Similkameen Dreams Studio provides finger style guitar lessons - beginner and intermediate (folk pattern picking, flamenco rasguado, country thumb and fingers brush, arpeggiated patterns, Travis picking, melody over chords, folk baroque, classical technique); computer electronic notation (software, midi, composition); and, creative song improvisation techniques.

Naming the Strings

When holding the guitar neck to the left, the thinnest strings are at the bottom, and the thickest strings are at the top. They are numbered from thinnest to thickest: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Using the standard tuning system when played they produce standard musical notes as follows: From from strings 1 through 6 we get E (high), B, G, D, A, E (low). This information should be memorized. Later, we can look at naming the notes at each fret. For now, learn the numbering and naming of the strings. Also, remember to use your electronic tuner to keep the strings accurately tuned.

Holding the guitar

There are various ways of holding the guitar, and all work. The key requirment is that you maintain good posture as you play. Over time, poor posture plays havoc with your body, and you can develop repetitive strain injury.

Having said that, here is how I hold it. This method was learned from a Flamenco teacher a quater of a century ago.

Assuming that you are playing a standard right handed guitar, keep the neck of the guitar on your left. Play the frets with your left hand to make chords, scales and riffs. Pluck or strum the strings with the right hand.

Tuning the guitar

Submitted by Michael Zimmer on Fri, 06/03/2011 - 22:06

There are a number of ways of tuning the guitar, but there is only one way that I recommend: buy and use an electronic tuner. Not only will your playing sound better, but you cannot develop an ear for correct pitch if you are playing an out of tune guitar. Even if the instrument is in tune with itself, but out of correct pitch, you will not develop your ear properly. Electronic tuners cost a fraction of the price of a guitar, and are easy to use. Tune before you play, and re-tune frequently as you play.

Choosing an Instrument

Submitted by Michael Zimmer on Mon, 05/30/2011 - 12:53

There is nothing more dispiriting than playing a guitar of poor quality. It will be hard to keep in tune, and even when in tune it will sound bad. So, if you are buying a guitar, or renting a guitar, get the best one you can afford. Having said that, how are you going to know what is good, and what is bad, if you cannot play well yet? Here are some thoughts.

What type of guitar should I get?

Basic choices include:

The New Site

Submitted by administrator on Thu, 05/26/2011 - 22:24

Note:

The site has recently been moved to a new technology, Drupal. Since the site has been a neglected child for a few years, this move provides an opportunity to reassess the content, and the whole site layout. There will be changes over the next few weeks.   Regards  Michael Zimmer

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