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!

[Chad Mayer]

Hey there, Just a quick question about fingering.

In book 1 on example 8, (pg. 19) going from C to D, we hit a C#. This is a little outside the comfort zone of the first three frets.

Should I be shifting my ring finger over to hit that (I see this with f# in a G major scale open position too) or using my pinky, or work on both?

Fantastic lessons!

Thanks, Chad

[Dan Miller]

Chad,

Personally, I'll play both the C and the C# notes in that run with my ring finger.  I'll usually also play the F# note, when playing in the key of G, with my ring finger as well.  Using either the ring or the pinky will work.  We usually leave that up to the individual, suggesting that each person do what feels most natural and comfortable.

I hope that helps!

[Chad Mayer]

It sure does, thanks!

[Michael Johns]

Is there a system for knowing what key you are in when using a Capo? For instance it would seem that it would correspond to notes on the 6th ( low E string) but it doesn't? A capo on the first fret, seems like it ought to be E# or Fb or F, then F# ,Gb, then G on the 3rd Fret but it's not........A = Capo on 2nd Fret?.........what is the reference/system for learning this?

2). I keep hearing that "the" Scales to learn for Bluegrass is/are Pentatonic as apposed to Major Scales? Is that so or is it equally important to know both as well as the Blues ( notes) Scales.? ( there are so many!) I've also heard the Segovia Scale is Most helpful.? You know I spent alot of time learning the pentatonic, major, an blues scales forms/positions, and I have yet to figure out what to do with that knowledge?? Course, I'm not sure how you go about "Connecting" them? All I'm certain of is their Movable, but if you move on form/patten then do the other patterns/positions move with them; I.e., if there are 5 Positions an you use the 2nd position/pattern in the 1st position then does the 3rd Form/Position move to the 2nd Position, and so on..........Know matter what instructor you reference for info on this, that's seems to be where it starts an ends! "These are the Forms, These are the Positions. Period! Never have seen any info on what happens next! Connecting them, ? what to do with the knowledge? Seems like a dead end after learning them, if you don't know what to do next???!
Does this make any since, or am I an idiot?! I'm sure, later in the course, I may discover the answer, but it hurts not knowing the answer.

3). Sometimes, I think, I'll always be a student, never learning how to really play a tune? Ever feel that way .......seems like I've learned tons of stuff, but still cant get one of these songs/tunes out! Enjoying the journey, but you'd think I could play something on my $3000 Martin an tons of accessories, by now.........surely, one day, I'll feel the "beat" !!

Thanks, Still Rockin' , Vol. 1 , going to dream of G...........

[Gregory Burke]

Hi Michael,

There are a lot of simple charts online that show you chords and what they will be when the capo is on the different frets. The main thing to understand is that when you put a capo on a fret, it raises the guitar a half step.  So, if you put a capo on the first fret and play a G chord shape, you are actually playing a G#.  If you put a capo on the second fret and play a G chord shape, you are actually playing an A.  If you then played a C chord shape, you are actually playing a D (two half steps up from a C) and so on.

 

I understand the feeling of always learning but not quite able to do it.  It'll come with time and practice!

 

Greg

[Michael Johns]

ok, thanks, that's what I needed to know. Raises it a 1/2 step. Lost me on the C form is a D, 2 1/2 steps? but anyway, you play the same chord progression only at a different pitch, right?

Capo on 1st fret, 6th String, low , .....open 6th is an E, so 1/2 step up would be F (capo pressed on 6th string, finger on 6th' string, 2nd fret, yes, a G#/A/b. up one more; move capo to 2nd fret, G#\A/b, finger on 3rd fr, is A! Now C shape, capo at 2nd fret, since, your C shape is actually 3 frets up from open and each fret is a 1/2 step, then ........ok. Your C is now 2 - 1/2 steps up from open, so D.......C to D is 2 half steps... Then an A form in that position would be a B, right? If thats true, then I get it!

[Gregory Burke]

Michael,

You get it!  The more you use the capo to transpose songs the more it will become second nature.  Thanks for the correspondence.

 

Greg

[Michael Johns]

Thanks, Greg

[Michael Johns]

Well, I was going to inquire about the use of capo, keys/pitch, and chord forms; but after reading vsome comments below, I think, I have it.

However, I have so many questions ( working on Vol 1, still). I thought that was interesting about lightly touching the Top with your pinky, as apposed to anchoring it. I did neither, but made errors, think I'll try lightly touching the top, while doing bass runs. I often wondered how to be more accurate with hitting the Propper Note, maybe that's it! But No, I would Not Achor it, as I do when finger picking.

One thing I'm curious about are Chord Forms? When I started out about a year ago, I decided to bite the bullet and get what I thought to be one of the Best guitars available (affordable). I got a couple Martins ( DC-1E & D-35). I didn't want my lousy playing/sounds to be a result of the Guitar, but Me alone. I didn't want to Blame the Guitar!? Anyway, I Still feel uncertain about the sounding of certain Chord Forms. I don't think I'm weak, but some chords are a Real Strain, even after Much , much, much, practice! Will these chords Always be a Strain? Are they still a Strain for You ( and other experienced players). Examples: B (barred), F7 (barred) Fm7, all 4 fret chords. As I practice them in various chord progressions, I try to see if each note rings out........they don't , only 3-4 notes sound clear, maybe.......then of course your thinking of staying in time..........very frustrating! Is it this way forever, always, everone.....and you just do the best you can or what?........I somtimes think the Pro's have some Mystical Angel or Guitar God/Luthier, that perfectly "sets-up"/Fine Tunes there instruments daily! What is the Real situation with this phenomena??? What do you "Really" do, when you buy a guitar?

[Michael Johns]

Dan, I'm only on vol ( I have Vol 2 on standby) 1 but have been reading various articles from you about learning to Flatpick and Fiddle Tunes. From what you say, I'll pick up some of the info I'm inquiring about in Volume3; any how, my purpose of this convo is to theorize a little on your admonition about Learning to play Rythm First (a strong foundation) And learning by Ear an moving away from Tab.

I recently ordered an reading your two special archive Volumes/Mags on Fiddle Tunes with quite a few in each of the two Special issues produced in 2009. What I am getting at is: as a Beginner, bordering on advanced beginner/entermediat, but yet still unable to play a tune all the way through (sometimes, I think I just enjoy the lessons, techniques, an studing) . Getting to the point......You learned an practiced an became a "tabaholic", then began your Ear Training, improvising, soloing, etc, but now think you might have been better off learning by Ear initially, even though you did have a Strong Rhythm background.

Well, I don't have the Rythm background as you suggest an it appears I'm on a track of learning Lead via your Essentials Series, which is great and I feel I'm finally getting soewhere! But then, You, down play the method by advising on learning a Strong Rhythm Approach, Ear Traing,, etc prior to focusing on Lead & Fiddle Tunes!

So now I'm wondering, although, making strong advances thru Vol 1& 2 , etc of the Essential Series.......should I stop! And learn some Pre-requisites to the 8 Vol Essentials Curriculum? If so, what pre- req lessons shoul I now study before moving to Vol 2 of the Essentials Series? Or should I just continue on or try and do some of Both. What pre-req would be good to learn before the Essentials Series? Or am I thinking Wrong about this? And continue on with the Essentials Series......? Both? Get some Rythm an Ear training books also an do both........I see the importance of what your trying to convey, just not sure how to proceed, now! I think my rhythm is lousy, that maybe why I can't really play anything, Yet! But making Good Progress with the Essentials Series, love it, practice Daily! It seems my main issues are Timing, Various Strumming
Methods, when to change chords, it's been said you should keep your hand moving, but I think I pause, to create what I suppose is rhythm, but I'm wrong, rhythm must come from various strum patterns an chord progressions? I could be saying this all wrong........but I'm trying to convey a problem that I'm not even sure, how to ask about.......

Now, I'm a serious practic-er, daily, and highly motivated and making good progress on my Martin D35......and I even sound descent working through the examples, etc..............my thinking may be wrong, I'm trying, not only to perform the mechanics but memorize the Runs, I even jot down the Notes on the Tab an try an analyze what's napping with the Notes & Scale.......I read the other day, somewhere, if you know the key( 1st or last chord usually?, you can go to that scale ( pentatonic or major an choose some notes/runs). In Western Music chord Progressions are usually 1-4-5maybe some relative Minors........the a chord/diatonic is 1-3-5 of a scale , a minor would be flatting the 3rd and blues b3rdan 7th and add some color wiTh a 9th........something like that, it's a little jumbled....but I'm sorting it out......"

What do u think about all this, am I off base? A Nut? Doing it wrong.......Suggestions, Please, Thank You!

Oh, one other thing, what is agood source for displaying similar chords but on different parts of the neck, I'd like to see an A in other positions , a C, a D, G, etc up the neck.....seems like that would be important, but I haven't seen diagrams such as that? Don't guitarist want to know that? I do know the notes on the 5th & 6th Strings an some other tricks, but is there a chart/link showing this or a Rule to follow,,.....where are all the A, D, E, B, F, G, C, etc?

That's all, enough, thanks, if you can help me with these quandaries!?

[Making Sawdust]

One thing I think I picked up in your post is that you have been only playing a year? If that is true and you also mentioned fingerpicking, dude, slow down, Flatpicking, fingerpicking, struming, playing lead, way overload. I have been playing since I was 13, and I am over 50, almost way over....50 and I am still learning. My humble advice is learn the alphabet of major chords in open position and be able to change them quickly. A,B,C,D,E,F,G, then work on the 7th chords.....A7 B7(a tough one at first) C7(easy one) D7 etc. 

You asked about playing chords up the neck...welcome to bar chords...one form is anchored on the base E string and the other is anchored on the 5th A string. Meaning the name of the chord is based on the note of those strings because you use your index finger to cover all the strings, than form an E chord with the fingers that are left. The second form is again index finger bars all strings and you form an A by either (most popular) baring your second finger across the 3 strings B,G,D or use the remaining fingers to do same. HOWEVER, before you get involved with bar chords, learn all the open chords FIRST....and in a (ready for this) couple of years of dedicated practice you can advance to bar chords. Keep Picking my friends

[Michael Johns]

Hey, Sawdust, thanks for your suggestions! Maybe, my dissertation wasn't truely accurate. This is my 2 nd time around, trying to get the hang of it.........I tried for several years back in the 60's........but forgot, get it.....ha ha ( funny). Now that I'm an old man with time on my hands; I'm trying' to figure it out again....... I could probably play a tune ( a 3 chorder) or maybe even "little froggy), but my heart. No longer leans in that direction, so I don't even really attempt to put those in my reportoir ........maybe I should, probably will at some point. However, I'm really enjoying Dans' instruction.......... Before, I really didn't have a genre in mind, now I'm leaning in the bluegrass/folk/instrumental stuff.......I can't sing, that's for sure.......unless bob Dylan or arlo Guthries' vocals are appealing ( two of my favs) .......

I've got the Major, Minor, 7th chords down. And the Maj, Min, 7th Bars, etc and some scales.......sometimes I think I spend more time studying/reading than playing.........I wish I could get a grip on the key signitures...... Then the ww1/2, WWW, etc would come together......I'm hoping that gets embedded in my noggin soon!

Having discovered the variety of sounds you can make with a G, C, D, E, sliding, hammering, pulling, etc. maybe moving up the neck isn't as real vent as before, but, I'm up there practicing these scales an trying to Connect them.......but really don't know what I'm doing or why, yet......

I going to the Camp in Tn at Adam Chownings' place, maybe you read about it.......I'm hoping to get some answers/training .......it's, coming together, I think.......

Thanks