Tomo Fujita Guitar Wisdom

Thank you so much Kazufumi for posting this!

So happy to hear that you are practicing this chromatic scale exercise.
After 2-3 months or more... Please don't think "When" This is a part of guitar journey that it's not about destination or perfection.

Good job!
Keep working!

PS, You should turn your volume a little bit louder so that you can pick much softer.
You turn your overall volume so that you just cannot play loud! Start to play normal volume and go softer and softer!

Tomo

Thank you so much, Tomo-san, for your kind words and advice! I will try turning up the volume so I can play softer, just as you suggested.
I feel very grateful to have found Guitar Wisdom. It has made my days so fulfilling, and I enjoy practicing every day with your guidance. I will keep enjoying this journey without worrying too much about “when.”

You're very welcome! That would be great!

So happy to hear that! Thanks so much for sharing your feeling at Guitar Wisdom.

Keep going!

Tomo

Sounds really good after a month, Kazufumi! I struggle with dynamics too. Especially my upstrokes - they are less controlled than downstrokes for me, so I'll get a random loud note when I am trying to play softy.

Thank you so much, Clay!
It’s encouraging to hear that you also struggle with dynamics, especially with upstrokes. I often feel the same way — when I try to play softly, suddenly a note will jump out louder than I expect.
It helps a lot to know that I’m not alone in this challenge. Let’s keep working on dynamics together!

Thank you Richard, it really helps to hear that you also experience the same challenge with picking volume. I agree with you — just being mindful of it is already progress. Let’s keep working on dynamics together!

Nice to meet you and Thank you so much, Tadashi!
Yes, I’ve been a drummer for many years, and starting guitar now feels like a brand-new journey. I like your analogy of chromatic practice being like playing catch — simple but so important. I’ll keep reminding myself of that and enjoy the basics.
I’m happy to share this guitar journey together with you!

Thank you so much, Jiayang!
I really appreciate your kind words and the detailed advice from your own practice. It helps me a lot to know that you also face the same challenge.
For me, the thumb position is especially difficult — it often becomes unstable. Even though I have watched Tomo’s videos many times, I sometimes realize that my thumb has shifted without noticing. I think this happens because I focus too much on the fretting fingers and neglect the thumb. As you pointed out, when the sound is strange, it’s often related to my thumb position.
My picking has improved compared to when I first started, but I still notice that when I pick too weakly, the next note sometimes comes out too loud. This inconsistency is still my big challenge.
Also, following Tomo’s advice, I am now practicing with the amp volume all the way up and treble on full. Honestly, it makes me very nervous because if I make a mistake it feels so loud — maybe even noisy for my neighbors! But I think this tension is helping me to focus more.
I will post another video soon as a re-challenge. Thank you again for your support and helpful advice — it really motivates me!

Thank you for sharing this video.
I use Pickboy 1.00 Celluloid pick.

Your guitar volume is good!
Loud enough to hear your pick noise.

This part is very difficult!
Do not make any pick contact sound at all.

The amp noise is okay.
Don't worry about it.

Important part is how to produce less picking noise and softness of tone.
Keep working!

Slower & softer!

Your question is your answer!
Do all and taste each pickup tone. Only use indivisual pickup tone.
The front or the middle or the rear.
Try more middle or rear pickup.

Tomo

Thank you so much, Tomo-san, for your clear and detailed advice!
I will try harder to make less pick noise and focus on producing a softer tone. It’s very encouraging to know that the amp noise is okay and nothing to worry about.
About picks: I have been trying different kinds to see what works best for me. In this video, I used the Jim Dunlop Ultex Jazz III, which feels solid and gives me a strong tone. But recently I happened to buy a Pickboy 1.0mm Rainbow Classic, and I really liked the sound and feel of it. From now on, I will also practice with that pick and challenge myself to reduce pick noise even more.
I’m still in the process of finding out which pick is truly best for me, so I will keep experimenting. Along with exploring different pickup tones as you suggested, I would also like to study how different picks affect pick noise and tone.
I feel very lucky to learn directly from your guidance here in Guitar Wisdom. Thank you again!

You're very welcome! So happy to hear that.

Great to hear that you have a Pickboy 1.00mm Raibow Classic pick!
Use that one. Please work on your picking volume and no pick sound before you play any notes!

Tomo

Thank you so much, John!
I really appreciate your kind words and encouragement. Your idea of practicing chromatic both ascending and descending makes a lot of sense — I will try that in my next practice.
Also, your tip about resting the palm on the 6th and 5th strings to reduce noise is very helpful. I will experiment with that.
I agree with you — it takes time to build a solid foundation, but there is no limit to learning and improving. I’m happy to share this journey with you!

Thank you Johno for encouragement & welcoming!

How Kazufumi could get frustrated to play his guitar after having over 40 years of drumming experience!
I still practice chromatic scale exercise. This is very easy and simple as a materal but it is very hard to understand HOW to do it.

4th and 3rd strings.
Everyday!
5-10 minutes a day!
Stay focus 90 days!

Tomo

Thank you Kazufumi for being very patient and willing to learn this technique.

I have learned so much from drummer! Most great drummers practice their sticking / foundation like a Modern Reading in 4/4 (Page 4 is my favorite part of that book!)

So chromatic scale exercise is like a snare sticking exercise.

Tomo

Thank you Sammi for encouragement!

This exercise is so important and so good!
But it is very difficult to keep working this everday.

Tomo

Thank you Kazufumi for sharing these videos.

Good job!

1) Chromatic 1212.... Plesae check these....
0:18
0:28
1:04
When these things happened... stop playing this tempo and go slower.

2) Swing groove
Too fast!
It is very difficult to master this.
You want to feel swing feel.... behind this rhythm guitar.
For Eb7... your thumb is wrapped around too much!

Good job & too fast overall!
Go slower!

Tomo

That's a great starting point Kazufumi. You're doing great! I don't want to speak for other GW members, but I think most of us didn't really understand what Tomo means by "slow" when we first start. This video is when I really started to understand:

You're very welcome Kazufumi.

Glad to hear that my suggestion was very helpful.

I record myself a few times a week and I listen very deeply about any "noises" It's very simple... if you hear a few times.... that tempo and pace ...no good! Simply go slower. And record yourself again. Keep repeating this. 90 days commitment is very effective!

Keep going!

Thank you Clay for encouragment & adding your thought on this "How slow?"

That's why... learning throught internet discussion is not great way to learn because...these words can mean many different meaning.
That's why... You really need to learn things with the exact sound!

When I say "slow" means a lot of different levels but.... it is very slow that you never expect!
Actually I am challenging myself go much slower than before.

Tomo

Hi Kazufumi!

Please take a look at this thread: https://tomovhxtv.vhx.tv/forums/general/75991-3-things-i-learned-from-r37-swing-groove-200x

If you can, read through the comments and watch the videos. I think it will help! If you still need advice, I am sure Tomo would be happy to provide you with it. Let me know if the information in the thread helps!

Thank you so much, Sammi!

I watched the video and read through the comments in that thread — it was really helpful and gave me a much clearer understanding of thumb position and hand movement.

I realized, though, that my natural tendency is for my thumb to move slightly inward — between my index and middle fingers. That position actually feels the most comfortable for me, so unless I consciously pay attention, it easily slips back there.

While watching Tomo’s video closely, I also noticed something about the elbow position. My own elbow tends to stay open and doesn’t move very much, which seems to affect my thumb placement as well. In contrast, Tomo’s elbow moves more naturally and settles closer to his body. I think being mindful of that movement will really help me improve my overall hand position and control.

This kind of guidance really helps me focus on the small but important details.
I’ll keep practicing with that in mind — thank you again for pointing me in the right direction!

Kazufumi

You’re very welcome Kazufumi! Yes, keep it short but do it everyday.

Thank you for your attention on thumb position on those R 3 7 chords. Depends on diffeent chords with 6th string root. Best to watch it more and imitate my way without exact words. Thumb position is very diffiult to master. Maybe you should practice triad inversions to understand proper thumb positions.

I highly recomment to practice Chromatic scale, Triad inversions & R 3 7 swing groove. These three items are super important to improve your guitar skills overall. Keep your thumb position behind the guitar neck. Do not wrap over the guitar neck. I think I better to make a video from behind so you can see my thumb movement cleary. Best not think and undestand by words.

My pleasure! Thank you for your consistant efforts. I wll make this video soon.

Tomo

Thank you Kazufumi for sharing those videos.

1) Chromatic scale video.
Good job playing slowly. Your picking position can be a little closer to the front pickup and do not put your palm of your hand on the bridge. Around 0:11… your 3rd finger, when you move from the fret, try to release straight. 0:23… your left hand touched the string before your picking. You need to catch that. 0:37… your left finger touched the string before you pick. So I wooud do a little slower.

2) R 3 7 Swing Groove video.
Good job strumming wide motion. Your R 3 7 chord with 5th fret root. Your thumb is too much warpping on the neck. You need to make more space between the neck and your back of your thumb. I need to show you my video from behind. Make sure you need to play clear M3 on the 4th string. Check angle of your 2nd finger. Your 6th root chord is good. Maybe a little less pressure,

Overall you are doing so good! These are simple yet need to pay a lot of attention on every small details. That’s why I practice these more than playing songs. If I don’t take care of these… I cannot perform songs very well.

Tomo

Thank you Kazufumi for your reply! You're very welcome!

Plesae enjoy your guitar journey!

Keep going!

Tomo

Thank you so much, Kurt!

Your words mean a lot — I really appreciate your encouragement.
Yes, I sometimes get frustrated when I don’t feel much progress, but what you said really reminded me that this is a long journey and we just need to keep going and enjoy it step by step.

I’m also inspired that even Tomo still practices these basics every day!
That really motivates me to stay consistent and patient.

Congratulations on reaching Day 61 of your sight-reading challenge — that’s amazing!
Let’s both keep going and have fun together!

Kazufumi

Thank you Kurt for encouragement!

Amazing! Great job on sight-reading challenge
Day 61 of 90 straight days!

Tomo

Hello Kazufumi sir!

I just saw this thread, and read through this morning (in California)
Your progress and focus is inspiring me too! Every student posting earnest results of slow effort…is profoundly inspiring me.

Sammi is right practice is a meditation.
Tomo also right…it is intense, week at a time. (Oh, ok I am starting to understand why maestro wants small focused videos for each lesson…)
Kurt is also right! Slowly.

Thank you so much, Sunil!

I really appreciate your kind and thoughtful words. Reading your comment made me so happy and gave me even more motivation to keep going.

I also agree with what Sammi said — practice really feels like meditation.
Each time I slow down and focus carefully, I find myself getting calmer and more aware of every movement.

I’ve learned so much from Tomo and from everyone here who shares their honest progress.
It truly feels like we’re all connected in this journey of learning slowly and mindfully together.

Greetings from Japan, and thank you again for your encouragement! 🙏

Kazufumi

Thank you Sunil for encouragement!

I love these two exercises very much.

We can work on these with a lot of depths.

Tomo