This last RGS Live was so much fun for me! I thoroughly enjoyed my time with all of you, and all of the fantastic guitar questions that were posed. Check out the timestamps and questions below. Watch the entire replay or skip to the questions that you’ve been wondering about yourself!
If you were unable to make it to the latest RGS Live session, don’t worry! We go live next month on Thursday, October 6th, 12 pm PDT/3 pm EDT, and I’d be thrilled to have you join us then!
In this video:
00:01:58 - I have the melody separate and the chords separate. How do I combine them to make a finger-style solo?
00:04:48 - Please demonstrate a recommended bluegrass strumming pattern and a folk-style strumming pattern.
00:06:20 - I like your opinions on equipment even though one product is not for all. What would you recommend for an acoustic full-sounding guitar in the 600 to 800 range? I’m more of a strummer than a picker.
00:10:05 - Every time I change a string on my classical guitar, it takes a few days to stay in tune. Is there a way to reduce this time? Or, alternatively, is there a type of string that gets tuned faster?
00:11:42 - What are some guitar accessories you would recommend for your students? I noticed on one of your videos a particular location you seemed to have mounted a pick holder.
00:16:12 - When playing a lead using a scale do you start (1st note) on the low string ie: 6th 5th 4th. Most songs seem to have the lead lick on the higher strings, but every chart or teaching device shows a starting point on the lower bass strings.
00:19:21 - I would like to know, do performers have ALL their songs memorized so they are able to perform them ALL at any given time? I have trouble memorizing one or two let alone playing them from memory after a month of NOT playing them.
00:22:44 - I'm just a beginner, and was wondering if there is a particular type, brand or kind of strings that would be a little easier on my fingers until I toughen up? Right now, I have D'Addario phosphor bronze EJ15 strings.
00:24:10 - How do we use and make chord progressions with power chords?
00:25:31 - How do we find the key in a song, is there a certain place in a song to listen for to know what key it's in?
00:27:07 - When practicing should we work on just one song until complete or is it wise to not work on more than one song at a time?
00:28:18 - How many minutes should we work on each song?
00:29:20 - Which should we do 1st: work on technique or practice a song?
00:30:16 - Do you have a particular recommendation for an acoustic guitar pickup? I want to install a pickup on my Taylor acoustic. The K&K mini pickup was one recommendation I received.
00:32:29 - Please talk to us about playing when standing. My practice has been while sitting, but standing is a whole new thing for me. Do I just 'do what feels right,' or are there best practices or any hints or tips?
00:35:18 - I'm a member of RGS and I'm into fingerstyle. Should I go occasionally back to strum and bar lessons so as not to lose any skills achieved there, or should I stay the course?
00:38:11 - Discipline Help! How do I stay disciplined to focus on more technique because I tend to focus on what I already know (which is not much)? What value do you place on technique over songs?
00:42:11 - My strumming is very choppy at the strings - how can I work on that but still change chords? If I look at my fretting hand my strumming goes choppy!
00:44:04 - If I have been using EJ45 strings on my acoustic should I change to a heavier string or stay on the EJ45's? What would be the benefit of a heavier string?
00:46:26 - Should you find out the tempo of a song and try to practice the chord changes at that speed or slower to start?
00:48:56 - Why is your little finger bent? I am not being rude just interested because I have that.
00:50:08 - When doing your lessons how long should I stay on a lesson before I move on to the next lesson, I do practice every day but don’t think I am getting anywhere.
00:53:43 - Are the beats for electronic guitars and normal guitars the same? Or if it is different how is it different?
00:56:06 - I love playing along with songs on YouTube where the lyrics and chords are overlayed on the video. Is this productive practice or am I just noodling?
00:57:21 - Is there a specific website we could learn more guitar from you? Because I learned acoustic guitar from youtube from you, and now I'm learning electronics, so I wonder if I could learn from you?