That's a good idea, thanks! I'm having a hella time moving from the IV to the V using the A Shape. I've been playing about a year and am just starting barre chords. They're terrific! Killer on the hand, though. I look for I's and IV's in my old music sheets, then try them again using the barred chords. I also look for "alphabet runs" ie a turnaround that uses F, G, A. It sounds great, btw finally have a way to play a nice, clean F. 
A nice progression to practice with (because I'm having a hard time with it 
) might be Bob Dylan's Lay Lady Lay - G, Bm, F, Am -- Nice walkdown there.
1 2011-06-18 13:28:01
Re: barre, open, barre open... (8 replies, posted in Acoustic)
2 2011-06-17 21:48:28
Re: barre, open, barre open... (8 replies, posted in Acoustic)
Hi,
For me a lot of it depends on the chord I'm coming from and the chord I'm going to play next. ie If I'm playing Bm going to a G, I'm more likely to play the Bm in the Open Position. If I'm going from Bm to Am, I'm more likely to barre it, so it transitions smoothly. That make sense? That's an example, I DO make it up as I go along! --- Deb
3 2011-06-12 19:27:04
Re: The lines on notes and Ledger Lines (3 replies, posted in Music theory)
Welcome! The "stem" on the "note head" faces downward, and extends from the left, if it is written on the middle Ledger Line or higher. If the note head is written on the 1st or 2nd Ledger Line from the bottom, the stem faces upward, and extends from the right-hand side of the note head. I think it's so the music can mostly be written within that staff, without stems sticking up too far above or down too far below the Ledger Lines.
4 2011-06-11 20:17:54
Re: Metronome (16 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
I just started using a metronome. I'm glad I did! I didn't realize how much I was gradually speeding up as I was playing my songs. If I set the tempo slightly slower than I need it be, when I hit the chord/note on time, it's cool, but it gives me that split second to reach the tougher ones that aren't smooth yet. My friend used to tell me "play slower to play faster."
I also run a small Casio KB through my amp to use the drum tracks. Not only are they a bit more interesting than a straight metronome, but also encourage me to try solo'ing over different rhythms. I have a free program on my computer and also found one for my phone. Type "free metronome" in the browser address field and quite a few should come up. Or a fave music site of yours, often has it under Tools or Resources.
5 2011-06-11 16:30:22
Re: Soloing - Write 'em or Improv? (6 replies, posted in Music theory)
I've been playing guitar about a year (coming from piano background), and I do both. I created a 12-bar blues riff that works with Q/C or standard, w/ turnaround. I am learning to play that note-for-note, and am hoping to tab it soon, but may settle for recording it into my phone Also, I have mini-licks of 3 or 4 notes that I have memorized, that I mix up constantly, to play while I'm thinking up something new to try. I guess that's probably how alot of us do that. I am rarely prone to memorizing the complete tab of someone else's work note for note (I don't gig, just living room stuff w/ one other guitar player). It's a lot like piano, a headful of memorized mini-licks that always have some improv thrown into the mix. --Deb