Practice Guide for Lesson 1

The first thing covered in Lesson 1 by Stonedragon is Tuning. Save yourself some trouble and tune with a tuner, but for kicks (and you will probably end up experimenting with this religiously anyway) try and tune up with your ear. Then, play a familiar chord, how does it sound? Over time it will sound bad if you are out of tuen, and you will be able to tell right away.

But for beginners, use an electronic tuner, at least that helped give me a fighting chance in the early beginnings.....

This lesson is all about introducing the Chromatic scale, in other words...all the notes available on the guitar (without bending).

Anyway, the point here I think is to get you used to being familiar with the notes on the guitar, and how they align or fit together.

To really get this in the early stages, it is best to work on a single string, just as Stonedragon points out on the beginning page of this lesson. Take your time and go slow.

On the right hand technique of lesson 1, Stonedragon refers to Alternate picking as a must have. Ok, yes, it is a must, but not the first month. I say don't sweat Alternate Picking if you are just beginning...

Here is MrSamson's experience with Alternate Picking:
I fought the whole concept for about a month and a half, because quite frankly, forcing myself to play using alternative picking made playing a guitar (which I couldn't do anyway) almost unbearable. What happened for me was, one day about 1.5 months into this whole guitar thing, I naturally returned to try alternate picking...and WALLA...I was an alternate picking maniac.

Now, here is the Ironic Message on alternate picking. When I try to only down pick now, it is incredibly difficult. So, go figure. The bottom line here is Don't sweat this alternate picking thing, just keep in mind that someday you are going to want/need to do that, and when it feels natural, tackle it!!

Also On the right hand technique of lesson 1, Stonedragon introduces the concept of using a metronome.

It took me almost 1 full year to warm up to using a metronome. I had NO-ONE to show me how to use it correctly, and it is easy to use it incorrectly at first (without experienced guidance).

I am going to address the metronome issue more in my Lesson 2 Practice Guide, so for now, unless you are a natural with the metronome, go for it. Otherwise, wait for my advice and experience with this concept.

Moving right along here...

The music page for lesson 1 addresses what are known as "open chords". I can remember the pain and struggle these used to give me. My experience is it takes between 4 to 6 months (again, MY EXPERIENCE), in getting these chords perfect.

Here is MrSamson's experience with Open chords:

This stuff really takes time in the beginning. I would learn A - D - E open chords first. (Simply because these are the chords for "Wild Thing")...hahahaaha...I love that song...and still play it all the time...anyway.
At first concentrate on playing the chords correctly!!! Trust me when I say, being able to play these chords without thinking about it will come!! But for now, be sure to place fingers correctly so that there are no dead strings when you play...every string that needs to be heard must be heard. If you are not doing it correctly...slowly pick all strings within the chord downward until you find that bad boy...then, correct your fingering...use your right hand if you have to to get everything dialed in just perfect. Then, try it again. I believe that this helps your brain in laying down the cognitive map of what your fingers are to be doing when you send a message to play each chord.

Eventually, like magic, you will find yourself being able to go between the different chords with eaze. This will probably be your first real positive experience in playing...other then power chords.

Anyway, just like Stonedragon outlines, practice the different chord progressions, remaining patient and happy that you can do it slowly..

Speed will soon arrive, trust me!!!

I once heard this advice...and it seems so true...
If you do not make it throught the first 6 months of guitar playing...you never gave yourself a CHANCE to start having fun!! Things REALLY start happening once you get past the 6 month hump, with religious practice, of course.

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