Why Closed Position Patterns are a Game Changer • Acoustic Tuesday 247

Learning closed position, moveable chords can unlock your understanding of the fretboard. More importantly? You will be able to play a song or lick in any key, anywhere on the fretboard.

In this lesson behind the lick, you’ll learn all about closed position moveable patterns. Closed position movable patterns involve NO open strings. That means that you can easily move the pattern to a different key without a capo or a changing your tuning.

Closed position patterns truly unlock the fretboard for you. When you play in closed position, you learn a pattern rather than specific frets or open string patterns.

This means that you can play in a variety of keys. When you start playing with others or you want to sing along, you’ll find you mind need to play in different keys. If you’ve learned a scale, chord pattern, or lick in closed position, this transition will be very easy.

I want you to try learning closed position. You may find that you’ll have even more flexibility on the fretboard.

Featured in this Episode

  • @Martin Guitar
  • @Ear Trumpet Labs

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  1. Thanks Tony. Another light bulb moment for me. I was previously stuck with thinking that a cord could only be played in 1 spot. Now open versus closed makes a whole lot of sense.

  2. Tony, Great lesson. Stone Cold Beginner. Those Barre Chord transitions into the licks I love. Got the first one. Second one needs work. Thanks

  3. I found it slightly amusing that you do not like elaborate ornamentation and graphics on your guitars but your arms are covered with it.

  4. Thanks Tony! You just enhanced my Guitar Journey. Maybe this just came at the right time in my journey. (2.5 Yrs) . I’m getting the connections. I also would like the riff you played, I feel that it’s coming too a challenge near me soon! I was thinking maybe you can put that lesson in the skills course for easy accuses. with loops for the different sections. Have a Grateful Day! Al.

    1. The positions and notes for the riff was way too fast! I need to see the tab for the moveable lick
      Ton Terzaghi

  5. Way over my head. I understand about closed position. And it makes sense that when you move your fingers, the shapes stay the same, the relationships of the notes stays. But when your fingers went to a “C chord” or a “A chord”, I don’t know where to take my fingers. Was it on the scale on the low E string? Too much theory for me right now.

  6. You mentioned the custom GA Taylor made for NAMM. I’m in love with the Custom Grand Orchestra (#15) Taylor also made for NAMM and featured in the 2022 Issue 2 of Wood & Steel.
    Back/Sides: Figured Big Leaf maple
    Top: Sitka spruce
    Appointments: Grained ivoroid binding with zipper-style top purfling, a zipper-style ivoroid/black rosette, grained ivoroid/mother-of-pearl Mission inlays, Gotoh 510 tuners, bone bridge pins.
    Absolutely gorgeous!

  7. Tony, I like the new TAC lesson format where it builds over the week. It isn’t just beginner stuff. I liked the lesson info in this Acoustic Tuesday session.
    As far as Martin’s 2.5 millionth guitar, I wonder what it sounds like? I agree it is a work of art to behold, but has anyone played it? I don’t think I’d take it on a gig, a bit too flashy for me.
    The Martin D-17 Squadron: Image might have been better on a cut away dread, but other US Air Corps and US Army Air Force also wore shark teeth and eyes. My Dad, a WWII vet, worked on those P-40s and eventually P-47s after stints with B-17s and B-26s. I am not a fan of this printed top guitar because it doesn’t have a voice that fits my voice. The Martin CS SC-2022 with all solid wood construction and VTS top has such a voice, albeit more expensive. If I’m going to sing with it, I would get one that sounds good to me and my voice. Your comments about Iris guitars are spot on, and they are affordable high end (great voice) guitars. Can’t wait to get one.
    A comment below spoke about lower cost guitars not being featured, but I’d disagree as I’ve picked up several of your suggestions over the years-now coveted by my family members. I do like to hear about the dream guitars, though. It makes me stretch my talents. And so does your TAC lessons and daily playing. Thanks

  8. Thank You Tony:
    I’m still at the shallow end of the guitar pool (journey). I was the one that thought a Key was 2.2 pounds when I started learning guitar. Even though your Riffs were over my head I know I got something out of your show. I still struggle to understand many of the things you talked about at least it’s not a Math class where I could never catch up. Still not drowning in the shallow end because I have faith that the thirty days to play will be my foundation and ultimately my step to the deep end.

    1. Dear John, hang in there. try a bit of it a day. Tony says 10 minutes a day. I end up playing more, but at least do one of his exercises or try a part of a lesson for 10 minutes a day. I started during shut down because I wanted to keep playing guitar and I didn’t want to think about what was to practice the next day.