nested between your thumb and index , you can get right into strumming and flatpicking , and enjoying the instrument . I could spend a whole 7 minutes making a video about the four important aspects of holding a pick . Oh wait – I did – in the July 2024 issue of Worship Musician Magazine when I talked about “ How to Hold A Pick .”
# 4 . PLAYING OUT OF TUNE . Imagine if you worked really hard to be able to play some clean chords and beautiful melodies , but your strings weren ’ t in tune with each other . I recommend using a tuner to remedy this .
# 5 . PLAYING SLOPPY CHORDS AND TRANSITIONS . In the video , I give you a quick demonstration of two versions of a chord transition . I ’ d much rather have a student learn four chords and play them smoothly especially in progressions , than to have them “ sort of ” learn forty chords that don ’ t sound good . Quality as an early habit will go a long way … and compromising this quality early on can be a habit that ’ s hard to break .
# 6 . STRUMMING NOTES THAT AREN ’ T IN THE CHORD . If you see Xs or don ’ t see finger numbers below a chord shape , it ’ s probably an indication that those strings aren ’ t meant to be included . If you want a window into clean chords , check out my article / video from Worship Musician in May of 2022 called “ Clean Chords .” In it , I share my effective method for making sure only the notes in the chord that are supposed to sound , ring out .
# 7 . STRUMMING TOO AGGRESSIVELY . We can strum with dynamic variation , but there ’ s a point where a beginner will wield their pick like they ’ re trying to beat sound out of their guitar . For an awesome strumming workout , please check out last month ’ s edition of Worship Musician Magazine for my Article / Video called “ Strumming Workout 1.0 .” I ease in with a steady tempo , with and without a pick , and I walk you through my process .
# 8 . BEING TOO ROUGH WITH YOUR STRINGS . If we ’ re not careful , we can manhandle our strings and make them sound less than awesome . Pressing down too hard can actually make a string sound sharp , and therefore out of tune . Some beginning guitarists unwittingly push a string to the side , and they end up with an unintentional string bend . I demonstrate these unintentional articulations in the video .
# 9 . PLAYING ONLY EXERCISES AND SCALES . I know that technique is an important means to an end , but if all we do is stay in the “ means ” stage and don ’ t get to the end , which is actually playing real music , we ’ re missing out . I like exercises . I appreciate scales . But I think it ’ s also important to play real music , no matter how simple . Make sure there ’ s a song you ’ re learning or enjoying as a part of your guitar playing .
# 10 . KEEPING YOUR GUITAR OUT OF REACH . I know some beginners have younger people under their roofs who might want to “ borrow ” or be a little too rough with their guitars , so they keep them locked away . But that can actually backfire , because the guitarists themselves might not get as much playing in . I ’ d rather you play your guitar often , even for less time , so you can continue to remind your hands of what you ’ re working on .
# 11 . GOING ALONE ON YOUR GUITAR JOURNEY . I totally get it if you are a little uncomfortable playing for others at first . But as Brian Reding , a musician I deeply respect , has said , “ Music is best when shared .” Sometimes a simple set of musical notes can be pleasing to the ear . We need audiences sometimes . We need collaborators sometimes too . If you ’ re looking for a way to have a community around you , catch the URL at the end of this article . And lastly …
# 12 . PLAYING WITHOUT PURPOSE . The word “ Why ” is an incredibly important word
to a guitarist . If we know “ why ” we ’ re playing this amazing instrument , we ’ ll have the purpose and vision to see it through . If someone just dabbles and doesn ’ t really have a clear vision for why they want to play the guitar , they might eventually run out of momentum and give up , or at least not fulfill their potential . Not so for the person who can picture themselves leading worship for their local church or school , or writing songs , or starting a band .
Keep practicing and stay prayerful and vigilant about your purpose as a guitar player , and watch what the Lord does !
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David Harsh David Harsh is a nationally touring worship leader , songwriter and performing artist . He is passionate about equipping guitarists to discover their potential . Learn more and join now at www . GuitarSuccess4U . com
60 December 2024 Subscribe for Free ...