In this course you will learn: To understand Chord Boxes The 3 main chords used in popular music Count and strum the common beats to most styles of music How you change chords smoothly and confidently How to prepare yourself for your guitar learning journey Create a tailor made and workable practice place and routine
All you require is a working acoustic of electric guitar with all 6 six strings that you find comfortable to play and a passion to want to carry you through your guitar learning journey. This course is pitched at beginners and designed to guide you through those early and sometimes challenging stages so you come out of this with a hunger to learn more and not give up.
Congratulations on finally deciding to conquer any doubts you might have and learn or resurrect playing guitar. For me it was my 1st Song but for you it could also be playing a particular song for a special occasion (like the subject of this book, Happy Birthday) or the first that defines a turning point away from your previous struggles learning to play guitar. Whatever you reason that ONE Song is all you need to start realising your dream.
Hi, my name is Michael Hutton and I have been teaching guitar for over 40 years at the time on writing this and after all these years the most life changing, motivating and memorable experience of my guitar playing life is The Moment I Finished Playing My 1st Song.
Ok, it wasn’t an award-winning performance, some duff sounding chords, uneven rhythm, slightly delayed chord changes but that didn’t matter, I had just played my 1st song right through without stopping, I had reached a critical milestone and I knew now that Nothing could Stop Me.
Then what happened next literally blew me away! I realized that as I learnt new songs, there was a common thread running through them. I had been treating each song as a new project but then started to realise that they all used the same group of chords and there was only one or two strumming techniques and even fingerpicking styles that were needed to play literally 1000’s of songs in a variety of styles and beats – The world was my oyster! Eureka!
Nothing has and always will give me greater pleasure than when I see a student experience that Eureka! moment; whether it is playing their 1st song, understanding the 3-chord trick or hearing a recording of themselves. When I see this, and they can’t hide it however hard they try, then I flashback to that beautiful moment over 40 years ago and it still feels like yesterday.
This short book is therefore designed to focus on the key elements I discovered that are the foundation skills and knowledge to play literally 1000’s of songs. Following the steps in this course means that in days you will have the elements that took me years to grasp and nothing gives me greater pleasure.
So, whether you are a complete beginner, someone who has been playing a while but struggled to get off the ground or maybe you are trying to teach someone else, then this book is for you. It’s straight forward, easy to understand, cut to the chase approach will have you shouting Eureka! before you know it.
One final word before we dive in. Nothing in life is achievable without time and effort spent on purposeful practice but do it right in small chunks and you will enjoy the journey and that Eureka! moment when you reach your goal. Then you can tell the world OMG! – I Just Played My 1st Song on the guitar and I’m Living My Dream!
Feeling Good? – Let’s Do It and Be Remarkable! - Time to Start your Journey
This is where you can download Your eBook and either load into a reader or print out.
Gives you the worksheets and documentation needed to complete this course. Spend a few moments on the pages "How To Use This Course", "How To Use This Course If You Are Left-Handed" (If Applicable) and "Terminology Used In This Course" to help get you familiar with the layout and approach the book and course uses.
Follow the Book and Watch the Video before completing a short questionnaire to help for focus on your goals
Learning the guitar is just like any other journey. You need to know where you are, where you want to go, why you want to go there and the best route to take as well as what to do if you stubble off the beaten track.
Watch the video working with page 9 of the book. Don't forget the short assessment at the end
To give you an understanding of what makes up a guitar and the names of the strings
Work with the video and Page 10 of the book to learn about what to look for in a guitar and how to hold it.
To get you at one with your guitar for maximum comfort and less stressful practice sessions
There are a number of ways to tune a guitar and electronic guitar tuners can make the job much easier. I recommend Guitar Tuna (Yes that is how it is spelt) on ioS and Android. The free version is fine and it is very stable. Use the video and pages 11, 12 and 13 of the book to assist you.
To give you the knowledge and confidence to get your guitar in tune
Practicing guitar can be frustrating but if you make good use of your time practicing only what you need to know under the right conditions then you can save yourself time and stress therefore staying motivated. Use the Video and Page 14 of the book then create your practice planner either from the example supplied or create your own.
To show you some useful hints and tips to making the best out of your valuable practice time
Chord Boxes explained
To understand what frets and strings to put your fingers on and which fingers to use. Use the video and page 16 of the book to see how these simple diagrams tell you all you need to know
To Assess your 3-Chord Trick Knowledge
Test your knowledge on the full and easy versions of the G, C and D7. The 3-Chord Trick in the Key of G. You can also use the exercise on page 20 of the book if preferred.
Introduce The 3-Chord Trick in the Key of G
To get you playing The G, C and D7 Chords.
A breakdown of G (Easy)
Get you playing G (Easy) Learn the finger numbers of your chord hand, How to position your hand and a simple strum. Use the video and pages 17 and 18 from the book
Learn to play the C (Easy) Chord
Using the same techniques we used for G (Easy) now add C (Easy). You'll find this on page 19 of the book and don't forget to follow with the video
Learn the D7 Chord
Complete the 3-Chord Trick in the Key of G with D7. The video and page 19 of the book show what you need to do
Planning a route between each chord change
To get your chord changes smoother and more confident quicker by 'Thinking ONE Finger' when changing between chords. Use the video and Page 21 of the book then practice those chord changes, little and often as part of your practice regime.
Adding a Strum to the Chords
To apply the correct strum to the chords to create the right rhythm for a given song. Use the video and Page 23 from the book
Happy Birthday without any singing
The voice is another instrument so we are going to applying the 3-Time Strum to the our 3 chords to make up Happy Birthday but without singing so you can focus on the playing. The video will help along with Page 24 of the book.
Happy Birthday - With Singing
To introduce how the words fit to the playing. You don't have to sing yourself but it will help you guide the congregation when to come in and sing to your playing. Use Page 25 and the video for assistance. Practice little and often and complete the assessment to confirm what you have learnt.
4-Time song to apply the same elements to.
To illustrate that the same chords and strum can be applied to a 4-Time song. Use Page 26 of the book and the video for the details
A 6-Time song with the same key elements
To show you again how those 6 key elements provide the backbone of yet another popular song, this time counting 6 or 6-Time. Follow the video and page 27 of the book to complete this trilogy of songs
A reflection of your journey so far.
To summarise what you have achieved and what to look forward to.
The Journey has just begun
To advise on options to continue that journey. Pages 28-35 of the book compliment this short video
A chance to reflect and offer feedback
As one door closes, another opens. Please don't hesitate to get in touch with any question, comments or further inquiries Email: mjhutton@guitarcoachsuffolk.com