Here are two more interesting emails I have got lately. I hope you find the emails and my thoughts useful…
Email #1…
“After 3 weeks of daily practice I was beginning to wonder if anyone could have a phobia of the G chord, it was as though every time I knew it was coming up next, my brain to fingers connection went down.
I have been methodically doing 60 bpm on the click to try to get the G change right. Today I watched the last section of the lesson ‘supercharge the click’ I kept gradually increasing the speed of the click to see how far I got, I was so busy concentrating on the click I was actually changing to G without even thinking about it.
I think there is another lesson I’ve learnt – don’t get obsessed with one thing, move on!”
Joanne
This is a good example of how being methodical makes a difference.
Do this over and over, with precision, and eventually, at some point, muscle memory will kick in and take over.
It’s like taking the stabilisers/training wheels off a bike and just going for it. The process (and the feeling) can be very similar.
Riding a bike for the first time with no support can be a “Woah, I can’t believe this is happening” feeling…
Just like “going for it” on guitar can feel the same too.
While obsessing over something is not great, it’s very good to get really deep and methodical and be as precise as possible with things.
Take breaks too, keep it fun and try to make whatever it is you are trying to achieve a game.
All of this helps and a big well done to Joanne for this breakthrough.
Onto Email #2
“As you know, I like composing song lyrics.
I am familiar with keys, chords in that key, and mostly ok with the rhythm, I find I do most in 6/8 time.
I can get the first chord and the last, but in between, I am lacking in ear or theory in where to place and what chord to play. I think it is the ear, try as I will, it is always a stumbling or lack of confidence to work up the whole song.
Any suggestions to improve this area.
Thanks”
Norma
There are many ways of composing and writing.
A simple way you can add a new lease of life to an idea you are struggling to create is to do this…
Take a tried and tested chord progression such as:
G D Em C
Or…
Am F C G
…And change one chord at a time.
For example, instead of playing G D Em C, you could play:
G Bm Em C
Or
G D F C
(The chord in bold is the one swapped).
You can go more extreme with this, changing more than one chord and borrowing chords out of the key.
Of course, you can combine this with using a capo on any fret to change the key and flavour on offer too.
There are no limits really, and doing this sort of thing can be fun and liberating for sure.
Give it a go and try the above chord progression and variations if you ever like the idea of writing some music.
Anyway, there you go…
I hope you enjoyed those emails and have a great Wednesday!
Dan Thorpe
Guitar Domination
P.S. For more help on theory, you can get my book on the subject and everyone who joins the Dan Thorpe Acoustic Academy gets it posted out and delivered to their door for free.
Plus, if you join before the 1st of February, you will also get my Essential Guitar Technique book sent too for free. Both books are very different but very powerful.
Find out more about the Dan Thorpe Acoustic Academy and get two paperback books for free
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P.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.
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