Have Any Questions?

[Dan Miller]

If you have any questions or comments regarding any of the material in the course, please post it here and I will answer it for you. If I don't have the answer, I will find it for you! If you have the question, then others who are working with the course probably have the same question, so this discussion will benefit everyone!

[Dan Miller]

Thanks Ty!

Dan

[Bryon Carr]

Is there a download area on this website where I can download the "Tabs" of all the tunes on the Brad Davis Flatpick Jam CD Set Volumes 1 to 4? I would rather order the CD instead of the DVD. I can't play the DVD on my CD player and according to the description, the DVD has mp3's. I would like to use the Jam CD to expand on my Flatpicking Essentials lessons.

[Todd Osman]

Hey Dan, I'm wondering about right hand anchoring. There have been many discussions about it, and everyone has a different opinion. Which pretty much makes it all worthless if a fella is trying to decide which way to go. I've anchored with my pinky on the guitar top in the past, and now anchor my wrist/palm on the bridge. Specifically, what I want to know, is if YOU are playing say "Lonesome Road Blues" from #1, up to speed. Are you anchoring at all for the runs, or is it all in the air? I'm thinking my speed is going to hit a limit if I'm anchoring, but can I achieve accuracy without it? Thanks Dan. These books are Fabulous!

[Dan Miller]

Todd,
Thanks for your question. There are a lot of ways to hold the right hand and it is very hard to say that one is "correct" and another is "not correct" because as soon as you say that one way is not correct then you can find examples of a dozen great players that do it that "not correct" way, and they play fast, clean with good tone.
Personally, my pinky is the only thing that touches the guitar, but it is not "anchored." It lightly touches the top and glides along the top of pick guard as my hand moves. That way I can use it to gauge where my hand is, but it is not rigidly planted in place. I try to keep my whole hand loose and relaxed at all times.
I hope that helps!
Dan

[Todd Osman]

Thanks Dan, just what I was looking for.

[Dan Miller]

No problem. Good luck!
Dan

[Craig]

Dan,

With respect to determining whether or not I am done with any of the examples, homework assignments and songs in "Flatpicking Essentials Volume 1" ... What tempo (In BPM) should I be able to play them at?

Thanks for your time and answer in advance,

Craig

[Dan Miller]

Craig,

Good question! I would say that when you first learn anything new you should work to be able to play it smooth and clean at about 72 bpm. That might seem painfully slow, but it is a good idea to start out painfully slow when building muscle memory. Once you feel comfortable there, gradually move up to a new target of about 120. Once you can play it smoothly and cleanly at 120, work your way up to 160, and then 180 as your next targets. I'd say that if you can play between the 160 and 180 range, without making mistakes or struggling, you can then move on to learn something new. You may encounter tempos higher than 180 in a bluegrass setting, however, if you can play any example at a tempo over 160, you are ready to move on to the next example or exercise. As you continue to move forward, periodically go back and practice the old exercises and examples to work to get them up to that 180 mark and beyond.
As you increase the tempo, spend a little time focusing on keeping both the right and left hands very relaxed. Most players run into trouble with fast tempos because their hands and arms start to tense up. Sometimes you really have to focus on staying relaxed. I hope that answers your question.
Dan

[Craig]

Dan,

Thank you for your detailed response ... It was exactly what I was looking for ...

Now it's time to practice, practice, practice ... ;)

Craig

[Pa Duff, (Ray)]

Relax?????the right hand, easyer said then done working with the metronome at slow speed any pointers. Thanks Ray

[Hal Loflin]

Hey Dan...Quick question. I am FINALLY working through Volume 1 and on page 21, example 10, when you transition the bass walk down from the C to the D, should I use my pinky to hit the F# or my ring finger? I can do either, actually practiced alternating between the two, but am wondering what would be best...working the pinky in or using the ring finger?

[Dan Miller]

Hal,

I usually use the ring finger, but either will work.  I recommend using what feels most natural and comfortable.  I've written out two tabs with fingering for the G scale.  One using the ring, the other using the pinky.  If you'd like a copy of that tab, email me at [e-mail] and I'll send it to you.