Here at GP, we value "idiot moments" very highly. An "idiot moment" is one of those enlightening flashes of insight where we realize that the answer to a technical problem is staring us right in the face, we have just not been staring back! We suddenly see a new way of doing something that is infinitely easier than what we have been struggling with. An "idiot moment" is usually accompanied by the feeling that gives such a moment its name: the feeling is "My God, what an idiot I've been, how could I not see that!".

It is part of my basic philosophy that there is no foolproof defense against idiot moments, they are just going to continue to happen, human nature being what it is. The best we can do is keep a constant "beginners mind", so that we can eventually, (hopefully sooner than later), become aware of what we were not seeing up to that point. If I don't have at least one good idiot moment a week, I am just not paying enough attention!

Well, the other day, I was doing a little informal workshop for some students and teachers in training, and I not only had an idiot moment, I had one in public!

Drew, one of our valued teachers, was asking my advice on a chord change that was giving him trouble. It was a 5th position A7 chord going to a 2nd position E7 chord:

He was arranging a chord melody solo, and these chords are often used so that the proper melody note can be on top.

Well, I immediately set about trying to find the best way to do this change with the required degree of smoothness. Digging deep into my bag of Principles, I said:

"Well, here's the deal. Just keep the index down in its bar form across the 4 strings, and slide it down, keeping the weight on it. Keep the other fingers loose and close to the strings, and have them going into the new shape as you move down". Okay, so that works, its true. I showed him how to practice and do it, and felt satisfied that I had made the world just a little brighter for one more guitar player.

But something was nagging at the back of my mind. Fortunately, some part of my medulla oblongata was dredging up the first and most important Principle of Correct Practice: "your aware thinking mind is your primary practice tool". And then my idiot moment struck!

I slapped my forehead as I realized how obvious the best solution to the chord change was: hold the 2nd finger and just slide it down! It is on the same string in both chords! Duh!

Of course, this does not invalidate the other advice, we would do well to still have the other fingers behave as described, but seeing this new possibility made the change a "piece of cake" for both me and Drew. It didn't even take too much "thinking" after the "aware" part of Principle #1 was put into play.

Note: the Principles of left hand movement utilized in this analysis are illustrated in the GuitarPrinciples publication "The Path Level One: Chords & Rhythm", which introduces supported and unsupported left hand movement, even at the beginning stages of learning guitar.

This kind of knowledge, acquired and used early in the guitar learning process, will definitely reduce the quantity and severity of our "idiot moments" throughout our guitar playing life! In fact, after awhile, the insights that come to us will be closer to "inspiration" or "genius", rather than "idiocy", but hey, a rose by any other name is still a rose! Regarding ourselves as "ignorant" keeps us open and receptive to everything that is possible for us to see.

When it comes to playing the guitar, GuitarPrinciples has already done most of the thinking for you! But, you must still make the effort to wrap your brain around this knowledge, and of course, apply it in your daily guitar playing life.

Great Sound: Player, Guitar, or Amp?......thought provoking viewpoints in our Power Users Forum. Thanks to pick-style virtuouso Ney Mello for shedding light on this often discussed subject, giving us the advantage of his many years as a professional, and playing alongside other greats of the industry. And thanks to Jonsi, our new Principled Teacher, serving the "aspiring excellent" in Iceland), for bringing it up!

Half Bar-Critical Information!...I have given some critical information here on how to approach the half bar, as used in the small F chord. Donna Z. (our California based Principled Teacher) was running into trouble with her kids class on this one.

On Memorizing: Yes, you can play from memory, but you need to understand the 3 kinds of memory musicians use.....
 

Metal Lead Method: read a review of one of the best method books for learning the tools and techniques of Metal Rock Guitar.

Metallica's One.....Principled practice tips for the intro.

Can I Teach Guitar?....the answer may surprise you!

Building The Complete Guitarist! Find out how Jamie builds a solidly great player, lesson by lesson, book by book, and skill by skill!

And so, as I would do if you were sitting in front of me as my student, I will offer you these understandings, with the intent of helping you move forward on your path of excellence.

This is not an easy read, I imagine you will have to read it many times. I would not read it unless you are able to create a quiet space in your mind for a while, and allow real listening to take place.