Lesson Four

[Smthng2Do]

Man am I ever stuck! As hard as I try to get my brain to work, I can't get the hang of reading notes. I can't get the four count thing down, I ffel like a four year old trying to tap his foot to Mozart! I have been spoiled with tablature, and trying to read notes has made me nuts, I just can't soak it in at all, what can I do? Has anyone else had the same problems, and if so, do they have any techniqes for memorization? HELP!!! http://www.zentao.com/ubb/frown.gif

[ghodaddyyo]

When you figure out a better way, then let the rest of us know! http://www.zentao.com/ubb/smile.gif Seriously, at my guitar lesson today, I was made to feel foolish, because I was looking for shortcuts to get me past (gulp!) memorizing! You mean I have to actually remember stuff to play this dang thing!

[StoneDragon]

Sometimes it can be helpful if you are able to see how the written notes apply to actual music.

A couple of things you can do:

1) If you have any music with both tab and standard notation, listen to the recording of the tune and try to follow the standard notation with your eyes as the music is playing. Pick something that is not too difficult.

2) Listen to something that you are really familiar with and try to disect the beat while listening to the recording. Start by tapping your foot to the quarter note of the piece... usually that is pretty easy because the drums will mark the beat for you. Once you have the beat established... try counting uot the bars 1 2 3 4... 1 2 3 4 etc..

Then, take it a step further and see if you can hear things that are playing in and around that beat that you have established. You can learn a lot by doing this type of thing.