Guitar Primer

Speak Up Guitar Fans

Whether you are just starting out on guitar, or perhaps need a little help getting over the hump, Guitar Primer is a perfect fit for the ambitious future rocker.  Guitar Primer is an ongoing conversation perpetuated my guitar fans that are hungry to learn and share.  There is no need for teachers, or students : just avid music fans that want to talk guitar!

After years of guitar lessons I have found that the instruction that has shaped my playing the most are the tips and tricks that are observed on a night out, or handed down as sage advise in a friendly sentence or two.  Therefore, the following post are designed to be short, sweet, and to the point.  Guitar Primer has been created to host the party where music and song are always evolving.  So tune in, participate, enjoy, and, most importantly- turn the music way up.

Breathe easy guitar fans. We are back after a few weeks of jamming, and now it is time to get down to business. Last thing I recall we left off sitting in nice chair practicing poise and posture.  In order to stick with the chair theme, I’d like to share a quick lesson on how to get better at singing in accompaniment with your guitar.

So between you and me let me start by telling you that I was not born with much of a singing voice. I could write the words and the music, but I was not to hip on singing my songs. I knew that was something that would have to change in order to want to continue pursuing music.

At first, I thought I was just shy. I really wanted to share the songs I had written, but it always seemed like my voice got cut off in the throat. It was like the garden hose that  had a kink in it. Sure straining ones voice can make it ‘bluesy’, but I felt like I was wavering around and missing the notes.  For some reason I just couldn’t belt it out like the great jazz and blues guys that I aspired to be.

It was years ago in a college apartment that I met this rather portly lady that could sing with what seemed to be the powers of the howling wind.  She had taken years of singing lessons and told me about the voice exercises like warming up with vowel sounds..AEIOU..and what not.  That made sense and all, but one thing she showed me has always been my favorite training trick.

She slid a chair out from the table. It was a normal wooden chair. She said the reason my notes were getting cut off and strained was because I wasn’t using my belly, or more specifically my diaphragm, correctly.  She said I had to blow my voice from my gut like all those trumpet players that I adore. In order to change my bad habit and strengthen my stomach she instructed me to grab the chair down by the seat. Then I was to hold it up with my arms outstretched. Finally, I was instructed, “Now sing.”

By holding the chair out like that it was creating just enough resistance that you are forced to use your diaphragm. As I breathed in deep I could feel my lungs filling up, and suddenly I could make the notes last longer.

These days, after years of practice I am still waiting for that moment to posess the powers of the howling wind.  However, once you get an idea of how to work those unknown muscles in your stomach you’ll find your own voice; and the power is yours to do with it what you please.

Often times when I am sitting around playing guitar I think about..well, how I am sitting.  Posture is a big deal when it comes to guitar.  As for the hand that is pressing down on the chords, your wrist needs to be pushed out; bringing your whole hand around to meet the strings at a near perpendicular angle. This is important because it keeps your fingers from dragging on the strings, thereby muting or altogether messing up your tones.  Having your wrist like this feels odd at first, but it will ensure that you are getting clean notes, and that your posture is starting to shape up.

Now that you have achieved a clean sounds when you strum the guitar, it is time to work on getting your posture right. I have seen people perform brilliantly with their shoulders back and a rigid spine, while other seem to be slumped over their guitars. Either way I say be comfortable.  When you are comfortable your muscles don’t tighten up and it looks and feels natural. Stay poised and balanced. If you are going to be a great guitar player find a good chair and get comfortable. You are going to be there a while.