[TerriG]

I just purchased the FW and it is set up like the 30-Day Challenge where you will be doing one lesson and then a practice video. I am on my first week of instructions and already getting those “AH-HA” moments. Things are making sense on why certain frets work better than others and the creation of Keys/Scales. As for value wise, it depends on your goals and needs.

For myself, I wanted to know more of how the fretboard operated in terms of scales, sequence of chords, where each note was located on each fret, hand positions for note identification (which based on your initial comments this might not be for you due to the stretching of fingers), how they harmonized with each other, and the creation of keys. In later weeks, Tony will go into the CAGED method which I’ve heard about and curious to learn more. Also, I was curious on how to tell a key of a song just by listening to a song (which is hard and need to practice this skill of listening).

FW is definitely more of a theory course. Since I switched my account to a life time membership, FW was discounted so I did both and made the cost advantageous. Again, this may or may not work for you depending on your needs. If you just want to play guitar, then stick to the skill/technique/challenge sections of the website. If you want to know why certain notes work, scale creation, chord sequencing; then FW will give you some of your answers.

[TerriG]

Confusing, I know. When you make a chord (G, C, or D), keep your fingers on the chord. Then below the 12th fret, you will pick (finger or flat pick) the corresponding chord location on the string. So let me explain…let’s do a G chord. Your fretted fingers are on the 3rd fret of the low E, 2nd fret on the A string, D & G are open, and the 3rd fret of the B & high 3. Then, you will pick/play the notes at these fret locations above the 12th fret…. 15th fret of low E, 14th fret of A, 12th fret of D & G, and the 15th fret of B & High E. You’ll find you will get a pleasing sound coming from those notes. Do the same with the other chords. C chord location should be 15th fret of the A, 14th fret of the D, 12th fret of the G, and 13th fret of the B and 12th fret of the High E. And the D chord should be 12th fret of D, 14th fret of G, 15th fret of B, and 14th fret of high E.
Remember you are just making the chord shape with your fretting hand, and picking the corresponding “shape” below the 12th fret. They are the harmonics. And fun to do once you get the hang of it. Good luck!

(p.s I wrote the above in the lesson as well. Also, thank you I never knew what harmonics were until you wrote this. I had to check it out. Don’t give up with the Daily lessons…do what you can and move on. Each week you’ll get a little stronger. I couldn’t do certain lessons a month ago and now I am improving – slowly, but improving.)

[TerriG]

Wow! Fantastic job on the improv 👏 👏👏

[TerriG]

Hi Ds,

Same here…it confused the life out of me until I realize there were 8 beats to the measure. I was counting the measure as 4 beats in the beginning and was wondering why the counts were so off. Once I adjusted to an 8 beat measure, I was able to follow along with the TAB.

Also, the first row of the TAB contains the notes for the A, D and E section. Disregard the first row when Tony plays. He starts on the 2nd row and continues on to the end. Hopefully this helps you out.

[TerriG]

Hi Patty,

I’m new here as well (just started last week). A couple of things that I discovered that made this week’s journey a little easier.

First, check the width of your fret board. They come in different sizes. I was using my husband’s old guitar and the fret board was way too big for my short fingers. Luckily, I found a Yamaha junior guitar (at Goodwill) that I could practise on where the reach was so much better for my fingers. I promise myself a new guitar once I hit the 6 month milestone, so the junior guitar is temporary but functional for these lessons.

Second, check out Tony’s stretching exercises for the fingers within the skill section. They are a huge help in getting those fingers limber. I have been jumping between the 1st Lesson and the Chord lesson. Trying to make some of the chords (C especially) will take a lot of movement in those fingers to strike the notes correctly. I am still struggling with the C chord, but I am noticing improvement as I do these exercises.

Finally, journalize your wins in a journal. Give yourself kudos for practicing for 20 minutes each day. It is definitely frustrating in the beginning, but that is to be expected. Hang in there and one day, it is going to click and you’re going to say, “Wow!” – I did it. Good luck!

[TerriG]

The 5th, 7th & 12th frets are natural harmonics. The 5th & 12th fret are in the Key of C and the 7th fret is in the Key of G. So for the first part, play each note in the fret starting with the 12th from the low E to the high E and back again. Then move onto the 7th fret and finally the 5th fret. For the artificial harmonics, pay attention to the chord shape to play on the lower part of the 12th fret (& below). Tony is pressing down on the note with his index finger and ringing the string with his thumb. He is striking individual notes. You definitely need to listen to the sound – it resonates differently. Hopefully someone will weigh in more for a better explanation. Keep at it and definitely listen to the tones being created.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 12 months ago by  TerriG.

[TerriG]

It is the resonances of the sound that is different and it is very subtle, but you can definitely hear it. The best way to try this is on the Low E string with the G chord. First, make the G chord and then strike the E note normally over the sound hole. Then keeping with the G chord, strike the Low E on the 15th fret. Listen for the difference. Then compare the other notes in the G chord, first with the sound hole and then with the harmonics location. What you will find out is that harmonics have a richer tone to them compare to playing the chord over the sound hole. It is very subtle, so you definitely need to listen carefully. I don’t know how much Tony uses harmonics. I haven’t seen them yet in the Weekly challenges, so I wouldn’t get to hung up on this if you can’t get it at first. It is very, very subtle differences so it might be not obvious at first, but keep at it. Good luck!

• This reply was modified 1 year, 12 months ago by  TerriG.