Sunday, January 13, 2013

Lessons Learned Watching Performers At The Blues Festival North Carolina

By Charlotte McBride


Let's face the truth, playing a guitar is really not that hard. Always look for new places to learn new things through observing different musicians like at the blues festival North Carolina. There are times when even very good musicians will have difficulties over coming some fundamental guitar tuning problems though. Most every musician has encountered these problems at one time in their career. Never give up and always keep these often over looked strategies to assist with overcoming these simple issues.

Always remember a tuner is just that, a tuner. They are nice and neat and fun to have around and use. Chances are you, like almost everyone else, has used one. They will help you to find the right note when it is struck. But, chances are after strumming for 20 minutes the string will be a little sharp. Learn to hear the notes so you can tune by ear.

Never twist your new strings flat. Generally, the common string people will have problems with will be the G. When tuning, if you end up a little bit sharp, grab your string and stretch it. This takes the slack out. If you leave the slack in, the string will in short time work flat after you begin playing on it. This will work on all the strings, stretch them, stretch your strings as much as possible.

If you are waiting any period of time before you are starting to play, always try to tune up around half step. This helps you save time by not losing your settings so your time will not be wasted. This half step can also help remove any slack that is left on the string.

Use whatever approach works for you. This means knowing your playing style and instrument. If it stays exactly on key after playing half an hour, leave it. If it moves a little sharp, bump it a little flat. Learn your own instrument because it is unique. Tune it for what you are playing.

Try tuning to a specific chord. Personally I have always had problems with the F chord. Though in truth I generally do a lazy F with my thumb muting the low E. Because I have small fingers I generally tune for an F and make it just a little flat. This is an example of going to a specific chord.

Speaking of different chords, many people think the D chord is easy to form. Not so. If you are having difficulties with the D, tune for just that chord and you can play around it. This technique helps teach you and your ear how to play in tune.

One of the best things that will yield results is to always practice playing in tune. Some people enjoy playing flashy and like speed demons. What they will not do though is play in tune consistently. By spending time practicing every day and learning different techniques by watching musicians playing at different places like blues festival North Carolina. By practicing these basic things many people can overcome basic playing problems.




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