Re: Learning to play Guitar

[Guest guest]

Hi

Will let you know how we go. Cian's SNA talked to a 'laid back' guitar player

who gives lessons so have booked him for a few 'family' lessons. He is going to

have a look at the suggestions posted and is willing with an open mind so that

sounds good.

Cian's 12 year old brother wants to learn as well so we are going to have a bit

of fun with it and hopefully Cian will have a little fun too...Will check out a

harmonica (Did it come with cowboy hat... rucksack...open road....Hmm...thought

not...I can but dream though...lol...will let you know how we get on...thanks

for all

Aileen x

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > Hi Aileen

> > > > > .

> > > > > I finished a two year part time acoustic guitar making course a while

> > > > > ago, and have been teaching myself to play ever since. I have always,

> > > > > since I was a teenager, wanted to play the blues. I am now very old,

and

> > > > > have just started! Even if I say so myself, I am very pleased with my

> > > > > progress. I didn't think I would be able to cope with the normal music

> > > > > theory approach, as I get bored very easily unless I find things

exciting!

> > > > >

> > > > > If Cian ( I have never heard of that name before ) can strum the open

> > > > > guitar strings in time to music, I think I could basically help him

the

> > > > > same way that I have been learning - start making a noise that sounds

> > > > > good from the start! If he needs a " special needs " approach, then I am

> > > > > afraid that would be outside my expertise.

> > > > >

> > > > > Let me know if you would like me to help Cian and I will start to put

> > > > > something together.

> > > > >

> > > > > Best Wishes.

> > > > >

> > > > > Miles.

> > > > >

> > > >

> > > Hi Aileen.

> > >

> > > I don't know . Cian is just strumming and listening to his own

sounds...what do you mean in time to music?.like music he likes from the

CD?...Maybe I could encourage that?

> > >

> > > Yes, strumming to anything he likes, whether it's a modern thing on CD, or

even a slow nursery rhyme.If Cian can keep in time to someone else's music by

just strumming up and down with his thumb or finger- I shouldn't use a plectrum,

without fretting any chords at all,then that is a good starting point.

> > >

> > >

> > > > 'start making a good noise from the start'...like a tune he likes? I am

not sure if Cian knows that the guitar can make the sound of music he likes...if

you know what I mean.

> > >

> > > What I meant was, after being able to strum in a " regular way " , Cian could

slowly learn three chords that sound good together - not like any known tune,

but nevertheless sounding good to the ear. When he can do that, he can then

learn some different strumming patterns- down/down/down - down/up/down -

down/down/up etc etc. That gives you a feeling that you are in control.

> > >

> > > Also, I think most learners should start with nylon strings, until their

fingertips get tougher! ( I am still using nylon strings after more than a year!

)

> > >

> > > I have learned everything so far by finding things on youtube ( I have so

far collected two CD's worth of stuff )

> > >

> > > Also, on Windows Media Player you can slow music down dramatically, to

help you learn how to play the chords - very useful!

> > >

> > > Best Wished.

> > >

> > >

> > >

> >

> Hi Aileen.

>

> The slow down thing on Windows Media Player isn't visible easily. Don't worry

about it for now, I can explain how to find it later if you need it. Just let

Cian " play around " with the guitar and see where you get. If you get stuck, get

back to me and I will try to think of a way to help.

>

> One other thing I thought of tonight was, if Cian like making noises, he might

enjoy a " blues harmonica " ( marine band type ), just blowing and sucking might

be fun for him. I bought a " c " one in Lidl's a while ago for about £2. If he

seems to enjoy it, you could also buy one. Then you could learn ( assuming that

you don't play! ) an easy song like " sailing " by Rod ( which is in the

key of " c " )- should only take you a couple of weeks, then you both could play

along together.

>

> Do you get the impression I like the " blues " ?

>

> Best Wishes.

>

>

>