[jorgemac]

If you call out each note’s name as you pick them you will learn the fret board much faster. If you call out a fret location to me I can give you the note’s name. Not bragging just stating that I always called out the note’s name so I know where all of the notes are located on the fret board.

How many G notes are there on frets, open string to 5th fret of the fret board – 4. How many e notes- 4. How Many D notes – 3. Learn that and you can figure out any chord shape any where they are located.

How many c chords within the same area- 5 different shapes. How many C chords on the treble strings E, B, G in the same area- 2

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• This reply was modified 8 months, 2 weeks ago by  jorgemac.

[jorgemac]

Many years ago when buying a 1st guitar for my granddaughter as a surprise gift as she was fascinated watching me play. I played many different entry level guitars for hours. I kept coming back to the cheapest one as it seemed to speak to me. I kept thinking that I can’t buy the cheapest one. I have to keep looking for a “better” guitar. I ended up buying the inexpensive one for her. If the guitar “speaks to you” that is the one you want. She still plays the same guitar all of the time.

[jorgemac]

The magic word is metronome. I have a super deluxe Boss DB-90 because I think this tool has helped me more than any other tool. I used to hate using it because I knew ,just knew, that I was too good to need help with a metronome. Had to put my ego in jar and bury it in the dark, while blind folded, s I couldn’t find it easily.

I turned that puppy on and set it to 70 BPM and found out that I was not as hot as I thought I was.. Take heed and listen to Moose, start at a much slower speed and only increase the tempo when you can actually increase the tempo mistake free at the old tempo.

Actually, I still hate it cause it keeps me honest, which is not as much fun as thinking about how cool you and your guitar are. Very humbling tool.

[jorgemac]

Hey Pete, That is how I learned. single string bass blues notes run. That is the reason that i had a learning moment with last weeks lessons. I was not used to sliding the palm down the the strings so that my palm arrived on the treble E string for an partially muted upstroke.. and rest and then the Fretted B and G strings. worked on it over the week end and again, before TAC practice this morning and it is much smoother now. So I feel comfortable palm muting all 6 strings one note at a time or in chord shapes.

My muting background began when learning( still learning) finger picking on acoustic blues tunes and partially muting the bass notes and runs. But that was usually only one the bass E, A, and D strings. Never needed to partially mute the treble E string before. For My palm mute on that bottom treble string i learned that by lightly resting my palm near the wrist/arm break area above the saddle/bridge area of the treble g string I was able to mute the E, B, and G strings with a partial mute. Of, course every one has different sized hands so this might not work for everyone.

[jorgemac]

Be sure to click on all of the different options located on the left hand side of the opening page. There is a skills section and 5 day start section and a Quick start guide that will answer most of your questions. For me the Skills section is my weekend guitar lessons that i go through over and over again.

[jorgemac]

I’m not on a mac and use Goggle Chrome without any of these problems. Listen to Pete as he can guide you through most entry problems.

[jorgemac]

The other thing, I was trying to learn how to finger pick(still trying…).

So I used the thumb as my picking finger, no pick back then. That creates a different tone than pick muting does. Try to learn both ways of palm muting.

[jorgemac]

From all of your posts that i have read i know you have a good heart and a strong mind.

I don’t envy your situation in any way but you have the strength and the support of this community behind you. I know you will win this battle and be making many barre chords in the future.

[jorgemac]

Thanks Moose, wasn’t aware of this.

[jorgemac]

Correctio, I should reread my posts before posting them. The D to G chord changes – the anchor fingin the ring finger, note the index finger, sorry for the error.

[jorgemac]

Great advise as forever i neglected the thumb placement on chord changes. I have corrected that but it would have saves a lot of time and effort if i had learned to reposition the the thumb when needed. This is also helpful for learning to use barre chords and palm muting techniques.

Many chord changes become easier if you develop a “guide” or “anchor finger that stays on the same string and fret when changing chords.

When I play the D chord to the 4 finger G Chord my my ring finger is my anchor finger. It doesn’t move. the same with Em to G. The index finger does not move from the B string 2nd fret during the transfer from Em to G.

Or C to F. the index finger is on B/1 for the C chord and merely Swings down to cover the open treble E string to form the 4 string F barre chord or stay on B/1 for the 3 string F chord.. There are a lot of other examples if you search them out. D to Bm or GM to the 3rd fret 4 string G. 5th fret Em to G or G to Em.

There aren’t any short cuts but if you practice these hints others and myself have offered it will keep you busy and off of the mean streets… it will help you.

[jorgemac]

Early on I would print out the tab and above the chords I would write up or down arrows for pick striking directions.

[jorgemac]

The card system is a great idea, thanks.

[jorgemac]

I am more advanced than a lot of the pickers on this site so I took and completed the 30 day course on a Sunday afternoon. then started the normal 5 day program on Monday. I have taken many of the skills courses on the week ends and continue to brush up with these quite often. Being retired does offer a lot of time to fill and my guitar skills have improved every week by devoting time and energy to guitar practice.

i also print out every daily lesson and do go back to favorites to keep up with those learned or learning skills. Some of the TAC members just save the lessons on their computer. I like the printed versions better.

I just purchased another 2 inch binder as this one is overflowing after 10 month’s on TAC. I am fortunate to not have any hand or finger limitations to hinder my guitar growth But other famous guitarist like Djando Reinhardt figured out how to become a giant among early Jazz guitaist despite missing a finger or 2 so I know you will figure out how to pick despite your crooked appendages . Good luck

[jorgemac]

Remember to tune the strings down whole or half of a note to make it easier to press them into chord positions. Today I am playing on a treble to bass tuning of C#,G#,E, B, F#, and low bass string C# or a note and a half down from regular tuning. It just has a magical tone to my ears.

The ol Texas blues legend Lighting Hopkins voice changed as he aged into his 60’s and 70’s, so he Just tuned his guitar down to accommodate that aging cracking voice change. Smart man…