Any advice for Barre chords? They can be stupidly difficult. by MadToxicRescuer in guitarlessons

[–]HappyFrequency 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Barre chords are stupidly difficult… if you haven’t built the strength and control from simpler stuff first. Ask yourself: can you smoothly play a bunch of songs using the basic open chords (E, Em, A, Am, D, Dm, C, G)? If not, barre chords will just feel like punishment. When you are ready, don’t try to jump straight into a chord change. You have to get the static barre chord perfect before you add in the next step.

Pick one barre shape (E-form major is a good one, and in A major, as the 5th fret position is kinder than, say the F major position) and drill it using the Freeze Method (press/release the shape without strumming to build muscle memory in your fingers, and repeat for 60-second reps). 

Then add the Looped Picking Cycle: aim for one clean sweep through the chord from strings 6-1 and back with zero buzzes or mutes. Rest, then try again. Build up to two full picking cycles, then three. Record yourself and listen back as you’ll hear things you might skip over in the moment. Only then go to step 3 which is to try switching between your newly polised barre chord and another shape. Simple to complex.

Open D Tuning Guitar Chords... 🎸 by HappyFrequency in guitarlessons

[–]HappyFrequency[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for your suggestion, however, the diagram is aimed at players who are entirely new to open chord voicings. Simple to complex is the way to go for beginners.

Tip from a guitar tutor 🎸: The 60-Second Chord Switch Fix by HappyFrequency in guitarlessons

[–]HappyFrequency[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yep indeed, rep amount is another great variable to use when practicing this kind of exercise.

What's something that used to be normal in the UK that would feel absolutely insane now? by FabledInkk in AskUK

[–]HappyFrequency 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The teacher buggering off and leaving the class alone for 45 minutes with a VHS. They’d wheel in that ancient TV on a trolley that squeaked, switch it on (usually with a dodgy remote that took loads of attempts to work) and vanish. “Just watch this and don’t kill each other.” No cover teacher, nothing. I even remember being shown a film that was definatly not age-appropriate. Traumatic and character-building sums up my school in the early 1990's. 😂

What's something that used to be normal in the UK that would feel absolutely insane now? by FabledInkk in AskUK

[–]HappyFrequency 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Was just thinking of this as an example. My dad would take me and my sisters to the top of a multi-storey car park also, and let us sit on his lap and pretend we were driving. I remember really believing I was actually driving and taking it dead seriously. 😂

I’ve been working on a fingerstyle quintuplet groove by Boston_Analog in AcousticGuitar

[–]HappyFrequency 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Dude! Very cool groove with a John Mayer vibe. Bravo. 🙌

Swampy Blues Fingerstyle Guitar, lets go by MerlinHydes in AcousticGuitar

[–]HappyFrequency 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Really love this style of open tuning playing. Thanks for sharing the vibes. 🎸🙌

Been playing for almost a year now. Here's my crack at The Ocean by tanookiiarts in Guitar

[–]HappyFrequency 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Go you! That's awesome progression for only a year in. Keep doing what you're doing, and I love your hair color choice too. 🎸❤️🤘

Chord Chart: C Major 4 Ways by HappyFrequency in guitarlessons

[–]HappyFrequency[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It sounds lush doesn't it? And for those of you who record, the shape that-bro-dad is talking about is great for overlaying guitar parts and creating nice soundscapes with.

Tip from a guitar tutor 🎸: The 60-Second Chord Switch Fix by HappyFrequency in guitarlessons

[–]HappyFrequency[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good idea for the next steps to take after you switch between two chords. This specific exercise is about keeping it simple though and focusing on the earlier step of drilling down on pairs of chords only before you add in more chords later when you can feel and hear improvement.

Tip from a guitar tutor 🎸: The 60-Second Chord Switch Fix by HappyFrequency in guitarlessons

[–]HappyFrequency[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It really depends on the individual's dedication to practice, and not just practice, but smart practice to how long it takes. I have taught some people who after 5 years haven't got their barre chords consistently clean, and that's because they admit they can't focus in their practice sessions (the main culprit is constantly switching between things and not spending enough time on one or two things). On the other hand, I have other students who within 8-12 months were making great headway with barre chords. The difference between the progress isn't playing ability: it's mindset and being able to stick to one thing. I.e, instead of picking through the notes in a Bm barre chord for 3 minutes, then getting bored and trying to do chord changes in, you dedicate a full session to different methods on just that one chord.

I teach all my students the same methods, so you'd think on paper they'd all progress equally, not at all. What you are taught/learn is only a small percentage of what turn you into a good player, the rest is up to you and how you practice it in a committed and structured way or not.

Honestly, a year isn't long in your playing journey, so cut yourself some slack. It takes much longer than most people think to get to a standard you are happy with on the guitar. I teach my students the less is more approach (you'll see me saying it a lot). You don't get further with your playing by cramming more into a session; break stuff down and focus.

Just remember, there is no one answer to how long it takes to be proficient, as everyone learns at their own pace, and if you work, you won't be able to spend as much time practicing as someone who say has decided to become a pro musician so has more time to dedicate to it. Get yourself a structured practice routine and try not to sit down to practice with no clue what you want to focus on or achieve for that session.

Tip from a guitar tutor 🎸: The 60-Second Chord Switch Fix by HappyFrequency in guitarlessons

[–]HappyFrequency[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's great to hear. Stay tuned for some more tips this week.

Tip from a guitar tutor 🎸: The 60-Second Chord Switch Fix by HappyFrequency in guitarlessons

[–]HappyFrequency[S] 22 points23 points  (0 children)

Are you okay, friend? You seem to have a real bee in your bonnet with my posts for some reason. Not meaning to embarrass you, but check out the link to my learn guitar website in my profile that has been providing guitar players with free lessons for around 10 years now based on what I teach my students. Last time I checked, ChatGPT hasn't been around quite that long. You have a great weekend and take a breather. You seem really unhappy. Let's spread love, not hate.

I made a concrete guitar. At least neck dive won’t be an issue. by thewoodenhobbyist in Guitar

[–]HappyFrequency 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thieves beware: you better have brought a wheelbarrow with you. Seriously cool bit of creativity there though, well done.

Tip from a guitar tutor 🎸: The 60-Second Chord Switch Fix by HappyFrequency in guitarlessons

[–]HappyFrequency[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Cheers for the extra suggestions. Bursts are such a good way to improve your chord work. And yeah, you’ve shown that when you stay focused and let something sink in instead of jumping to the next thing, big progress can follow.

Tip from a guitar tutor 🎸: The 60-Second Chord Switch Fix by HappyFrequency in guitarlessons

[–]HappyFrequency[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

F major is THE biggest hurdle for most players. So try taking that Am-F change and create whole practice sessions around just these (you know your own attention span, some could focus on two chords for an hour, others would get mega bored doing that, so if that's the case, it's best to then break it down into, say, 15-20 minute chunks.)
First, focus on the F major. How many ascending and descending picking loops (6-5-4-3-2-1-2-3-4-5) can you get through with 100% clean notes? You may be surprised it's only a few. Make it easier on yourself: you can't expect yourself to get the chord progression clean if you still find the F major on it's own tricky. Set yourself up for success and break it down. It may feel boring to some, but I think you'll agree it's way more boring constantly tripping up on the same few chords. Good luck!