevs1PG-Xfpf6wRgQrLMpiW8aOPwo7ZXX4rmwOwRu10yMcy5LAh863VcWGpCMVTPb8Y9VeonQghBsALW3Re84/s1600/bass+guitar-cartoon.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1089" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio3Ez_gD22hbMBGMTW6xxd8y0Oxvq3cpQYNzNTEoY2PNX4p2ZDvxdrIIUevs1PG-Xfpf6wRgQrLMpiW8aOPwo7ZXX4rmwOwRu10yMcy5LAh863VcWGpCMVTPb8Y9VeonQghBsALW3Re84/s320/bass+guitar-cartoon.png" width="272" /></a></div>
If you're an aspiring Bass player, you probably know that <a href="http://practicetracks.org/A-Members/Bass/index.php">learning to play the bass guitar</a> - arpeggios and bass patterns at different places on the neck is really important.<br />
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Learning about options, different fretboard positions and different patterns can be helped by learning to read bass scores. They can be pretty simple, but the fact that they are written on the bass clef means you will have to pay them special attention.<br />
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For someone like me who learned to read many years ago that has provided a special challenge. I learned trumpet music written on the treble clef and became marginally adept at it.<br />
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So switching gears to the bass clef took a fair bit of getting used to.
Obviously it can be done. Traditional piano players learn to read both clefs from very early in their formal training. In time it just becomes second nature.<br />
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I've put together a series of printable worksheets (in .pdf format) to help you learn the relationship between notes on the bass clef and different positions on the bass fretboard.<br />
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You can find them here: <a href="http://practicetracks.org/A-Members/Bass/Level-1/Exercises/WorkSheets/index.php">Level 1 Bass Worksheets</a> and
Here: <a href="http://practicetracks.org/A-Members/Bass/Level-2/Exercises/WorkSheets/index.php">Level 2 Bass Worksheets</a>.Guitar Professorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07266455336468316919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385007166588926939.post-60972950693425403812018-08-20T21:20:00.000-07:002018-08-20T21:20:28.227-07:00Beatles practice track - Let It Be<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXz64zPC42wMFP7SG1Q9HxNuHGk3NFIBiWlf6gqCaMDsK9Bj4LAXhxB_bsTp1vJmbr8XMtm7wbU7VOLTK2lJYgm3rG4MROiz1CJ1p1a10mVfBRRuezumW950Aicq47IMLg4aaQluq7Wa4/s1600/beatles-1970.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXz64zPC42wMFP7SG1Q9HxNuHGk3NFIBiWlf6gqCaMDsK9Bj4LAXhxB_bsTp1vJmbr8XMtm7wbU7VOLTK2lJYgm3rG4MROiz1CJ1p1a10mVfBRRuezumW950Aicq47IMLg4aaQluq7Wa4/s320/beatles-1970.jpg" width="320" height="209" data-original-width="660" data-original-height="432" /></a></div>The song "Let It Be" appeared on the Beatles' album by the same name, Let It Be, and was the twelfth and final studio album by the band. It was released on 8 May 1970, almost a month after the group's break-up.
After an unsuccessful attempt to finalize the album in early 1970, a new version of the album was produced by Phil Spector in March–April 1970. Guest musician and keyboard player, Billy Preston, appears on some of the cuts, in particular "<a href="https://practicetracks.org/A-Members/PrivateCollection/Get-Back-C.php">Get Back</a>" where he became the only non-Beatle to be credited on a recording.
This <a href="https://practicetracks.org/A-Members/PrivateCollection/Let-it-Be-D.php">Let It Be practice track</a> is ideal for Beatle fans.Guitar Professorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07266455336468316919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385007166588926939.post-41156276269144388202018-08-16T14:49:00.000-07:002018-08-16T14:49:32.160-07:00Exercises and Songs for New Bass Guitar Players<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNlDpZqyFZHwo7OtfFBZV-arE3H2kKnjtzMpBhjpBonHlHn6Hbab7lM6WvpiY_VqKXEn7EEfwMrKsvM6JgqHBAYyEWJtIJkwFq51FiYWsNsKhDH2tty7TowEKEIRoEZQ0h27VJG3vP2Rs/s1600/bass-player-500x205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNlDpZqyFZHwo7OtfFBZV-arE3H2kKnjtzMpBhjpBonHlHn6Hbab7lM6WvpiY_VqKXEn7EEfwMrKsvM6JgqHBAYyEWJtIJkwFq51FiYWsNsKhDH2tty7TowEKEIRoEZQ0h27VJG3vP2Rs/s320/bass-player-500x205.jpg" width="320" height="131" data-original-width="500" data-original-height="205" /></a></div>There is an growing number of exercises and easy songs especially for new bass players here:
<a href="https://practicetracks.org/A-Members/Bass/Level-1/Exercises/index.php">Bass Practice Tracks for new Bass Players</a>
We've tried to give you commonly used patterns, and in many cases have indicated alternative positions on the fretboard to help you learn different positions.
These exercises and songs use traditional notation, so if you are not familiar with reading music, or if you don't know the bass clef yet, these are ideal for you.
Even if you don't feel you need to know how to read music, or if you just want to wing it, these will be helpful. There are certainly many times when knowing some music theory will help you out.Guitar Professorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07266455336468316919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385007166588926939.post-7143740837508514372018-08-12T19:47:00.000-07:002018-08-12T19:59:39.631-07:00I Heard it Through The Grapevine practice track<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.5em;">
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<a href="https://practicetracks.org/A-Members/PrivateCollection/Grapevine-Eb.php" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="712" data-original-width="712" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2fwviVKkIlL6HjprAR9C4h3cZNHoXeLrtk_FQrdPJ4fAcR6HKQPrcE-N3VxEwX4N620tbBk4Xyih18hqUuCkesY3O_gIRSnBl6G31wf_0DZpyHQPbWPbV0zEdeMU-b008LvNj3KFQqnI/s320/grapevine-gaye.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
"<b>I Heard It Through the Grapevine</b>" was written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong for Motown Records in 1966. The first recording of the song was by Gladys Knight & the Pips released in September 1967; it went to number two in the <i>Billboard</i> chart.</div>
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It was recorded by The Miracles and was included in their 1968 album, <i>Special Occasion</i>. The Marvin Gaye version was also released in October 1968.</div>
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For a number of weeks it was at the top of the <i>Billboard</i> Pop Singles and was the biggest hit single on the Motown label for quite a while.</div>
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The Gaye recording has since become an acclaimed soul classic, and in 2004, it was placed 81 on the <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolling_Stone" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Rolling Stone">Rolling Stone</a></i> list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. On the commemorative fortieth anniversary of the <i>Billboard</i> Hot 100 issue of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billboard_(magazine)" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Billboard (magazine)"><i>Billboard</i> magazine</a> in June 2008, Marvin Gaye's "Grapevine" was ranked sixty-fifth. It was also inducted to the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grammy_Hall_of_Fame" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Grammy Hall of Fame">Grammy Hall of Fame</a> for "historical, artistic and significant" value.</div>
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<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creedence_Clearwater_Revival" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Creedence Clearwater Revival">Creedence Clearwater Revival</a> released an eleven-minute interpretation on their 1970 album, <i>Cosmo's Factory</i>.</div>
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This <a href="https://practicetracks.org/A-Members/PrivateCollection/Grapevine-Eb.php" target="_blank">practice track of "I Heard it Through the Grapevine"</a> features an alto saxophone lead and a trumpet part.<br />
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<iframe width="100%" height="700" src="https://practicetracks.org/musicxml/play.php?id=697&nomenu" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
Guitar Professorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07266455336468316919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385007166588926939.post-36226388140714593342018-08-05T13:26:00.001-07:002018-08-05T13:32:57.032-07:00Practice Track - When I Was Your Man<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvgCSZA3rnpN3135_uKdOJ2Du2NWIpN4CeegnxGz0Wy6bhBf6AuWLDX9lFquBOsIMvsQvy2vQ4tboQbaCp1LSXqAkyuX4bKb-kGvOy_6sjxeLQD8RBmvx_ZeZFu5PGLXdsRMaL5KW100E/s320/When-I-Was-Your-Man.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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<b><a href="https://practicetracks.org/A-Members/PrivateCollection/When-I-Was-Your-Man-C.php" target="_blank">"When I Was Your Man"</a></b> was recorded by Bruno Mars in 2012. It was written by Bruno Mars, Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine and Andrew Wyatt. This practice track has a lead line, piano part, part for bass, and simple drum part.<br />
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According to Wikipedia: "<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">"When I Was Your Man" topped the </span><a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Hot_100_number-one_singles_of_2013_(U.S.)" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="List of Hot 100 number-one singles of 2013 (U.S.)">US <i>Billboard</i> Hot 100</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> singles chart, and reached the top ten on the singles chart of Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Ireland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, and the United Kingdom. It was certified six times platinum in the US, Australia and in Canada. "When I Was Your Man" was the worlds eighth best selling digital single of 2013, with sales of 8.3 million copies; joining an elite group of the </span><a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_singles_worldwide" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="List of best-selling singles worldwide">best-selling singles worldwide</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">."</span><br />
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<a href="https://practicetracks.org/A-Members/PrivateCollection/When-I-Was-Your-Man-C.php" target="_blank">When I Was Your Man practice track</a>Guitar Professorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07266455336468316919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385007166588926939.post-62797955978784663432018-07-24T04:43:00.003-07:002018-07-24T04:45:59.804-07:00Guitar Crash Course - Lesson 1 - Getting Set Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9SonKFcwfCNETnVLtR1Itl7VjKIzZENRtLB1dOvCNfHDtij-Eei6gKHt1TnpwvvZoesD1gQuYiCbP0U952pKIzGk7BMHA18XRcXQ9guWGuZazX6O5GKxoKIrKBrOabrZVxE3nbjnRWRk/s1600/guitar-fingering.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9SonKFcwfCNETnVLtR1Itl7VjKIzZENRtLB1dOvCNfHDtij-Eei6gKHt1TnpwvvZoesD1gQuYiCbP0U952pKIzGk7BMHA18XRcXQ9guWGuZazX6O5GKxoKIrKBrOabrZVxE3nbjnRWRk/s320/guitar-fingering.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This lesson covers a brief introduction to the guitar:<br />
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1. Parts of the Guitar<br />
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2. How to hold the guitar.<br />
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3. How your hands work.<br />
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4. Practice striking notes.<br />
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<a href="http://practicetracks.org/A-Members/Guitar/CrashCourse" target="_blank">Crash Course for new guitar players.</a>Guitar Professorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07266455336468316919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385007166588926939.post-13218298877226752372018-07-22T21:36:00.000-07:002018-07-22T21:43:48.626-07:00Guitar crash course outline<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivl5ychqedbmTmFdLylvCbukJhv7KyVhCVMsEbIYli11ktFT1hR55EVhlQJwuKQAhaVvvbWUfWOgq3WPZ_lA6Trxb15YYZorayOanJL0xJRZzLleEKcahJISFVnptjMbC6_xFgIhfLk0g/s1600/girl-guitar-with-hat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivl5ychqedbmTmFdLylvCbukJhv7KyVhCVMsEbIYli11ktFT1hR55EVhlQJwuKQAhaVvvbWUfWOgq3WPZ_lA6Trxb15YYZorayOanJL0xJRZzLleEKcahJISFVnptjMbC6_xFgIhfLk0g/s400/girl-guitar-with-hat.jpg" width="266" /></a><br />
<h3>
What would a crash course in guitar include? </h3>
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First, it would describe how a guitar is typically constructed: the parts of the guitar.<br />
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Second, it would explain what the frets do: how they are related to other instruments, like the piano. Some really basic music theory.<br />
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Third, it would explain the proper technique for fingering the strings.<br />
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Fourth, it would explain the proper way to strike the strings with your fingers or with a pick.<br />
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Fifth, it would outline how the guitar is tuned, and why, and have you learn the string names.<br />
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Sixth, it would explain where to find some important reference points on the fretboard: the most important notes, other than the open string notes. Such as G, C, and D.<br />
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Seventh, it would explain how to play some basic major scales, most likely starting with G, C and D.<br />
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Eighth, it would have you work on a few simple tunes such as Ode to Joy, Three Blind Mice, Twinkle Twinkle.<br />
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Ninth, it would introduce you to some basic chords, first in two and three string versions, then in 4 string versions.<br />
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Tenth, it would introduce some songs that can be played with one and two chords.Guitar Professorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07266455336468316919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385007166588926939.post-25403999785744079732018-07-22T07:34:00.001-07:002018-07-22T07:35:18.186-07:00Believer practice track<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWEwE4vI4svSsoJiCS_qt9JKeNOQ6w67MJc1XtKKiRRbB3SOZIdY-r6eq5gyjYhWoUlsXAoqMRaabUyVgk4QUDdLkXxSNyhRY75KT3_7aewtafhZiK_UomZPUFZKKwEV22JfE1aRMM_sM/s1600/believer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWEwE4vI4svSsoJiCS_qt9JKeNOQ6w67MJc1XtKKiRRbB3SOZIdY-r6eq5gyjYhWoUlsXAoqMRaabUyVgk4QUDdLkXxSNyhRY75KT3_7aewtafhZiK_UomZPUFZKKwEV22JfE1aRMM_sM/s320/believer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Here's a practice track for the smash 2017 hit "Believer" by Imagine Dragons.
<a href="http://practicetracks.org/A-Members/PrivateCollection/Believer-C.php">Believer practice track</a>Guitar Professorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07266455336468316919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385007166588926939.post-10570394871194026232018-07-22T07:31:00.000-07:002018-07-22T07:31:03.250-07:00Fender vs GibsonHere's an older article (2015) addressing this perennial question:
<a href="https://www.reidys.com/blog/fender-vs-gibson-the-difference-between-them-911/">Fender vs. Gibson</a>Guitar Professorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07266455336468316919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385007166588926939.post-61070854271047777262018-07-19T05:52:00.003-07:002018-07-19T05:57:38.795-07:00Have You Ever Seen The Rain practice track<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvR4q_4KREv_BKiCsQKanMAsTxKSGRpaLKXTSxAiPgzcysKvWfm5-i-VE1MUm4ZK_XLXY3XlquzFpIQ5efXdGs_cnmY19uH44Dh5TuEXLqctIhyonyCj1Up2gpvkywfVjFhSutJNwfS-8/s1600/CCR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="444" data-original-width="788" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvR4q_4KREv_BKiCsQKanMAsTxKSGRpaLKXTSxAiPgzcysKvWfm5-i-VE1MUm4ZK_XLXY3XlquzFpIQ5efXdGs_cnmY19uH44Dh5TuEXLqctIhyonyCj1Up2gpvkywfVjFhSutJNwfS-8/s400/CCR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"Have You Ever Seen the Rain?" was written by John Fogerty and released as a single in 1971 from the album Pendulum (1970) by Creedence Clearwater Revival.<br />
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Fogerty was reflecting on the band's conflicts that had arisen from their rapid rise to stardom. In an interview he stated that the song was written about the fact that they were on the top of the charts, and had surpassed all of their wildest expectations of fame and fortune. They were rich and famous, but somehow all of the members of the band at the time were depressed and unhappy. Thus the line "Have you ever seen the rain, coming down on a sunny day."<br />
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CCR had a brilliant and extremely short lifespan with most of their memorable work being done between 1969 and 1970. But many of their songs are classics that live on because they are beautifully simple.<br />
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<iframe width="100%" height="600" src="https://musescore.com/user/8821791/scores/4984808/s/456b2d/embed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
See more variations of <a href="http://practicetracks.org/A-Members/PrivateCollection/Have-You-Ever-Seen-The-Rain-C.php">Have You Ever Seen The Rain practice track</a>.Guitar Professorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07266455336468316919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385007166588926939.post-85449500691688949342018-07-18T07:19:00.003-07:002018-07-18T07:21:11.146-07:00Home on the Range Practice Track<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsMlX-p2FoviDhWeHfCTjyLhUSqpLssffkpFTRPO95BKRij71d7EX4uaHr-kFnmwqxyiKTiz2qdciN9rdFpWPpBYKMydJks6Q9VgejcxOzOn7BbMx1eG6gRCCLlM8q9uWX8KBYpIUeWFk/s1600/cattle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="640" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsMlX-p2FoviDhWeHfCTjyLhUSqpLssffkpFTRPO95BKRij71d7EX4uaHr-kFnmwqxyiKTiz2qdciN9rdFpWPpBYKMydJks6Q9VgejcxOzOn7BbMx1eG6gRCCLlM8q9uWX8KBYpIUeWFk/s400/cattle.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"Home on the Range" is regarded by many as the unofficial anthem of the American west and has actually been adopted as the state song of Kansas.<br />
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The song is based on a poem written by Dr. Brewster Higley in 1871. He had moved to Kansas under he Homestead Act, and was so inspired by his new surroundings that he wrote the poem in praise of the setting.<br />
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It was put to music a bit later by Daniel E. Kelley, and published to sheet music in 1925. The most famous version was recorded by Bing Crosby in 1933, and the song eventually became a kind of western hymn.<br />
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An animated Disney film by the same name was released in 2004.<br />
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This <a href="http://practicetracks.org/A-Members/PrivateCollection/Home-on-the-Range-A.php">practice arrangement of "Home on the Range"</a> is available in several keys, and is a great practice track for new guitar players.
<iframe width="100%" height="650" src="https://guitarband.ca/musicxml/play.php?id=402&nomenu" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Guitar Professorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07266455336468316919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385007166588926939.post-36847606334307309052018-07-16T21:40:00.002-07:002018-07-16T21:40:42.372-07:00Greensleeves Practice Track<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUuiMdmKss9OF3t98-ZRoKUllz0nkNAnNlqorgUEUsqroumW-c3e3g-Tk5ltomC_-dz_dIFwr7OkoKagh-5r0Vg8OVj3JrN9Mem4Zd1JbwFFPL8mTKedHka4l_243zawJ-D-vsKivw74k/s1600/Greensleeves-rossetti-mod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="257" data-original-width="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUuiMdmKss9OF3t98-ZRoKUllz0nkNAnNlqorgUEUsqroumW-c3e3g-Tk5ltomC_-dz_dIFwr7OkoKagh-5r0Vg8OVj3JrN9Mem4Zd1JbwFFPL8mTKedHka4l_243zawJ-D-vsKivw74k/s1600/Greensleeves-rossetti-mod.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">"Greensleeves" is an ancient English ballad that first appeared in published form in around the 1580s.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Many have claimedf that Greensleeves was composed by </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_VIII_of_England" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Henry VIII of England">Henry VIII</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> for his lover and future </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_consort" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Queen consort">queen consort</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Boleyn" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Anne Boleyn">Anne Boleyn</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> Boleyn allegedly rejected King Henry's attempts to seduce her, and this rejection may be referred to in the song when the writer's love "cast me off discourteously". However, the Italian style of composition used in the song did not reach England until after Henry's death, making it more likely to be </span><a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabethan" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Elizabethan">Elizabethan</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> in origin.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Many Christians know the tune as "What Child is This?", a popular Christmas hymn.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">The <a href="http://practicetracks.org/A-Members/PrivateCollection/Greensleeves-C.php" target="_blank">Greensleeves practice track</a> has a melody line in various keys, with piano and bass guitar accompaniment.</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="700" src="https://guitarband.ca/musicxml/play.php?id=550&nomenu" width="100%"></iframe>Guitar Professorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07266455336468316919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385007166588926939.post-30722823956000479172018-07-15T06:53:00.002-07:002018-07-15T06:53:35.713-07:00Overcoming that feeling of "Burnout"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuiwe9eEA6hw6nyNrjuC8J5pDVEiDeVL-fDmDWzOY167CPLEjQD2wa9TLFl4f4kTxgMH3bYG6hj6tnHzeD0L88dqbq6egolgj7GUEeAaSiEHMMtYbX5Ck54OZb46U5tcZaKYEW4JCBsF0/s1600/ache-burnout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="853" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuiwe9eEA6hw6nyNrjuC8J5pDVEiDeVL-fDmDWzOY167CPLEjQD2wa9TLFl4f4kTxgMH3bYG6hj6tnHzeD0L88dqbq6egolgj7GUEeAaSiEHMMtYbX5Ck54OZb46U5tcZaKYEW4JCBsF0/s320/ache-burnout.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
Here are some good suggestions for dealing with creative burnout. When things just aren't going the way you'd like, and you think you maybe should quit beating your head against the wall, there are some practical things you can do to step back and get a better perspective on things...<br />
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<a href="https://blog.unifiedmanufacturing.com/10-experience-creative-burnout-music-career/">8 Things to Do When You Experience Creative Burnout...</a>Guitar Professorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07266455336468316919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385007166588926939.post-37508351420289563592018-07-13T23:37:00.001-07:002018-07-13T23:38:28.779-07:003 String Chords on the Guitar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrF7r0gcEzZGE0AFryfVT5Ka331C2bABmlPjshSGbjuBA7vQBOftWpAdDDmYQgupD692ij382e5W9opfPbkPNlKXGP7Yobtrx73tpwrjZNzqvvXTU0qaFeOtQWHb9wxmzKq5WnHdE7w48/s1600/C-Chord-3-strings.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="152" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrF7r0gcEzZGE0AFryfVT5Ka331C2bABmlPjshSGbjuBA7vQBOftWpAdDDmYQgupD692ij382e5W9opfPbkPNlKXGP7Yobtrx73tpwrjZNzqvvXTU0qaFeOtQWHb9wxmzKq5WnHdE7w48/s1600/C-Chord-3-strings.png" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif , "apple color emoji" , "segoe ui emoji" , "segoe ui symbol"; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif , "apple color emoji" , "segoe ui emoji" , "segoe ui symbol"; font-size: 14px;">These <a href="http://practicetracks.org/A-Members/Guitar/Level-1/C-G-Chords-L1-3-strings.php" target="_blank">Level 1 Chord Exercises</a> help you work on 3 note chords. First, because you’re a beginner and they are easier. And second because they may help you see chords in a different light.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif , "apple color emoji" , "segoe ui emoji" , "segoe ui symbol"; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif , "apple color emoji" , "segoe ui emoji" , "segoe ui symbol"; font-size: 14px;">When playing a chord you do not have to use all six strings. Three is enough. And, in the case of "power chords" 2 is all it takes.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif , "apple color emoji" , "segoe ui emoji" , "segoe ui symbol"; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif , "apple color emoji" , "segoe ui emoji" , "segoe ui symbol"; font-size: 14px;">Technically speaking a major chord is a triad consisting of the 1, 3 and 5 tones of the major scale. For example, C major consists of C-E-G, or some "inversion" of those notes.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif , "apple color emoji" , "segoe ui emoji" , "segoe ui symbol"; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif , "apple color emoji" , "segoe ui emoji" , "segoe ui symbol"; font-size: 14px;">Power chords normally consist of the 1 and 5 tones played on two lower strings.</span><br />
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<iframe width="100%" height="400" src="https://guitarband.ca/musicxml/play.php?id=533&nomenu" frameborder="0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Guitar Professorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07266455336468316919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385007166588926939.post-58608266062282197502018-07-09T23:29:00.004-07:002018-07-09T23:29:53.832-07:00A Mandolin is not a Guitar<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfnHpTCvttpCVRwLaHfmgU14U9wwWWq-764q-IspioPYWiABh3ZDryHW95IPYM5YmaIujU6qCW05G1SsKHhU4ik6fMnZ7g6nVRDUqjjvEZA_LDMEV_XWSiizjozE28LBRRQ3OM3pNWnBg/s1600/mandolin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="1400" height="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfnHpTCvttpCVRwLaHfmgU14U9wwWWq-764q-IspioPYWiABh3ZDryHW95IPYM5YmaIujU6qCW05G1SsKHhU4ik6fMnZ7g6nVRDUqjjvEZA_LDMEV_XWSiizjozE28LBRRQ3OM3pNWnBg/s320/mandolin.jpg" width="320" /></a>When I was a kid my dad had an old mandolin that would get played every now and then. It eventually got broken, but an attachment to the instrument has stuck with me all these years.<br />
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Obviously a mandolin is not a guitar. It has a unique sound of its own because, like a 12 string guitar, each course has two identical (and identically tuned) strings. It is tuned like a fiddle, and these days is used mostly (it seems) by bluegrass bands.<br />
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Here's a good article about <a href="https://artistworks.com/blog/mandolin-tuning-mike-marshall" target="_blank">the difficulty of tuning a mandolin.</a>Guitar Professorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07266455336468316919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385007166588926939.post-78307336024215721892018-07-08T07:59:00.005-07:002018-07-13T23:26:22.207-07:00Trumpets and Cornets - What's the Difference?<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: opensans_r; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 30px; word-wrap: break-word;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIariJgsunP68xKEK6yZ1_nn9LSZdoDSjUJ6UtfJHcsXllw_B8mVW-TdvXLnpylZCZ8AGyEEhf86HAFk2q_o1wZhcr6FbtOnl6Xa_vOsUN8pP89i9gAVG5vRCEAaP2oqgNh1hS73dYQG8/s1600/trumpet-cornet.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="263" data-original-width="300" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIariJgsunP68xKEK6yZ1_nn9LSZdoDSjUJ6UtfJHcsXllw_B8mVW-TdvXLnpylZCZ8AGyEEhf86HAFk2q_o1wZhcr6FbtOnl6Xa_vOsUN8pP89i9gAVG5vRCEAaP2oqgNh1hS73dYQG8/s320/trumpet-cornet.png" width="320" /></a></div>
The <b>Trumpet</b> and <b>Cornet</b> are similar. They are both members of the "brass" family of instruments. This means they are played the same way - through a very similar mouthpiece. You get a sound by "buzzing" your lips in the mouthpiece.</div>
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Both trumpet and cornet have three valves. They both consist of approximately 4.5 ft. of wound tubing. And they are both tuned the same way. Standard models are pitched at Bb relative to concert pitch.</div>
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The cornet appears to be shorter than the trumpet, but that is because the tubing is wound in a tighter pattern. </div>
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More importantly, the "bore" of the trumpet (i.e., the diameter of the tubing) is different. On a trumpet the tubing is the same diameter from the mouthpiece to the point at which the bell starts to flare out. </div>
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On a cornet the "bore" starts out a bit smaller at the mouthpiece and gradually increases throughout the full length of the tubing, until it flares out at the bell. This gives the cornet a warmer, softer sound more akin to the human voice.</div>
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The trumpet, on the other hand has a more brilliant, brighter, and some would say, more piercing sound.</div>
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<b>Popularity and Usage</b></div>
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Cornets have traditionally been more widely used in British military inspired Brass Bands where they are paired up with other brass instruments. </div>
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Trumpets are more typically used in orchestras, jazz bands, and ensembles where they provide the upper range "punch", and serve as solo instruments. </div>
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Trumpets became more popular in the early to mid 1900s with the popularity of professional players such as Louis Armstrong, Harry James, Miles Davis, Al Hirt, Bert Kaempfert, Herb Alpert, among many others.</div>
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<b>Which one should I play?</b></div>
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Children often start on cornets because they are a bit smaller and lighter, but this is quickly changing as lighter plastic-based trumpets are becoming more available and more reliable.</div>
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If you play in a jazz ensemble or high school band, you'll probably choose a trumpet (or it will be chosen for you.) If you like jazz or dixieland music, or have a flair for soloing, you'll also probably gravitate fairly quickly to the trumpet.</div>
Guitar Professorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07266455336468316919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385007166588926939.post-90439391142161884662018-07-07T07:22:00.001-07:002018-07-07T07:25:28.864-07:00Guitar Instruction has to connect<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-FWcoWEcYZAMQ8dqYutPg28CFmTC5lC-yh0js1aU3Cet7h8dc4qYvwrWtxPbJj7ucRWXAncvzDw63uknCe9PlWFvDh2Klvl95309_oVPVPpvVG_0WPYvHV2xmFwx9vGNvLeJHo5vi3H0/s1600/guitar-teacher-black.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-FWcoWEcYZAMQ8dqYutPg28CFmTC5lC-yh0js1aU3Cet7h8dc4qYvwrWtxPbJj7ucRWXAncvzDw63uknCe9PlWFvDh2Klvl95309_oVPVPpvVG_0WPYvHV2xmFwx9vGNvLeJHo5vi3H0/s400/guitar-teacher-black.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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There are hundreds of free guitar lessons and demonstrations on Youtube. Many of them link to websites where you can find more free lessons, and, more frequently, packages of instructional videos you have to pay to access or download.</div>
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How effective are <a href="http://practicetracks.org/A-Members/Guitar" target="_blank">free guitar lessons</a> like this? Can they be as good as traditional lessons involving a face-to-face teacher?</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Not all lessons are of the same quality or effectiveness</strong></div>
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It hardly needs saying, but some online lessons are good and some are bad. Some teachers have a great way of communicating with their viewers and some don’t. Some hit just the right subject matter, and some talk about stuff you’re completely uninterested in, or not ready to tackle.</div>
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So the first thing you should look for – whether you’re at the beginner, intermediate or advanced student level – is an interesting and engaging presentation. The teacher should speak clearly, get straight to the point, and not waste your time demonstrating what a great guitarist he or she is.</div>
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Secondly, and even more important, the subject matter should be appropriate to your own level of development. If you’re a raw beginner there’s no point in watching an advanced presentation of blues soloing, or even an intermediate level demonstration of barre chording. You’ll just get frustrated trying to do things you can’t possibly master yet.</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">There are different levels of instruction</strong></div>
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A lot of guitar instructors are accomplished guitarists, and they want you to know it. They will often begin each video with a dazzling display of their soloing capabilities. This is supposed to inspire confidence that they know what they are talking about. But in my experience, students – especially beginning students – don’t care how well the teacher can play. They just want assurance the teacher knows what they are talking about.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQgvxD2JvUAzEXggstzD00oFUAwHdxhdQoNgi89GkmKjJEuHBnuyMLe8cVEC6jOI-9pDIQ5f9j404RunNhVXLpqvxiqqQVjrr3oMDtd6TIqQ8AK182TLtMOgaTiUmw5K-Z6XXQAE9y-xU/s1600/Penick.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="552" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQgvxD2JvUAzEXggstzD00oFUAwHdxhdQoNgi89GkmKjJEuHBnuyMLe8cVEC6jOI-9pDIQ5f9j404RunNhVXLpqvxiqqQVjrr3oMDtd6TIqQ8AK182TLtMOgaTiUmw5K-Z6XXQAE9y-xU/s320/Penick.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">One of the greatest golf instructors of all time, Harvey Penick, spent part of the last few years of his life in a wheelchair. I don’t think his students minded one bit. In fact it might have made them more attentive, and more impressed by his devotion to teaching than they otherwise might have been.</span></div>
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Back a few years ago when I sang in the university choir – the next best thing to a professional choir – I can’t ever remember our choirmaster actually singing. In fact I think most of us would have been shocked if he would have broken into song. Occasionally he’d give us the pitch with his voice, but to call that ”singing” would be a stretch.</div>
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<i>The point here is that teachers can inspire confidence in their students in surprising ways. Students get value from instruction that is geared to them personally, and that is suited to their particular level of accomplishment.</i></div>
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Is it possible to do this in a series of online videos? Yes, of course it is. But just remember that there is no such thing as a lesson suitable for everyone.</div>
Guitar Professorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07266455336468316919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385007166588926939.post-36968421293377212772018-07-04T06:32:00.000-07:002018-07-04T06:35:22.113-07:00Is Achy Breaky Heart one of the worst songs of all time?<div style="float: left; font-size: 11px; padding-right: 10px; width: 250px;">
<a href="http://practicetracks.org/A-Members/Guitar/Level-1/Achy-Breaky-C-2-Chords.php" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="null" src="http://practicetracks.org/images/billy-ray-cyrus.jpg" width="250px" /></a></div>
"Achy Breaky Heart" was recorded by Miley Cyrus' dad - Billy Ray Cyrus - in 1991. It was a smash hit for Cyrus and made him famous. This song and line dancing are pretty much synonymous.<br />
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According to Wikipedia, "The song is considered by some as one of the worst songs of all time, featuring at number two in VH1 and Blender's list of the "50 Most Awesomely Bad Songs Ever." [It's hard to say if this is a bad thing or a good thing.]
"However it is recognized as a transitional period in country music where Cyrus brought renewed interest in a dying breed of music amongst younger listeners."<br />
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The arrangement on PracticeTracks.org captures the best aspects of the song and is very cool for new guitar players to strum along with.<br />
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Check it out... <a href="http://practicetracks.org/A-Members/Guitar/Level-1/Achy-Breaky-C-2-Chords.php">Achy Breaky Heart</a> Guitar Professorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07266455336468316919noreply@blogger.com0