[the-old-coach]

Cadgirl–

Thanks for checking up!

THOSE VERY CHORD DIAGRAMS that you sent- (from the start-page of each day’s lesson)- were the key to me figuring it out.

My original post (ugh) on this was more about playing those scales a little differently from what was shown, than anything else. Then I came across Tony saying, “I want you to play these scales EXACTLY as they are shown”. (Hint/spoiler– I found out “later”– why. If you’re not “there” yet, you’ll see why, when you get there😉– they all “tie- together”).

I wasn’t “there” yet at that point………

The most confusing part about this whole CAGED system was- (still IS to some degree)- remembering the right STRING to use for the root-note for each chord-shape- (A string for A & C shapes, lowE string for E & G shapes, and D string for D shape).

Also, remembering that the ROOT-note you’re lookin’ for– may– (or may NOT be)– your “barre’d” fret. The root-note IS at your barre’d fret on the A, D, and E shapes, but is NOT on the C and G shapes.

The “chord shapes” themselves are the same as if they were open chords,

On A, D, & E shapes I just find the right string, find the root-note on that string, barre the root note FIRST & then go from there towards the guitar putting the fingers “where they go”.

On the C & G shape, however, I find the string and root-note FIRST, and then go “backwards”- (toward the headstock) to place the BARRE in the right spot– according to the normal chord-shape.

I am still pretty slow at this- but that’s just muscle memory. Over time, that’ll come around.

To me, the key is having it squared-away IN YOUR MIND.

Hope I haven’t buried you in confusion, and am sorry if I’m sharing stuff you already know😀…….

Again– thanks for checking- (I could very likely be “out it the weeds” as Tony says)

theoldcoach

theoldcoach

[the-old-coach]

Tried to reply once, but got the dreaded pink screen…. (obviously, this time it went thru (😎). I’ll try again later.)

• This reply was modified 4 years ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

Moonhare-

Wow, that was great, indeed.

Not sure I’m even qualified to make a comment as far as guitar-work goes, but I sure enjoyed the performance of this song– and also the song itself….. Good stuff.

One thing that stood out for me was your patient, relaxed demeanor thru the song. This is a big thing for me, because when I try to play and sing, I tend to almost try to “hurry things” somehow, maybe showing some anxious-ness, even to the point of speeding-up the tempo if I’m not careful.

Loved your “patient smooth-ness”. This is a quality I want to learn, and your song here was a perfect example.

You have got “it” down!

Commenting from the back row—

theoldcoach

[the-old-coach]

Randy–

This is truly awful stuff you are going thru. I don’t have any advice for you- “life-wise” except we’re ALL hoping you get back in the groove of things and recover as much as possible- as soon as possible.

Guitar-wise the only words I can offer that guitar is still in your heart.

It sounds like it’s “a part of you”. Remember– you still have all of your guitar knowledge, experience, and desire to improve.

You still love playing!

I don’t even know you at all- but reading your post makes me think you are going to get thru this fine- you will learn to adapt and make it work.

You’ll deserve the pats-on-the-back you will give yourself— and those quiet smiles to yourself for a skill learned or a job well done— because you will have earned them.

We are ALL here for you.

theoldcoach

[the-old-coach]

Well……….

I have not much to say……..except…….. after relatively little time really studying scale patterns, I found out what I did wrong. UGH.😔

I REALLY appreciate all the work you’ve put into this Mike- and I’ll continue to study the jpg, but right now I’ve got a butt-load of egg to wash off my face.😳

Anyway to just throw out a big “never mind”?????

Goin’ back under my rock now.

theoldcoach

• This reply was modified 4 years ago by  the-old-coach.

[the-old-coach]

Thanks for all the work, Mike—– and thanks also K-man as well.

Let me digest this info for a day or so and see if I can figure out where I’ve gone wrong here. (That will also give me time to get all the way thru the “CAGED” week).

Using the info and hints you’ve shared, I think I might have noticed a possible wrong turn.

Let me have at it for a day or so. Good chance I’ll learn something as I study this further.

Above all—- thanks for smiling(?) when you’re thinking- “What is that meat-head talking about now?…….”.

theoldcoach

[the-old-coach]

Gerry-

Fantastic! I’m halfway that same week 2- (“figuring-out chords by ear”)- and, like you, I am LOVIN’ IT!!!

I also had been studying other sources, but agree Tony’s method cuts through others’ fluff BS, and gets it right to you– but in a calm, fun manner.

Just for sh*ts and giggles, I’m taking the FBW-one course right along with the FBW-two.

Someone else mentioned this somewhere, but I do wish there was some sort of lead-in count- (“one-and-two-and-three-and-four……)- when he’s playing those videos when you’re tryin’ to figure out those keys & chords. But—- It’s ALL good!

I am SOOOOO glad I got the FBW course…. WOW- have there been lightbulb moments!!!

Again– congrats…..

Mark- theoldcoach

[the-old-coach]

To all–

Again— THANK YOU for all your generous advice, help, hints, tips, and encouragement!

As I said earlier- I’m going slow on this. Thanks to you all- I think I’m starting get a handle on this part of it. More testing and repetition will help clarify things for sure.

We ALL see things better when others contribute.

Thanks again, all!

the old coach

• This reply was modified 4 years ago by  the-old-coach. Reason: had to cut out a goofy story once told to me

[the-old-coach]

Caddie, Gerry, Fred, and Jeff—

Thank you ALL for your replies- they have helped!

I’m taking my time with this particular issue- and your replies- sorting thru all the different suggestions and help- I want to get this RIGHT.😎

It’s not ***completely*** clear in my mind yet, though……

I have all the nuts-&-bolts-y stuff down- 1. the 5 patterns for finding chords on up the neck, 2. the identifying the (major- anyway)- Key by going up the low-E string- (I get it right **most** of the time on the first try)- and 3. the “recipes” for both the Major and Minor Keys, (and can chase those up the neck from any starting note). So far so good.

But, if I may, I still have questions about– determining the Key if it’s a MINOR-sounding song. Like my first post- I don’t even really know if I’m **asking** the right thing. I can go up & down the fretboard pretty easily with all the notes in the scale- (major and minor)—- ONCE I HAVE THE PLACE TO START.

I’m not clear on this whole “relative minor” thing- what it means, and how to use it. I know(?) the relative minor of C Major scale is A Minor scale. Does this mean that if I go up the Low-E string to find the key-note– Let’s say it turns out that it’s a “C”– (—BUT— the song sounds “sad” or “down” or “dark”)– does that mean that the key is/could be actually “A Minor”???? Is this what the whole “relative minor” is about??

Really sorry I’m having sooooo much trouble with this😜- and wonder if I’m the “only one” stuck on this point😳…..

I just want to know how to find/determine the- (minor)- key if the song is sad/ dark/ etc…

Major– no prob…… Minor– I’ve got some sort of mental block- or maybe I’m just not “there” yet.

Thanks again to all for your help…… I hope I’m asking things the “right way”……

theoldcoach

[the-old-coach]

Marty69-

No worries about guitar-stuff. It will be there when you get back!

To me anyway, guitar is small potatoes when held up next to health issues.

Speedy and complete recovery to you!

the old coach

[the-old-coach]

Thanks to all. Miss Victoria has —-once again —- saved the day!!! The problem. Not surprisingly. Can be traced back to ME. Thanks for all the advice!!! Gotta go. Gotta give my wife her phone back…..

TOC

[the-old-coach]

Thank you again for replying!

I just finished-up day before yesterday!!!- (tue). What a great feeling- even though I’m humbled by it enough to know there is soooooo MUCH more to do and learn.

Also– to me, anyway– just because I covered something, does not mean I have learned it.

Sometimes Tony says things like- “It’s not difficult because you already know it”, or, “You learned that in the last chapter, so now we can move onto this chapter”.

Again– for me, anyway– covering something- (or learning a little bit about something)- is a far cry from learning it. Guess that’s why he recommends going back thru it again and again.

I’m with ya’– I’m gonna turn right back around and go thru it again.

Also, I find I do “better” if I have a planned-out curriculum in front of me- and then go “play” after I’ve met some sort-of “daily requirement”- a la (new) FBW. Gives me direction. Otherwise, I “wander” too much. (But….. some wandering is damn fun, right?)

PS- I’ve been taking the original version of FBW at the same time- will likely finish it maybe tomorrow. They have similarities, but also some differences.

To anybody out there reading this— My overall “take” on the Fretboard Wizard course?— Nothing short of FANTASTIC. Soooo well thought out and put together. A no monkeyin’ around, no BS, “get-with-it” course. Full of information and learning.

CG- thanks again……… Always great to hear from you.

In the words of Chris Stapleton– “Starting Over”…….

theoldcoach

[the-old-coach]

Well, I guess it’s better to ask something “wrong”…… than to never ask it in the first place.

Way back when, when I was training young power-line apprentices, I used to say “I’d much rather have an “ape” who does something wrong than one who is afraid to do anything- for fear of doing it wrong”.

Thank you- (all) for your patience. I’ll get there.

theoldcoach

[the-old-coach]

Great stuff, right there……..

[the-old-coach]

Mike and Jeff– You DO know I love both of you guys, right?

You BOTH have been a real inspiration to me – (and MANY others as well here in the Forum!)- always offering help, advice, encouragement, and a guiding, “shut-up-and-get-playing” nudge when I need it.

That’s why you two are among my “heroes” here in the TAC Forum.

It’s cool that you are discussing this deep stuff- and I’m trying hard as I can to figure out just what the hell you are talking about- (guess that shows where I’M at in my guitar journey)😋.

Anyway— keep goin’!! It’s WAAAYYYY above me– but I’ll catch on…….

theoldcoach