How to proceed (Classical)

[Barbara]

Hi Jamie,
In response to my previous post and your reply, here's the video at last (I had some major tech issues getting it up). Please excuse the background noise; we live in Mexico in a house without walls, but I still don't know where it came from !!??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Agop7dwcQw

Please let me know what you think about how I should proceed . . .
Muchas gracias,
Barbara


Post by Barbara » Sat Apr 21, 2012 3:04 pm
Dear Jamie, I recently found your website and have begun work on the Principles and the Classical Course. I have been practicing (not playing) classical guitar on and off for many decades (I'm 77 years old), with several excellent teachers over time interspersed with long periods of complete inactivity. Now I have a couple of hours a day to practice and am HUGELY EXCITED about your method, and am looking for guidance on how to proceed. Should I continue following the Classical Course alone (with the Foundation Exercises, of course) or add scales, chords etc from your other resources? Reading music is not an issue; I consider myself a Failed Intermediate guitarist (!!) The question is whether I should feel completely in control of basic issues covered in the exercises before adding scales, chords etc. or go all in at once.
Also, I (physically) cannot sing, having injured one vocal chord somehow, and I noticed in the Path book that singing is vital. I can of course sing mentally . . . and am an experienced foot-tapper!
Thanks for setting me on the path, and for everything you do!!
Barbara

Postby Jamie » Sat Apr 21, 2012 6:36 pm
Hi Barbara, welcome! I'm very happy to see you here!

I need to see your basic finger functioning before answering any questions as to how to proceed. Please post the walking ex from the Principles in the workshop forum, and we'll take it from there!
Best,
Jamie

[Jamie]

Hi Barbara,

That looked great! You're left hand is looking very good in these exercises. You have very good form and separation during movement. As far as that goes, the only thing to fix is the beginning of your 1-2...you can see 2 squeeze against 3 at the start. Prevent that.

Now, a few things.

Your guitar is too low. It is causing you to strain forward. See what you can do about that.

The right hand is too flat, arch the wrist out a bit.

As far as how to proceed, well, you can continue to work on your own and post occasionally for my feedback. In that case, continue with all Foundation Exercises in the Principles, and at the same time begin the classical course. If you want to accelerate your progress, think about some lessons with me.

Oh, and how is it that you had "several excellent teachers" and yet are a "failed intermediate student"? You seem quite talented to me.

[Ruby6092]

Hi Barbara,

I am glad you are on this site and posted a video. You inspire me.

Webcam lessons with Jamie are fabulous!

Marilyn

[Barbara]

(Note I've tried to post this a couple of times and it hasn't shown up. I must be doing something wrong . . . so here goes again!

Hi Jamie,
Thank you so much for the speedy feedback; I'm working on your suggestions, the Fundamental Exercises and Classical 1. Am also trying to learn some music theory as well as beginning with How to Master a Scale and The Path for chord technique. My first teacher ages ago taught with a straight wrist and straight fingers; I've modified that over the years but still have the tendency. Also I've been using a very low footstool because I'm short, but the regular one is probably better.
I consider myself a "failed" intermediate player because I'm a guitar Student not a guitar Player, no repertoire after all these years Your method will no doubt make the difference, and I'm looking foreward to taking some lessons with you after I progress a little.
Muchas gracias!
Barbara

[Jamie]

Hi Barbara,

Don't wait...that is the wrong attitude and viewpoint. If you are driving in the wrong direction, you don't wait to turn in the right direction. Ask around here from folks who have been where you are. Get the feedback you need from me, with the "direct intervention" that takes place in a lesson with me, and your practice will immediately be more productive.

[GAA43]

I'll chime in and agree strenuously with Jamie that intervention earlier than later is better. I can tell you that personally I always have a strong motivation to take something as far as I can on my own before seeking help, but I can say in this case that this is not the best approach. You really can save a lot of time and effort.

I've taken several lessons from her over the past year+, and have been doing Sherpa for 2 months, about which I plan to write separately sometime. FWIW I tend to be frugal and stubborn, if that says anything about the value I get from here lessons.

[Ruby6092]

Hi Barbara,

I was hesitant, well- actually, afraid, to take a lesson with Jamie until I understood more about the Principles. But I was pretty desperate given the physical pain I was experiencing in my thumbs and shoulders as a result of studying with another guitar teacher. i started with the 15 min intro webcam lesson so I could meet Jamie and see how it all worked. I was blown away by the experience. I learned more in those 15 minutes then I had in 6 months of weekly lessons with my local teacher. Now that really turned me upside down and inspired me!

She has a masterful level of attention to microscopic detail as she observes you playing. Plus she can articulate what she sees and communicate back to you in a way that you can understand and immediately apply. She quickly gets right to the core of things. You can't help but grow and be changed as a guitar player as a result of her attention on you. I know I have been. I am a beginner all over again and having a lot of fun with the process.

I, too, am studying in the Sherpa program with Jamie. I love the opportunity to check in with her frequently during the week about whatever goals she has suggested for me. I wanted more individualized attention given my repetitive motion injury (now healed) instead of finding my own way through the Principles.

I didn't want to keep doing things incorrectly and re-injuring myself. That was super strong motivation for me to take a chance on that first webcam lesson. It has been well worth the financial investment and cutting back on other expenses in order to study with Jamie.

Even as I write this, I know we all have our own process and pace with learning guitar. i just wanted to share what mine has been and my enthusiasm for lessons with Jamie. I trust you will decide what format works best for you and your circumstances.

With Enthusiasm
Marilyn

[Barbara]

Thanks Jamie, Marilyn and GAA43 for your encouragement!
I hope to take my first lesson with Jamie in about a week or as soon as the technology is in place and understood (not my strong suit); enthusiasm is high but life in Paradise is slow . . . and technology not always at one's fingertips. Luckily the guitar is!
Saludos,
Barbara

[Jamie]

Great Barbara! I'm looking forward to it!