Are You Losing Interest in Guitar?

Maintaining your momentum is hard sometimes

Just like with exercise, beginning guitar lessons can bring the inevitable plateau. Sometimes it seems the harder you try, the worse you get. When this happens it's time to take action! You need to jump start your playing and your interest, here are some suggestions.

• Listen to some good guitar players. Inspiration can take many forms. One way to regain your focus is to listen to some great guitar music to remind you of why you started learning guitar in the first place.
• Find a new piece of music that you'd like to play. Ask your guitar teacher to give you something that you'd enjoy playing or give him or her your idea of what you like. Make a list of songs that you listen to and enjoy and see which ones you're ready for.
• Get a "practice buddy." If you're off of the total beginner stage, or even if you're not, find someone you can practice with. It's more fun to work on songs if you can play them with others. A little friendly competition or at least not wanting to look like you didn't put in the effort will help you get going.
• If you're not taking guitar lessons, finding a teacher can be a good move. Getting stuck in a rut and not feeling like you're getting out of it can be difference between going on with guitar or quitting.
• Have fun! Try to play along with recordings, get a metronome and try to play faster and smoother, see how many times you can play a chord progression or scale in a given amount of time. 

With a little effort and the suggestions above you can get over the hump and on to the next stage of learning.

Learning to Play By Ear

How do you learn to anticipate what chord's coming next?

It's called ear training, and like everything else it takes time and practice. The best way to start is to listen to songs that have mostly guitar, and are easy, beginner songs. If you can find a simple recording of folk, country or bluegrass songs, and if there aren't keyboards, electric guitars or too many instruments, it's fairly easy to get started. The first step is to just listen to the songs and try to hear when the music or chords change. Most of the time it's pretty easy to hear, and if you're having trouble, listen to the bass player if you can. When the chords change the bass will usually do some kind of a walk or bass run to transition to the next chord.

Once you can hear the chord changes, get your guitar and try to play along

I hear the same thing all the time; "I'm tone deaf," I can't carry a tune in a bucket," I just don't have a good ear," and on and on. A surprisingly small number of people are truly tone deaf, most have just not been trained or not exposed to that much music. Beginning guitar students almost always have a difficult time at first, so don't be discouraged if you can't pick up your guitar and start playing along. When I try to figure out a song, I try to figure out either a note or a chord that matches what they're playing. After that, it's trial and error or using a basic understanding of music theory to figure out the rest.

Music Theory, the circle of fifths, and how music goes together

Here's where finding a good guitar teacher can help. If you're still having trouble playing by ear, the next step is getting help. Read up on music theory, have someone explain the circle of fifths, and/or harmonized scales. With a little basic knowledge you'll find that figuring out songs becomes much easier. Next time we'll discuss why music teachers use the circle of fifths and how it can help develop your ear.

This is NOT a Test (or a Recital)

Learning to play in front of your teacher and others

Most students have a hard time playing their songs for their music teacher. When I went back to college I had to take class piano. In addition to classes where we had electronic keyboards with headphones, we were also required to play one on one for our teacher in a little room with a real piano. Not once in the 2 years that I took the class was I able to play as well as I could in the classroom or at home. What was particularly frustrating is that I was playing the guitar in public 5 or 6 nights a week and had no signs of stage fright or anxiety. So, what is it? The first thing a guitar student needs to understand is that you're not being tested. It's your guitar teacher's way of judging your progress and watching for what needs to be corrected. Knowing you're being watched by someone who knows how to play can cause you to be nervous and afraid you'll make a mistake. In addition, it's frustrating to be able to play a song at home and not be able to play it as well at your lesson.

Getting over the stage fright, nervousness and anxiety

The only way to get over all three is by performing in front of other people. The more you practice the guitar, the more confident you become, and confidence is what gets you over the hump. Start out by playing for friends and family, your guitar teacher, and your fellow students. If you have the opportunity to play at a open mic or a jam session, go for it! Our studio offers controlled jam sessions which consist of part instruction, part jamming with others. If you can find a place that offers something like that, by all means get involved. Most cities have coffee houses or other venues that offer open mics or jam sessions and that's another good alternative. Remember, playing guitar or any other instrument is lots of fun when you can share it with others. So practice to build confidence, test your playing out on friends and family, then take the next step and get out in public.

What's Better, Learning Chords or Notes First?

The style of music helps determine where you start

Beginning guitar students face many choices early on, some that they're not prepared to make. Electric or acoustic guitar, nylon or steel strings, reading music or tab, and today's subject, notes or chords. I help them decide by making the first lesson more about finding out what they like to play, whether or not they're going to sing, and why they decided to play guitar. If you're going to focus on playing and singing, then chord playing is usually the way to start. Chords are what you hear people play in the background while someone sings or another instrument plays a solo. When you see a guitar player strumming instead of picking out notes, he or she is most likely playing chords.

Playing notes is helpful because you feel like you're making progress sooner

One advantage to picking out notes is that after a couple lessons you can play the tune to a song. Even if it's a simple song, you hear progress right from the beginning. If you're reluctant to sing, you can play thousands of songs with the same chords, so it won't necessarily sound like the song. Note playing can be a fun way to get started on guitar. There are two notation systems for guitar, reading music or playing tablature, or tab, for short. Tab is a number system so it's really quite easy to learn. See my previous post about learning to read music. That will help you decide if you even need to learn standard note reading.

Strumming along with recordings

If playing chords is what you and your guitar teacher choose to do first, there's a great learning tool called Riffmaster Pro (affiliate link) which slows down songs so you can play along with them. The nice feature about this program is that is doesn't change the pitch of the songs so you don't have to re-tune your guitar. It can also be used later on to learn more advanced soloing techniques.

Action, Intonation, Neck Relief? What's That?

Do guitar teachers and salesmen talk in a foreign language?

When you're looking at guitars you will hear the term action, which simply means how far the strings are away from the fretboard, and how hard you have to push to make a note or chord. If you're just starting out, it's a good idea to bring along someone who can play guitar so they can judge its playability. A cheap guitar will usually have high action and that means the beginning guitar player will have an unusually hard time playing it.

Intonation has to do with the guitar playing in tune up and down the neck

The easiest way to check intonation is to play a string with no fingers on it, (open), and then play it at the 12th fret. If you have an electronic tuner the open note and the 12th fret note should both be in tune. Most stringed instruments are adjustable, so the intonation can usually be corrected. Again, bringing along someone that plays can be helpful.

Neck Relief

Many times you'll see someone sight down the fretboard as though they were aiming a rifle. What they're doing is checking to see if there's a bow in the neck. There should be a slight amount of curve in the neck, but if it's extreme it means the neck is out of adjustment. Almost all fretted instruments have a truss rod which can bring the neck back into alignment. The truss rod is a steel rod that runs through the length of the neck and is adjusted with an allen wrench. A warped or severely warped neck should be avoided.

Practical Advice

So if you're a beginning guitar player, remember that you get what you pay for. I get calls all the time from people that want to know if they should buy a used guitar, and the answer is always "only if you know what you're doing." It's possible to get a great deal on an instrument, but it's also possible to waste a good chunk of money. The best advice is to buy from a music store and to make sure that you can return the guitar if it's defective. Most music stores will adjust and set up the guitar before they sell it to ensure that the customer is happy.

Are You Going to Listen to Your Teacher or Your Friends?

Beware of your well meaning friends

Once a beginner starts learning to play guitar, there are all kinds of advice being given by well meaning friends. They have your best interests in mind, but most of them don't teach and therefore the advice you get may not be all good. A good guitar teacher will steer you in the right direction, make sure you don't pick songs that are beyond your skill level and help you make steady progress. Your friends will suggest what they learned, try to help you, but not remember how hard it was in the beginning. I've had students who got conflicting advice, ideas that would do harm than good, and shown songs, riffs and licks that were way beyond their current abilities.

Pick a teacher that's right for you

There are lots of guitar teachers available, many of them quite good, some not so good, and some good but not for you. The best advice is to ask questions, make sure your teacher has experience with beginning guitar students, and can play and teach the music you like. It doesn't have to be the only style he or she is interested in, but at the minimum a basic understanding is needed. For example, I've had students that wanted to learn classical guitar, flamenco guitar, slack key guitar and other types of music that I'm not comfortable teaching, so I helped them find a teacher that would be more helpful. A good teacher will be up front with you and tell you if you should find someone else. 

Making Sure Your Guitar is the Right Size

Picking the correct size.

Many people aren't aware of the many different sizes and shapes of guitars until they pick the wrong one. Just like with violins, guitars come in 1/2, 3/4 and full size. Some manufacturers have started going by overall length instead, so if you're shopping for a child's guitar, take him or her with you if at all possible. We've had many instances where the guitar was just way too big or too small for the student. Have the person who will use the guitar sit in a straight chair, feet on the floor, with the guitar resting on the leg. Have him or her reach back the left hand to the end of the neck to make sure all strings and frets are accessible. The right arm should reach over the body and be able to reach the strings with ease.

Body shapes

In addition to length, there are different body shapes. The most common one is a standard or concert size body. It's fairly symmetrical and looks like a regular guitar. Next are the shapes made popular by the Martin Guitar Company. In business since 1833, they've been building quality guitars for a long time. They designate the body shapes as 0, 00, 000 and D. Visit their website for complete details and specifications. The bodies get progressively larger, with the D (for dreadnought), being the largest.

So when shopping for a guitar, try out several body styles and keep in mind that you'll be keeping the guitar for a long time. While sound is also very important, the shape and fit of the guitar should be your top priority.

The Third T, Taste

So, how do you demonstrate good taste when you're playing?

Tasteful playing is of course, a pretty subjective thing. A lot of it depends on what type of music you're playing and your skill level. For example, if you're playing bluegrass music it's a lot different than some form of rock music, although good music is, well, good music. Taste involves playing that's interesting, fun to listen to, and in a lot of cases has a certain "wow" factor.  It isn't just about hot licks so much as it is about how your guitar playing fits in with the song.

What to do and what not to do.

  If you're soloing, a lot of beginning guitar players want to impress people with speed, but they're really not quite ready, so the playing is sloppy or simply doesn't sound that good. Listen to some of the masters, Eric Clapton, B.B. King, Doc Watson, Jimi Hendrix or Chet Atkins and hear what effect a well-placed note can have.

If you're accompanying a singer, or playing rhythm while someone else solos, be sure that what you're playing complements what else is going on. Every empty space doesn't have to be filled, and it's really annoying when playing a solo to have another band member walk on your part. Try to make your accompaniment or backup add to the structure and interest of the song.  So listen to good guitar players, hone your skills, and try to develop the elusive "tasty licks".

One of my favorite quotes is from Louis Armstrong, jazz trumpeter: "There are only two kinds of music, good music and bad music. We try to play the good stuff."

The 3 Ts, Tone

Producing a pleasing, clear tone.

Buzzes and vibrations. Making your notes crystal clear, well defined, and crisp is a true art. Step one is to make sure your note's not buzzing. Getting a buzzing or vibration sound is caused by not pushing the string down hard enough, letting the pressure off, or playing too far away from the fret. Remember, the fret is the metal bar, not the space in between. So play close to the fret, keep firm pressure on and hold it. Once your fingers are stronger and tougher you really don't have to push all that hard. Press the string down just hard enough to get rid of the buzzes.


Clear tone, part 2.

Deadened or muffled strings. After you eliminate the buzzing, strike the string or strings again and see if any of the notes sound muted or muffled. In most cases this is caused by something being in the way. There should be space between the side of your hand and the side of the guitar neck, you need to play with the tips of your fingers, and you need to see if there are any sleeves, bracelets or other parts of your hand blocking the strings. The other cause is having your finger right on the fret, (the metal bar), instead of behind it. These steps will help you clear up the tone that a beginning guitar player is striving for. Your guitar teacher can work with you if you're having trouble finding the cause of the problem.

The 3 Ts, Timing, Taste and Tone

Let's start with #1, Timing.

The key to sounding good is the ability to keep a rock solid, steady beat. Nothing is more frustrating than to play with or listen to a musician without good rhythm. How do you develop this sense of timing? In a word,  METRONOME! It's amazing how many people balk at using a simple tool and continue to struggle with timing. You can purchase a metronome for as little as $20 or even find one for free on the internet.

How does it work?

You set a tempo, (speed), and practice slowly so you develop a sense of timing. Think of this as the pulse of your music. Like your heartbeat it should be steady and rhythmic. A beginning guitar student can start with a simple timing pattern using open strings. The important thing at first is to play something easy so that note reading isn't the problem. Play whole notes, half notes and quarter notes, then build speed. Your guitar teacher can give you more details.

Slow Down, You're Movin' Too Fast

Slow equals fast when it comes to guitar playing.

A common mistake that beginning guitar players make is trying to play too fast. Guitar teachers hear all the arguments and complaints. It doesn't sound good slow, I can't play slow, I was going slower, it's much faster than that, how will I ever learn to play that fast and the list goes on. The key to learning guitar is to be slow and deliberate when you practice. Really learning a song means you can play it through without having to think about it, not fearing the worst when that one part comes up, and thinking negative thoughts when performing. Believe me, I've been there and done that. The key is confidence that you can play the song without anticipating the "hard part." Every piece has one or more passages that will be difficult for you, it's a matter of nailing that part on a regular basis.

How do I build the confidence I need?

Practice in front of a mirror, record yourself, and play in front of friends, relatives and then strangers. Open mic nights, informal jam sessions, playing for your teacher, these are all confidence builders. The more you play in front of an audience the easier it becomes. Try it, you'll be amazed.

What Do You Do to Learn A New Song?

How to go about learning new material

Listen to the song. Get a copy of the new song and listen to it several times. Before you attempt to play your guitar on a song you have to listen and understand exactly how it goes. Many times a student will insist he or she knows how it goes, only to find a part they don't remember. Being able to hum or sing the song means you have the ability to know what it's supposed to sound like.

 Don't practice mistakes. When you're just starting to learn a song on your guitar, go slowly enough that you can't make a mistake. Guitar playing is all about muscle memory and your fingers remember all of it, good and bad.

Do what works best for you. Everyone has a different way of learning. Some guitar teachers advocate learning one measure or even just a small phrase while others encourage you to play the whole song. The best thing to do is experiment and see what works for you.

Be patient and don't try to rush. A common beginning guitar player mistake is to try to play fast. Remember, if you can't play it slow, you can't play it fast.

Using these playing tips should help you improve at a faster rate, so experiment and give them a try.

What Do You Do to Learn A New Song?

What's the best way for a beginning guitar player to learn a song?

While there is no one best way, there are things you can do to help you learn.

• Listen to the song. Get a copy of the song and listen to it several times. Before you can play a song you need to be able to hear and understand it. A minimum of 10 times is what it takes before you really start to hear all that's going on. Once you can hum or sing the song you know what you're trying to make it sound like. 

•  Go slow and don't practice mistakes. This is something everyone needs to avoid. Playing the guitar is all about muscle memory so teach your fingers what you want them to do. Rushing through a passage is a sure way to have them do the wrong thing. Remember, if you can't play it slow, you can't play it fast.

•  Decide how you learn best and go with that. Some guitar teachers advocate learning a small part of the song while others would have you try to play through the whole thing. When I learn a song I try to get through all of it and then isolate the trouble spots. Keep in mind that what works for one person may not work for another. It takes patience to learn either way. Learning a short phrase and playing it over and over until it's perfect is a great way to learn a song although it can be very tedious and trying. The best advice is to experiment and refine your learning techniques.

•  Make sure you like the song. Playing the song may sound like a good idea, then for one reason or another you find you just can't get into it. There are many reasons for this, but the bottom line is if you don't like that song, find one you know you'll stick with. Don't give up on it too soon, but also don't waste a lot of time discovering that you would rather not play it. I've had students work on a song for weeks, sometimes months, and then tell me they really aren't into that song. Your teacher will have lots of songs that teach you the same thing, so make sure he or she is aware of your feelings for the music. Be aware of taking the easy way out though, I can't tell you how many times a student tells me "I hate this song" when what they mean is that it's just too hard for them.