Learning Guitar by Visualizing Patterns
We've all heard of a technique that golfers use to improve their games called "visualization". When a golfer steps up to the tee, he or she will visualize the ball landing on the green, or in the middle of the fairway, before they approach the ball to strike it. And while this method of visualization can be utilized by a guitarist, in essence, visualizing themselves playing a difficult lead, run or progression, prior to picking up the guitar - we are going to discuss today a different form of visualization that you can use to ramp up your skills on the guitar.
A guitar is a unique instrument in that, unlike the piano, many of the scales, chords and progressions are "moveable". In other words, once a scale or chord "pattern" is learned - that same fingering pattern can simply be slid up or down the guitar neck and applied to a different key.
Playing Guitar With Small Hands and Stubby Fingers
A considerable portion of my day is spent returning student emails with questions or concerns regarding learning to play guitar.
One common inquiry that I encounter in my inbox is from new guitar players that are concerned that their hands are too small to play guitar and their fingers are too stubby.
They typically state that they are having a hard time forming chords and making them sound clear. Some say that they are actually experiencing pain or discomfort in their hands when trying to play guitar...
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The Easiest Guitar Song in the World
You don't have to take guitar lessons very long before you realize that many of the hit songs you've heard on the radio over the years, are actually composed with only a handful of chords.
That revelation tends to shock many new guitar students, previously under the impression that most popular music is complicated and musically out of reach.
The fact is that the three chord song form is one of the most common in modern music. From blues to rock to country to pop, three chord songs are everywhere.
For a beginning guitarist this is great news. It means that the newbie only has to learn a few basic open chords, and will have everything they need to play a ton of popular songs....
How to Change Guitar Chords Quickly
Learning how to play guitar in the early days can sometimes lead to frustration for the beginning student. One of the biggest challenges is mastering the skill of making smooth transitions between chord changes.
Training your hands and fingers to do things that they have never done before can be like trying to straighten out a 2 X 4 stud that has been twisted and mangled after laying out in the elements for a couple of years. It seems nearly impossible.
And, as we get older, the more difficult it can be. We all know the saying about old dogs and new tricks. Our 18 year old mixed breed, convinced that she is head of household, is blissfully unaware that dogs are supposed to do anything but eat and snack between naps. I once thought it would be cool to finally teach her to "sit". She just looked at me with that "you gotta be kidding me" look, and retired to her blanket.
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How to Play Guitar Power Chords on the 5th and 6th Strings
Way back in pre-historic times, when dinosaurs roamed the earth, and music was on vinyl, I learned how to play guitar. And one of my earliest discoveries on guitar was how to play a two note interval on the lower strings (5th & 6th, or, 4th & 5th) to use in rhythms.
By cranking up the distortion (and volume) these little, two note intervals were a nice way to add some "meat" to a rock & roll song. Back then they really didn't have a name, they were just something you learned from a dude in another band - "hey man, check this out, sounds cool huh?"
Read more: How to Play Guitar Power Chords on the 5th and 6th Strings
