Here are two more interesting emails and comments I have got lately.
I hope you find the emails and my thoughts useful…
Email #1
“Hi Dan,
I am completely enjoying your 101 and have arrived at the 46% mark. I’m realizing that the secret for me is your 7 Deadly Mistakes, and three underlying foundations:
1) sit up straight and relax; 2) the light finger; and 3) don’t rush it but go slow and build technique. When I concentrate on these things I find I remember the notes, melody etc., much better.
It is a wonderful insight.
– Ray
Thanks to Ray for the email.
Ray is, of course, talking about Fingerstyle 101 and the video course (which allows you to track your progress).
I like that Ray has gotten some very specific takeaways from the course already and he’s not even halfway through it yet.
There’s actually a huge wealth of technique-building info in Part 1 of the course alone, and lots of different folks get lots of different takeaways from that part.
…but the above three things Ray mentions are important for all guitarists, yet many hunch over, press far too hard, and rush.
It’s easy to do these things.
They are three common mistakes which I made myself in the early days.
A good question to ask is how many of those errors do you make?
Email #2
“I was thinking today about ear training. I haven’t quite figured out how to practice that in a way that I like. But I would like to add it to my daily practice routine.
I was wondering if you had any ideas how it could be added to daily practice. There is an ear training app out there but it isn’t working for me.
– Teresa
When it comes to ear training, there are a few things anyone can do.
Personally, I’ve tried ear training apps too and they never get much use.
Each time I’ve downloaded one, I would do a bit of practice with it, but within a few days, I’d forget about it.
Now, I’m sure some folks get good use out of ear training apps, but I’ve never really taught or spoken to many other guitarists who really love them.
The main reason for that is because there is often a disconnect between the app and the guitar.
By that I mean…
It’s not easy to see how the app will help improve your ears in a practical, guitar-playing sense.
For me, I much prefer to use the guitar to help me train my ears.
It helps me learn and use the fretboard at the same time.
For instance, if I hear a note and then find it on the guitar…
Not only am I developing my ears, but that also helps me when I want to find that note on the fretboard in the future.
Does that make sense?
That’s a simple example, but apps just don’t give you the same sort of thing.
Anyway, I’ll likely share some more ear training tips one day this week as it’s a useful topic and reading Teresa’s email has got me inspired to write more on this soon.
For now, if you want more help with your playing, you may like to check this out below…
Find out more about the Fingerstyle 101 Video Course
Have a great Wednesday!
Dan Thorpe
Guitar Domination
P.S. This post was originally taken from Dan Thorpe’s private email list. To get blog posts like this sent to you which are full of great tips to make fingerpicking, strumming, and learning guitar more enjoyable (especially if you are over 40) join Dan’s list. It’s 100% free, HERE.
Add Comment