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This video of tips from JustinGuitar.com on making the most from your practice
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POrIlbiDg0Y
is fascinating after just finishing _Guitar Zero_, as they are the same points made by the psychologist-author of _Guitar Zero_. Both emphasize the need to practice slowly and carefully so the student doesn't make learn bad habits, which are difficult to unlearn, and both mention that the foundation of playing well is through hours of practice, so that what starts out as a bunch of small steps requiring mental focus, such as chord changes, become an unthinking process where all those little parts merge into a whole.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POrIlbiDg0Y
is fascinating after just finishing _Guitar Zero_, as they are the same points made by the psychologist-author of _Guitar Zero_. Both emphasize the need to practice slowly and carefully so the student doesn't make learn bad habits, which are difficult to unlearn, and both mention that the foundation of playing well is through hours of practice, so that what starts out as a bunch of small steps requiring mental focus, such as chord changes, become an unthinking process where all those little parts merge into a whole.
My favorite online guitar lesson site
Jul. 7th, 2013 04:06 pmSo there is this guy named Justin who has an entire Website full of guitar lessons
http://justinguitar.com
and you can check out the lessons free. He is also a fantastic explainer and gives specific instructions on which finger should go on which string at which fret (he also typically provides instructions for alternate fingerings), and instructions are given both in video and text notes. He even does a bit of troubleshooting at the end of each video so you can figure out why your chord sounds wrong. I've checked out a number of online lessons and audio courses, and this is the one I have found to be, by far, the most blind-friendly. Obviously, however, you don't have to be blind to appreciate his great teaching method, because his site has over 50,000 likes.
And, just to provide the cherry on top of the ice cream sundae, he has a British accent.
Here is the link to the D chord I am working on today
http://justinguitar.com/en/BC-111-D-chord.php
http://justinguitar.com
and you can check out the lessons free. He is also a fantastic explainer and gives specific instructions on which finger should go on which string at which fret (he also typically provides instructions for alternate fingerings), and instructions are given both in video and text notes. He even does a bit of troubleshooting at the end of each video so you can figure out why your chord sounds wrong. I've checked out a number of online lessons and audio courses, and this is the one I have found to be, by far, the most blind-friendly. Obviously, however, you don't have to be blind to appreciate his great teaching method, because his site has over 50,000 likes.
And, just to provide the cherry on top of the ice cream sundae, he has a British accent.
Here is the link to the D chord I am working on today
http://justinguitar.com/en/BC-111-D-chord.php
Book review: _Guitar Zero_ by Gary Marcus
Jul. 7th, 2013 11:16 am_Guitar zero : The new musician and the science of learning_ Gary F. Marcus (2012)
I loved this book, and I will be keeping it in the reread pile, because it is full of useful information for the would-be guitar player of any age. It is also suitable for the general reader, gently introducing some of the more technical terms used in both neuroscience and music theory, but never becoming bogged down with jargon. It's real strength, however, is that it provides a strong dose of encouragement for any adult who has thought of learning to play a musical instrument but felt overwhelmed by what seems to be the steep learning curve.
( continued below cut )
I loved this book, and I will be keeping it in the reread pile, because it is full of useful information for the would-be guitar player of any age. It is also suitable for the general reader, gently introducing some of the more technical terms used in both neuroscience and music theory, but never becoming bogged down with jargon. It's real strength, however, is that it provides a strong dose of encouragement for any adult who has thought of learning to play a musical instrument but felt overwhelmed by what seems to be the steep learning curve.
( continued below cut )
Language and music
Jun. 29th, 2013 09:16 amblock quote start
[W]ords at best offer only a distinctly limited window into the true nature of music....Even words that we take for granted aren't universal; pitches that we describe as "high" and "low" are described as "light" and "dark" in Norwegian.
from _Guitar Zero: The New Musician and the Science of Learning_
by Gary F. Marcus
block quote end
[W]ords at best offer only a distinctly limited window into the true nature of music....Even words that we take for granted aren't universal; pitches that we describe as "high" and "low" are described as "light" and "dark" in Norwegian.
from _Guitar Zero: The New Musician and the Science of Learning_
by Gary F. Marcus
block quote end
The guitar player manicure
Jun. 26th, 2013 12:15 pmI had forgotten about this, and am getting way too much enjoyment out of it.
More details about my new guitar
Jun. 24th, 2013 01:35 pmI'm pasting the details below the URL to the Music Emporium page which has a picture--isn't she pretty? Also, the cedar top means she even smells nice. I'm not sure about all the differences between a classical guitar and a folk guitar, but one difference is the neck is slightly wider on a classical, which may seem counter-intuitive for someone with short stubby fingers, but it is what I learned on and what feels natural for me.
Seagull Guitars Coastline S6 Folk Cedar
http://www.themusicemporium.com/product-detail/product/seagull-guitars-coastline-s6-folk-cedar.htmlDescription
This concert size model is based on the dimensions of a classical guitar, and has a shallower body depth than other Seagull guitars. The smaller body size enhances the instrument's sound in the mid-range. The Folk is an excellent choice for fingerstyle playing.
Top : Select Pressure Tested Solid Cedar
Back & Sides : Wild Cherry
Neck : Silver Leaf Maple
Fingerboard & Bridge : Rosewood
Tusq® nut and compensated saddle
Finish : Semi-Gloss Custom Polished Finish
Nut Width: 1.8"
Upper Bout: 11.14"
Lower Bout: 14.76"
Waist: 9.46"
Body Legth: 19.6"
Body Depth: 4.5"
Seagull Guitars Coastline S6 Folk Cedar
http://www.themusicemporium.com/product-detail/product/seagull-guitars-coastline-s6-folk-cedar.htmlDescription
This concert size model is based on the dimensions of a classical guitar, and has a shallower body depth than other Seagull guitars. The smaller body size enhances the instrument's sound in the mid-range. The Folk is an excellent choice for fingerstyle playing.
Top : Select Pressure Tested Solid Cedar
Back & Sides : Wild Cherry
Neck : Silver Leaf Maple
Fingerboard & Bridge : Rosewood
Tusq® nut and compensated saddle
Finish : Semi-Gloss Custom Polished Finish
Nut Width: 1.8"
Upper Bout: 11.14"
Lower Bout: 14.76"
Waist: 9.46"
Body Legth: 19.6"
Body Depth: 4.5"
Christmas in June
Jun. 23rd, 2013 01:53 pmYesterday Alexx and his dad took me to the Music Emporium in Arlington to pick out a guitar, and the second one I tried turned out to be the most perfect guitar, for me, which I have ever held. It's a smaller scale folk and blues Seagull guitar (the brand did not influence my decision, but it did seem like a sign), and it even has a matte finish, instead of the highly varnished finish which I never liked. I've already forgotten which woods it is made from, but it has the bell-like tone I like. Alexx even found a blue guitar strap which has golden Wicker Man suns on it. I love my new guitar so much that last night I slept with it. Actually, it's that I need to find a space for it in the Closet of Mysteries (which stays somewhat cooler than the aerye). Anyway, I am short enough that I can have the guitar in its case at the foot of my bed and still have plenty of room for sleeping.
Then E. came to visit, and brought more Christmas presents: a nifty little lantern that burns tea light candles, a book titled _The Lady and Her Monsters: A Tale of Dissections, Real-Life Dr. Frankensteins, and Mary Shelley's Masterpiece_, and, my favorite, blue and gold socks embroidered with the word "bookworm."
Last, but not least, Alexx bought me a Kindle ebook:
_Selections from the Carmina Burana: A New Verse Translation (Penguin Classics)_.
Then E. came to visit, and brought more Christmas presents: a nifty little lantern that burns tea light candles, a book titled _The Lady and Her Monsters: A Tale of Dissections, Real-Life Dr. Frankensteins, and Mary Shelley's Masterpiece_, and, my favorite, blue and gold socks embroidered with the word "bookworm."
Last, but not least, Alexx bought me a Kindle ebook:
_Selections from the Carmina Burana: A New Verse Translation (Penguin Classics)_.
