About Dustin Martin Expertise Music Theory Related questions. Harmonizing scales, Chord progressions, Chord formulas, Modes. What scale patterns you should/could play over certain chords. etc... I should be able to answer almost any theory related question and if I don't know off hand I will try to find out.
Please Do not ask me any questions about how much your guitar is worth, I am only interested in helping students and those interested in furthering their musical comprehension.
Experience I have a had 5 years of private lessons with an experienced teacher who has done studio work, worked live, He has taught several students who are now professional musicians, including Madonna's Guitarist. Personally, I have taught classes of students from age 12 to age 50. I have also had 2 years of training at the collegiate level. I've played jazz, rock, classical, country, and plenty of other things That i don't recall at the moment. I've worked as Live Sound engineer, Drum Technician, live guitarist, and some studio work.
Currently I am working at Dark Horse Recording in Franklin, Tn.
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 Usually in tab you will play the chord on the word it is written above. However, tab is not always consistently done the same way. I would suggest learning to read music, or buying a tab book.
No you do not need calluses on your thumb. Typically, it is frowned upon to use your thumb to fret the low E string. On the other hand, some great guitarist do use that technique.
To help form calluses on your fingers you can apply rubbing alcohol to them. Which will help dry out the skin. It actually works pretty well.
"How do you hold a pick?"
1. Open your picking hand, and turn the palm to face you.
2. Close your hand to make a very loose fist. Your thumb should remain beside your index finger.
3. Rotate your hand until you are looking at it's profile, with your thumb's knuckle facing you.
4. With your other hand, slide your guitar pick between your thumb and index finger. The pick should be approximately located behind the knuckle of the thumb.
5. Be sure the pointed end of the pick is pointing directly away from your fist, and is protruding by about a half an inch. Hold the pick firmly.
6. Position your picking hand over the soundhole of your acoustic guitar, or over the body of your electric guitar. Your picking hand, with thumb knuckle still facing you, should hover over the strings.
