The Process of Learning
A couple of months ago I asked my students to list ten questions they
had about playing the guitar. I thought that the vast majority of questions
would overlap and I could make a top ten list. But guess what? Nobody asked
exactly the same question! What I learned from this random sample of guitar
players of all ages, levels and styles is that, like snowflakes, no two
guitar players are alike - each one is unique.
Here are a few of their questions:
The last question, asked by a six year old, reminds us that there are no stupid questions only stupid answers.
Although these students didn't ask the same questions, the questions they did ask fell into two broad categories which are sometimes hard to separate: music and the guitar. I consider these two aspects as music theory and guitar technique. Theory being "what we think" and technique "what we play". In other words, we play what we think, and we think what we've learned.
Now, if playing is the result of learning (at any level), and learning is the result of questions answered, then how do we learn? The easy answer is: slowly at the "speed of thought", transforming understanding into knowledge, in order to practice. Practice being repetition of what we know on a steady beat, until we can play at the performance tempo (speed). Simply stated, we learn, then practice and then play.
So, what are we going to learn to play? Basically, we learn three things:
Future lessons will go into much greater detail about the "What, When and How" of music and the guitar, but for now let's answer one of the students questions. "What does enharmonic mean?" Enharmonic means "the same pitch" but not the same letter or scale degree. For example, F# "sounds the same as" Gb, however, in the key of C major, F# is sharp 4 whereas Gb is flat 5. The letter and scale degree of any pitch is determined by the key you're in - but that becomes another question. . .
I invite all of you to send me your questions (or answers!) which in turn will generate even more questions and answers. This is the process of learning. This is our dialogue.
So until next time, remember: All frets are created equal, so have some fun beyond the 3rd fret...
Return to Intermediate Lessons
Here are a few of their questions:
- Why is there a nut?
- How do I make a solo sound interesting?
- How do I tune by ear?
- What are some common blues turnarounds?
- What does modulation mean?
- What is a triad and how many are there?
- Which is easier to play, electric or acoustic?
- What are inversions?
- What are alternate tunings?
- What does a whammy bar do?
- Why are there two dots on the 12th fret?
- Is learning to read music important?
- How much should I practice each day?
- How do I know what key I'm in?
- How do I overcome nervousness when performing?
- What is a power chord?
- What does enharmonic mean?
- What is a moderately slow shuffle?
- What are flat wound strings?
- How can you play lots of songs on the guitar if there are only six strings?
The last question, asked by a six year old, reminds us that there are no stupid questions only stupid answers.
Although these students didn't ask the same questions, the questions they did ask fell into two broad categories which are sometimes hard to separate: music and the guitar. I consider these two aspects as music theory and guitar technique. Theory being "what we think" and technique "what we play". In other words, we play what we think, and we think what we've learned.
Now, if playing is the result of learning (at any level), and learning is the result of questions answered, then how do we learn? The easy answer is: slowly at the "speed of thought", transforming understanding into knowledge, in order to practice. Practice being repetition of what we know on a steady beat, until we can play at the performance tempo (speed). Simply stated, we learn, then practice and then play.
So, what are we going to learn to play? Basically, we learn three things:
- What to play and how to apply it (scales, chords and arpeggios),
- When to play what we've learned (rhythm as time), and
- How to play what we've learned (techniques - bend, slide, vibrato, etc.)
Future lessons will go into much greater detail about the "What, When and How" of music and the guitar, but for now let's answer one of the students questions. "What does enharmonic mean?" Enharmonic means "the same pitch" but not the same letter or scale degree. For example, F# "sounds the same as" Gb, however, in the key of C major, F# is sharp 4 whereas Gb is flat 5. The letter and scale degree of any pitch is determined by the key you're in - but that becomes another question. . .
I invite all of you to send me your questions (or answers!) which in turn will generate even more questions and answers. This is the process of learning. This is our dialogue.
So until next time, remember: All frets are created equal, so have some fun beyond the 3rd fret...