Arrigate

If you are just starting out learning guitar one of the
hardest things can be getting a good rhythm and keeping
that rhythm going while you change chords with your
left hand.

When I first started learning guitar I would strum along
happily until the chord change and then my right hand
would stop while I changed the position of the left.

This makes your playing sound terrible. In fact if you
can keep that right hand strumming or picking the
sequence, you will sound good. If you are a bit slow
with your chord changes and strum some open strings in
between you will still sound good. But lose that rhythm
and everybody knows that you are messing up.

Here are my top three tips for getting past this learning
stage.

#1 Play open strings for the last beat in the bar so you
have time to change chord shape. For example if your are
to play | G G G G | D D D D | C C C C |
instead play | G G G O | D D D O | C C C O |
where O is a strum of the open strings. Listen carefully
and you will notice a lot of guitar players do this. And
it sounds just fine.

#2 Move your body to the rhythm. When I started out I was
told to tap my foot to the rhythm.
1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4
I just couldn’t do it. It seemed like one more thing to
remember and overloaded my system. Then I learned to move
my head to the rhythm and immediately my timing improved.
I would nod to the beat and move side to side a bit as well.
I guess it’s just horses for courses. You need to find what
works best for you but if you can’t tap your foot try
nodding your head or even bouncing the whole of the top
half of your body. Get the beat rattling through your bones!

*** Increase your tempo gradually one beat at a time. You
can use a metronome to keep time but I prefer a drum machine.
I need to really hear that beat in order to know that I’m
with it. You can get Metronomes and Drum Machines to
download to your PC. For an excellent free drum machine
visit www.just-jammin.com . Once you have your drum machine,
set it up so that there is a heavier beat on the first beat
in the bar. Then set a nice easy tempo. If need be start
as low as 70 beats per minute. When you can play your piece
smoothly at this speed play it again at 71, then 72 etc.
You’ll be surprised at just how quickly you can get up to
full speed.

About the Author

Darren Power is your host at www.just-jammin.com where you
will find the best price on your new guitar along with
reviews, news, competitions & articles.

Do you ever wonder why people hate? It does not make a lot of sense does it? Do you hate? What do you hate? What triggers this emotion of hate? Have you ever watched those on the freeway who spend more time directing their middle finger than driving their own cars? What is the deal; why do they do that and what purpose does it serve? If we are all in the traffic together, using your finger is not going to get you down the road any faster, increase your gas mileage or help with your positive outlook once you reach your destination? Why do humans hate and what makes them carry on this way? It seems rather silly doesn’t it? If you hate, why do you hate? Why to you allow this hate to rule your emotions, are you unable to get past the hater in you?

Chances are if you send out a lot of hate you will get some flying back at you. So as you turn to hate others you will find some have pointed their hate right back at you. Have you ever noticed when someone flips you off on the freeway your immediate reaction is to flip them off back in a more elaborate fashion? I mean you know get on the horn, stick out your tongue and open the sunroof so you can get that middle finger as high as it can go, piercing the sky? Why do you allow other morons in the world to get the best of you like that? You hateful, spiteful, wonderful, smiling person; you? Think on this.

“Lance Winslow” - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/