Hey Guitar Wisdom Family! Im so happy to be apart of this journey with yall. Im only a couple videos in and im having so much fun strumming, but i dont if i should be strumming for hours or if i should practice scales too. Im really new and i got the rhythm part down. Just a little slow on the shape changes. Any suggestions is appreciated. Thank you!
I should think that learning the C major scale would fit somewhere in along with the strumming and song practice.
Strumming is great for songwriting and Tomo teaches some good chord "grips" and explains the component parts quite well. Being able to transition between chord shapes fast and cleanly is a matter of doing the repetitions. So strumming songs in time is a good exercise. Tomo shows some popular chord progressions for recognizable songs. That should keep you motivated to do the repetition needed to make the changes. Start slow. Build up speed and confidence over time.
The C major scale as well as the first position sight-reading exercises will get you started mapping the fretboard in your mind, while learning the relative intervals and training your ears to hear them and eyes to see them, on paper, and the fretboard. C major is a direct correlation to the white keys on the piano, so that will help some with your keyboard knowledge.
The Music Theory I lessons take you through the different "flavors" or modes of the major scales. Same set of notes. Different relationships depending on the root chord you choose to start with. Although it is still important to play the modes musically, with the right chords that make sense underneath them to appreciate the change in sound, quality, brightness, and character. You can spend a long time mapping out C Major alone before even thinking about D Dorian, so don't go too fast.
thank you so much. it definitely helps when someone give me a little guidance when everything feels so big!