Hi gang!
I just arrived in Baltimore, where I'll be attending a non-musical conference for my OTHER job until Wednesday. Tomorrow you'll be in the capable hands of Carlos Chacon, who'll be subbing for me.
You may remember his Lumineers Twin Spin from last session's Second Half, or his class's rendition of "Summer Breeze" at Graduation.
In any case, he is talented and capable and will show you a great time.
Feel free to message me with any questions. I'll still be on mobile comms during the conference.
Keep strummin'!
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Monday, May 13, 2013
Space Oddity...in SPACE
I wonder if barre chords are easier in zero gravity...
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
G1R Week 1 Recap
So we're off and running!
The key takeaway from week one is THE GOLDEN STRUM ("ooooh!" "ahhhhhh!")
Remember, that's the one that goes down, down-up, up, down-up, or V V^ ^ V^ if you prefer.
Try to keep a continuous up-down motion with your strumming hand a wrist as though you were playing all the 8th notes--in fact you can start out by just playing all eighth notes to help get you into the swing:
down-up, down-up, down-up, down-up.
Then, practice NOT connecting with the strings when you come up on the "and" of the first beat:
down..., down-up, down-up, down-up.
If you can do that, you're most of the way there. All you have left is to omit the down-strum on beat three. (and by "omit" I mean don't connect with the strings. Please DO make the motion of a down strum on that beat, but just don't connect with the strings. That way, your hand will be where it needs to be to come up on the "and" of the third beat):
down.., down-up, ...up, down-up
California Stars is a great song to practice this on because you don't need to think too hard about the chord shapes you're making with your left hand. It's just AAEEDDAA over and over and over again. Easy! (and isn't it cool that you've reached the point where switching between three different chord shapes is "easy"?! Congrats!)
Here's Tweedy-n-co doing that tune just for you.
The key takeaway from week one is THE GOLDEN STRUM ("ooooh!" "ahhhhhh!")
Remember, that's the one that goes down, down-up, up, down-up, or V V^ ^ V^ if you prefer.
Try to keep a continuous up-down motion with your strumming hand a wrist as though you were playing all the 8th notes--in fact you can start out by just playing all eighth notes to help get you into the swing:
down-up, down-up, down-up, down-up.
Then, practice NOT connecting with the strings when you come up on the "and" of the first beat:
down..., down-up, down-up, down-up.
If you can do that, you're most of the way there. All you have left is to omit the down-strum on beat three. (and by "omit" I mean don't connect with the strings. Please DO make the motion of a down strum on that beat, but just don't connect with the strings. That way, your hand will be where it needs to be to come up on the "and" of the third beat):
down.., down-up, ...up, down-up
California Stars is a great song to practice this on because you don't need to think too hard about the chord shapes you're making with your left hand. It's just AAEEDDAA over and over and over again. Easy! (and isn't it cool that you've reached the point where switching between three different chord shapes is "easy"?! Congrats!)
Here's Tweedy-n-co doing that tune just for you.
Friday, May 3, 2013
Shiny and New!
A new session is upon us! We're going to have a lot of fun together in G1R. Pinky swear.
If you're new to my classes, a warm welcome! I'm very happy to have you in the band, and hope you'll let me know if there's anything you need. The e-mail lines are ALWAYS open. (in fact, the only time I don't have my smartphone on is when I'm teaching your class!)
In the spirit of trying new things and being brave--two qualities that you have all shown by signing up for guitar classes!--I am doing something today that is very hard for me. I am listening to The Eagles. When I got this teaching gig, I swore that I would be well-rounded and bring tunes to class that would appeal to diverse tastes, not just my own--but with one exception. No Eagles. I don't know what it is about that band, but they've always caused me to have a violent mood swing.
I'm not alone in this. (Beware of bad language in this clip)
But now, only two sessions into teaching, I already find myself considering breaking my own rule because Mark from Thursday night said he loves The Eagles. And if they're good enough for Mark, then maybe it's time for me to confront my phobia.
So I hereby swear that I will make my best effort to find a G1R-appropriate Eagles song to bring in. I can't promise I'll find one, but I will try. Who knows? Maybe I'll discover that I don't hate them after all.*
That's how much I care about you all and want you to be happy in my class. Now go practice!
[End of motherly guilt-trip]
*Actually, one of the nice side-benefits of guitar classes at the Old Town School is that you get exposed to music you might not have otherwise heard. I'd never really bothered to listen to Squeeze at all before I played one of their tunes in Steve Dawson's class--now I'm a big fan!
Of course sometimes it turns out that the acoustic versions we work on together sound better than the originals to me. And how cool is that?!
If you're new to my classes, a warm welcome! I'm very happy to have you in the band, and hope you'll let me know if there's anything you need. The e-mail lines are ALWAYS open. (in fact, the only time I don't have my smartphone on is when I'm teaching your class!)
In the spirit of trying new things and being brave--two qualities that you have all shown by signing up for guitar classes!--I am doing something today that is very hard for me. I am listening to The Eagles. When I got this teaching gig, I swore that I would be well-rounded and bring tunes to class that would appeal to diverse tastes, not just my own--but with one exception. No Eagles. I don't know what it is about that band, but they've always caused me to have a violent mood swing.
I'm not alone in this. (Beware of bad language in this clip)
So I hereby swear that I will make my best effort to find a G1R-appropriate Eagles song to bring in. I can't promise I'll find one, but I will try. Who knows? Maybe I'll discover that I don't hate them after all.*
That's how much I care about you all and want you to be happy in my class. Now go practice!
[End of motherly guilt-trip]
*Actually, one of the nice side-benefits of guitar classes at the Old Town School is that you get exposed to music you might not have otherwise heard. I'd never really bothered to listen to Squeeze at all before I played one of their tunes in Steve Dawson's class--now I'm a big fan!
Of course sometimes it turns out that the acoustic versions we work on together sound better than the originals to me. And how cool is that?!
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