Volume 6 , Issue 4

Music Loosening Knot in Head Tracking Family Ties...

"Okay, I feel that I accomplished something tonight. I am teaching myself the major scale (CDEFABC) on the guitar. While doing this I remembered and found the right combo of notes for Do Re ME from the Sound of Music. I remembered this from the time I was taught this on the piano while visiting Lou and Kay on the West coast. I used to play this all the time on our piano because it was the only thing I could play. I also have been practicing Happy Birthday, Red River Valley, and Auld Lang Syne which have similar notes on the major scale. Red River Valley has two chords in it to help me mix regular notes with chords in a song. All the songs are recognizable, but are being played at a slow tempo right now. I had tried hammering a note (2 eighth notes where you pick the lower chord and tap the higher one). The second note is too soft. I must be doing something wrong. Other songs I have tried include: When the saints go marching in, This Land is Your land, and Wake Up Little Susie. If I keep practicing the major scale and get Do Re Me down where I know where the notes (CDEFABC) are located, I will be able to read any sheet music and play the notes on the guitar. I am having a problem keeping time (with foot) and fingering at the same time. It is sort of like patting your head and rubbing your stomach at the same time. If I know the song, I can pick the note correctly without keeping time. Any ideas on how to help teach me how to keep time while I play?" -- Mike

[Editor's Note: This Land Is Your Land -- by Woodie Guthrie... "This land is your land, this land is my land, From California, to the New York Island, From the Redwood Forest, to the Gulf Stream Waters, This land was made for you and me. As the sun was shining, and I was strolling, And the wheat fields waving, and the dust clouds rolling, As the fog was lifting, a voice was saying This land was made for you and me!"]   |  View or Add Comments (0 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

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