Showing posts with label taking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label taking. Show all posts
Friday, October 11, 2013
Taking Care of Your Guitar or Other Wooden Instrument
What should I do to take care of my guitar?
The first and most important thing to be aware of is subjecting it to severe weather. If its at all avoidable, DO NOT LEAVE IT IN THE TRUNK OF YOUR CAR! Extremely hot weather can cause stress on the glue joints, and cracks in the body while cold can cause finish cracking and both can cause severe structural damage. Should it be necessary to leave the guitar in the trunk, leave it in the case when you get inside until the temperature is stable. Heat, cold and humidity are the worst enemies of your guitar.
What do I clean my guitar with?
Most guitar manufacturers as well as other companies make guitar polish. The main thing here is to not use regular furniture polish that will eventually build up on the finish. Interestingly, even though the Martin Guitar Company, in business since 1833, makes a guitar polish, they also say in their owners manual that you can clean the guitar with a very slightly damp cloth.
Should I do anything to the fingerboard?
I usually use Gibson fingerboard conditioner about twice year on my guitars and banjos. It lubricates and cleans the fingerboard. In the winter this helps to prevent cracking from very low humidity levels.
Do I need to wipe off the strings?
Wiping off the strings after you play helps to resist corrosion and makes the strings last longer. This is a good idea if you play outside or if your hands tend to sweat.
How often should I change strings?
As mentioned in a previous post, if the strings sound dead, look nasty or wont stay in tune, its time to change them. If you play a lot, it will be something youll want to do more often. Some professional players change them at least once a week, some before every performance.
Beware of the guitar strap with a vinyl backing.
When you buy a strap for your guitar, check to see whether it has a vinyl backing. If it does, be sure that the backing doesnt come into contact with the finish on your guitar. Vinyl is a petroleum based product and it can eat through the finish. The same is true if you put your guitar on a stand. The parts that support the neck and the body can also damage the finish.
The first and most important thing to be aware of is subjecting it to severe weather. If its at all avoidable, DO NOT LEAVE IT IN THE TRUNK OF YOUR CAR! Extremely hot weather can cause stress on the glue joints, and cracks in the body while cold can cause finish cracking and both can cause severe structural damage. Should it be necessary to leave the guitar in the trunk, leave it in the case when you get inside until the temperature is stable. Heat, cold and humidity are the worst enemies of your guitar.
What do I clean my guitar with?
Most guitar manufacturers as well as other companies make guitar polish. The main thing here is to not use regular furniture polish that will eventually build up on the finish. Interestingly, even though the Martin Guitar Company, in business since 1833, makes a guitar polish, they also say in their owners manual that you can clean the guitar with a very slightly damp cloth.
Should I do anything to the fingerboard?
I usually use Gibson fingerboard conditioner about twice year on my guitars and banjos. It lubricates and cleans the fingerboard. In the winter this helps to prevent cracking from very low humidity levels.
Do I need to wipe off the strings?
Wiping off the strings after you play helps to resist corrosion and makes the strings last longer. This is a good idea if you play outside or if your hands tend to sweat.
How often should I change strings?
As mentioned in a previous post, if the strings sound dead, look nasty or wont stay in tune, its time to change them. If you play a lot, it will be something youll want to do more often. Some professional players change them at least once a week, some before every performance.
Beware of the guitar strap with a vinyl backing.
When you buy a strap for your guitar, check to see whether it has a vinyl backing. If it does, be sure that the backing doesnt come into contact with the finish on your guitar. Vinyl is a petroleum based product and it can eat through the finish. The same is true if you put your guitar on a stand. The parts that support the neck and the body can also damage the finish.
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Being Logical and Taking Your Time
The method to your teachers madness!
It happened again the other night, a student who "wants guidance" but doesnt recognize it when hes getting it. Heres what he needs to be looking for and listening to.
Why do we play songs at the lesson?
The best thing a music teacher can do for you is listen to you play, then play the song with you. This helps you learn to make music with other people, understand why timing is important, and it helps you get over nervousness/stage fright. Yes, I know, you play better at home. THATS WHY IM PLAYING TOO!
I cant make the song sound like the recording.
The recording has been made by professional musicians with thousands of dollars worth of equipment. In addition there is more than one guitar on the record and someone is singing or otherwise providing the melody. Youre supposed to be playing rhythm guitar which means keeping a steady beat. A common beginner mistake is to try to strum with the phrasing of the tune to the song instead of a straight rhythm part.
Beware the evils of internet overload.
At the risk of sounding like a broken record about this point, watching You Tube videos of a "guitar teacher" showing you how to strum, how to play chords or whatever, you have no idea whos teaching you. He or she may know exactly what theyre doing, or, they may not be a much better player than you are. Keep in mind that a good guitar player isnt necessarily a good teacher.
Take your time and learn it right.
The key to learning guitar is not multi-tasking. My emphasis is on teaching and learning each technique as a separate function. Dont worry about palm muting if you cant change chords in time. Dont worry about complex strumming patterns until you can play the song up to speed.
Summing it all up.
Learning to play guitar or any other instrument is a time art. Hurrying through so you can learn the next technique catches up to you in the long run. In the words of Ringo Starr: "You know it dont come easy."
It happened again the other night, a student who "wants guidance" but doesnt recognize it when hes getting it. Heres what he needs to be looking for and listening to.
Why do we play songs at the lesson?
The best thing a music teacher can do for you is listen to you play, then play the song with you. This helps you learn to make music with other people, understand why timing is important, and it helps you get over nervousness/stage fright. Yes, I know, you play better at home. THATS WHY IM PLAYING TOO!
I cant make the song sound like the recording.
The recording has been made by professional musicians with thousands of dollars worth of equipment. In addition there is more than one guitar on the record and someone is singing or otherwise providing the melody. Youre supposed to be playing rhythm guitar which means keeping a steady beat. A common beginner mistake is to try to strum with the phrasing of the tune to the song instead of a straight rhythm part.
Beware the evils of internet overload.
At the risk of sounding like a broken record about this point, watching You Tube videos of a "guitar teacher" showing you how to strum, how to play chords or whatever, you have no idea whos teaching you. He or she may know exactly what theyre doing, or, they may not be a much better player than you are. Keep in mind that a good guitar player isnt necessarily a good teacher.
Take your time and learn it right.
The key to learning guitar is not multi-tasking. My emphasis is on teaching and learning each technique as a separate function. Dont worry about palm muting if you cant change chords in time. Dont worry about complex strumming patterns until you can play the song up to speed.
Summing it all up.
Learning to play guitar or any other instrument is a time art. Hurrying through so you can learn the next technique catches up to you in the long run. In the words of Ringo Starr: "You know it dont come easy."
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Five Questions to Ask Yourself About Taking Guitar Lessons
Self Assessment for Beginning Guitar Players
As I said in a previous post, the hardest students to teach are the ones who have no real idea of what they want to play on guitar or why theyre even taking lessons. Saying "I just want to play guitar" is far too broad of a statement when you think about the versatility of a guitar. Answering the following questions will help you focus on what you have in mind.
As I said in a previous post, the hardest students to teach are the ones who have no real idea of what they want to play on guitar or why theyre even taking lessons. Saying "I just want to play guitar" is far too broad of a statement when you think about the versatility of a guitar. Answering the following questions will help you focus on what you have in mind.
- What kind of music do you enjoy the most? Dont just answer "I like all kinds of music." Were looking for specific styles.
- Who are your favorite guitar players? Name no less than 5. Dont worry about whether or not you think theyre beyond your ability, just name names.
- What is your main reason for choosing to learn guitar? Do you want to be in a band, play and sing for fun, jam with other people? Again, "I just want to play guitar" is not helpful.
- If you could play like ONE GUITARIST who would it be? We all have favorites and I know picking just one is difficult, but it gets you thinking about what you really like. I have guitarists that I like but dont necessarily want to play like them. For instance, I like listening to jazz and classical music on the guitar, but its not my main interest.
- Name the songs youd most like to play. Having a list of songs is a good step towards learning to play guitar. Seek out a teacher, present him or her with the list, and get advice about which songs to start with. Depending upon how long youve been playing, it may not be possible to play them immediately, but thats a great way to set goals.
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