Take Me Out To The Ballgame/Fingerstyle Guitar

Since it's opening day I thought I'd post my fingerstyle guitar arrangement of Take Me Out to the Ballgame. This was influenced by the picking of Doc Watson, Merle Travis and Chet Atkins.

To Play Fast, Learn to Play Slow

Learning to play fast.

At some point everyone sees or hears an amazing guitar player who seems to be able to effortlessly play at blazing speeds. How do they do that? The beginning guitar player sees no way to learn to go that fast, insists they sped up the recording, or used some other electronic trick. Then, they see that guitarist in person and realize he or she is capable of playing fast. So, how do you learn to increase your speed?
Believe it or not, the best way is to learn to play slowly. When learning guitar, you need to remember that if you can't play it slow there's no way you can play it fast. Yes, it's really that simple. Here are some tips for learning to increase your speed.

• Get a metronome and USE IT! I have students who buy metronomes and drum machines, use them for a short time and then give up on them. The most common mistake is setting a speed that you can't keep up with. Then the excuses start to come out. I can't play that slow, it's boring, the song or exercises don't sound good slow, and many more. Set the rhythm to a slow pace, concentrate on picking each note exactly on the beat, with each note being clean and clear. Don't try to play complicated songs or exercises at first. Don't speed up at all until you can play each note in time without missing a beat.
• Work on major, minor and pentatonic scales. Every song is based on a scale, so practicing scales is a valuable use of your time. You'll learn to recognize the sounds of the different scales which will help you develop the ability to pick out songs by ear.
• Listen to the masters. There are amazing guitarists in all kinds of genres. It doesn't matter if you like rock, metal, country, folk, classical or bluegrass music, with a little research you'll find someone you can relate to.
• Practice every day. You don't need to spend hours on exercises but you do need to work on them. One of the quotes I use is: if you think scales are boring, practice them until they're not boring. If you don't think scales are boring, practice them until they are boring, then repeat step one.
• Get help. A guitar teacher can help you progress by watching and listening to you play and giving you valuable tips and ways to improve.
• Find a practice buddy. Do you know someone who also plays guitar or perhaps another instrument that complements the guitar? Is there a particular style of music that you'd really like to play? Find someone to practice with and to hold you accountable. You can do the same for him or her.

There's lots of printed material to help you improve your speed, so check out all of the resources that are available. You can find books, online lessons, CDs and DVDs to help you.

To learn a song note for note, I highly recommend Riffmaster Pro Software. (Affiliate Link). The software enables you to slow down songs without changing the pitch, set up loops so you can work on individual phrases, change the eq settings to emphasize certain instruments, and export the slowed down songs you so you can record and practice them.

Should you purchase the program and have any questions about how to use it, just email me or leave a comment on this blog and I'll be happy to help you figure it out.

How Do I Know I'm Still A Beginner?

Are you still a beginner?

At some point every guitar student wants to know what they've achieved. With no one to compare their playing to, there's always a desire to find out if they're ahead, behind or comparable to someone that's been playing the same amount of time. The problem with this is that everyone learns at a different pace, has a different music background if any, and has put in more or less time. A student who practices an hour a day should be better than someone who practices a half hour or less. However, just like the number of years playing doesn't count, the amount of practice time may not indicate how well one is doing.

Quality practice vs quantity practice.

Beginning guitar players need to have a clear direction when it comes to practice. Getting the guitar out and running through your favorite songs isn't necessarily the way to practice. I encourage my students to play music they like, but that's after they've spent time concentrating on improving their playing. Take a page out of the sports coaches' book and warm up, work on specific skills, and then do the fun stuff. To warm up do some fretting hand stretches, right hand picking whether it's with your fingers or a pick, and loosen up. Too many students, beginners and advanced, ignore the advice about stretching, then they're amazed that they "play better after 15 minutes."

So, are you still a beginner?

I tell my students that on average it takes about 6 months to get off of the total beginner stage. At that point you should be able to play the notes in first position, be able to keep a basic rhythm, and play most of the open position chords. In addition, you need to be able to move from one chord to the next without losing time. Keep in mind that these are suggestions, not rules that are cast in stone. For example, you may not read music at all if you're more interested in playing and singing, or you may have concentrated on notes and not really worked with chords that much. That being said, the guidelines and milestones above should give you an idea of where you stand.

Sweating the Small Stuff

Don't sweat the small stuff?

That's certainly not true when it comes to music! What makes a great musician stand out? Attention to detail. We're talking clean, clear, crisp notes, impeccable timing, tone that's pleasing to the ear. Listen to some of the guitar masters such as Doc Watson, Tony Rice, Chet Atkins, Joe Pass, and countless others in all styles of music. It's amazing to just listen to them, watch them and see what it's like to hear a true master of an instrument. While I never got to hear Joe Pass live, I have gotten to hear Doc Watson, Tony Rice, and Chet Atkins to name a few. I consider myself to be a good guitar player, but these guys are from a different universe!

What sets them apart?

There's not one single element that you hear, but an overall sound that defines each individual. Each one has his own style, his own sound and his own approach to guitar as well as to music in general. A beginning guitarist needs to seek out the best players and learn from them. I remember my guitar teacher asking me one day what I was trying to do. I'd want to play classical guitar one day, blues, country, fingerpicking, Chet Atkins' style, if I liked it I wanted to be able to at least try it. I've always loved the sound of the guitar and the type of music wasn't as important as how it sounded.

Open your eyes, your ears and your heart.

After having taught guitar and banjo for years, I often get asked by students how I can stand to listen to a total beginner "messing up those songs." My reply is that if you're trying, I have all the patience in the world. Put your guitar lessons way down on your list of priorities, only practice once or twice a week and then complain about how you're not getting it, and my patience runs out in a hurry. You need to listen to good music, go to concerts and see the passion that the performers have, and soon you'll see if your heart is into it. Music can be enjoyed on many different levels, so open up and let it in.

Almost Anyone Can Play Guitar, Can't They?

The guitar's strong point? Versatility.

One of the coolest things about the guitar is how versatile it can be. When prospective students ask if it's too late to start the guitar the answer is almost always a resounding no. The determining factor is what kind of music you like, how much time you can devote to practice, and how realistic your goals are. A couple weeks ago I had a gentleman asking about guitar lessons, and it's one of the few times I've talked someone out of lessons. He had no musical background, no idea of what kind of music he wanted to play, and he was 87 years old. The age wouldn't have been as big a factor had he had one of the other ingredients. When I told him he needed to know what kind of music he liked, his response was that he could take golf lessons without having to be specific, so he just wanted "guitar lessons."

All of that aside, most people can play to at least some degree.

Playing the guitar can be enjoyable on so many different levels, deciding what you'd like to do is the first step. Some beginners are perfectly happy playing and strumming campfire songs, while others are eager to learn as much as they can about all aspects of playing. The guitar can be an accompaniment instrument, a solo instrument or part of an ensemble. How happy you are with your playing is determined by your interests and your satisfaction level. I've had students agonize over their lack of progress when they simply have no direction. How are you going to get somewhere if you're not sure where you want to go?

Take action now.

According to a recent poll, 85% of people who don't play an instrument wish they did! What's holding you back? Taking the first step and doing a little research is the most important way to get started. To me, and I know it sounds self serving, finding a good teacher is essential. While there are many courses, books, DVDs, CDs, and free lessons on the internet, nothing compares to the instant feedback you'll get from one on one lessons with a teacher. You can spend a long time learning something he or she could show you in a few minutes. You can be unaware of bad habits that are forming, and since a book or video can't watch you play, you could be facing the difficult task of breaking the habits.

Getting Your Money's Worth From Lessons

Are your lessons worth the money?

With all of the materials out there, is it worth paying for guitar lessons? I'd argue that the answer is yes for several reasons, even though it sounds self serving. The biggest reason is that you have someone to ask questions of, give you honest feedback and keep you on the correct path. As more and more information becomes available, and this isn't limited to music lessons, people become confused about what's important, where they should focus, and how much time they should spend on learning the concepts they've discovered. A beginning guitar student needs to forget about how overwhelming everything seems to be and to concentrate on one area at a time.

Getting your money's worth.

Your guitar teacher needs to know what you like, how you feel about your progress, and how you practice. These are some of the things you need to be clear about to get the most for your money. I've had students work on songs for weeks and then finally tell me they don't like that song. There are many others that will teach the same concepts, but I can't give you a different song unless I know you're unhappy.  Most beginning guitar students don't see much progress, so if you're in doubt about how you're doing, have your teacher give you an honest evaluation. Guitar is very slow going at first and it can be discouraging to say the least. If you're unhappy with your where you are, talk over ways to improve how you practice. Too many guitar students aren't really practicing, but they're just playing songs over and over. You need to have a specific goal for that practice session. Whether it's learning a new song, smoothing out trouble spots or improving the whole song, focus on what needs the most improvement.

Is It Possible to Practice Too Much?

How much is too much when it comes to practicing?

The law of diminishing returns. While it's extremely important to maintain a steady practice routine, there is a point where you've stopped making any progress that day. Usually after 45 minutes to an hour, it's time to take a break. Your fingers get tired, you quit hearing what you're playing, and you don't seem to be getting anywhere. That's how you know you need to do something else for a while.


I practiced that part over and over, but when I went to play it for my teacher I messed it up. Playing at home is a lot different from performing for someone else. Whether it's your teacher, your class, or a live performance, it's much harder to play in front of people. You need to build confidence in your ability to play the part that gives you trouble and you can't let it get the best of you. My students will say things like "here comes the part I hate", or "here's the part I always have trouble with", and guess what? They immediately have trouble with it! At that point the problem is in your head, not in your fingers.

How do you overcome this? No matter how painful it is, play in front of and with other people. I conduct a "controlled jam session" at the studio where I get students of the same level together so they can all experience playing with others. The first week or two everyone's timid, shy and pretty much unable to perform at their normal level. Once they become more comfortable and relaxed the tension slowly goes away and they play much better.

Open mikes, jam sessions and other outlets. Being nervous or scared is a common reaction, so the best thing to do is to learn a few songs that you can play well, record and/or make a video of yourself playing the songs, and play them for friends and family members. Most cities have open mikes or jam sessions, so the best way to get some experience is to just do it. At jam sessions, play along in the background until you're comfortable. Most jammers are very encouraging and you'll be surprised at how helpful they can be. At an open mike, it's only going to get better if you keep doing it. Again, most of the people attending will be very encouraging and helpful.

Be prepared. Before you leave the house be sure you have everything you need. Extra picks, strings, a capo, a strap and an electronic tuner should all be in your case. If you've never practiced while standing up, you'll be surprised at what a difference it makes. When you think you're ready, just go for it.

Learning From Other People

Pay attention, you just might learn something.

Over the years I've learned lots of licks, songs and tricks to enhance my guitar playing. The sources I learned them from are as varied as the techniques. Playing with others, whether they were better than me or not, reading guitar magazines, interviews, and ads, listening to recordings and watching live performances all contributed to my education. Yes, I took guitar lessons, had a great guitar teacher and learned a lot from him. At the same time I learned from the above sources. Doc Watson, Chet Atkins, Paul Simon, Peter Yarrow, and Paul Stookey were just a few of the many guitar players I liked, listened to and learned from.

Each style of music has an element you can add to what you like.

My guitar teacher questioned what I was trying to do, since there were many times when I'd hear something I liked and it was a different style. One week I wanted to play classical guitar, a couple weeks later it was Chet Atkins style, then country or maybe blues. When he asked me about it my reply was that I just wanted to play what sounded good on the guitar regardless of what kind of music they called it.

After saying all that, you still need to focus.

Even though it seemed like I had no sense of direction, I wasn't looking to be a virtuoso in those styles, but rather looking for something that would improve my sound and my playing. My main focus was on the folk and acoustic music of the day, but I never had that as my only interest. So map out a plan, listen to lots of different kinds of music and see if there's a way to work it into the music you like best.

Challenge Yourself!

Need to get off the plateau? 

Sometimes it seems like progress has come to a stop and you'll wonder if you'll ever get better. Relax, it's something that we all go through. I've had band practices where we just couldn't seem to do anything right and it was everyone in the group. When that happens, you just take a break and try again tomorrow. How to explain it? Could be you're not in the mood to play or practice, you've got other things on your mind, you're tired or there are more pressing problems.

Crank up the intensity and the challenge level.

After properly warming up, (you do warm up, don't you?), isolate the problem or problems and spend extra time on those. Set your metronome to a speed where you can play the passage comfortably, and then play through without a mistake several times. Don't increase the speed until you're sure you can get through the trouble spot perfectly. This builds confidence and makes you feel like you can play the difficult part with ease. If you catch yourself giving up and playing something you already know it just makes things worse. Issue a challenge to yourself and make it a game. Beginning guitar students tend to avoid the problem instead of working through it. Play so slowly you can't make a mistake and then build from there. The advantage of using a metronome is that you can increase speed in tiny increments so that you hardly feel like you're playing faster. Balance the intensity with the playfulness and you'll get off the plateau and on your way to playing and sounding better.

Not Happy With Your Progress on Guitar?

What may be holding you back and what to do about it.

Lately I've been getting more and more calls from beginning guitar students frustrated with their perceived lack of progress. Learning guitar is an ongoing process, and unfortunately it's one that you can't speed up very much. Here are some observations I've made recently as well as some helpful hints to improve your progress.

Expecting too much too soon.

I can't stress enough how important it is to learn, understand, and be able to execute a technique or concept. Beginning guitar players tend to rush through things so they can play the songs they want to play. Like learning math, guitar depends on your building a solid foundation. Being patient in the early stages is extremely difficult, but it's what will make you a better musician in the long run. Well meaning friends will try to tell you to learn barre chords, scales, alternate picking and other techniques that you may not be ready for. This is where having a live, caring teacher comes in. Your guitar teacher can guide you and make sure you're learning things in a logical order. I'll sometimes get a theory question from a student and the answer will be that you really don't want to ask that question right now!

Information overload.

The internet is a great invention, but again, I'm seeing and hearing from more and more frustrated guitar players. The best way to avoid information overload is to take small steps and to be sure that you're ready for the next concept. Go slow and absorb all the things you've learned. Ignore the wild claims that convince you that you'll learn the "secrets" of playing guitar. Do you want to know the secret to learning guitar? Commit time and effort, know what your goals are and practice. And no, you're not going to be the second coming of Jimi Hendrix in one weekend! Sorry, you have to put in the time.


Realize how important small signs of progress can be.

Minor breakthroughs are very important. If you've been working on a song and can now play it flawlessly and up to speed, it doesn't matter if it's Yankee Doodle, it's a breakthrough. Savor it and use the positive feelings to encourage you and to help you advance to the next level.

Push yourself, but don't pressure yourself.

Trying to improve, working hard, and spending time practicing are all worthy goals, but you don't need undue pressure. The value of taking private, one on one guitar lessons is that there is no competition and therefore, no pressure. Learning guitar is tough enough without adding the burden of expecting more than you're capable of playing.