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GUITAR Q & A
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February 2012
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Q: My technique is very weak, especially my left hand. How do I develop a better left hand
.....technique?
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........-Scott in La Porte, IN
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A: First of all, always remember that playing comfortably is just as important as playing the right notes. So when you practice, give
yourself plenty of space. Be patient. Don't force anything. Give your mind a chance to catch up with your fingers. Secondly, it's in
your best interest to incorporate the guitarists' secret weapons whenever possible - guide fingers and pivot fingers.
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Q: How do you solo?
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........-Alex in Birmingham, AL
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A: All soloing starts with first learning the music. Understanding the harmony and rhythm of what you will be soloing over. The second
step to soloing is deciding what approach (or approaches) you want to use. Four common approaches are: (1) The Arpeggio
Approach, (2) Scales and Movable Patterns Approach, (3) Riffs and Licks Approach, (4) Chasing the Melody with Half-Steps and
Whole-Steps Approach.
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Q: What's the difference between a C6 and a Cm6?
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........-Carole in Estes Park, CO
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A: E-flat.
C6 = C-E-G-A
Cm6 = C-Eb-G-A
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January 2012
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Q: I don't feel comfortable when I play. What should I do?
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........-Jeffrey in Estes Park, CO
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A: The keys to playing comfortably are awareness and space. You are already aware, so now give yourself plenty of space. Giving
yourself space is all about waiting for any tension to dissipate before playing the next chord, note or group of notes when you
practice. By waiting you are giving your body time to adjust to the techniques you are developing. If you are vigilant about releasing
this dysfunctional tension, eventually these spaces will get smaller and smaller and you will feel comfortable when you play.
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Q: Todd, what's the difference between an extended chord and an altered chord?
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........-Sean in Chicago, IL
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A: Extended chords are chords that "extend" beyond a basic triad, 7th, 9th, 11th and 13th chords.
Altered chords are chords that have been "altered" in some way. Chords like D7(#5), Ebmaj9(b5), F(#11) and E7(#9).
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December 2011
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Q: I'm new to the guitar and I was wondering what your #1 piece of advice would
.....be for a beginner?
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........-Kim in Boulder, CO
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A: Always strive to play comfortably, without dysfunctional tension. Playing comfortably is just as important as playing the right notes.
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Q: Do I need to learn on an acoustic guitar before I move to an electric?
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........-Don in Denver, CO
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A: I hear this quite a bit, and I'm not really sure how it got started. Maybe it has to do with parents not wanting to encourage loud,
raucous music in their homes. If they tell little Suzie or Billy they have to start on an acoustic, they can secretly hold on to the notion
that their child's interest in the electric guitar will fade over time. Sneaky!
I would say if you want to play electric guitar, it's okay to start on an electric guitar. As a matter of fact, I started on an electric guitar
(and now all I play is acoustic). I would also say it would be beneficial for a beginner to start on an electric guitar because the strings
aren't as thick, which makes it easier to play. Quite honestly, though, I really don't think it matters what you start on, just get started.
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Q: What's more important to focus on as a guitarist, chords or melodies?
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.......-Michael in Indianapolis, IN
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A: First, I would say they're both important. Second, I would say it depends on what kind of music you want to make. Third, I would
say having said all that, the key to unlocking your potential lies in understanding the connection between the two. Practically
speaking, chords and melodies aren't separate entities. They're two sides to the same coin.
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November 2011
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Q: Do I really have to practice scales? If so, which ones are the most important?
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........-Dana in Boulder, CO
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A: While there are many types of scales found in Western music, two form the basis for 98% of it: the major scale and the minor
scale. Once these are down, the rest can easily be derived from them.
As far as if you really have to practice them, I would say it is in your best interest to do so. But, like anything, you're going to have to
decide if it is something you want to spend your time doing.
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Q: Todd, I was wondering if you could tell me what the chords are in your song
.....“Another Day?”
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........-Chris in Boulder, CO
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A: First of all, the sixth string is tuned down to C. The rest is as follows...
Intro and Chorus
C6: 6-C, 4-C, 3-G, 2-A, 1-E
Em: 6-E, 4-G, 3-B, 2-B, 1-E
Dm6/9: 6-D, 4-F, 3-A, 2-B, 1-E
Verse
G: 6-G, 4-G, 3-B, 2-B
F(b5): 6-F, 4-F, 3-A, 2-Cb
C: 6-C, 4-E, 3-G, 2-C
Dm(add9): 6-D, 4-F, 3-A, 2-D, 1-E
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October 2011
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Q: What's the difference between a chord and a voicing?
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........-Phil in Taos, NM
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A: A voicing (or chord voicing) is really all about the application of chords. The notes in an A major chord are the same on any
instrument (A-C#-E). How they are applied isn't the same. In fact, a basic A major chord can be voiced many different ways on a
guitar.
Think of chords and chord voicings as a kind of stew. Each note of a chord is an ingredient. How you want the chord to “taste”
depends on how it is voiced.
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Q: What kind of pick should I use?
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........-Evan in Estes Park, CO
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A: Eventually all guitarists develop a preference for a certain type of pick. However, generally speaking, I would use a thinner pick if
you do a lot of strumming and a thicker pick if you do more lead playing.
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