Useful links to online guitar lessons
There are countless of scams out there. Some states that you will become a professional within weeks. While some are really effective, others are useless and are scams. Learning guitar online have been becoming more famous. Instead of travelling to music schools, you can learn it at home.
Some websites have prove of satisfied customers. Always look out for this. Review others feedback about the course and how they felt about it. However, do remember that the webmaster only selected the best comments to display. I mean, who would actually put a testimony insulting the guitar lesson on their own website?
Before paying for any online lesson, always make sure there is a money back guarantee. This ensures that you have nothing to lose. Let’s face it, even if a teacher is good, but his or her teaching style does not suit you, it’s time to change the teacher. Make sure that any guitar lesson you are paying for is beneficial to you, or else do not waste your time.
I would recommend videos posted on YouTube. The link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxhxIV0I5T8 shown is the first lesson, simply browse around the different lessons to aid your learning. The website that I found very useful was www.vguitarlessons.com. The lessons are free and are worth watching. The website has certain lessons for playing a particular song. In my opinion, the price is rather reasonable. So for you guys out there looking to learn a song, check out www.vguitarlessons.com and see if the song you want to learn is there! Of course, this website has testimonies. It will be good to look at the testimonies before deciding if you want to purchase it.
Rhythm guitar
Looking around for rhythm guitar? I tell you, rhythm guitar is pretty easy. Compared to the lead guitarist, the rhythm guitarist’s life is kind of simple. But, a rhythm guitar is very important. It’s just like making a song without the lyrics. It forms the foundations of the song.
For beginners looking to jam as soon as possible with friends, rhythm guitar is your key! It is easier to master. And this will allow you to go jamming with your friends. Of course, you still do need a lead guitarist, which may be one of your friends.
Rhythm guitarist make use of power chords most of the time. But before you attempt power chords, it is advisable to practice simple chords first.
Rhythm guitar riffs are rather easy, most of the time it is just a few power chords throughout the entire song. But it makes the song nice. Rhythm guitar requires lots of strumming. Sometimes, alternate strumming is used. Looking to impress someone with some rock and roll sound, without having to practice very hard to master it? Then, rhythm guitar is for you!
Velvet Revolver - Slither.
This is a great riff. It's also very easy to play! It's made entirely out of power chords. Let’s look at the tab, shall we?
Main Riff:
E|------------------|------------------------------|
B|------------------|------------------------------|
G|------------------|------------------------------|
D|-0-3-4-0-6-7-0-10-|-0-6-7-0-5-0-3-4-|
A|-0-3-4-0-6-7-0-10-|-0-6-7-0-5-0-3-4-|
D|-0-3-4-0-6-7-0-10-|-0-6-7-0-5-0-3-4-|
Probably have to play it fast. But only by practicing enough, then can you play fast! This riff is made up of bar chords. It is also power chords. If your finger is not strong enough to bar all three strings, then go ahead and use your first 3 fingers and play them.
Speed Training
The key to playing fast is not about practicing fast. This can be hard to understand. But, speed comes from practice. My guitar teacher used to scold me whenever I played fast. Why? He told me that playing fast will not be beneficial. You will probably be thinking. But when you do running, you run as fast as you can so as to improve your stamina. However, this same principle does not apply to playing a guitar.
Constantly dedicated 15-30mins a day to do a speed exercise will help. The good thing about speed training is it helps train your fingers to be independent. Especially playing rock and roll etc, speed is what makes it nice. By practicing slowly, it allows you to be able to play fast and slow. Ever seen a guitarist who is able to play very fast, yet unable to play slowly?
That’s me last time! However, I have heeded the advice of my teacher. And now, I am able to play both fast and slow. Look up various websites for speed exercise. While speed exercise can be very tiring, it is very beneficial. In speed training, you need determination to do it. Doing the same exercise non-stop, not even a second, for 15-30mins is really no joke!
‘Speed comes naturally’ says my teacher. I did not believe it last time. But, either ways, I listened to him and did everything slowly. For god’s sake, I did not have much time to practice guitar daily. With the limited time, I wanted to maximize my practice by doing more scales and exercises. However, when I did slowly, it kind of made me feel unproductive. But now, thinking back, I feel that quality comes before quantity. So for all you guys looking to play fast, practice slowly, and consistently! Remember, slow and easy wins the race!
Tips on sweep picking
Do not sweep pick if you are not warmed up. Do some stretches or finger exercises before sweep picking. When attempting to sweep pick, always remember to practice with a metronome. It is not a must, but it will be good to. The metronome can help set the pace, in case you are sweep picking too fast or too slow at certain parts.
Fig 3
e|-------11h15-11------11h15-11------|
b|----13---------13--13--------13----|
g|--12-------------12------------12--|
d|-----------------------------------|
a|-----------------------------------|
e|-----------------------------------|
An example of a moderate sweep picking.
Practice many times, say 30mins every day. Also remember sweeping not alternative picking. Start slow and slowly build up your speed. Never think just because it looks easy it is because I am telling you right now it's not. This will take a lot of practice to get down. Remember, do not judge a book by its cover!
If you find sweep picking hard, you can do the above sweep. It’s a 3 string sweep. For more challenging sweeping, you could try something like this:
Fig 6
e|------------------15h19-15------------------|
b|----------------17--------17----------------|
g|--------------16------------16--------------|
d|---------14h17----------------17p14---------|
a|-------14--------------------------14-------|
e|--12h15------------------------------15p12--|
Make sure you are very familiar with what to play. Or else, this could easily discourage you from progressing. Don't hold your pick too hard because you get a really ugly ‘tink’ sound. Sweep picking can be difficult to master, but I believe that practicing consistently will help you master it, without a doubt.