Had my session with Justin this afternoon. What a great guy to hang out with, kinda felt just like it does when I am chatting music and guitar with my mates at work who also play.
A few people suggested I prepare a list of questions and after some thought I wasn't able to do that. As I said to Justin, it is testament to his teaching and this Community that whatever questions I have in mind are either answered in lessons as I progress or here in the Community.
So over and above just being able to thank him in person, my goal was to get a good sense check as to where I am, if I have picked up any bad habits or flaws. Mission accomplished !!
So here the pointers ...
When playing E-shape bar chords my pinky and ring finger tend to separate from each other. Good practice is to ensure they are touching when making that shape. Drill is to start with F and slide to G and back again, slowly, while making sure to maintain the correct shape. He also suggested speaking to the hand, to correct when necessary and encourage when doing it right. Sounds weird but I buy this.
Second point was talking about the way in which I make E and Am shapes. I naturally put my index, middle and ring fingers on strings 3,4,5 respectively for E. Suggestion is to rather go 3, 5, 4. Reason being is that it allows the middle finger to sit more on top of the ring finger and get closer to the fret. But rather than saying the other way is wrong, just a different option and useful to be able to play these chords both ways, since depending on the song sometimes one may make for an easier change.
Another interesting point after doing some bass note down up strum playing, suggested I work on getting a little more of a shuffle/triplet feel into that rhythm and accent the higher strings on the strum. I think I was playing it quite straight ie on the count and &.
After watching my finger-picking and playing some scales, he suggested I also use the pinky as an anchor when playing scales as I do when finger-picking. And on electric that will help with adding some natural palm mute.
Net result, feedback is to confirm I am doing well, both in terms of my approach and level of play developed. My E and A shape barre chords (the latter played with the mini-barre with ring finger) also looking good (other than the gap in the fingers).
We had a good laugh over my wide range of ambitions going forward ... folk finger style + blues lead + slide on open tunings, electric and acoustic. While loads and loads of fun lies ahead, Justin suggested being focussed in my learning going ahead ... focus on gaps in BC (next up then a look at slash chords), start on IM and then pick either folk/finger style or blues lead style modules. He suggest focus for 3-4 months then review and either continue or target differently, to avoid trying to work on too many things at the same time.
I expressed a concern about not doing the ear-training yet and seeing it as necessary to get stuck into bends and he said not really.
He talked about how the BC is a good structure but shouldn't be followed to rigidly. For example, I mentioned that I was still due to work on power chords, I'd put them off. To which he said "no worries" you're playing the full barres, just concentrate on the low strings. Reckon time to explore some hard rocking riffs on the LP
And lots more general chat about learning and playing. He was also incredibly encouraging and complimentary, which was good to hear. It is all well and good to think yourself that you are doing well, are following sound approaches to learning and to receive the positive feedback about songs posted, but to have Justin give what I am doing a once over and thumbs up as well as be well-pleased with my approach and thinking was an absolute bonus.
I could now gush on and on about the session, but I think you get the idea. I can't say I am any more inspired or motivated, that would be hard but do feel my confidence has been boosted as I continue on.
In closing, I can only amplify again my experience, that if you want to learn to play then Justin's Programmes backed up by the Community is the business. Thinking about it I realised that during my years and years of dreaming and not really learning, that what was missing (for me) was an effective structure and a place to play, so as not to be on my own. Now I have both!
Work the lessons, learn songs, record and share as soon as you can play songs, and in my experience you'll do well.
Huge thanks to Justin, Richard and Lieven who maintain the Community and each and every one of you, my friends in music here, who continue to offer encouragement and feedback every time I share some music.
Topic: The SKYPE Sessions ... (Read 9911 times)
