In “How to Close the Gap – Part 1”, I gave you four tips for getting from chord to chord without stopping. These are things that every guitarist should do when closing the gap. Let’s review: 1. Memorize your chord shapes. 2. Memorize the chord progression. 3. Slow down. 4. Practice ‘til your fingers bleed. […]
How to Close the Gap – Part 1
You’ve learned a few chords in first position… and your fingers didn’t fall off! Congratulations! Now you’re facing the same major obstacle that every newbie guitarist fears – the dreaded gap. Have you experienced the pause that happens when you’re changing your hand from one chord to the next? That, my friend, is the gap. […]
How to Choose a Strum Pattern
Rhythm can be a tricky thing for beginner guitar students. Some people have a natural internal sense of rhythm; others struggle to stay on beat. For those who are naturals at rhythm, determining strum patterns can be a simple task. However, those who fight with the down beat can also learn how to pair a […]
Intro to Alternate Guitar Tunings
The most common tuning for the guitar is called standard tuning, with the strings tuned 6-E, 5-A, 4-D, 3-G, 2-B, 1-E. The majority of songs for guitar are written in this tuning. However, musicians will often experiment with other ways to tune the guitar in order to achieve sounds that aren’t easy to create in […]