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Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 22 2012, 08:28 PM

Hey there miss Jessi

This is your personal spot, so let's start using it with the story you can tell me after reading the answer to your PM

Cosmin

Posted by: jessi Jul 22 2012, 11:10 PM

Hallo mister Cosmin,
thank you for cooking this .
Basically I'd like to learn playing guitar for "domestic use". If we make campfire, cherryblossomparty, dedication of the new pool, midsommar, and so on. You see, germans use every possibility to celebrate. it would be nice to pick up the guitar and strum some songs with others.
It would be awesome to play a Foo Fighters song before I turn 40. .I also like classical music (btw: Mozart Rocks is amazing! )
Actually I would like to play "easy" songs of my favorites. Do you need to kwow a paticular direction yet?
What do you think I should prefer to start learning? Acoustic or electric?
About my gear: I have an acoustic. And I could lend an electric. I should be able to record my progress( video and audio), at least I think so.

Ok, where do you want me to start ( remember- I just know that a guitar has a hole and 6 strings)?
Oh, now I made myself too worse- maybe: I know how to fret a C, D and Em chord.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 23 2012, 12:28 PM

Hi Jessi! Thanks for choosing me and for all your nice thoughts The acoustic is EXACTLY what you need at this point

My idea is to get you acquainted to the first important elements of guitar playing - especially rhythm and chord changing!

These are the two essential elements which I would like to start working with you

We shall start with Bear Rose's lessons and then, after going through all the strumming and shifting available there, we can choose songs which you can learn and then record yourself playing at a later moment

How does the plan sound?

Cosmin

Posted by: jessi Jul 23 2012, 10:02 PM

Hi Cosmin,

I think you're right.
Today I started the first lesson from Bear Rose. I tried to practise the chord shifts for this lesson. The G chord is my enemy! And I don't get the strumming pattern. So I use a simpler one. Do you want me to record this?
I don't understand the theory behind all this somehow.
After the fifth rage attack I'll go to bed ( with my bloody fingertips )

Jessi

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 24 2012, 08:55 AM

Hey Jessi

Yes, I would like you to record this and taking things one at a time:

1) A good exercise for being able to shift chords would be the following:

- set a very slow tempo on the metronome - 60BPM in quarter notes - it will go slowly like 1 2 3 4, 1 2 3 4 etc. - the bold numer 2 is the first beat
- forget about your right hand
- use your left hand to change the chord positions on beat 1
- as you get more confident, increase the tempo with about 5 units each time until you get to the desired speed

2) A good exercise for the right hand would be the following:

- isolate the right hand pattern and try to understand it:

If you count 1, 2, 3, 4 - each beat in the bar like in the previous exercise, over the original recording, you will notice that, you will play each chord on the 1st, a bit before the 3rd beat and on the 4th beat.

- now, mute all the strings with your left hand so that you can hear only 'chuck chuck' having no notes ringing out.
- exercise the strumming pattern with the metronome set as in the first exercise, paying close attention to where it occurs against the beats and muting the strings so that you can focus only on the right hand.

Does this seem nasty? Exercise 3) will be a combo between 1) and 2) which would suppose that you can link the left with the right and play the whole piece

What say you miss Jessi?

Cosmin

Posted by: jessi Jul 24 2012, 10:55 PM

Hey mister Cosmin ,

be prepared for over two minutes of insane guitar playing . It's terrible and awkward!!!
Today I focused on the chord shifts and timing. Because of my enemy I just use two fingers to beat him. But tomorrow I try to use all fingers.

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jul 25 2012, 01:49 AM

Well done! Your already making progress Keep it up!

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 25 2012, 07:47 AM

Hey Jessi

I notice good progress as Todd stated! You are able to shift the chords almost perfectly and the notes ring out in a clear way - congratulations for that! I expect that the timing will be perfect once you get to use all your fingers

Let's see a take with all the fingers and then move to exercising the right hand, ok? I also notice a healthy left hand stance and a Marty Friedman right hand pick holding stance Do you know the dude?

Posted by: jessi Jul 25 2012, 11:51 AM

I don' know Marty Friedman. But I just googled him and I think we have at least the same hairstyle.

Posted by: Gitarrero Jul 25 2012, 11:58 AM

Just a short german thread hijacking

Jessi, you might be able to play "Wheels" be the Foo Fighters already with the chords you know now

Grüße aus Rottweil

Christian

Posted by: jessi Jul 25 2012, 12:20 PM

Or maybe not. because I only know the chords D, Em, G ( just cheated) and C. And this won't work, will it??
Aside from the strumming wich I won't be able to cope. And than I get rage attacks again one after the other.

Posted by: Gitarrero Jul 25 2012, 12:26 PM

Yes, these four chords will work
But yeah, strumming might be a bit tough right now, but why not set a goal to be able to play it in a couple of weeks

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 26 2012, 09:18 AM

Hey Jessi I see Christian has stormed our thread

How are you faring with the shifting using all your fingers? Any thing I might assist with?

Cosmin

Posted by: jessi Jul 26 2012, 09:45 AM

Hey mister Cos,

yesterday I practised shifting between the enemy-chord and the D-chord. I was able to use all my fingers for the G. But when fretting the D, the first string was always dampened by my ring finger
I practictsed so hard (30 min.), that my fingertips where too bloody again to make a recording.

But I'll try to make a recording today!

Christian: that is a good idea, I must have a goal finally

Posted by: jessi Jul 26 2012, 06:54 PM

OK - as promised: here my progress with the chord shift between the enemy and D:



It worked great because of my tequila cocktail to my left (we just have a pool party)
What do you think?

Cheers,
Jessi

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 26 2012, 07:15 PM

Oh my...that kid in the background sounds terribly angry You have to learn 'Breakout' from Foo Fighters to shut him up

I can see improvement in the fact that now you can hold the G chord down, but hey, let's try and strum with a pick We should start dealing with the right hand a bit - it's not too good to leave one hand behind

Anyway - in 45 minutes, I'll be in the chat room for the Thursday video chat You are my guest and I would be honored if you would accept my invitation!

Posted by: jessi Jul 27 2012, 08:55 AM

Oh I've just looked in here since uploading my last video - so I missed your invitation and chat
I was just too lazy for going back to get the pick. I always use a pick when practicing..
So, what do you want me to do with my right hand then?

P.S. Actually this kid only jumped into the pool

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 27 2012, 10:02 AM

Look back a few posts in this thread and you will notice I left a right hand exercise for you

Posted by: jessi Jul 27 2012, 12:56 PM

Sorry, you're right! Must've been the hangover because lots of cocktails yesterday...

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 27 2012, 01:17 PM

No problemmo missie, let's get to work then, shall we?

Posted by: jessi Jul 27 2012, 09:22 PM

I'm just on it right now!

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 28 2012, 07:35 AM

Shall I check the thread later on for a recording?

Posted by: jessi Jul 28 2012, 08:16 AM

Good Morning mister cosmin
That would be nice. I have to go to work at 12 gmt. If I don't post it until then, I'll do it tonight.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 28 2012, 08:38 AM

Alrightie

Posted by: jessi Jul 28 2012, 10:07 PM

Hey Cosmin.
I'm angry. It doesn't work. This upsets me! But I show it to you anyway.
I continue practicing tomorrow

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 29 2012, 02:12 PM

Hey Jessi I got only 2 words - patience and practice Slow, yes? Try to match the right hand with the left hand and in doing so, shift the chords in one move, not 2

We will start counting a little later, ok? Counting helps A LOT!

Let me know how it goes today, ok?

Cosmin

Posted by: jessi Jul 29 2012, 02:42 PM

I thought I should try to follow the rhythm with my right hand, too?!
The problem with the chord shifting is that my fingers aren't able to move where they have to go at the same time, at this moment.
Now, should I practise only the shifting between these four chords and nothing else?

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 29 2012, 03:18 PM

You jumped to the full speed backing track Try to make a recording using the slowest backing available and make a movie like that. Focus on shifting the chords with all fingers at once and synchronizing the right hand, at the slowest tempo

Look at the exercises in that thread above - the one for the right hand with the counting It will help

Posted by: jessi Jul 29 2012, 08:40 PM

I'm going nuts! because my fingers always don't follow what my brain tells them. When fretting the G or shifting from C to G I loose control over my fingers.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 29 2012, 09:17 PM

Jessi Be patient, ok? I will only cite the great Miyamoto Musashi and let you draw the conclusions:

” It may seem difficult at first, but everything is difficult at first.”

Back to practice now

Cosmin

Posted by: jessi Jul 31 2012, 09:03 PM

Now I lost my patience completely . And I can't stand these chords anymore.
What do you think if I'm trying something different from this lesson?
Just for the fun factor? What about an "easy" song like "Something In The Way" by Nirvana. Just a simple Rhythm and two chords: Em and C... ?

Jessi

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 1 2012, 11:35 AM

Hey Jessi It's indeed good to alternate things - why not go for the next Bear Rose lesson and in the mean time, start taking a look over Nirvana's tune if you'd like and let's talk over it

But keep in mind that you will have to come back on the first lesson till it's under your control and I'll make sure it is

What say you?

Cosmin

Posted by: jessi Aug 4 2012, 09:01 PM

Hey Cosmin,

Today I practiced fretting the Em and C chord with a simple strumming pattern at first.
I did this because I have problems with the smooth fretting of these two chords. It just sounded choppy. At lunch time it was better than this morning.
And this is the recording from lunch time.



What do you think? It's awesome, isn't it??

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 5 2012, 02:16 PM

Hi Jessi I think it's very good and I also like the tone of your guitar - it is very well captured by the cam in this take

Have you managed to look over 'Something in the way'?

Oh, let's not forget - can you make a video with the D and G in the same manner as this one? Same conditions of shooting and same state of mind? It was good so, I want to see it applied over the G as well!

Cosmin

Posted by: jessi Aug 5 2012, 04:41 PM

Hey Cosmin
I thought I can play it with these two chords. And it should be the beginning of playing the song anytime. next I will practice the strumming pattern. I would play another song but I think this could be an easy song. Have you got a better one? It makes more fun as just playing the chords. It's so blunt And so i've got a goal.

greetings, Jessi

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 6 2012, 10:40 AM

I totally agree on having a goal, so Nirvana songs are usually very nice and doable

I would go with 'Jesus doesn't want me for a sunbeam' - it has three chords E D A

You already know D major and A major can be played like this: x02220 while E major can be played like this: 022100 Can you read these chord diagrams? Or are you more acquainted with these?

A major E major
---0-- ---0---
---2-- ---0---
---2-- ---2---
---2-- ---2---
---0-- ---1---
---x-- ---0---

Cosmin

Posted by: jessi Aug 8 2012, 08:11 PM

I understand nothing

I look at charts in a book for the corresponding chords (you know - women think in pictures )

Just started with it - now the D is the new enemy. The G-relationship is getting better.
What strumming pattern do you want me to practice with these chords?

Cheers

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 9 2012, 09:05 AM

Hey Jessi Well, first things first, let me explain the diagrams I have sent in the previous post:

1) There are 6 rows arranged from top to bottom - right?
2) The one at the bottom is the thickest string on your guitar and the one at the top is the thinnest.
3) The number correspond to the spaces on each string
4) 0 means an open string while X means a muted string - you don't want to play it when you see it in the diagram

5) Example: A major

e ---0-- <- thinnest string
B ---2-- <- second space
G ---2-- <- second space
D ---2-- <- second space
A ---0-- <- open string
E ---x-- <- thickest string

For the strumming pattern - listen to the song - the pattern for each chord would be down up/ down up/ down/up - this is a simplified description. Anyway, I will explain this pattern this evening in the videochat and the way to practice it

Let me know if anything is still unclear, ok?

Cosmin

Posted by: jessi Aug 11 2012, 08:33 AM

Ok. I understand it. that's just easy.I'm going to practice this.
Thanks

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 11 2012, 12:50 PM

Alright! I' m on the road with my band as I am writing this and I will get back tomorrow to check on you, if you have a new video to send : )

Posted by: jessi Aug 12 2012, 09:18 AM

Ok. I hope you'll have fun!
I think I'll make a video on monday. It will not be good but then you can see if I make some progress, just a bit.

Jessi

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 12 2012, 06:59 PM

Hey Jessi I am back

Well, Monday means tomorrow So, let me see what you have prepared for me, k?

Cosmin

Posted by: jessi Aug 13 2012, 08:54 PM

Dear Cosmin,

I just had another rage-attack! Because I wanted to record something for you but I wasn't able to play anything
It sounded like shit and wasn't worth to record. I never cursed so much in my whole life before I started playing guitar.
When I'm able to cool down until tomorrow I'll give it another try.
I know it needs more time and patience. So tomorrow starts a new day

Yours( very) angry miss Jessi

Posted by: Rammikin Aug 13 2012, 09:15 PM

Sorry for intruding on your thread, but I just wanted to say I enjoyed watching your video. The simple sound of chords being strummed, but with the exceptional touch of candlelight! I was mesmerized by the flickering of the light and the sound of the guitar.

The videos on this site are pretty utilitarian, and that's as it should be. They are intended to show what was played and how. Aside from the occasional glare at the camera in Cosmin's videos , there's not much to distinguish them. Your video on the other hand, was truly moving. It serves to remind us that simple chords played on an acoustic guitar is one of the most beautiful sounds in the world.

Posted by: jessi Aug 14 2012, 08:25 AM

Oh my god! These are some nice and motivating words from you.
Thank you so much. That makes my day!
I'd like to hear more accustic music from other members here!



Hey Cos,

Now i've cooled down and start practising!

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 14 2012, 08:55 AM

Hey miss Jessi I was writing to you and in the same time thanking Rammikin for a very nice observation!

Acoustic music provides a great state of mind indeed And the purity of clean chords is by far unmatched by anything else!

Well, Jessi, I am glad you are proving to be a patient lady and you are not letting yourself backed down I had a similar experience in the dojo lat evening, when I got to practice my basic attack and defense stances with a far more advanced opponent. I realized I will get my hiney kicked big time with a wooden sword at this point and I got to practicing even harder, so that next Monday I will be better at facing him!

Looking forward to see your magic chords miss

Cosmin

Posted by: jessi Aug 16 2012, 07:51 PM

Hey Cosmin
I've looked forward and learned a lesson from you. So here are the results!
Do you know the " Rocky Horror Picture Show" ?

Please sit down, take a beer ( or two)- you'll need it- and enjoy the " Jessi Horror Noob Show" :



In the first video I practice chord shifting while strumming (chords from the Nirvana song you mentioned) and the second one is just for fun.

It was a very stormy day

Posted by: Grace Aug 16 2012, 11:18 PM

I like it Jessi keep it up!

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 17 2012, 08:08 AM

Howdy missie

I like what I am seeing and hearing - it is clear you are making progress

Work on these continuously, so that you may gain seamless fluidity in shifting the chords. A very important aspect in your right hand playing, is that you should execute wider movements when strumming and combining both your forearm and wrist in a smooth movement.

Regarding the things we were discussing last evening the concept is very simple

1) We have the major scale built up using this formula: w w h w w w h.

w = whole step
h = half step

2) Any natural major scale is built after this formula. Example:

C D E F G A B C

there's a w between C and D
there's a w between D and E
there's a h between E and F
there's a w between F and G
there's a w between G and A
there's a w between A and B
there's a h between B and C

Now, if you look at your guitar, you will notice that if you play the C note (3rd fret D string) the D note is one whole step up, on the same string. That means that the note right next to the C note is C# and the note next to C # is D. So, 2 frets up means one whole step and one fret up means a half step.

3) Now, we have concluded that E is the major third in the case of C major and if we lower the major 3rd with one half step, we get the minor third and automatically, we can create a minor chord - C minor in our case.

Here are the formulas:

1 3 5 - major chord formula. Example: C E G
1 b3 5 - minor chord formula. Example: C Eb G

4) If you know these, please tell me how does the G major scale look like - what are the notes making it up. (Use the w w h w w w h formula, starting from G) and tell me the notes making up the G major and G minor chords

If you have troubles, let me know

Cosmin

Posted by: jessi Aug 30 2012, 07:35 PM

Hey Cos,

I'm sorry, but I had some hard days/weeks (every evening I thought I die ) - time didn't allow me to grab my guitar. Next week I'll get into the theory from your last post and continue practicing..

Jessi

Posted by: casinostrat Aug 30 2012, 08:02 PM

"Now, if you look at your guitar, you will notice that if you play the C note (3rd fret D string) the D note is one whole step up, on the same string. That means that the note right next to the C note is C# and the note next to C # is D. So, 2 frets up means one whole step and one fret up means a half step."

Shouldn't this C note be on the third fret, A String Cosmin? Or am I missing Something?

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 30 2012, 09:34 PM

Thanks man! Typo Indeed, it's the 3rd fret A string!



No worries miss Take it easy and let me know if you need any help - I'm a good listener (reader, in this case )

Cosmin

Posted by: jessi Sep 10 2012, 09:15 PM

Hi Cosmin!

Well, the last 14 days were terrible.. I had a problem with my kidneys, work (nurse - in a institution for people with behavioural problems),
a house and not to mention I'm a mother of two.
finally that that was too much of a good thing..
That's why I wasn't able to pick up the guitar.

Now I'm in the pink - and ready to start over. I was so afraid that everything I already learned just went away - but it still works!
But I'd like to skip the theory for now, if that's ok.

OK - thank you for reading, good listener..
jessi

Oh, btw. my last weekend was pure struggle

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Sep 11 2012, 08:10 AM

Howdy Jessi!

Let's see, shall we continue working on some Bear Rose chords? You need to develop your strumming and left/ right hands coordination with chords

Deal?

Cosmin

Posted by: jessi Sep 11 2012, 11:32 AM

DEAL, mister!!

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Sep 11 2012, 03:47 PM

Alright then - here we go, another chord lesson for you missie:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Beginners-Corner-Open-Chords-3/

Posted by: jessi Sep 11 2012, 06:27 PM

Hey mister!
F chord ?????

Whats going on???
It's me, Jessi!!!
I've played guitar 23 days in my life. Do you think I'll wangle this?
I'll try it.


See you (in one year)!

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Sep 13 2012, 08:33 AM

Hey jessi - is this too difficult? Have you already tried it? If you want, we can try another one But mind you, these chord will bump into you for the rest of your guitar playing life so it's better to make acquaintance and face them bravely

Posted by: jessi Sep 20 2012, 08:12 PM

Hey Cos!

Yes I have tried it and it's too difficult. I'm praticing the Bear Rose lesson 2 but the strumming pattern is difficult. I chosed a simpler one.
And the latest lesson from Gabriel is absolutly great. I try it, too. It's fun!
I won't participate to your chat, because I don't understand what you all are talking about. Because I'm not a beginner, I'm an absolute beginner!!!
Because my time is very limited, at the moment. that's why I go back to practice because then I can upload a new video.

Btw: I noticed that you take care of the absolute beginners ( oh! that's just me ) in your chat. That's very nice!
But today I,ve no time, no time.... . I hope you understand?

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Sep 21 2012, 08:00 AM

Hey Jessi I take care of everyone here, absolute beginner or not, but don't worry - last night's session was about imitating violin phrasing with complicated bends There will be a time for you to learn such things though

Anyway - Gabe's lesson is great indeed and what lesson from Bear have you chosen to start working on?

Cosmin

Posted by: jessi Sep 28 2012, 01:21 PM

Hi Cosmin ,

I just started with the second Bear Rose lesson and recorded the first two chord-changes:

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Sep 29 2012, 12:50 PM

Hey Jessi Well, you still have a bit of a delay until switching the positions, but time and practice will change that I would like to see the part with the G and D now and after that, what do you think if we try to combine them? I mean all the 4 chords? Slow, really slow, but correct in what regards the timing and chord position shifting

How are you, otherwise, miss?

Cosmin

Posted by: jessi Oct 3 2012, 09:17 AM

Hallo Cosmin ,

I'm on it! Currently I don't have much time (even not enough to check the GMC forums ). I try to practice every day, but sometimes I've got just 10 minutes.
But there will be better times

And you? Hope everything's alrighty?

cheers,
Jessi

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Oct 4 2012, 08:45 AM

Howdy Jessi, I'm pretty good right now (had a very nasty week beginning, as I ate something bad, both me and my girl and I felt incredibly sick) but now my strength is coming back! Well, it's important to be constant - Even if it's 10 minutes, it will make a difference!

If you need my assistance, please let me know - I'm one post away

Cosmin