The Guitarist Blog

Throughout the year we offer beginner level guitar classes at the Santa Clara Adult Education Center  and through the De Anza/Foothill College Short Course Program .  Both classes are taught using the book  I've Always Wanted to PLAY GUITAR  written by instructor Rich Hawthorne. Both classes are great for students that have no prior experience on guitar.  Here are just some of the topics covered in class: Proper right and left hand technique. Playing a simple "Blues Riff." Basic chords. The fundamentals of rhythm and note reading. Strumming patterns and using them to accompany a couple of simple songs. And that's just the beginner class!  Once you complete this class, you will be eligible to continue with more advance classes at The Guitarist .

If you are looking to buy a guitar and you have visited your local music store, talked to salespeople, and have read multiple online reviews, then this has probably left you more confused on what guitar to purchase.  As a teacher it is frustrating to see my students play on a cheap, poor quality instrument.  I understand the thinking.  It goes like this, “I just want to try this guitar playing thing out and I want to start with an inexpensive guitar.”  Here’s the problem.  You can’t buy a guitar based only on price.  At first, I believe, it should be based on size, playability, and musical interest.  Here are a few thoughts on each of these: Size:  I can’t recommend a guitar until I see you.  A guitar that is too big will be awkward to hold.  Fortunately, guitars come in a variety of sizes and shapes.  Make sure you get the right sized guitar! Playablility:  This is more important to me than sound.  You want a...

This blog could be a note to myself.   I want to listen better to music!   I often see students playing guitar using   hand/eye coordination.   The problem with this is that they can become too preoccupied with the mechanics of playing and less focused on the actual sound of the music they are playing.   The end result is usually music that contains the right notes, in the right order, but often rhythmically incorrect and/or melodies that are not played legato (in a smooth, flowing manner without breaks between notes). What we all need to do is play with more ear/hand coordination.   That is, playing our instruments in a way that mimics what we hear around us, and within us.   Let me tell you about something funny that I see all the time.   When I notice that my students are looking at their fret hand, I’ll say, “Play it again, but this time close your eyes.”   You know what usually happens next?   They tip their ear towards the guit...

Memorize the 4/4 and 3/4 time fingerstyle patterns given in this lesson.  Please remember: Your thumb will play the root of each chord.  Up to this point in the book, the root is the lowest note of the chord. Each pattern is made up of eighth notes.  That is, you will play two notes, evenly spaced, for every tap of your foot (or click on your metronome). The real work is going from chord to chord.  Try pairing up a few of your favorite chords. Below are two video demonstrations.  In the first video, I am using the four/four pattern on an Em chord.  In the second video, I am using the three/four pattern on an Em chord.  

Here are a few things to try while working on your strumming technique. Hold the pick between the thumb and index finger with the tip of the pick coming out of the side of your thumb. Listen to the tone of your strum.   Is it loud or brash?   Maybe you’re gripping the pick too tight.   Loosen your grip a little and try skimming the pick a little easier over the strings. Practice strumming in all dynamic ranges from barely audible to very loud.   It’s very difficult to play softly if you are gripping the pick too hard. Listen to the balance of your strum.   Do you hear mostly bass notes?   Then your pick is not making it all the way through your chord or you are missing the higher strings on the up strum. Are you missing notes or hearing a lot of buzzing.   That could also be a fret hand problem.   Play each note of your chord and make sure it sounds. Here is the biggest tip of all – LISTEN.   So often we reduce our music dow...

One of the ingredients in getting really good at anything is repetition.   When a student says to me, “Why am I not getting this?”   I usually find out that they just haven’t tried it enough, or they are trying it too fast  (see Practice Tip: Go Slow). Sometimes students think of repetition as a boring, tedious process and that it isn’t fun.   I won’t say that repetition isn’t work, but I will say you can learn to enjoy the work!   The key is to not lose sight of your goal.   The goal is to play the song, for your own enjoyment, or better yet, to share with others.   Pick something today that you will commit to practicing until you get it.   Set a goal for how many times you will try it on a daily basis.   As the days go by, notice how you’re playing it a little smoother and a little faster.   Celebrate those little victories! As you sow the seeds of repetition, you will see the fruit of your labor show up not only in what you comm...

When one of my students is having difficulty playing a phrase or switching between a pair of chords, I often find out that they are practicing it too fast (or, not practicing it enough – more on this later). Let me ask a question.  If you try something ten times in a row, would you like to get it right more times, or get it wrong more times?  Of course, you would rather be more right than wrong.  If you practice a passage faster than you are able to perform it, most likely you are getting it wrong 9 out of 10 times.  The one time you get it right, you probably got lucky! If you practice something slowly and repetitiously, you’re setting yourself up for success.  By slow, I mean at a speed that you can accurately perform your musical exercise (phrase, chord switch, scales, etc).  A metronome will help you play at a slow and even tempo.  For example, say you are having difficulty switching between a G and D chord.  Set your metronome to 50 and sw...