I've recently discovered that there is a real demand for something. I wrote about this in my newsletter last week. (If you don't receive my FREE weekly newsletter, "The Flatpick Post," why not sign for it on the right hand column of this blog?) Anyway, I've been getting a lot of emails recently from people who are beginning to learn the guitar--and it is just not coming together for them. Playing chords that are free from "dead" notes and being able to change quickly from one chord to another has caused a lot of people a lot of frustration. I have found Louise Slavnic's Guitar Made Easy, an instantly downloadable workbook, to be one of the best resources for the frustrated beginner, or the person who is returning to the guitar after a long time of not playing.Here is a hint Louise offers for helping you learn to switch chords quickly: "When changing chord positions, do not remove hand from the guitar neck. Likewise, do not move your hand/fingers away from the strings. Keep the hand close to the strings, 'hovering' over the frets as your change to the next chord. This promotes the 'flow' of chord changing and ensures that you are developing the skill correctly."
It can take a long time to become familiar with each chord and to remember which chord is which. In her workbook, Louise suggests,"As you practice what has been outlined in the chord practice routine, follow this pattern: Say the name of the chord as you begin change.- Say the name of the chord as you position each finger."
Louise even provides information on how to condition your fingers for pain-free playing. She suggests soaking the fingertips of the chord changing fingers in mentholated spirits before and after practicing. Says Louise, "This helps to harden the skin so that the pressing is not painful. The fingers do not become ugly and hard,they simply become hardened enough to alleviate the pain. Some beginners choose to use a cotton bud to dab the 'mentho' on to their finger tips."
Louise also stresses something that I often harp on: Keep those fingernails trimmed! She points out that not only do long fingernails hinder chord formation and slow down the process or chord changing, but over a period of time they will put grooves in your fretboard!
On a lot of sheet music, the chords are either directly above, or below, the lyrics they go with. It is not always apparent just when to change from one chord to another. Louise gives this word of encouragement: "As you develop as a guitarist you will understand more and more the need for a guitarist to 'feel' a song as you play it. It is important to play according to music, but it is just as important to be part of it. You will feel the time to change the chord sometimes even though the composer does not always point out exactly where to place the chord change--you feel it. The more familiar you are with a song, the better you will play it, so do not be discouraged by the way you play the song to start with." With time you will not even have to think about when to change the chords!
If you're one of those folks who have become discouraged and frustrated with the learning process, Louise's guitar instruction may be just what you need. For more information:
Click Here!
