D01 Classical guitar lesson 01

[Philip Polaski]

Paul thanks for the feedback. I did some research on the rest stroke and found that I was pulling the strings and not pushing them towards the guitar.

I also wanted to comment on my practice day. I put a little time in the morning playing through the songs and began to internalize the structure of the song.

Tonight I got some time to practice again and I found that I was able to focus on the dynamics better. The songs flowed so much better. Guess practice is key along with the analysis on technique.

I remember many years ago going into a guitar lesson feeling like I hit a cement wall. After playing through the part for my instructor I was told to focus on a few areas. Next time I hit a wall I'm going to post a video.

[Jim Stewart]

For me the biggest challenge is to stay relaxed on the rest stroke. As soon as I start trying too hard I tense up and then the picking fingers start getting trapped by the strings and it is hard to get them back on track. I don't try to do the muting until I have gone over the song a number of times and when I feel comfortable with the fingering I go back over and practice each of the muting parts. Then I go to M. Delcamp's video to get the timing of the piece. I find that once I know the note fingering, I can add the damping with the most logical finger.

With my left hand I have been struggling with keeping my thumb in the proper place behind the neck. This is a constant battle. When I get it behind the neck I start to lose the accurate string position. I am still working on that and doing daily spider crawl exercises before each practice.

[Philip Polaski]

Youtube




Youtube




Youtube

[Todd Owenby]

OK...here are my vids...learning guitar and Youtube at the same time! I apologize in advance for the horrible sound quality.

Open Strings


Youtube


(Will post the rest after lunch...)

Old Mac Donald


Youtube


Au Clair de la Lune


Youtube

[Philip Polaski]

For me the biggest challenge is to stay relaxed on the rest stroke. As soon as I start trying too hard I tense up and then the picking fingers start getting trapped by the strings and it is hard to get them back on track.

Hello Jim,

I've the same problem. Especially in my third video. Look at how I'm bending the low E string with my right hand thumb. Its causing a slight vibration on some notes. Usually I play much more fluid (with a guitar pick hahahha). But seriously I'm usually a bit better in tone when relaxed. The other morning after researching the rest stroke I found I was pulling the strings, when I should have been pushing them towards the guitar.

Now, that I've brushed up on sight reading and video recording I hope to focus on the music more and be a bit more polished in the future videos. I look forward to listening to your next songs.

Best Regards,

Phil

[Todd Owenby]

...wonders why my vids aren't showing up...

[GeoffB]

Todd, there is some guidance here on posting Youtube videos. You only need the string of letters and numbers that follow the equals sign, not the whole address.

Geoff

p.s. I see you've got it now.

[Todd Owenby]

Todd, there is some guidance here on posting Youtube videos. You only need the string of letters and numbers that follow the equals sign, not the whole address.

Geoff

G: Thanks for the help! These vids are "unlisted" so I thought that may have been the culprit. Thanks!

[Robert Goodwin]

I would like to share some of the things I learned during the last D01 class.

1. Relax. Frustration was my biggest drawback from making progress. Too many mistakes and I would start trying to force the music to happen. Then it really went downhill. Stop. Lower your arms and relax your body; starting at your feet and working up to your head. Imagine a peaceful scene; a mountain stream or meadow; an ocean sunset. Will this make you a better guitarist? No, but it will keep you from wasting a practice session.

2. Slow down. With each new piece, learn to crawl, then learn to walk, and only then, learn to run. It's the way everyone learns and skipping to the running usually ends in disaster.

3. Have a little respect for the 'rest' symbol; that squiggly looking thing at the end of a measure. It means for your guitar to to be still for a heartbeat or so. Those little silences speak as dramatically as any of the notes that preceded or follow and to ignore them is to cast your rhythm into chaos.

4. Some of the most critical early service provided by a live instructor is observation. He/she will notice that you are bending your wrist too much and thus risking injury. They will observe and suggest ways to correct posture, placement etc. For us, we need to spend time observing ourselves. Do use a video recording if you are able. Otherwise, take time from play to just observe how you sit and hold your guitar.

5. For me, learning guitar has become a sort of zen experience that has opened my mind. It has also given me great joy.

[PaulSClevenger]

Hey Phillip. Your videos look and sound pretty good. I noticed that you are not consistent with alternating the i and m fingers with your right hand. I think this is very difficult to do in the beginning, but worth taking the time to master.

Paul

[Todd Owenby]

Just some quick thoughts along the same lines as Paul and Robert...

First, memorize everything Robert said.

As for the alternation, I fully agree with Paul. However, you'll notice on my vids, I don't follow the left hand fingerings exactly either...there's a reason that I'll get to in a sec.

Before that, let me explain that my formal guitar education is a bit spotty, at best. Although I've played since I was 5, I only had a few months of formal lessons. Fortunately, some of those involved fingerstyle guitar, which I fell in love with. Additionally, after high school, I stopped playing...for about 20 years.

The little bit of formal music education I received was through the school band (trumpet) for 6 years. However, I only took a few lessons each year before a major competition.

Where was I going with this? OH!!! Alternation!!!


Most of my guitar playing until very recently was limited to fingerstyle...I very RARELY played with a pick. However, I decided to learn to use a plectrum earlier this year. As with fingers, alternation is key to developing speed and accuracy. However, I taught myself the "economy of motion" method FIRST, before truly developing alternate picking. As might be expected from more experienced players, my speed was VERY slow...and inaccurate.

THEN I focused on re-learning alternate picking...the "right" way. It was very challenging at first...and slow. However, especially with the help of a metronome, my speed quickly increased and soon surpassed my previous limits by about 50 bmp. I still can't "shred," but I'm a heckuva lot faster...and really in a short amount of time.

So, in a word, "yes," alternating fingers is pretty critical. And START SLOWLY...40 bmp if needed. Use a metronome. As you slowly increase your speed, you'll be able to SEE improvement.

Now, so why don't I always follow this? Well, along the way, I also taught myself electric bass guitar. I used several resources, both in print and online. Economy of motion and the rest stroke are stressed by bass instructors fairly widely...and that's what I learned.

For example, in our setting, the "i" plays a note on the high E string. Using the rest stroke, the "i" comes to rest on the B string. Economy of motion...and my background in bass guitar...would have the "i" play the next note (on the B string), rather that alternating with the "m."

I have a very hard time with this...and it frustrates me to no end...as with alternating picking. I'm forced to relearn what's been ingrained through my 3 hr. daily practice sessions...and I know my speed and accuracy are suffering. Fortunately, I really don't use the rest stroke very much and opt for the free stroke. However, I think one should learn both...and the correct way to begin with.

One more thought and I'll close...string muting. Kudos for this being stressed so early...as it should be. Again, being self-taught, I never placed much emphasis on this...and my articulation suffered for it. I think this is another critical skill in a player's development, regardless of genre. Yet, string muting seems to be an afterthought to most tutors, if it's mentioned at all.

If you proceed slowly...at an absolute CRAWL...use a metronome...MAKE your fingers alternate...go so far as to continue the fingerings on the entire piece in pencil...mute the strings, ESPECIALLY during the rests...you'll engrain yourself with the proper techniques from the start...and not have to relearn.

Oh...one other thought...in addition to following Delcamp's practice schedule...USE A TIMER. 10 minutes on a difficult passage? USE A TIMER. There's something about "being on the clock" that clicks the brain into a different gear. Try it and see for yourself.

Cheers!

[Philip Polaski]

Thank you everyone for the feedback!

I reviewed my videos and did notice that my rest strokes where off a bit. I'm really new to finger picking and was trying to figure out the patterns.

So, If a piece starts of with the m finger it should then alternate between m & i for the rest of the piece?

I reviewed Mr. Del camps videos and saw that this looks like this would be the case.

The only time the pattern would stop would be for something like an accent note?

This would be great news as I put as much energy into playing the right note as I did trying to pluck with the right finger.

Question why do some pieces start with the i finger and some start with the m finger?

Again, thank so much... I can now focus more on playing the music, and for the most part make sure that my alternations are even.

- Phil

[Todd Owenby]

P:

I was hoping someone more learned would answer your questions, but I'll try.

For the most part, "yes," you should alternate throughout the entire piece. If you start very slowly, and pay strict attention to both hands, this will become second nature over time. When you feel comfortable at at given tempo, increase the speed of the metronome by a little. Sounds like you're going about it the right way. Stick with it; it will become more and more fluid.

As for why some pieces start with different fingers, I would assume it relates to avoiding "crossing fingers" somewhere in the piece. By that I mean a point in which the fingers may "trip" over each other while trying to maintain alternation.

Keep up the good work! Cheers!

-todd

PS

I watched your vids again, but a little closer. You're doing great. I'm sure alternation seems a bit akward. Just work slowly...use the metronome...follow Delcamp's minimum time recommendations...and it WILL come naturally.

[EricIsdaman]

Hello,
I was wondering what are the changes on the new version of the pdf.
I am sorry if many other people have asked this question already, but does the arch on top of a clef means?

Regards

[Todd Owenby]

Hello,
I was wondering what are the changes on the new version of the pdf.
I am sorry if many other people have asked this question already, but does the arch on top of a clef means?

Regards

E:

I'm not sure of the other changes, but I believe the arch above the staff is intended to signify phrases within each piece.

-todd