Gordon Lightfoot Forums - View Single Post - Best sources for learning guitar & Gord's style

Cathy · 12-23-2003, 06:47 PM

quote:Originally posted by Iron:
I could tell you how I did ,but if you'd like to know the right way,check with Cathy.She is probably one of, if not the most knowledgable picker's on this site to help you out.
I can tell you that if you like learning guitar and you like Gordon,s work.....You'll never have another day that you will say,"I don't have nothing to do."...Happy Picken

Thanks for the compliment, Iron, but believe me, there are several people on this group and the newsgroup who could teach me a thing or two.

SWUIM, spend the first three months or so learning first position open chords, particularly A, B7, C, D, E, F and G. Then learn Am (minor), Bbm (B flat minor), Dm, Em, Fm, Gm. Then learn the corresponding 7th and minor 7th chords. Learn which chord groupings go together, like G, D, C; A, D, E, etc., and concentrating on switching chords smoothly.
There are several online sites that can help you out. http://www.wholenote.com and http://www.guitarnoise.com are two good ones. They both have beginner lessons. If you go to google and search 'beginner guitar lessons' you'll come up with many, many sites.
Once you can smoothly change chords and do simple songs, (Alberta Bound is an easy one to learn), then start concentrating on learning how to fingerpick. Start with simple picking patterns. You have to train your fingers to pick. They won't automatically know how to do it, even if your brain has learned how to do it. It's called muscle memory, something you learn by repetition. When you can comfortably do simple picking patterns without having to think about each move, then tackle Travis style. Again, go to google and search 'guitar fingerpicking lessons' and then go on to 'travis fingerpicking lessons'. In this day and age, there really isn't a good reason to go out and spend a bunch of money when there is so much available online.
Another suggestion: Once you have your chord changes up to speed, seek out other musicians to jam with. They don't have to be advanced players. You'd be better off playing with people who are at your own skill level, or perhaps just slightly above it. Check out the adult ed classes in your area. Many of them offer beginner guitar courses.
Don't be afraid to ask questions, and maybe start hanging out at the Lightfoot guitar chat group. Contact Ed Mullen at ed at edmullen dot net to get set up in the group. There are many people who will take the time to teach you a thing or two, and you'll enjoy just listening to everyone. They meet every Tuesday at about 9PM eastern.
Don't try to overload your brain by learning to chord and fingerpick at the same time. Fingerpicking is something that takes years to develop. I've been doing it for about 35 years, and it took a whole lot of years to develop it into what I do today. I didn't have the benefit of having a teacher, or having online sources to help me out, so what I know is what I figured out and taught myself by listening to Gord, Paul Simon, Joan Baez and several others. You have a wealth of information at your fingertips, so hopefully it will speed up your learning process.
Most importantly, have fun doing it. Don't pressure yourself into learning to play in a few short months. It 'ain't gonna happen'. Learn some easy songs, have fun playing them and work your way up from there.

Good luck!

Cathy http://www.cathycowette.com

[This message has been edited by Cathy (edited December 23, 2003).]

12-23-2003, 06:47 PM	#3
Cathy Senior Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Maine, USA Posts: 1,967	quote:Originally posted by Iron: I could tell you how I did ,but if you'd like to know the right way,check with Cathy.She is probably one of, if not the most knowledgable picker's on this site to help you out. I can tell you that if you like learning guitar and you like Gordon,s work.....You'll never have another day that you will say,"I don't have nothing to do."...Happy Picken Thanks for the compliment, Iron, but believe me, there are several people on this group and the newsgroup who could teach me a thing or two. SWUIM, spend the first three months or so learning first position open chords, particularly A, B7, C, D, E, F and G. Then learn Am (minor), Bbm (B flat minor), Dm, Em, Fm, Gm. Then learn the corresponding 7th and minor 7th chords. Learn which chord groupings go together, like G, D, C; A, D, E, etc., and concentrating on switching chords smoothly. There are several online sites that can help you out. http://www.wholenote.com and http://www.guitarnoise.com are two good ones. They both have beginner lessons. If you go to google and search 'beginner guitar lessons' you'll come up with many, many sites. Once you can smoothly change chords and do simple songs, (Alberta Bound is an easy one to learn), then start concentrating on learning how to fingerpick. Start with simple picking patterns. You have to train your fingers to pick. They won't automatically know how to do it, even if your brain has learned how to do it. It's called muscle memory, something you learn by repetition. When you can comfortably do simple picking patterns without having to think about each move, then tackle Travis style. Again, go to google and search 'guitar fingerpicking lessons' and then go on to 'travis fingerpicking lessons'. In this day and age, there really isn't a good reason to go out and spend a bunch of money when there is so much available online. Another suggestion: Once you have your chord changes up to speed, seek out other musicians to jam with. They don't have to be advanced players. You'd be better off playing with people who are at your own skill level, or perhaps just slightly above it. Check out the adult ed classes in your area. Many of them offer beginner guitar courses. Don't be afraid to ask questions, and maybe start hanging out at the Lightfoot guitar chat group. Contact Ed Mullen at ed at edmullen dot net to get set up in the group. There are many people who will take the time to teach you a thing or two, and you'll enjoy just listening to everyone. They meet every Tuesday at about 9PM eastern. Don't try to overload your brain by learning to chord and fingerpick at the same time. Fingerpicking is something that takes years to develop. I've been doing it for about 35 years, and it took a whole lot of years to develop it into what I do today. I didn't have the benefit of having a teacher, or having online sources to help me out, so what I know is what I figured out and taught myself by listening to Gord, Paul Simon, Joan Baez and several others. You have a wealth of information at your fingertips, so hopefully it will speed up your learning process. Most importantly, have fun doing it. Don't pressure yourself into learning to play in a few short months. It 'ain't gonna happen'. Learn some easy songs, have fun playing them and work your way up from there. Good luck! Cathy http://www.cathycowette.com [This message has been edited by Cathy (edited December 23, 2003).]