July Challenge: Week 1

General · 124 replies · 4609 views · 50 followers

李

李jiayang

8 months ago

Day 2 : Learn 1st inversion " Mi Sol Do " whole fretboard .

Day 3 : Explore 2nd inversion " Sol Do Mi "
Then try to know F# note in D triads , some way the 3rd note F# can connected Root & 1st & 2nd inversion ?

Technique require Soft picking , no finger noise .

7 Likes

Tomo Fujita Mod

8 months ago

Thank you Jiayang for sharing your Day 2 & Day 3.

Good job! Each inversion is so good!

Please do more One Finger / One String Approach on 2nd string.
You can play D Major Root Position, 1st Inversion, 2nd Inversion slowly.
Great ear training, great way to learn the fretboard.

Root = D
M3 = F#
5th = A

Root Position = D F# A
1st Inversion = F# A D
2nd Inversion = A D F#

Good job!
Using less pressure (left hand)
Using soft picking (right hand)

Tomo

6 Likes

Sergio Walgood

8 months ago

Day 3,

Today was a very long work day, only had time for a short revision, 1string do mi so, mi so do, so do mi and first 3 strings a few passes, hope to have more time tomorrow!

Let's keep going ☀️

9 Likes

Tomo Fujita Mod

8 months ago

Thank you Sergio for Day 3!

Good job! Even a few minutes .... good!
Consistancy is the key!

Everyone's posts are so inspiring for me!

Yes! Keep going!

Tomo

8 Likes

Kurt Schubert

8 months ago

Sometimes just getting 5 minutes playing in is more than enough! Good job.
Hope your new guitar arrives soon. You'll have sore fingers :-)
Kurt

8 Likes

Sammi Fujita Mod

8 months ago

Go Sergio! Way to make it happen.

2 Likes

RICHARD R BENNETT

8 months ago

Hi forum, Day 3 and I'm feeling good! Happy 4th, everyone! With my eyes closed, I am beginning to be able to place my 1st finger on fret 3 string 2, sing the D Do and then go to the 3, 5, 7, and octave, still with my eyes closed or looking away and sing and play it correctly (light touch of index finger) about 80% of the time. I don't have to do them in order either, I can randomly do any one but maybe only 70 % of the time. After 10 or 15 minutes of that, I am also beginning to be able to go through the D major triads randomly and get the correct frets and fingering without looking about 50 % of the time. Also, thinking or saying quietly the note names and intervals involved. What a feeling of accomplishment it is! Imagine what it will be like if I can get those percentages up to 98 or 99!I hope I am not exaggerating or imagining this progress, but time will tell. Don't expect too fast!

8 Likes

Tomo Fujita Mod

8 months ago

Thank you Richard with your good feeling!

Good job! With your eyes closed.... Do more this.
Please keep repeating everyday!

Great feeling! Keep it going!

Tomo

4 Likes

Serena Bobbi

8 months ago

Yup expect too fast in reality and it just slows us down.

6 Likes

Richard John Albano

8 months ago

I totally agree Serena.
Since I started playing guitar I have tried to push myself to get better so quickly that it’s almost been a grind to see how fast I can learn things. In the end I have all this information in my head and don’t know how to apply it. I hit that wall the Tomo talks about.
Trying to slow down now (it’s actually difficult for me to do since rushing has become a habit).
This challenge is forcing me to go slow!

5 Likes

Tomo Fujita Mod

8 months ago

It's hard to slow down. But I think if you choose faster... they you will stay at same level in many years. If you slow down, go slower and slower.... then you start to notice something that you didnt notice before ... this part can make you to improve!

Good job!

Tomo

5 Likes

Sammi Fujita Mod

8 months ago

What a wonderful Day 3 for you. Don't expect too fast!

2 Likes

RICHARD R BENNETT

8 months ago

Thanks so much, Tomo and Sammi, for your comments and encouragement. It means so much to all of us. You guys work so hard! Enjoy the 4th!

10 Likes

Tomo Fujita Mod

8 months ago

You're very welcome!
We love having you here!

Thank you so much!
You are giving us inspiratuion!

Tomo

5 Likes

Sammi Fujita Mod

8 months ago

Thank you so much, Richard! We appreciate all that you add to this special place!

2 Likes

John Fiers

8 months ago

Hey Richard, me too looking away and setting the sound, so-do-mi, mi-so-do, do-mi-so and ending so-do-mi. I mess it and and when I do, I stop think, was that sharp or flat? Then fix it to keep the tones in check. Happy 4rth to you too!! Cheers-johno

5 Likes

Tomo Fujita Mod

8 months ago

Thank you Johno!

I miss some notes too!

We can learn how to recover from near notes!

Tomo

4 Likes

Tadashi Morita

8 months ago

Today I practiced the one-string approach, no-look.
I confirmed once again that R-3, 3-5, and 5-R are all different distances.
That's very interesting!

6 Likes

Tomo Fujita Mod

8 months ago

Good job Tadashi!
I love your streching exercise on your Instagram page!

Yes! Fun distances!
So good!

Tomo

6 Likes

Tadashi Morita

8 months ago

I'm so glad you're enjoying my Instagram!
Thanks!!

5 Likes

Kurt Schubert

8 months ago

Day 3 July challenge
Not looking at fretboard is getting easier. Trying to slow down even more. Really listening. I'm only playing if I can sing and name the note and scale degree first. Softer picking and finger pressure. Focused on 2nd string and distances between notes. Also slowly played all three inversions up and down neck without looking.
Kurt

D F# and A in my dreams now.

8 Likes

Tomo Fujita Mod

8 months ago

Thank you Kurt for the Day 3!

Not looking! Keep listening deeper!
Slow down is good!
Good job!

Singing is good too!
Softer left hand & softer picking!
Over all softer and softer.

2nd string is so special!
Sweet dream on D F# A

Tomo

7 Likes

Linda M Tucker

8 months ago

Hi Kurt. Recall that Doc Watson never saw the fretboard. It can be done!

Sweet dreams!

5 Likes

Tomo Fujita Mod

8 months ago

Great point Linda!

I always want to perform like Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles!

Tomo

5 Likes

Clay

8 months ago

Day 3- hey everyone! Still doing one string, one finger, no look with singing notes, degree, etc. Also added strumming root + each inversion, no looking. Main discovery for today is that I am much worse descending without looking than I am ascending. Will keep working until balanced. I can't remember what lesson Tomo showed it in - it's early in one string learning - but he does a kind of 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 1-5... playing "Do" then each interval higher. I've liked that exercise for getting physically oriented to the fretboard without looking.

8 Likes

Tomo Fujita Mod

8 months ago

Thank you Clay for stopping by Day 3!

One string / One finger / Not looking!
Good job!

Great observation!
Going down....

You mean... Do Re , Do Mi , Do Fa.... Then Do Do , Ti Do , La Do ....
Yes! Singing / Ear Training.

Tomo

6 Likes

Richard John Albano

8 months ago

Clay - I feel the same way about descending without looking. Much more difficult for me than ascending. But I’m usually only off by a half step so it’s easy to correct.
Keep going.
We’re going to get good!!

6 Likes

Sammi Fujita Mod

8 months ago

Here is the Do Re, Do Mi, Do Fa, etc. exercise you are referring to! ET01 C Major Scale (8:34) Ear Training: https://tomovhxtv.vhx.tv/videos/et01-c-major-scale

4 Likes

Tomo Fujita Mod

8 months ago

Thank you Sammi!

Tomo

1 Like

Jeffrey Croteau

8 months ago

After reading a lot of comments here thought I would give a try closing my eyes and working on D triad intervals. One finger and string approach. I was very suprised that my pointer finger was hitting more notes than expected. I missed a lot too but could slide up and down to find the pitch. As I was hitting the note was thinking about the name of the note. Spent a lot of time on string 2 but also went to 1 and 3 too. I’m going to do this again tomorrow think of there is more to learn doing thi ls and a lot to gain.

9 Likes

Tomo Fujita Mod

8 months ago

Thank you Jeffrey.

One finger / One string approch with your eyes closed!
Please try this. Great experience to learn how to recover.

You can slide it but without any pitch.
Imagine next note very strong then go to that note.

This challenge is all about D Triad on 123 set and 2nd single string (This week)
but your own practice time you can expand this idea to different strings.

Good job!

Tomo

4 Likes

Sammi Fujita Mod

8 months ago

Great plan, Jeff! Learn to rely on your ears more than your eyes. Tough stuff, well worth the work!

3 Likes

Eiji Tatsumi

8 months ago

I tried one finger approach and found triad is easier than one finger. I need to get used to one finger without looking. It is difficult because higher fret is shorter than lower.

7 Likes

Jeffrey Croteau

8 months ago

Yep Agree Eiji. Think the process of trying without looking helps solidify things. I’m going to keep trying it and even if keep missing some high notes knowing where and what I’m aiming for more is really good

8 Likes

Tomo Fujita Mod

8 months ago

Thank you Eiji for sharing your experince.

One finger / one string approach with eyes closed.... so important!

Good job!

Tomo

6 Likes

Sammi Fujita Mod

8 months ago

You got this Eiji! It's okay to hit the wrong notes!

2 Likes

John Fiers

8 months ago

Day 3 - Reading in the comments it seems there is much to gain with relaxed slow triads. Trust in the sound by understanding the distance and go there hit or miss. I hear the next triad before the strum, then think or sing the solfeg. Letting it ring out with focued sustain to Rt. Mute closure. - johno

6 Likes

Tomo Fujita Mod

8 months ago

Thank you Johno for Day 3.

Everyone's comments are so inspiring!

Yes! Well said!

Imagining & singing... Sustain each note as full value.

Good job.

Tomo

5 Likes

Tomo Fujita Mod

8 months ago

This is not so much about playing all correct notes!

Practicing about building your sense of pitch.

Tomo

6 Likes

Serena Bobbi

8 months ago

Day 3 Challenge
Today I have been taking your advice Tomo to slow down and stay on one note or notes 5 to 10 seconds . This gives my brain a minute to catch up to my fingers. This is also helping me with my ear. I am visualizing the notes and frets as I sing the intervals both single string and full inversions. I am getting better at moving up and down the fret board without looking but still have missed aims.
I am excited about the ease from second inversion to root in version as the third finger stays the the same on the second string. I can barely lift and get that transition. Keep it up everyone. Community here is great. ❤️

5 Likes

Richard John Albano

8 months ago

Hey Serena - like I responded before I think slowing down is probably the best thing we can do for our playing and understanding.
However I’m not sure what you mean about the 3rd finger staying on the second string?
In the 2nd inversion of the D triad the 3rd finger should be on the B string and in the1st inversion, the 3rd finger should be on the G string.
Hope this makes sense.

5 Likes

Richard John Albano

8 months ago

I’m sorry I meant to say in the ROOT inversion the 3rd finger should be on the G string.
In the 1st inversion there is no 3rd finger.
Ugh...
I apologize if I confused you.

4 Likes

Tomo Fujita Mod

8 months ago

Thank you Serena for Day 3.

Good job! Slower tempo & longer sutain note.
This way, you can hear each note much clearly and deeply!

Think next note in your head... think M3 interval or m3 interval...
You can visualize that sound... Take your time!

Don't worry about hitting wrong note. It's not all about to play "Correct"
You are learning your guitar journey!

Many great guitarists are very picky about own playing.
They are extreamly patient about their practice prosess because they are looking forward to improve!

All of them tried to play many hours ... then they realized... hours of practicing is not cutting so well so they had to be more creative.

So finally they got it! "Slow down" These pros will not say they practiced very slow.
Because it's not cool to say!

Good job!

Tomo

8 Likes

Serena Bobbi

8 months ago

Thanks Tomo and family, happy fourth

5 Likes

Serena Bobbi

8 months ago

I'm talking about the ring finger 2nd inversion and on b string moving To the root inversion but the third finger, ring finger is now on the third of D which is F#is on 7th fret. Cheers

3 Likes

Al Provan

8 months ago

Day3 - Short session today but still working on no looking, sing, play, then name.
Working on keeping it slower and lighter. Ear is improving. Voice still seems more accurate than guitar :)
Thank you :)

6 Likes

Tomo Fujita Mod

8 months ago

Thank you Al for sharing your Day 3.

Good job!

Do all. Not looking, singing and everything.

Slower & lighter touch.

Definitely! You are giving you a chance to improve! (When you slow down, not looking and singing notes)

If you are playing fast, looking at the fretboard without imagining / singing..... you can play all correct but you are not improving. (Like someone only study at free YouTube videos.

Good job!
You're very welcome.

Tomo

6 Likes

Sammi Fujita Mod

8 months ago

Good job, Al! Keep going!

2 Likes

Matt

8 months ago

So Day 4 started with me walking the dog and singing to myself.

Do Re Mi Do
Re Mi Fa Re
Mi Fa So Mi
etc...

Do Mi Re Fa So Ti...

Happy 4th of July to all of the Americans here.

6 Likes

Tomo Fujita Mod

8 months ago

Thank you Matt for Day 4!

Yes! You can brush up ...
Do Re Mi Do....
Do Mi Re Fa...
Do Re, Do Mi...
All those!

Happy 4th and Day 4!

Tomo

5 Likes

Sammi Fujita Mod

8 months ago

Love that Matt. Hope you had a lovely fourth!

2 Likes

李

李jiayang

8 months ago

Day 4
Today I reduce the practice range , concentrate on the 3rd string 's D triads .

First do key of D one note ear training ( not look fretboard ) on the 2nd string .

And a funny thing is happen , When I want to do triads on G string , hard to connect the 1 D , 3 F# , 5 A with the interval , or without hesitation to play root , 1st & 2nd inversion . ( Like horizontal triads sound ) .

With slow to practice & Limit time , I find I just use " C major mind " to looking for the note A , D , F# , not the Key of D degree , Then I do one string ear taring approach on the 3rd string , Magical thing happing , It's totally different feeling then before , can do little bit without thinking much D triads on the 3rd string .

Like Linda says : Little victory like win the super Bowl !

9 Likes

Linda M Tucker

8 months ago

YES! Jiayang, I love it when the magic happens. Makes all the effort worth it.

7 Likes

Tomo Fujita Mod

8 months ago

Thank you Jiayang for Day 4!

After you have done your 2nd string work... then you can try learning notes on 1st string and 3rd string. That's so great!

For 3rd string. Sing D Triad first (all inversions)
Then try 3rd string. Start with 2nd inversion first. So Do Mi
Not too hard to hit D on 3rd string. Keep working!

Great to hear that you are working very hard!
All 3 strings! One string / One finger approach without looking!
Good job!

It's all about journey not about hitting all correct notes!

Yes! Linda is so awesome!

Thank you.

Tomo

7 Likes

李

李jiayang

8 months ago

Yes Linda , now our adventure journey is in progress !

3 Likes

Sammi Fujita Mod

8 months ago

You are making great progress, Jiayang. Little by little!

2 Likes