Know the Basics…2

                                                                              …  contd’ from Know the Basics.

In the first part of this topic, we took a look at the minimum requirements needed to start learning the instrument. YouTube Video: Lesson B4 The Lesson

As promised, in this section I will be discussing important supplementary points and why to incorporate them early on in the journey. Points, which I wish I was informed about in my time.

The Objective:

“What are you trying to achieve?”

Play nursery rhymes for kids

                     Casual but impressive playing

                                     Professional career: Live and/or studio sessions

                                                          Classical Maestro

Although it may seem irrelevant when one is just beginning to learn chords, it is nonetheless a very important mindset to achieve. This would determine the effort in terms of practice hours, dedication in terms of attention to detail, and the need to structure a learning schedule according to topics.

When I started learning the guitar, with an overdose of enthusiasm, I wanted to learn everything yesterday. Learned everything I could get my hands on, learned it badly with improper technique and form, and ended up confused and frustrated that my efforts were not showing any results.

I am actually glad that my long hiatus has helped wipe the slate clean, so to speak.

So, I would suggest that you don’t walk this path. At least have an idea where you would like to be after say a year and it would give you a finish line to aim for. Take it one race at a time, rather than target the longest marathon on the first go.

We will get into structuring practice sessions in later videos.

No fear— When Ayl’s here, guys.

Ear Training and Guitar Tuning:

If you are looking to be an above-average guitar player, one that provokes people to stop and say- hey that sounds good- rather than merely cast a look in your direction, Ear training is a must include in the training session.

I would go a step further and say learn to sing as well. You do not have to become the next Bruce D. or Maria C., but hum or pitch the notes sometimes to augment your hearing and ingrain the sound in your head.

So start with tuning the guitar every time you pick it up to play/ practice. Hum the note of the open string when you have tuned it. After a while, you wouldn’t need a guitar tuner. You will be the tuner.

Even a slight variance in the tuning every time you play the guitar will subconsciously confuse your brain as to what the standard base sound is. A consistent 440Htz tuning standard heard consistently, the most common, will get the sound infused in your hearing and memory.

Not to mention your vocal prowess will improve too. I always encourage singing as everyone can sing, just like everyone can play the guitar. Just depends on if you want to.

Nowadays, guitar tuner apps for Android and Apple-based phones are freely available. I would suggest investing in an inexpensive stand-alone or clip-on tuner which would be a good addition to your guitar accessories. Most are compatible with either an acoustic or electric guitar.

Metronome:

I couldn’t emphasize this enough. 

Timing is Music and Music is Timing…E’nuff said.

One of my earliest mistakes was not practicing to time. Of course, metronomes were hard to come by then and so were backing tracks.

Times have changed, apps have really good metronomes and not the “Tick Tock Tock Tock” kind of sound but the drumbeat rhythm which makes rehearsal all the more interesting.

Not using a metronome would still get you to a point where you play well, but only by yourself.

Put in other players, read band or couple of guitars at a party, and all hell breaks loose.

The effort put in during all those hours of training suddenly disappears in a puff of embarrassment.

The clock-like timing of the metronome is the glue that holds multiple players together.

Like everything in life, it takes a little effort to get used to but like cycling, you can’t forget it ever.

So makes sense to start with it in the first place.

Finger Exercises and Stretching:

These are important enough for a player at any level. Professional musicians use finger exercises to warm up before a performance just as a singer loosens up their vocal cords before singing.

Free and loose wrists, fingers, and tendons are a prerequisite for an exciting performance and years free from an injury like carpal tunnel syndrome and tennis elbow.

These potential career halting conditions are a result of repetitive movements.

Consider a combination of a full day’s work typing on the computer and then trying to get 3-4 hours of guitar practice. The tendons involved for both the jobs are the same. They do not get any rest although the tasks may differ.

Over time soreness and inability to play long durations arise. In the worst-case scenario, cramping of the fingers leading to a tingly sensation even when not doing anything.

I have been through this and it’s no fun. My experience was a result of combining guitar playing, computer work, and the gym.

I have since learned to warm up my wrists and fingers with stretching and finger exercises. The numbness does still occur sometimes and I have to then take a break and stretch them fingers again till it subsides.

These conditions do not let up easily and prevention is really better than the cure in this situation.

Finger abrasion from strings like I described in Part one is fine, work thru the pain, however, pain in the wrist, fingers, or elbow is another ball game altogether. Take a break, rest, and/ or seek medical advice if it gets too bad.

We will have a separate topic in the near future which will discuss this in greater detail.

FYI info… It is said that the opening riff of the classic, “Sweet Child of Mine”, is actually a finger warmup routine improvised by Slash.  OMG…

Note: Do not use finger protectors, other than being useless they do not allow your fingers to mature and harden. Work through it and let it mature naturally.

Music Notation VS Guitar Tabs:

If you want to go pro and perform in an orchestra or get into studio recording sessions, it is advisable to learn music notation.

Having said that, if sight-reading is not a requirement and you wish to play by ear and play well, on stage or off; guitar tabs are the easier and faster alternative to learn songs, scales or riffs.

Tabs weren’t common back in the day and everywhere I looked there were only music notations. I tried it out and realized it was not my cup of tea. 

I have never missed learning to sight-read. I pick up by ear and a sense of rhythm developed over the years.

All the song tutorials, scales, and riffs in my videos and blogs will be Tab based starting with my blog on finger exercises as a warmup and/or pre-performance routine.

Before then, I will have a tutorial on reading Tab.

So a lot to do and innovative practice to follow in time to come.

Till then know your way around the guitar.

Cheers!