How to play the D progression
On Tuesday, we had to make a video on how to play the D progression. The first chord I had to play was the D chord. I explained where the fingers have to go, what string that finger goes on, and then I finished off by playing the the chord 3 times. Then I went on to say how to play the G chord. I followed the same order that I did when explained how to play the first chord, and then I played the chord 3 times. The last note I explained how to play was the A7 chord. I followed the same order and then played it 3 times. I felt that it would have been better to establish an order to follow through during the course of the video to make it more easier to explain and to also follow as most tutorial videos I have seen do this to make it easier for the viewer to follow. There were definitely some mishaps during the video, some parts I took too long on explaining, and then I also got mixed up with my wording. Also, some of the chords didn't sound great when I played it, especially the D chord as my strum wouldn't sound right. The recording process went well, so there isn't much to say about that. If anything I wish there was a way to edit the video to make it more better.
Note name recgonition
On January 29, we had to do two different tests, one on what the name of the note that is shown, and the other on what note that is on the fret board. To say that it was easy is an understatement especially for the first test. Being in band definitely helped in this as I knew what note was being shown to me. There's not much to say about the first test except it was really easy and that I got a perfect score. The second test on the other hand, though easy, I messed up on due to accidental clicks. I knew the notes on the fret board as it has been taught to me. Another case where being in band really paid off as it was easy. I missed some, but it wasn't because I didn't know the note. There isn't much to say on this either; I didn't have trouble with this or the other test. Both were super easy, and both were a breeze to go through.
E Progression |
A Progression |
G Progression |
The E progression has the following notes: E, A, and B7. In order to play E, you must put your first finger on the fourth string in the first fret, then put your second finger on the second string in the second fret and lastly the third finger on the third string in the second fret. To play the A chord, put first finger on the third string, the second finger on the fourth string and the third finger on the fifth string, and all of them in the second fret. To play B7, you must put the first finger on the second string, the second finger on the third string in the first fret, and then put your third and fourth finger on the fourth and last string. All except the second finger are in the second fret.
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The A progression has the A chord, the D chord, and the E7 chord. The A and D chord are played the same way as before. The only new chord added in is the E7 chord which you play by putting your first finger on the second string in the second fret, and the second finger on the fourth note in the first fret.
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The G progression has the following chords: G, C, and D7. G is played the same way, and D7 is played by moving only the second finger up to the first fret. C is played by putting the first finger on the second string in the third fret, the second finger on the third string in the second fret, and the third finger on the second to last string in the first fret.
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All of the chords
On Tuesday, we had to make a video telling how to play all the chords that we have learned so far. It's similar to what I did the first time, just add on the other chords. The major difference between the two is that I didn't explain more on how to play the chords that I was playing. And also I didn't play it right due to me not being able to hear if I am out of tune, which is a huge problem. Maybe as time goes on I will start to get better at hearing it, but right now I can't. Also the quality of the sound was terrible again another very bad thing. In a sense, my video was terrible, there wasn't anything good about it. Looking back, I should have done more to make sure it was at least decent, but I didn't and my video is proof of that. I need to work on most of the chords, but it could be the fact that I am faster when playing left handed than playing right handed. I just can't get my left hand to be fast enough to play, but I can get my right hand to get faster. I would much rather play left handed than right handed.
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Single note
We are learning how to play single notes on the guitar now and this is the most easiest lesson we have ever done in my opinion. Reading notes is now second nature to me since I am in band and that is essential for band in general. The notes are really easy for me to read and playing them is the only real challenge and even then that is super easy. While how I learned how to play single notes was by reading what fret to press down on, it is essentially doing the same thing. The songs we are playing are what many would expect for beginners to learn. I am learning how to play other songs that I feel are more advanced than the songs in the packet, but that is a personal preference. Playing single notes is way more easier to do than playing chords. I feel that single note songs are also more of a challenge to learn as well since you have to be quick pending on the song. It also helps me play better right handed than left handed because my fingers don't get clumped up together. The song I played on video was the Ballad of the Goddess from the Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword. It has been something that I have been working on for awhile now.
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Strumming pattern playing |
On April 6, we had to make our own strumming patterns and play them with the chords we have learn over the course of the semester. We also had to play with another person as well. This was fun and enjoyable, and really showed how much we have improved over the course of the semester. I didn't mind doing this kind of project and it makes sure that our strumming pattern is still good. It also helps maintain our knowledge of the chords and how to play them. The addition of the clamp threw me off a bit, but that is because my mind thinks I am playing it wrong.
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Playing Tab songs
During the past two weeks, we have been learning on how to play songs by tabs. This by far the easiest way to play a song for guitar for you can see what fret to play on. The only difficult part would be knowing which string that is on, but once you know that it is easy. The songs I play usually deal with a game that I know of by heart, take for example the Ballad of the Goddess from the Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword. I know that song by heart, and can play it accordingly. I also thought that you can only play guitar songs by reading tabs, and so I spent a great deal of time learning to read tabs and play them. I feel that anyone can play tabs, and that it doesn't take long to master it. The only hard part would be not knowing how it sounds like, but if you know how that song sounds like it'll be easy.
Spanish Trio
Last week, we were given out a song called Spanish trio and had to play it with two other people. This was a way to test out how well we know how to play and read tabs. I feel that the song went really well overall besides the fact that some of us messed up whilst playing it. I definitely messed up playing it, but I was impressed that I was able to get it down as quickly as I could.
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Final posts
Barre Chords
During the course of the past two weeks, we have been learning how to play barre chords. These are what makes my fingers hurt a lot, and are more difficult to play with my pinky finger being messed up. See, my finger was broken during 8th grade and what happened was it didn't heal properly and it rotated 10 degrees to the right because of it. It makes playing the guitar with my pinky more difficult than I thought it would especially playing barre chords due to it being used so often. See , in order to play barre chords correctly you have to put your index finger on all the strings in a fret meaning that it can't be used for anything else, so it stands to reason that you have to use the rest of them. I can not play barre chords correctly, I can get the fingering right, but that is it. Barre chords are cool and impressive, but I can't play them at all.
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Finger picking and thumb picks
On Wednesday, May 5th, we took a little bit out of practicing barre chords to get a feel on finger picking and using a thumb pick. Finger picking seems great to play, and I feel that I am faster doing so than using a pick. But thumb picks are definitely not suitable for me and my big thumbs. When I first put it on, my thumb felt like it was being compressed all the time. In fact, I had to take it off because my thumb was turning red, which is usually a sign of lack of circulation. But when I did play with the thumb pick, I was faster than I was using a regular pick. I like the idea of thumb picks, but I will not be using them anytime soon.
Overall, I have learned a lot from this class, and have even gotten better at playing right handed. I have also learned chords, barre chords, and how to finger pick and use thumb picks. It has also built playing single notes more stronger than it was before. I have also learned how to pull hammer ons and pull offs as well. Looking back at the beginning of the semester, I knew literally knew nothing about guitar and now I know more than I expected to learn. While playing left handed is still a preference of mine, I do like the fact that I know how to play right handed.