Nail Care? Sandpaper?

Classical guitar requires fingernail care… (tough to get used to for some of us) One of the tools that can be used for this is sandpaper. I use 500 grit. You can order it in sheets from some guitar string suppliers. I ordered from Strings by Mail (http://www.stringsbymail.com/store/accessories-2/nail-care-408/micro-mesh-paper-1201/). There are other types of sandpaper and all, just stay away from the kind that says Wet/Dry. It makes squeaky noises on fingernails! The idea of this fine sandpaper is to get your nails as smooth as possible which enables you to get a good sound on a classical guitar.

Nativeguitarjoe@gmail.com

Two songs available on iTunes!

My brother and I recorded a cover of Revelation Song by Phillips, Craig, and Dean. Also, I have recorded several flute songs. I was able to make Revelation Song and a flute song that I call The End of The Road available on iTunes! I hope to be able to put up more if there are enough sales to cover costs. Thanks for the support!

Here is a link:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/revelation-song-feat.-josh/id516087339

Flute & Guitar Album in the works!

I was finally able to make one of my recordings available on Amazon. I've had a great time creating this music and hope to be able to do more. I recorded this song using a small USB interface that enables me to use a microphone with my laptop. I cut down on the background noise that can usually be heard when recording without a soundproof room by working with the recording levels and other technical stuff. I had a good learning experience through the recording process. I hope to make an entire album of flute and guitar music, and this is the second of those songs so far. I am Shoshoni/Paiute/Pottawatomi and am enrolled with the Gun Lake Tribe of Pottawatomi (Match-e-be-nash-she-wish). http://amzn.com/B007R098VI

Counting Time- such a painful necessity!

1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and, etc. Counting the beats in music is crucial for learning to read music. I am learning the value of counting out loud when learning a new song.

The Time Signature of a song/score in guitar music is included in the beginning of the piece and anytime there is a change throughout the song. These numbers are key to understanding what the song is supposed to sound like, especially if you have never heard it before.

Some Youtube videos to check out

I received a Native American style flute for Christmas and have been using it for a few recordings on Youtube. Here is the link to my Youtube channel:

NativeGuitarJoe-Youtube

Hope you all had wonderful holidays!

Warm Ups!

Doing some kind of warm up before playing is essential before playing guitar. I really notice the difference when I don't warm up before playing.

If you play finger-style guitar, then you will need to work out some kind of strum pattern that helps loosen your fingers up on your strumming hand (i.e. right hand if you play right handed). Maybe in the future I can post some suggestions for that.

Your fretting hand (left) will need to be loosened up as well. I find that my ring finger and pinkie finger are usually the stiffest. Exercises on the fretboard that involve all of your fingers, especially the ring and pinkie fingers, will be beneficial. Even switching back and forth between several chords that you know for a few minutes will probably help as well.

Stay tuned for more specific suggestions.

Feel free to leave a comment or email me at nativeguitarjoe@gmail.com

Guitar Basics 2 - The Left Hand

The left hand fingering in most books is marked as follows.

These numbers usually appear next to the note to help with difficult pieces of music. In learning books, there are usually a lot of fingering marks to help a guitarist learn a particular piece or to get used to common fingering.

The thumb of course doesn't get a number because it anchors on the back of the neck. There are times when your thumb can hook over the neck and press the 6th (E) string*, but the marking wouldn't be 1-4, so it isn't something to worry about.

*Note: I use my thumb for certain chords (i.e. F) so I can use some open strings and yet still play the 

(i.e. F) bass note of the chord.

Feel free to leave a comment or email me at nativeguitarjoe@gmail.com