Hi, everyone. I wanted to start us off with a comment to get the ball rolling. I would LOVE it if you could leave a short comment introducing yourself to the other members. ο»ΏIβm Dan Thorpe, from Birmingham, UK (not Alabama!). I love fingerpicking – Paul Simon, James Taylor, Tommy Emmanuel and about a gazillion others! My favourite thing about playing guitar is having some quiet time to play for myself (music is a great outlet for everything in life) and to jam with my 4 year old boy, Archie! I used to be terrible at guitar but after years… Read more »
Hey everyone, I would love to know what lessons you would like to learn. More on fingerpicking, Travis picking, chord changes, theory, jamming???… you name it, leave your ideas below!! This is the place to do so.
Hi Dan, I am an intermediate player, but am fascinated about finger style, and very anxious to get started. But i must admit i do struggle a bit with the dreaded Barr Chords, but am improving a bit. I am a Viet Nam vet, who suffers from PTSD, I am very private, so if you don’t hear much from me please understand. Thanks
Steve
Hi Steve, thanks for getting in touch. It`s great to have you here. Barre chords are tough but do make sure you take your time and use good technique with them.
No problem at all regarding being private and I hope you are doing well regarding the PTSD. Just know that the comments section and the mini-forum is there for you when needed. All the best.
Cool, for sure, let us know some more details. What sort of slaps and slides? The crazy stuff or solid on beats 2 and 4 type thing? What sort of guitarists have inspired this? (I ask, so I know I’m on the right path). π
No particular artist comes to mind but I would say on beats 2 and 4 nothing crazy (yet). Slapping all the strings I find okay, it’s the thumb slap I have trouble with on the low E A strings.
I have come across slaps in the odd piece of music, done right sounds amazing. Just something I would like to add to my repertoire.
Ah, okay cool, thanks for letting me know. The slaps on beats 2 and 4 are very cool. The grooves these can add are great. Will get something ready on this. π
If you would like to submit a video, you can add it to your comment by including a video LINK (for example, a YouTube, Vimeo, or Dropbox link). (Email Dan for help if you get stuck uploading a video)
YouTube and Vimeo links are the preferred video format. Make sure that your links are set to unlisted (not private!) and then only we will see it.
Hopefully, you have all noticed the new comments section at the bottom of each page in the DTAA! I would love for you to comment, ask questions and say “hi”!
I have been trying to learn the guitar for 50 years, but it has never clicked. I have decided to give it one last go. So today i put on a set of new strings, tuned the guitar and I will allocate time everyday and try my best to do this. Fingers crossed something clicks this time. I will let you know how its going after seven days. Wish me luck
Hi Michael, welcome aboard. Very pleased to hear you are back to it and willing to give it what it takes. Keep going after the 7 days, you will see a difference but keep at it, the biggest differences will come the more you use the course and lessons. Most of all, enjoy! π
Hey Dan – I went to look at the new class covers today and discovered the Retired Courses and this message: βNote: To keep the site clean and uncluttered, I will be removing these βRetiredβ courses from the site by the end of 2025 so if you still want them please download the courses. (Rest assured all other courses will remain on the site).β Do you have any advice on how to download them? There are four on my page. One I have completed, one I havenβt started and two I definitely want to keep. But I have no idea… Read more »
Hi Teresa, I will be updating those courses with download links soon. Just need to get the links sorted and checked. I’ll send out an email when this is done too and rest assured you’ll have plenty of time to get them. Hope that is okay. π
I’m really having difficulty with the A shape barre chord. My ring finger doesnt bend back the way yours does so I can’t cover all the strings for the A shape. In the simplified version I have difficulty stretching my middle, ring and pinky fingers up two frets. I can do the rest of the shapes. Should I just practice the three shapes that I can do and give up on the A shape?
What you mention is fairly common. The A shape is tough and not enough people talk about that. I wouldn’t give up on it entirely, but probably would take a break from it, and perfect the others even more. Then, when you come back to the A shape fresh, you will be better for it. Plus, you can do the 3 finger version of the A shape which has two options (1 – play it as power chord or 2 – play the D, G, B strings and lose the root note). Both work for different situations. Let me know… Read more »
Nice lesson! The Hammer-ons and pull offs are a challenge but they are worth the effort.
The mood that the piece evokes is something to build on.
Excited to keep exploring with this.
That’s great to know you’re enjoying it. Great for technique (now and in the future) so keep it up. Pleased you enjoy the mood of it too! Well done. π
I’ve been working on Bluesmas1 since December and finally have all those down. For the last couple of weeks, I’ve been working on Bluesmas 2 and have them all pretty well learned, except for the final Travis picking one, which I’m still working on. It was fun to see that I already know number 5 because I’ve been working on Sweet Double Stop Blues quite a lot. I’ve so enjoyed learning these little riffs.
It’s the middle of April and I’m still working on this piece, as well as the Minor King Blues. I like both of them and want to add them to my repertoire as memorized pieces. I find this one to be particularly fun, and although it still needs a little polishing, I’m getting there and enjoying the journey.
Thanks, Rich. Pleased you like this. For sure, will do, love it when members enjoy the creative side of things. It’s great for pushing your musical skills forward. Keep having fun with it! π
Hi Dan, This is really a blast! I do hardly any strumming, so I figured I’d pass on this one… Then I decided to give it a go and so glad I did. It really opens up a lot of possibilities. I like the idea of using the pick on variation 1 and then doing it without the pick – both are fun. Also, on variation 3 I love that it shows how strumming on different locations can really change the sound. Great lesson!!! Cheers
Hi Logan, thanks. Very pleased to hear it. I know, strumming is something we can easily forget to work on but there’s a lot of fun to be had with it! Very happy to know you are enjoying these. Great you enjoyed the variation on where to strum too – little things that make a big difference. Keep enjoying it! π
Hi, I am Keith Siddle. pushing 90 come end of August. I live at Brigsley DN37 0RH, North East Lincolnshire. Ive been Learning slowly for c 2years , I already have a quality video course,and am around two thirds through that. My aim is to be able to play well enough for my own entertainment and friends and family occasions, no stage ambions of course. just want to be reasonably goo periodsd at it, and Satisfy my ego. I Started after losing my/our superb 15.25yrs old Springer Spaniel, Liver and White, Danny, and a great companion sadly Missed. I thought… Read more »
Hi Keith, welcome to the course. Pleased you are here and I hope you enjoy it. It’s such a shame when a pet passes away. I hope the guitar helps. We used to have a springer spaniel called Tyler. He was ace. I hope you enjoy the course and do let us know how you get on! π
Amazing! Whilst playing this I feel like a real musician…This sounds just like a never-ending stream that flows gently through the valley. Thank you Dan for teaching “musicality”..its rare treasure.π Love it.
That’s great. Love the comparison you made to it being like a never ending stream. That is the beauty of creativity, it can keep flowing in different directions. π
This is so beautiful…. am just loving these lessons on the high E string in EM.What a beautiful scale. This piece, as you say, has so many different elements to focus on.. it is immediately beautifully sounding even without the hammer on & pull offs…. & a lovely piece to practice them on. Great goal! GO PINKIE!
Thanks again Dan for such interesting lessons.
Thanks, Diane. My pleasure. Very pleased you are enjoying the sound of it and can see the layers in it. I love short pieces that work multiple elements and that are both fun for students and myself to play. Keep enjoying it and well done for your progress so far. π
This piece sounds ultra-cool and sort of mysterious. However, it’s going to be a real challenge to get my pinkie to make much of a hammer-on sound, especially where the fourth and fifth fingers are trying to work together.
Glad you like it and yeah, I know what you mean about the mysterious edge to it. Do be patient with the pinkie hammers. They will need isolated practice (using the 10x Method ideally) but if you keep at it diligently, by the end of the month you will see big progress, I am confident. π
Love this one Dan…. It’s going to be a challenge getting the G A B section down… but I love that you used the 10X method with this lesson – that will be a great tool in nailing this one! Thanks!
Ace. That is nice to hear. Yeah, that section will take a little more time than the rest but is worth the effort for sure. Delighted you see the benefit of it regarding the 10x method too! Nailing this with that method will be great and I’m sure will lead to even more effective practice in other pieces too. π
Excellent challenge Dan. What I really like about it is that it is going to help me coordinate keeping the pattern in time while keeping the scale fretting correctly. I tend to let the two throw me off a lot, and this is already helping. I’m anxious to see where this goes with getting the scale and pattern smooth and then getting into the creativity part. It’s awesome how using something this simple can go a long way in improving my coordination of both hands working together. GREAT Challange Dan!!! Cheers
Cheers, Logan. You’ve hit the nail on the head with how simple things can go a long way. It really will. Keep enjoying it on a simple level and then add the slightly more intricate stuff in bit by bit, and above all, have fun with it, which I know you will. π
I like this piece Dan. Fun to play. Question: in part one you mention to alternate your index finger and middle finger with the high E string. Bit of a challenge which I obviously could get down with some practice. But it’s much easier for me to just use my middle finger and it sounds just as good in my opinion. Is there an advantage to alternating your index and middle finger in this piece? Thanks.
Pleased to hear it, Don. Good question. Some pieces you can pick using one finger and that works – usually if the tempo is not too fast or everything is on the same string… but the alternating middle and index finger picking is a good habit to develop, as it will help when you play faster pieces or have to pluck melodies on adjacent strings. I hope that helps and makes sense. π
Cool exercise Dan. Helps that I already learned your tutorial for “Spanish Romance”
part 1, that uses part of that strumming pattern in this two minute challenge. Good stuff.
Cheers, Don. Pleased you liked it and any time you learn something from elsewhere, it’s a good thing to jam it and adapt it in this sort of way if that makes sense. π
Big congratulations to the Leaderboard winners for March 2025. Those were Gold β Jim Davis, Silver β Michel Lafontaine, and Bronze β Denise Gillard. (Plus, the best comment prize goes to Leslie Denning for her comment HERE). I’ll be in touch with these about the prizes! Well done to everyone for the progress made this month. π
I love Eric Clapton!! Tears in Heaven. So heartfelt, the loss of his son. He turned an awful tragedy into something beautiful with that song.
Music is the greatest love of my life.
Hello, my name is Brenda Davis from El Reno, Oklahoma 30 miles west of Okc. I want to thank you for having me. I am a beginner at playing the guitar Yes, I know a few chords , but my strumming Iβm having Difficulty with. I love all types of music especially the old country songs.
The guitar is so relaxing and fun for me
Iβm looking forward to the new guitar journey I am about to go on.
Hi Brenda, a big warm welcome to you. Delighted you are here and ready for a fun journey. It’s great you find the guitar relaxing. I hope you have loads of fun on this journey and in the academy. Do give us a shout with any questions. π
Hi, I’m Mark Ashton from St Helens, Merseyside, UK. I’m 65 years old and am a complete beginner, having only been playing guitar for about 8 weeks. It’s something I’ve always wanted to learn and have always said I would do someday, but never seemed to be able to get round to it with my career (an accountant), the day to day committments of family life, particularly as my children were growing up, and my other main serious hobby/passion, Ballroom & Latin dancing (lol), So now, as I’m just about to retire later this year, I figured that now is… Read more »
Welcome, Mark. I’m pleased you are here early on in your playing, so we can get you playing with good habits. So important that. I’ve seen your email saying how much you are enjoying it, which is great. I hope you have a tonne of fun! (Very cool about the dancing, no doubt that will mean good rhythm!) π
So, here I am again working on the big cycle.
You are so concise with your explanations. Good thing because there is so much to take in here.
Drone tones on my bagpipes and on the guitar. So many ways to add different techniques with guitar.
This really is causing me to have some aha moments.
Guess Iβm weird but I love music theory. Bartok was famous for dissonance on cello.
Rules are made to be broken if one knows what one can get away with!π€£
Ah, thanks, pleased to hear it. I love hearing about when students get the aha moments. It’s so cool when things click like that. Enjoy and nothing weird about liking theory. It can be fun for sure π
There are so many new techniques or old ones with a twist to learn in these lessons. Gonna take a long time to master, but I’m really enjoying spending a few minutes every day on them!
That’s great to know, Larry. There are indeed multiple things to think about in pieces like this but keep enjoying the process. It’s fun breaking it all down and putting it all together. π
Dan, I can’t get the Twisted Dyads lesson or Fingerpicking Fun. Can you fix that for me? I’m not done. Maybe since I started paying of 2/14, they’re not showing up. Please help me! Thanks.
Thanks for letting us know, Tom. Sorry about that and all should be sorted now – please let us know if any issues though but I am sure it is sorted. Cheers and enjoy! π
I’ve started working on the Twisted Dyads piece and I’m having a real hard time with the slides. Any advice on getting them to ring out a little more? I feel that I’m pushing down pretty firmly, but there is just a little squeak of a sound.
They’re tough at first. Developing smooth slides comes with feel and practice. Here’s some tips… Apply even pressure and move your finger fluidly without lifting. Aim to land as close to the fret as possible for a cleaner sound. Start with your ring or middle finger and isolate the slide on its own at first. Practicing one-fret slides higher up the fretboard can help too as the frets are closer together. Pluck loudly, and experiment with different slide speedsβboth slow and fast. Playing around with these tips will be worth it. Let us know how it goes! π
I had let the piece go for a few days after practicing hard on the slide. When I came back to the piece, much to my surprise, I could do it. It’s not perfect, but it’s much better. I can actually hear some music.
Mary Spender on YouTube fingerpicks electric. Now thereβs a different tone. Hard to keep my fingernails from breaking so I like to use thumb picks and fingerpicks as I have noticed Joan Baez is doing lately.
The subdivision game. Subdividing beats can blow a personβs mind. We pipers get into this with many tunes. Puts some pressure on keeping things straight!
Yeah, so much sheet music does, until you take a moment to study the patterns, break it down, and then go slow. Happy my instructions give you confidence. π
One pattern, multiple styles. Iβm not calling you Dan at this point. Iβll call you Sensei. Nice to be in your guitar dojo!
Hey, your next course could be called the Guitar Dojo. Instead of belts we could have guitar straps. White, yellow, brown then black. The master would be customized engraved lettered.
Proper guitar attire without buckle rash, w/o buckles. Sorry. Getting geeked out. I am a guitar nerd from way back.
Sorry. Iβm getting carried away here. π
Songwriting and creativity, great. Better than just regurgitating what someone else has done.
Joan Baez wrote Sweet Sir Gallahead. Very creative and I think about the only song she wrote.? Iβll have to google that. She did a lot of covers of old renaissance stuff. The minstrelβs were the news anchors in the 1600βs. I have a book with these ballads she researched and recorded.
That’s really interesting about Joan Baez. For sure, writing songs is so powerful. Really helps to cement those skills you have developed and create something that is unique to you. π
I do love it when you put the pulgar, induce and media markings for clear indication of what fingers to use. Fingerstyle or every manβs or womanβs classical way of playing.
Good stuff!
Riffs, fills, hammer-ons all stuff to help put some personality into our playing. Developing my own style is an ongoing process. I will be returning to this lesson for sure.
I love Mark Knopflerβs Sultans of Swing. Bootcamp has been quite the learning experience.
Yeah, great fun! Super pleased to hear it. It’s a journey for sure and one that it seems like you have enjoyed a lot. Keep going with the momentum and well done! π
Great tips Dan super duper π
Cheers, Angie. Glad to hear you like the lesson. Keep coming back to it too. π
Hi, everyone. I wanted to start us off with a comment to get the ball rolling. I would LOVE it if you could leave a short comment introducing yourself to the other members. ο»ΏIβm Dan Thorpe, from Birmingham, UK (not Alabama!). I love fingerpicking – Paul Simon, James Taylor, Tommy Emmanuel and about a gazillion others! My favourite thing about playing guitar is having some quiet time to play for myself (music is a great outlet for everything in life) and to jam with my 4 year old boy, Archie! I used to be terrible at guitar but after years… Read more »
Hey everyone, I would love to know what lessons you would like to learn. More on fingerpicking, Travis picking, chord changes, theory, jamming???… you name it, leave your ideas below!! This is the place to do so.
Hi Dan, I am an intermediate player, but am fascinated about finger style, and very anxious to get started. But i must admit i do struggle a bit with the dreaded Barr Chords, but am improving a bit. I am a Viet Nam vet, who suffers from PTSD, I am very private, so if you don’t hear much from me please understand. Thanks
Steve
Hi Steve, thanks for getting in touch. It`s great to have you here. Barre chords are tough but do make sure you take your time and use good technique with them.
No problem at all regarding being private and I hope you are doing well regarding the PTSD. Just know that the comments section and the mini-forum is there for you when needed. All the best.
I would love to see some lessons on guitar slaps and slides please. That is if you possibly find time in your busy schedule.
Cool, for sure, let us know some more details. What sort of slaps and slides? The crazy stuff or solid on beats 2 and 4 type thing? What sort of guitarists have inspired this? (I ask, so I know I’m on the right path). π
No particular artist comes to mind but I would say on beats 2 and 4 nothing crazy (yet). Slapping all the strings I find okay, it’s the thumb slap I have trouble with on the low E A strings.
I have come across slaps in the odd piece of music, done right sounds amazing. Just something I would like to add to my repertoire.
Ah, okay cool, thanks for letting me know. The slaps on beats 2 and 4 are very cool. The grooves these can add are great. Will get something ready on this. π
If you would like to submit a video, you can add it to your comment by including a video LINK (for example, a YouTube, Vimeo, or Dropbox link). (Email Dan for help if you get stuck uploading a video)
YouTube and Vimeo links are the preferred video format. Make sure that your links are set to unlisted (not private!) and then only we will see it.
Post your video below…
Hopefully, you have all noticed the new comments section at the bottom of each page in the DTAA! I would love for you to comment, ask questions and say “hi”!
I have been trying to learn the guitar for 50 years, but it has never clicked. I have decided to give it one last go. So today i put on a set of new strings, tuned the guitar and I will allocate time everyday and try my best to do this. Fingers crossed something clicks this time. I will let you know how its going after seven days. Wish me luck
Hi Michael, welcome aboard. Very pleased to hear you are back to it and willing to give it what it takes. Keep going after the 7 days, you will see a difference but keep at it, the biggest differences will come the more you use the course and lessons. Most of all, enjoy! π
Hey Dan – I went to look at the new class covers today and discovered the Retired Courses and this message: βNote: To keep the site clean and uncluttered, I will be removing these βRetiredβ courses from the site by the end of 2025 so if you still want them please download the courses. (Rest assured all other courses will remain on the site).β Do you have any advice on how to download them? There are four on my page. One I have completed, one I havenβt started and two I definitely want to keep. But I have no idea… Read more »
Hi Teresa, I will be updating those courses with download links soon. Just need to get the links sorted and checked. I’ll send out an email when this is done too and rest assured you’ll have plenty of time to get them. Hope that is okay. π
That is awesome! I knew you would take care of it!
I’m really having difficulty with the A shape barre chord. My ring finger doesnt bend back the way yours does so I can’t cover all the strings for the A shape. In the simplified version I have difficulty stretching my middle, ring and pinky fingers up two frets. I can do the rest of the shapes. Should I just practice the three shapes that I can do and give up on the A shape?
What you mention is fairly common. The A shape is tough and not enough people talk about that. I wouldn’t give up on it entirely, but probably would take a break from it, and perfect the others even more. Then, when you come back to the A shape fresh, you will be better for it. Plus, you can do the 3 finger version of the A shape which has two options (1 – play it as power chord or 2 – play the D, G, B strings and lose the root note). Both work for different situations. Let me know… Read more »
sounds good! Thanks Dan! I’ll try working on the A shape by playing the D, G, and B strings without the root and high E strings. This I can do!
Glad to hear it, Denise. Yes, that is a good method. Keep it up, you’ll nail it and then can build from there later on with it. π
Nice lesson! The Hammer-ons and pull offs are a challenge but they are worth the effort.
The mood that the piece evokes is something to build on.
Excited to keep exploring with this.
That’s great to know you’re enjoying it. Great for technique (now and in the future) so keep it up. Pleased you enjoy the mood of it too! Well done. π
I’ve been working on Bluesmas1 since December and finally have all those down. For the last couple of weeks, I’ve been working on Bluesmas 2 and have them all pretty well learned, except for the final Travis picking one, which I’m still working on. It was fun to see that I already know number 5 because I’ve been working on Sweet Double Stop Blues quite a lot. I’ve so enjoyed learning these little riffs.
That’s great. Sounds like you’re making some really good progress! Keep it up and keep having fun with the blues. Great stuff! π
It’s the middle of April and I’m still working on this piece, as well as the Minor King Blues. I like both of them and want to add them to my repertoire as memorized pieces. I find this one to be particularly fun, and although it still needs a little polishing, I’m getting there and enjoying the journey.
Ah, that’s great. Pleased you are enjoying it and getting joy from it. Keep it up and hope you enjoy these forever! π
Dan, this is really interestingβ¦please continue to include more lessons with info like this. It challenges dexterity and creativity. Thx.
Thanks, Rich. Pleased you like this. For sure, will do, love it when members enjoy the creative side of things. It’s great for pushing your musical skills forward. Keep having fun with it! π
Hi Dan, This is really a blast! I do hardly any strumming, so I figured I’d pass on this one… Then I decided to give it a go and so glad I did. It really opens up a lot of possibilities. I like the idea of using the pick on variation 1 and then doing it without the pick – both are fun. Also, on variation 3 I love that it shows how strumming on different locations can really change the sound. Great lesson!!! Cheers
Hi Logan, thanks. Very pleased to hear it. I know, strumming is something we can easily forget to work on but there’s a lot of fun to be had with it! Very happy to know you are enjoying these. Great you enjoyed the variation on where to strum too – little things that make a big difference. Keep enjoying it! π
Hi, I am Keith Siddle. pushing 90 come end of August. I live at Brigsley DN37 0RH, North East Lincolnshire. Ive been Learning slowly for c 2years , I already have a quality video course,and am around two thirds through that. My aim is to be able to play well enough for my own entertainment and friends and family occasions, no stage ambions of course. just want to be reasonably goo periodsd at it, and Satisfy my ego. I Started after losing my/our superb 15.25yrs old Springer Spaniel, Liver and White, Danny, and a great companion sadly Missed. I thought… Read more »
Hi Keith, welcome to the course. Pleased you are here and I hope you enjoy it. It’s such a shame when a pet passes away. I hope the guitar helps. We used to have a springer spaniel called Tyler. He was ace. I hope you enjoy the course and do let us know how you get on! π
Amazing! Whilst playing this I feel like a real musician…This sounds just like a never-ending stream that flows gently through the valley. Thank you Dan for teaching “musicality”..its rare treasure.π Love it.
That’s great. Love the comparison you made to it being like a never ending stream. That is the beauty of creativity, it can keep flowing in different directions. π
This is so beautiful…. am just loving these lessons on the high E string in EM.What a beautiful scale. This piece, as you say, has so many different elements to focus on.. it is immediately beautifully sounding even without the hammer on & pull offs…. & a lovely piece to practice them on. Great goal! GO PINKIE!
Thanks again Dan for such interesting lessons.
Thanks, Diane. My pleasure. Very pleased you are enjoying the sound of it and can see the layers in it. I love short pieces that work multiple elements and that are both fun for students and myself to play. Keep enjoying it and well done for your progress so far. π
Great piece. May take several 10x’s!
Cheers. Yeah, this piece will definitely encourage use of the 10x Method for most (as well as encouraging patience (Keep having fun too!). π
Glad you like it and yeah, I know what you mean about the mysterious edge to it. Do be patient with the pinkie hammers. They will need isolated practice (using the 10x Method ideally) but if you keep at it diligently, by the end of the month you will see big progress, I am confident. π
Love this one Dan…. It’s going to be a challenge getting the G A B section down… but I love that you used the 10X method with this lesson – that will be a great tool in nailing this one! Thanks!
Ace. That is nice to hear. Yeah, that section will take a little more time than the rest but is worth the effort for sure. Delighted you see the benefit of it regarding the 10x method too! Nailing this with that method will be great and I’m sure will lead to even more effective practice in other pieces too. π
Excellent challenge Dan. What I really like about it is that it is going to help me coordinate keeping the pattern in time while keeping the scale fretting correctly. I tend to let the two throw me off a lot, and this is already helping. I’m anxious to see where this goes with getting the scale and pattern smooth and then getting into the creativity part. It’s awesome how using something this simple can go a long way in improving my coordination of both hands working together. GREAT Challange Dan!!! Cheers
Cheers, Logan. You’ve hit the nail on the head with how simple things can go a long way. It really will. Keep enjoying it on a simple level and then add the slightly more intricate stuff in bit by bit, and above all, have fun with it, which I know you will. π
I like this piece Dan. Fun to play. Question: in part one you mention to alternate your index finger and middle finger with the high E string. Bit of a challenge which I obviously could get down with some practice. But it’s much easier for me to just use my middle finger and it sounds just as good in my opinion. Is there an advantage to alternating your index and middle finger in this piece? Thanks.
Pleased to hear it, Don. Good question. Some pieces you can pick using one finger and that works – usually if the tempo is not too fast or everything is on the same string… but the alternating middle and index finger picking is a good habit to develop, as it will help when you play faster pieces or have to pluck melodies on adjacent strings. I hope that helps and makes sense. π
Cool exercise Dan. Helps that I already learned your tutorial for “Spanish Romance”
part 1, that uses part of that strumming pattern in this two minute challenge. Good stuff.
Cheers, Don. Pleased you liked it and any time you learn something from elsewhere, it’s a good thing to jam it and adapt it in this sort of way if that makes sense. π
Great exercise Dan. Simple, but it makes you think and explore. Thanks.
Thanks, Rich. Glad it’s helpful in getting you exploring. Keep it up. π
This was fun!
Pleased to hear it, Susan. π
Big congratulations to the Leaderboard winners for March 2025. Those were Gold β Jim Davis, Silver β Michel Lafontaine, and Bronze β Denise Gillard. (Plus, the best comment prize goes to Leslie Denning for her comment HERE). I’ll be in touch with these about the prizes! Well done to everyone for the progress made this month. π
The rolled chord sounds lovely. I’ve done it with a pick before but never with my fingers.
Glad to hear it. Yeah, it’s a subtle technique but makes such a difference I find. Pleased you like it. π
The first riff on Sunshine sounds like a piano!
How did you get that tone?
I honestly can’t remember. I think it may be the settings in the audio processor – there may have been some crazy compression on. π
I love Eric Clapton!! Tears in Heaven. So heartfelt, the loss of his son. He turned an awful tragedy into something beautiful with that song.
Music is the greatest love of my life.
He really did. Such a sad, tragic event. Great song with a lot of power and meaning for sure.
Hello, my name is Brenda Davis from El Reno, Oklahoma 30 miles west of Okc. I want to thank you for having me. I am a beginner at playing the guitar Yes, I know a few chords , but my strumming Iβm having Difficulty with. I love all types of music especially the old country songs.
The guitar is so relaxing and fun for me
Iβm looking forward to the new guitar journey I am about to go on.
Hi Brenda, a big warm welcome to you. Delighted you are here and ready for a fun journey. It’s great you find the guitar relaxing. I hope you have loads of fun on this journey and in the academy. Do give us a shout with any questions. π
Hi, I’m Mark Ashton from St Helens, Merseyside, UK. I’m 65 years old and am a complete beginner, having only been playing guitar for about 8 weeks. It’s something I’ve always wanted to learn and have always said I would do someday, but never seemed to be able to get round to it with my career (an accountant), the day to day committments of family life, particularly as my children were growing up, and my other main serious hobby/passion, Ballroom & Latin dancing (lol), So now, as I’m just about to retire later this year, I figured that now is… Read more »
Welcome, Mark. I’m pleased you are here early on in your playing, so we can get you playing with good habits. So important that. I’ve seen your email saying how much you are enjoying it, which is great. I hope you have a tonne of fun! (Very cool about the dancing, no doubt that will mean good rhythm!) π
I use the London pattern all the time – it’s my go-to. But I still learned some things and will play it better because of this review. Thanks, Dan!
Great stuff, Larry. It’s a fun pattern for sure, and very pleased this helped! Cheers π
Very helpful
Cheers, and pleased to hear it π
So, here I am again working on the big cycle.
You are so concise with your explanations. Good thing because there is so much to take in here.
Drone tones on my bagpipes and on the guitar. So many ways to add different techniques with guitar.
This really is causing me to have some aha moments.
Guess Iβm weird but I love music theory. Bartok was famous for dissonance on cello.
Rules are made to be broken if one knows what one can get away with!π€£
Ah, thanks, pleased to hear it. I love hearing about when students get the aha moments. It’s so cool when things click like that. Enjoy and nothing weird about liking theory. It can be fun for sure π
Love both of these piecesβ most fun Iβve had with the guitar in a while! Thank you!
That’s great to know. Delighted to hear it. Keep up the fun! π
Really nice pieceβ¦now if only I can play it have as good as you did during the play through!
Pleased you like it. For sure, you will be playing it really well soon. Keep at it, I know you will nail it π
There are so many new techniques or old ones with a twist to learn in these lessons. Gonna take a long time to master, but I’m really enjoying spending a few minutes every day on them!
That’s great to know, Larry. There are indeed multiple things to think about in pieces like this but keep enjoying the process. It’s fun breaking it all down and putting it all together. π
WOW! I want in! You make it look doable as you sound like Clapton.
I’m glad this excites you. Cheers, Tom, and enjoy! It’s lots of fun to play. π
Dan, I can’t get the Twisted Dyads lesson or Fingerpicking Fun. Can you fix that for me? I’m not done. Maybe since I started paying of 2/14, they’re not showing up. Please help me! Thanks.
Thanks for letting us know, Tom. Sorry about that and all should be sorted now – please let us know if any issues though but I am sure it is sorted. Cheers and enjoy! π
I’ve started working on the Twisted Dyads piece and I’m having a real hard time with the slides. Any advice on getting them to ring out a little more? I feel that I’m pushing down pretty firmly, but there is just a little squeak of a sound.
They’re tough at first. Developing smooth slides comes with feel and practice. Here’s some tips… Apply even pressure and move your finger fluidly without lifting. Aim to land as close to the fret as possible for a cleaner sound. Start with your ring or middle finger and isolate the slide on its own at first. Practicing one-fret slides higher up the fretboard can help too as the frets are closer together. Pluck loudly, and experiment with different slide speedsβboth slow and fast. Playing around with these tips will be worth it. Let us know how it goes! π
I had let the piece go for a few days after practicing hard on the slide. When I came back to the piece, much to my surprise, I could do it. It’s not perfect, but it’s much better. I can actually hear some music.
That’s great. So often, a little break after focused practice is all we need. Well done! π
Wow! All the dayβs lessons. All the Bonuses. So worthwhile. βΊοΈ
Happy to hear it. π
I subscribe to Acoustic Guitar magazine. Thatβs where I first learned DADGAD tuning, but you explain it better.
Thanks, DADGAD is so much fun. Love to jam in this tuning. Hope you enjoy it! π
Itβs been a great course. Iβll frequently return here. Great ending with all picking patterns in one place. ππ»
Pleased to hear it. Love that loved it. Keep coming back to it. π
Mary Spender on YouTube fingerpicks electric. Now thereβs a different tone. Hard to keep my fingernails from breaking so I like to use thumb picks and fingerpicks as I have noticed Joan Baez is doing lately.
The subdivision game. Subdividing beats can blow a personβs mind. We pipers get into this with many tunes. Puts some pressure on keeping things straight!
The sheet music to these lessons looks daunting but quite doable with your instruction.
Yeah, so much sheet music does, until you take a moment to study the patterns, break it down, and then go slow. Happy my instructions give you confidence. π
One pattern, multiple styles. Iβm not calling you Dan at this point. Iβll call you Sensei. Nice to be in your guitar dojo!
Hey, your next course could be called the Guitar Dojo. Instead of belts we could have guitar straps. White, yellow, brown then black. The master would be customized engraved lettered.
Proper guitar attire without buckle rash, w/o buckles. Sorry. Getting geeked out. I am a guitar nerd from way back.
Sorry. Iβm getting carried away here. π
Best comment of the day. As someone who enjoys martial arts, this could be something very fun to do in some sort of way. π
Songwriting and creativity, great. Better than just regurgitating what someone else has done.
Joan Baez wrote Sweet Sir Gallahead. Very creative and I think about the only song she wrote.? Iβll have to google that. She did a lot of covers of old renaissance stuff. The minstrelβs were the news anchors in the 1600βs. I have a book with these ballads she researched and recorded.
That’s really interesting about Joan Baez. For sure, writing songs is so powerful. Really helps to cement those skills you have developed and create something that is unique to you. π
Romanza! You really like this one but it is a good teaching song.
Ha, yeah, I do love this. A lot of fun and great for beginners and even intermediates to build technique and repertoire. π
I love the g to b minor. Simple chord progression but a whole lotta soul!
Absolutely, very underused that chord progression. It’s the I-iii and sounds so good in any key. π
I do love it when you put the pulgar, induce and media markings for clear indication of what fingers to use. Fingerstyle or every manβs or womanβs classical way of playing.
Good stuff!
Good stuff, glad to hear it. Super important to do on a lesson like this I find. π
Tremolo! Sounds great. Another fine technique to add to the toolbox!
Cool, pleased you like it. Yeah, it’s technically quite different to most fingerpicking, but sounds so good! π
If Hendrix was a finger picker? If he lived long enough he might have gotten into it!
Yeah, I imagine he would have done so many more wonderful things! What a true guitar hero! π
Riffs, fills, hammer-ons all stuff to help put some personality into our playing. Developing my own style is an ongoing process. I will be returning to this lesson for sure.
I love Mark Knopflerβs Sultans of Swing. Bootcamp has been quite the learning experience.
Yeah, great fun! Super pleased to hear it. It’s a journey for sure and one that it seems like you have enjoyed a lot. Keep going with the momentum and well done! π
These seven categories make for a good reference section. Great to have this all in one place.
That is great. One of the reasons I created this. Happy it is useful for you. π
Yep! Putting it all together makes a great tune!π
Good stuff. Enjoy the process! π