I can answer any kind of question that is guitar related - from choosing the right guitar/amp for
your needs, musical style & budget, to effects usage & placement, & most technical questions related to guitar set up & repair.
I do not specialize in dating or appraising vintage gear, so please don't ask me to appraise the value of your instrument.
Experience:
I am a professional recording/performing artist & producer/engineer with 29 years experience in performance & writing, & 21 years experience producing & recording music.
Education/Credentials Musician's Professional Workshop Scholarship (CHOM FM)
Vanier College (Classical Music - Guitar)
Herzing Institute (Micro-Computer Electronics)
Have taken numerous online courses in recording/engineering
Question hey, i'm a beginner at guitar [14 years old, and trying to
teach myself how to play by using the internet since we
don't have enough money for lessons] and this might sound
like a stupid question, but in tabs when they have the chord
written over the word in the song, when should you make the
transition? after the word, a little before, or right on the
word?
and do you need calluses on your thumb too since its
sometimes used to fret the low E string ?
what are some practices i can do to help the calluses form?
and another question that might sound stupid, but how
exactly D0 you hold a pick? mine seems to make a really
tappy sound [like, you can hear the pick against the string
very clearly] and nearly as soon as i start playing, starts
to turn. then it ends up with the side, rather than the
point, of the pick strumming the strings.
sorry for the length
thankk you for your help :]
Answer Hi Lynn, you should always listen to the song you're trying to learn & try to get the strumming in time wit the song. You don't need callouses on your thumb, & the ones on your finger tips will form naturally over time by playing a lot. Basically play till your fingers hurt, then rest until it doesn't hurt to play anymore & then play till they hurt again. As for pick technique, there are many ways to hold it depending on what your doing. If you're strumming chords, try to hold it as loose as possible without is slipping out of your hand. If you're playing lead, hold it a little firmer & try to play with as little of the pick surface as possible. Some people pick on an angle as well. Loosening up on your grip will help alleviate the clacky pick sound, if you still don't like it, try using thicker rounder picks. (I use Dunlop Jazztones #204) Hope that helps, if you need anything else, just drop me a line.
Peace - J.
