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67mike

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Posted

I am actually trying a new way of teaching now... Instead of getting my students into chord shapes and "grip" chords, as most beginners do, I am trying to explain how to construct a chord and then, in conjunction, I try to explain the order of notes on each string of the guitar. Then I make them try to make up their own chords and chord fragments.

 

I got the idea from a Wayne Krantz lesson. I think it is a much more intelligent way to play chords and be more flexible, as a pianist would.

 

It IS a bit more tedious learning all the notes first and whatnot, but I think this develops the brain as much as the fingers, at least on a preliminary level.

 

Along with this I would give a few technical exercises and some scale formulas to begin practicing.

 

Other than that, I think the standardized way of doing things is pretty tried and true... Start learning scales, chords, melodies and songs by any and all means possible... Teachers, friends, youtube, books, videos/dvds's, etc.

 

There really is no great mystery. It's 2% inspiration and 98% perspiration.

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Posted

Tell us more about your experience with guitar.

 

Have you ever played guitar?

 

What kind of music do you want to play?

 

What guitarists do you like?

 

Who would you like to be able to play like?

 

What kind of guitar do you have? Electric or acoustic?

 

How much time do you want to commit to playing everyday?

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There really is no great mystery. It's 2% inspiration and 98% perspiration.

 

:thu:

 

I started by desperately wanting, make that needing, to know how to play "Love me do" by The Beatles. When I eventually figured it out, I thought I was {censored} hot. :o

 

Learn to play the music you love, by ear as a start. Then move on to the zillions of theory resources available. Just my opinion. :)

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Posted

 

I am actually trying a new way of teaching now... Instead of getting my students into chord shapes and "grip" chords, as most beginners do, I am trying to explain how to construct a chord and then, in conjunction, I try to explain the order of notes on each string of the guitar. Then I make them try to make up their own chords and chord fragments.


I got the idea from a Wayne Krantz lesson. I think it is a much more intelligent way to play chords and be more flexible, as a pianist would.


It IS a bit more tedious learning all the notes first and whatnot, but I think this develops the brain as much as the fingers, at least on a preliminary level.


Along with this I would give a few technical exercises and some scale formulas to begin practicing.


Other than that, I think the standardized way of doing things is pretty tried and true... Start learning scales, chords, melodies and songs by any and all means possible... Teachers, friends, youtube, books, videos/dvds's, etc.


There really is no great mystery. It's 2% inspiration and 98% perspiration.

 

 

I have a question regarding your new teaching technique. (BTW - I'm not arguing, I'm just curious) I agree that it is a more intelligent way to learn chord structure, but are you worried that you might overly frustrate beginning students before they even get started? I just remember my 'breakthrough' playing guitar. I was 7 or 8 and drums was really my instrument at the time - the guitarist for the band I was in taught me "Wasted" by Def Leppard and I was hooked.

 

Don't you think that starting with simple chords that they can string together to play songs lets them feel a sense of accomplishment, which in turn makes them want to learn more and makes them more receptive to your approach?

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Posted

 

Tell us more about your experience with guitar.


Have you ever played guitar?


What kind of music do you want to play?


What guitarists do you like?


Who would you like to be able to play like?


What kind of guitar do you have? Electric or acoustic?


How much time do you want to commit to playing everyday?

 

 

Judging by the OP's post count, I think (I hope) the question relates more to learning music theory rather than the mechanics of making music.

 

So the questions would be.

 

Why do you want to learn "theory"?

 

How much time are you willing to devote to interlizing concepts?

 

Can you read standard notation?

 

What do you hope to achieve by knowing theory?

 

Did you know that there is no theory, only music? :poke:

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Posted

I have a question regarding your new teaching technique. (BTW - I'm not arguing, I'm just curious) I agree that it is a more intelligent way to learn chord structure, but are you worried that you might overly frustrate beginning students before they even get started? I just remember my 'breakthrough' playing guitar. I was 7 or 8 and drums was really my instrument at the time - the guitarist for the band I was in taught me "Wasted" by Def Leppard and I was hooked.


Don't you think that starting with simple chords that they can string together to play songs lets them feel a sense of accomplishment, which in turn makes them want to learn more and makes them more receptive to your approach?

 

I do agree with you, bro. In a sense. And I am not implemnting this with all my new students. But the ones who are SERIOUS about music, who you can tell LOVE IT and want to UNDERSTAND it seem to gravitate toward the freedom this approach presents... Rather than getting involved in trying to switch between a G and a C (which, when you're a beginner, can be just as challanging and frustrating) I am trying to show them that there are MANY ways to play or imply G to C. Their brain will be working as harder, if not harder, than their hands, and there is nothing wrong wit hthat, if that is the path they wish to walk. I am pretty good at gauging who wants to and who is there to learn a couple of power chords and the solo to "Fade To Black".

 

;)

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Posted

I have played for over 30 years......occasionally.

 

I WAS much better in my younger days.

 

I can learn by ear. I did have 2 years of Violin as a youngster (HATED IT!!!!) so, I did know how to read some, but that is long forgotten.

 

So, I do not have a ton of time, but I want to start to read and learn about theory, scales, etc.

 

I realize to be good, you must play a lot...my old best friend and I started out at the same time on guitar....at the age of 12.....he played 6 to 8 hours per day....and was a phenom! Back when Yngwie just came out...he'd warm -up with Yngwie tunes! I had other interests, so here I am.

 

I have rhythm, I can tell if a note is the correct note, I can pick-up a lot by ear, but, I would eventually like to read music again, and know the scales etc....

 

I am just unsure of where to begin......Alfred book 1????

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Posted

what exactly is your goal?

 

if its just to enjoy the hobby and make some music, go start/join a band

 

oh wait nvm, you said you want to learn the guitar AND theory.

 

I kinda figured that you already knew theory because of the violin training.

 

IMHO, I'd get a guitar, nice electric or an acoustic. Please DO NOT think that if you will buy a cheap guitar you will save cash. TRUST ME DO NOT DO THAT, I did that and I quit playing cuz the guitar was {censored} and it didn't motivate me to get better. Here I am after 2 years, I saved up and bought an ibanez rg770 :D. If you decided to get an electric guitar, i think its okay to cheap out on your first amp. Having a nice guitar will motivate you more to become better.

 

From there I'd start to learn songs by ear AND analyze them.

Also learn basic music theory:

Intervals

Key Signatures

Reading Sheet Music

Reading Guitar Tabs

Scale Construction

Chord Construction

Musical Modes

etc...

just keep learning.

 

For me, if i picked a harder song, I had to learn more theory and technical skills to be play/understand it.

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Posted

Why don't you take a few lessons to get you jump started again? Once you get going again, it will be easier for you and perhaps your instructor to see where you need to go to improve. However, your friend had the big part of it down because he practised, practised and practised again. There is no substitute for it.

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Posted

First choose one song that you like, not one with a crazy solo, but one that focuses more on chords and singing. Find a tab to get the chords and start learning those chords so you can strum along. When you feel confidant with that, learn another one.

 

For single lines, lots of people learn pentatonic scales first, then start playing along to basic blues progressions.

 

When you feel confidant with your chords, learn about transposition, then the theory will really take shape in your mind. Music Theory really is all about describing the relationships between notes and chords, so the same song in a different key is a good way to start.

 

Take it one step at a time and don't get discouraged, nobody knows everything (even if they seem like they do). Don't buy any software that promises to teach you how to play like a pro overnight.

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Posted

 

I have played for over 30 years......occasionally.


I WAS much better in my younger days.


I can learn by ear. I did have 2 years of Violin as a youngster (HATED IT!!!!) so, I did know how to read some, but that is long forgotten.


So, I do not have a ton of time, but I want to start to read and learn about theory, scales, etc.


I realize to be good, you must play a lot...my old best friend and I started out at the same time on guitar....at the age of 12.....he played 6 to 8 hours per day....and was a phenom! Back when Yngwie just came out...he'd warm -up with Yngwie tunes! I had other interests, so here I am.


I have rhythm, I can tell if a note is the correct note, I can pick-up a lot by ear, but, I would eventually like to read music again, and know the scales etc....


I am just unsure of where to begin......Alfred book 1????

 

 

That sounds like me.....played for 30 years OCCASIONALLY.....finally REALLY decided to devote time to it around 5 years ago....it is what I do every day now day in and day out. when i sit down i pick up a guitar...

 

the thing is ...i make most of my progress when i concentrate on learning songs. and it doesn't matter HOW at first....be it ear, tab, video, whatever. just practicing is great and builds skills, but i never feel like i can call myself a guitarist until i can play some SONGS.

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Posted

If you want to learn music theory in general, I would recommend taking a class at your local community college, as it's probably taught there. If you're looking to learn theory as it applies to the guitar, then I would pick up the Guitar Theory book by Hal Leonard Press. In addition, some areas of study that you might find interesting:

 

1. The CAGED system. This will teach you to play any chord in any position on the neck of the guitar. These concepts can later be applied to arpeggios and soloing as well.

 

2. Learn key signatures. This way you'll always know what key you're in by how many sharps or flats are in the scale.

 

3. This might be most important, learn about harmonized scales and intervals. Specifically how chords are built and how intervals sound. That way you'll be able to build chords you're unfamiliar with (kind of like sounding out a new word when reading a book) and you'll know what chords other people are playing by the way the intervals sound. One thing that really helped me in this area is actually singing the intervals as I played the notes on Guitar.

 

That's my 2 cents, hope it helps.

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