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Beginners guitar lessons, chords - 4 tips for acoustic and electric pick style players
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Guitar chords can be difficult for the beginner, there seems to be
so many chords to learn and how do you remember all of them?
Anyone who has ever tried to learn the guitar will remember,
endless difficult chord shapes, buzzing strings and unmusical
sounds.
Try these four tips and you will be well on your way to
overcoming the guitar chord blues.
Tip 1 -- memory cards
The best way to recall chord names and associate the chord name
with the correct chord shape is via data memory cards.
Simply use a blank index card with the chord name on one side of
the card and the correct chord shape on the other side of the
card.
Use these data memory cards like question and answer cards, look
at them each day adding new cards as you learn more chords.
The concept is, you would have three piles of cards -- a daily
pile, weekly pile and monthly pile.
Once you get the answer correct place the card in a weekly pile,
at the end of the week, test yourself with all the chords in the
weekly pile, the data cards that you correctly answered from the
weekly pile move to the monthly pile, the cards that were
answered incorrectly go back to the daily pile.
You will be able to remember an enormous number of chords using
this method.
Tip 2 -- easy shapes
Most of the chord shapes presented in commercially available
guitar "chord books" are too difficult for beginners. The generic
chord shapes contained in these books are technically correct
however highly impractical for the guitarist, even an experienced
player.
The solution is to re-design the chord shapes in a way that only
requires 2 or 3 fingers with minimum finger movement between
chords.
Modify any chord shape so that you are only playing the first 3
or 4 strings. this will give you a good sounding chord without
all the unnecessary stretching.
Tip 3 -- chord stamp
When you are changing chords take special note of how your
fingers make up the chord shape.
The idea is to have all your fingers stamp down on the chord in
one single movement, not two of three movements. Think of your
fingers coming down on the strings like a rubber stamp.
Tip 4 -- metronome
Once you know the chord shape you will need to develop speed and
accuracy with your chord changes.
Use a metronome to monitor your progress. Start by setting the
metronome to 60 beat per minute. Select a chord progression to
practice, strum the chord on the first beat of the bar and listen
to the metronome for the remaining three beats.
The idea is to get the next chord change accurately on the first
beat of the next bar, if the chord change isn't accurate, slow
the metronome down,
We want to use the metronome to track our progress, don't set the
metronome and try to reach the tempo, rather use the metronome to
monitor our daily progress.
Gradually increase the tempo over time.
The most important thing to keep in mind is to tap your foot and
concentrate on developing your rhythm.
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a student of Mike Hayes since 1999, I have found his teaching methods
and products to be first class. Whatever style or area of music I have
been interested in, he has provided me with useful information, advice
and study materials. His style of teaching and teaching products
enabled me to progress through his guitar course far quicker than I
ever imagined. He also helps in teaching yourself to find and develop
your own style of music. Mike’s teaching gives his
student’s the ability to become useful musicians, not just
guitarists.
Stephen J Reid
Guitarist & Musician
Australia
This
course teaches us how to learn, how to retain, and how to recall
information quickly. This entire program is built around "connected
learning" with key phrases, picture words ( yes there is such a thing )
and the most dynamic personal motivator I have ever had the pleasure of
knowing.
Ken C Simpson
Business Owner & Guitarist
Queensland, Australia
The
course is varied, in-depth and well-structured, making learning and
comprehension fast, thorough and enjoyable. It’s a great way of
learning, as you can pace yourself and move onto the next stage when
you feel competent. I find this course both innovative and
inspirational. I find myself leaving Mike’s lessons with the
determination to reach my new goals.
Karl J Ricker
Sales Manager
Sunshine Coast, Australia
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