| Read about the
Ultimate Folk Book:
After you have begun the
process of learning how to practice by using The Principles,
and you have learned the first position chords in the key of G with
"The Path Level One: Chords & Rhythm",, it is time for some Horizontal Growth by learning a
good number of songs, and some Vertical Growth, learning new first position
chords, as
well as more sophisticated strums, and accompaniment techniques such as BASS
RUNS, and ARPEGGIOS. |
Below are some of the fingerpicking patterns
taught in the "Ultimate Folk Book". Here we use a hammer with the chord to
add a new "feel" to the accompaniment pattern. These sound pretty "folky",
but the fact is that they are simple moves that every guitar player should
know, and should be able to do. You will find them in all styles anyway.
-
Place the chord
-
Play the bass note with the thumb or pick
-
Strum up on first three strings of chord
-
Lift the finger holding the string to be
hammered (you may lift the finger holding the first bass note of the chord
as well, it can help to get it out of the way, and it is not a problem to
stop its sound).
-
Strike the string to be hammered with the
right hand
-
Hammer the left hand finger raised in step
4 (make sure you keep the rhythm, don't RUSH the hammer, almost everyone
does at first)
-
Repeat step 3
Now, remember a few things. The hammer finger
must land right behind the fret, and strike with enough force to
really sound that note. You can raise the finger higher than normal before
hammering, and add to the force with momentum gathered from the increased
distance of your "hammer swing".
In any case, the best thing even advanced can
do, and beginners must, is practice the hammer no tempo as a "String
Push Down", (The Principles, Foundation Exercise #18, p. 60). Of course,
your attention will be in your whole body as you practice these, and you
will not allow your whole body to do what it WILL do if you are not paying
attention: TENSE UP!
And I hope the more astute among you will
realize that these practice directions apply to all hammers!
Hear Jamie
play these......

BOOK REVIEWS AT GUITARPRINCIPLES!
The best books out there to use for your
continued growth as a guitarist and musician. Read Jamie's reviews and find
out WHY you should use them, and HOW to use them, and also, WHO should use
WHAT!
click the title to read review....
Metal Lead Guitar (Troy Stetina): find out why this is one of the best
books for acquiring the basics of this style.
Bob Dylan Made Easy For Guitar:
some of the greatest songs by one of the greatest American songwriters. Great
for horizontal growth in players at the "strumming/singing" stage, or those
learning how to apply more sophisticated accompaniment techniques.
Position Studies For Guitar:
there is no entrance to the higher mysteries of the guitar without a knowledge
of the fingerboard. For those who have gotten a handle on notes in the first
position, guess what, it's time to get to work! This book is a great
introduction to the neck, moving fret by fret, teaching you the relevant
scales and keys for each position on the neck. It will go a long way toward
making you a literate and educated musician.
Guitar Melody Chord Playing System
by Mel Bay: For the intermediate player
who wants to learn the mysteries of playing the chords AND the melody
at the same time! A perfect book for those using the "Position Studies" book.
100 Graded Classical Pieces
(Fred Noad): an excellent collection of
classical material suited to the intermediate player, or those approaching the
intermediate stage.
Metal Rhythm Guitar (Troy
Stetina): Troy takes you step by step through all the basic rhythms and
techniques used in your favorite metal music.
Voice Technology: A State of the Art Studio: an incredible study of the
mechanics of singing, including much work on vowel and consonant production,
and insight into the science of phonetics, which underlies the study of speech
and singing. Best of all, the book comes with a COMPUTER PROGRAM you can use
to SEE your voice, how it is producing sound, and how to change it for the
better. A must for those wishing to improve their singing!
Kitharlogos: The Path To Virtuosity:
This book is
for classical guitarists what Troy Stetina's "Speed Mechanics" is for metal
heads! Lots of well thought out exercises that help you progressively develop
classical technique. If you know how to do Principled Practice, you will go
far with this book.
Beatles Made Easy For Guitar:
Many of the greatest songs by THE greatest
pop/rock (and beyond) songwriters of my lifetime! The great thing about this
book is that all the songs are in easy guitar keys, so it is perfect for those
just getting the hang of chord changes and strumming.
Speed Mechanics For Lead Guitar: This is an
excellent book for the serious rock/metal guitarist. Troy Stetina has put
together a series of exercises designed to develop all the essential techniques
used by the virtuoso electric guitarist. If you want to be blazing like Kirk,
Eddie, Steve & Joe, this is the book for you!
Library of Classics:
A great collection of classical guitar pieces for the
intermediate student who is looking for a lot of the greatest, most popular, and
most played music in the standard classical repertoire.
Clear and easy to read, a lifetime
of great music to study and play, all in one convenient place!
The Voice Book:
The best
book I have found on singing. I will give this book the highest
compliment I can, it is for the voice what my book "The Principles of Correct
Practice For Guitar" is for the guitar. With great analytical detail, the author
gives you ALL the right information, in the right order, along with "Foundation
Exercises" to remove the obstacles to improving your ability to develop your
voice.
Ultimate Folk Book:
After you have begun the
process of learning how to practice by using The Principles,
and you have learned the first position chords in the key of G with
"The Path Level One: Chords & Rhythm",, it is time for some Horizontal Growth by learning a
good number of songs, and some Vertical Growth, learning new first position
chords, as
well as more sophisticated strums, and accompaniment techniques such as BASS
RUNS, and ARPEGGIOS.
There are a
number of lessons on songs from this book at GuitarPrinciples, as part of
the Mel Bay Study Group (FREE!)