Thursday Tip
Play your guitar rhythm using a flat pick to experience the difference between finger style playing and using a pick. Start out by playing strum patterns and then songs with strumming. You’ll definitely hear a bigger sound volume and a tinnier sound*. It’s a great way to ‘pick’ your rhythm preferences!
Play on…
Marlene
* If you want to hear more details about How To Play Using A Flat Pick, listen to my podcast ~ episode 11!
Social distancing makes playing face-to-face pretty much impossible, but there’s good news ~ it IS possible to perform using technology* and it’s pretty easy to do!
1. Sign up for a meeting platform, i.e. Zoom, Facebook Meeting Room, or use FaceTime (iphone).
2. Set up a date/time with your listener and share the link.
3. Perform live for your ‘audience’ and enjoy your virtual gig!
Play on…
Marlene
*Note: If you want to hear more about performing virtually, listen to my podcast ~ episode 10!
During this quarantine you might find it challenging to squeeze practice time into the mix. If so, then combine your guitar playing with other activities like playing guitar as background music during a virtual visit or play for your children during bath time*. Who knows you might create a new normal that’s pretty cool!
Play on…
Marlene
*For more quarantine practice ideas listen here to podcast episode 9 and subscribe so you can hear the latest tips as soon as they hit the airwaves!
Being able to change, move, transition from chord to chord is one of the most challenging skills. Here are 3 ways to practice changing your chords more quickly:
1. Play the chords repetitively, slowly at first and then faster.
2. Do #1 with a metronome, it makes you move faster!
3. When changing your chords in a song, keep the rhythm going, it makes the chord hand move more quickly.
Play on…
Marlene
Note: If you want to hear me playing quick chord changing examples, listen to episode 6 of my podcast listen here
Photo: Acoustic Guitar
Learn about Bob Dylan’s guitars and you’ll learn about his musical journey. This Acoustic Guitar article, Bob Dylan’s Acoustic Guitars, How To Emulate His Sound details his favored guitar models, styles of playing and inspirations. Take a trip down Bob’s guitar memory lane!
Play on…
Marlene
Stevie Wonder’s song, I Just Called To Say I Love You, is quite timely. Here’s the chords and lyrics and if you play along with the attached recording use capo 1. BTW…if you share this song with someone using modern technology, perhaps change the lyrics to, ‘…I just Zoomed/Skyped/Facetimed to say I love you…’!
Play on…
Marlene
P.S. If there are chords you’re not familiar with, don’t fret, you can hover your curser over the chord to get a chart. Note: I prefer the Bb and Bm versions below, and for the the D#m look at version 3 on the site.
![Bm Guitar Chord [Easy] - 3 Versions by Tomas Michaud of Real ...](https://i0.wp.com/i.pinimg.com/originals/c9/e5/62/c9e562ecfd84dabfb1c7be0b64f4974f.jpg?resize=70%2C106&ssl=1)
Why not use this time to get creative and think out of the box with your guitar playing? Watch this cool TedxMelbourne video of Tommy Emmanuel explaining what motivates him, his inspirations, and his creative, out of the box ideas that make his guitar playing just like a one man band!
Play on…
Marlene
Ever have neck, shoulder and/or back soreness after a playing session? Then try placing your music on a stand instead of a table. When your music is at eye level you’ll keep your head up, which improves your posture, ultimately relieving strain to those areas. Heads up ~ use a music stand!
Play on…
Marlene
Staying in/self quarantine doesn’t mean you can’t do something cool like ‘go’ to a guitar museum. Here’s a virtual tour of the Martin Guitar Museum with tour guide Chris Martin. It’s virtually fascinating!
Play on…
Marlene
Rainy day? Snowed in? Just hanging out at home? Here’s 5 guitar activities to do in your spare time:
1. Try a new skill like tablature, fingerpicking, a new strumming pattern, new chords ~ there are so many possibilities!
2. Clean and polish your guitar and then change out your strings. Spring those strings!
3. Play every song in your repertoire, even Row, Row, Row Your Boat ~ it’s exciting to see how far you’ve come!
4. Look on-line for new songs to play. It’s always fun to have a new song to work on!
5. Write your own song!
Play on…
Marlene