This lesson comes from my Method Book Volume 2.
Below is the lesson for G Major (Page 15) including the scales and chord progressions. The lesson for the Menuet by Bach (Page 16-17) starts 4:54 mins. The lesson for Kean O’Hara by O’Carolan on (Page 18) starts at 9:04 mins. Be sure to watch the whole video straight through to get an overview and to not miss any info.
Hi. When I play any music in general, I tend to mix up “i” “m” fingering. I would sometimes repeat the same fingering like “i m i m m i m i” instead of “i m i m i m..” I would sometimes also start a new measure with “m” if the music tells me to do start with “i.” Does it really matter for the fingers to be alternating every time? If I continue to do this, will it become a bad habit in the future?
The main thing is to learn to alternate as a general habit within phrases. If you start with a repeated finger after a long note value or at the start of a new phrase or section that is not a big deal. However, if you doing it during, for example scales, that is clearly a bad habit. I recommend you focus and be strict in your technique practice but give yourself a bit of small pass on repertoire providing it’s not happing all the time or is clearly an issue.
The 2-3-4 G chord shape is really hard.
Absolutely, at first many students find it difficult. I’d say it’s usually an issue with tension as well as guitar/hand positions. Try making the chord form without applying any pressure. That is, touch the strings but don’t push down the string to the fret. If you can make the shape without tension that is the key.
Hi Bradford, I am working through your Guitar Method – Volume 2 which I think is a brilliant book. I am 71 and have started to re-learn the classical guitar after a break of 10 years. I broke my left hand when I was young (at school) which now makes it almost impossible to separate my middle and ring fingers as I don’t think they set correctly at the time, and I have small hands which makes the problem much worse so I gave up the guitar out of frustration. Recently after retirement I decided to re-learn and play left handed so I am really starting again. I am currently working on the Bach Minuet. The main problem I have is the speed at which I can play the triplets. I have been using slurs which helps. I can move my middle and ring finger Ok to pluck the strings but I can’t get the speed yet. Do ther people have issues with the speed of the triplets or maybe its because of the old injury to my hand.
I would just play the entire piece slower so the triplets are manageable. As your technique improves you can revisit the piece. If it’s really getting in the way of your practice you can just play the first note of the triplet and leave out the other notes as a current practice compromise with the intention of adding them back in later.
Wow, that G is difficult with 2,3 and 4.
Yes, I understand that the G chord can give people trouble. Make sure to check your guitar position and body alignment as that really helps. Also, try practicing the shape by only touching the strings but not pushing them down to the fret. Tension can really make it impossible but often students can make the shape if just lightly touching the strings. Then you can ease into over time. Continue with your progress while working on this in the background. Don’t worry about how long it takes as long as you are working on it.
Working through your book sir, loving the video references when I get stuck. Thank you so much for this!
You really making the impossible person a POSSIBLE thing… I cant tell you how much it helps me at free of cost and such a depth of teaching with Passion.
Love you Sir
John
Hyderabad, India
Nice to hear!
Good to hear!