2020 GUITAR WORKOUT
Whether it’s fingerpicking or sweep picking, fretting focus or strumming stamina, we’d all like to be a bit more consistent and confident with our playing, right? So, as we enter the new decade, what better time than now to work on some of the everyday techniques us guitar players try to stay on top of as we work towards mastering this fine instrument? For many of you, a number of these lessons will be well-trodden ground, but sometimes revisiting even the simplest of exercises helps us notice shortcuts and inconsistences in our playing that can be improved. Follow each lesson slowly, example by example, and see if you notice a difference over time.
01 CHORD CHANGE CHALLENGE…
Start your workout with some essential chord changes
Say ‘open chords’ and most guitarists will quickly identify the easiest shapes – C, A, G and so on. Does that mean you can’t improve this area of your playing? Well, we’d argue that you can. With so many ways to play our favourite instrument, different styles, techniques and so on, even the simplest changes can throw up a challenge here. There’s no ‘one size fits all’ method, but these three exercises will get you started. Try out the easier first and second tab examples before building up to the final challenge.
LEVEL 1 FOLK-EMON
TRACK 10
Think this folk style C-G7 chord change is easy? Try fretting one or both shapes with your second, third and fourth fingers – it’s a challenge that will help you improve your dexterity.
LEVEL 2 BEATLE JUICE
TRACK 11
The challenge here is keeping your guitar quiet in the gaps. It’s harder than it sounds because the open strings tend to ring. Rest your strumming hand on the strings after each stab.
