Am7 Funk Groove — muting C/D triads? - Tomo Fujita Guitar Wisdom Forums

Am7 Funk Groove — muting C/D triads?

General · 21 replies · 492 views · 8 followers

Tomo Fujita Mod

15 days ago

Wow! So much better! I was gonna say.... "Who taught you?"

Amazing! Great job Andy!

This is one of reasons that YouTube watching people never will improve their guitar playing!

You made me so happy! I have one more suggestion.

Tomo

3 Likes

Clay

14 days ago

Thanks Tomo. I sit exactly the same way with my chair height, but honestly only use a strap about 10% of the time. I was more disciplined when I first started at GW. I need to get back in the habit. Will start tonight.

3 Likes

Andy

14 days ago

Thank you for the great feedback, Tomo. I have a great teacher who is very patient in explaining things!

It's hard to change from resting the guitar on my leg, but I want the freedom, so I'll work on it. One challenge is that my telecaster has a chambered (part hollow) body, so I have to push hard on the guitar body with my right arm to keep the neck up.

Recently I was at Guitar Center and tried a strat. The arm cutout at the back made it so comfortable. Hmmm....

Next I'll work on other variations to this pattern that you demonstrated. I am really enjoying this — thank you.

3 Likes

Tomo Fujita Mod

12 days ago

You're very welcome! Great! Height of chair is so important! I am lazy about using a strap too! Make sure that your left hand is not supporting the neck.

Tomo

2 Likes

Tomo Fujita Mod

12 days ago

You're very welcome Andy! You are doing so good here! You have worked on your lefthand relaxed movement really well. Most people will not get that part watching from YouTube videos (from front view!) Thank you so much! I think you can find a right spot on your Tele.

Stratocaster body is so good for posture and getting a proper techniques. Great! Keep working!

Tomo

3 Likes

Clay

10 days ago

Man - getting my second finger down to mute is super hard for me. I've had to slow this way down. It will be a while before I can come back to attempt the groove. For now it's just Am7 with that rhythm, super slow tempo, focused on making my left hand look like Tomo's with thumb release and second finger muting at the same time.

3 Likes

Tomo Fujita Mod

10 days ago

Thank you Clay for sharig your thoughts here. I have done 1) Chromatic scale exercise for my fingers and 2) R 3 7 Swing Groove for my light touch fingers and muting technique so much!

Let me know anything I can help you. Please let me know. This example is 6th string root Am7.... but we can play some other chords too. I love to help you!

Tomo

3 Likes

Clay

9 days ago

Thanks Tomo. I think I need to just slow it down and give it a week of focused effort. I like working on this particular chord shape because with 1st, 3rd, and 4th fingers engaged and spread, it makes my 2nd finger want to be lifted. This is exactly what I need to work on.

4 Likes

Andy

9 days ago

It's great having you as a partner in tackling this thing, Clay. Keep going.

3 Likes

Clay

9 days ago

Likewise Andy!

3 Likes

Andy

9 days ago

This time I focused on guitar position, keeping the guitar above my lap with strap tension. Also, in my last video I ended all the triad moves with D triad before going back to Am7. I found it harder to move back to C before going to Am7, so this time I worked on that.

4 Likes

Clay

9 days ago

Awesome Andy - sounding great.

3 Likes

Tomo Fujita Mod

9 days ago

Good Job Andy! Your posture and guitar position with a strap is better!

Plesae watch out your right hand rhythm. 8th note and two 16th notes where you play C triad then D and C triads. Should strum Down (up) Down up. 16th notes D U D U = D (U) D U.... So you need to keep strumming 16th notes whether you play or not play it.

Overall feel, overall tone is getting better! Be proud yourself!

Tomo

3 Likes

Andy

9 days ago

Wow, I didn't realize at all that I stopped strumming. I will work on it!

3 Likes

Tomo Fujita Mod

8 days ago

A little thing is like that.... super important. Alternate picking! Good job Andy!

I love Andy & Clay team!

Tomo

3 Likes

Sammi Fujita Mod

2 days ago

I also love this funk groove team! Thank you both for sharing your updates. It is interesting to see how you work through one issue at a time by making minor adjustments. You've got a good system here!

3 Likes

Andy

1 day ago

This week I tried

- adding D9 with Bm/Am triads (from Tomo's recent YT video)
- keeping my arm moving (still work to do on that)
- faster tempo

4 Likes

Clay

1 day ago

Damn Andy! That was great. Lots of improvement, even with more added on.

3 Likes

Tomo Fujita Mod

about 12 hours ago

Thank you Andy for sharing this video. Great job! I am so happy that you are challenging this chord progression.

Your basic groove is really good. Maybe you can focus on your body motion with this groove / tempo.
I would love to see your body is feeling strong down beat (1 2 3 4) and maybe you can move your strumming hand a little bit more before you start grooving. You can play slightly slow so that you can sustain some of these chords. I always try to use less pressure from my left hand.

Tomo

2 Likes