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Fix Flying Fingers on Guitar | Improve Left Hand Fingers Movement

Feb 27, 2018

Fix Flying Fingers on Guitar

Improve Left Hand Fingers Movement

Flying fingers is one of the most common problems guitar players face.

It occurs when your left-hand fingers move too much while playing a scale, chord progression, or melody.

There are different reasons why you might struggle to keep your fingers grounded. We can break it down into two points.

Thumb position
Fingers stretch

I struggled a lot with flying fingers, and it took me a while before I was able to fix it.

I figured out that playing a melody while holding the bass note could really help me fixing this horrible problem, so at that time, I spent a reasonable amount of time practicing short classical guitar ideas.

In today’s video, I will show you one of these little classical guitar ideas that really helped me a lot in fixing this problem.

We will be using a fingerstyle, so this lesson is not suitable for strummers.

Will it Work for You?

I did my best to explain the exercises slowly, and I focused a lot on the key points that could help you fix your flying fingers problem, however as every guitar player is different, you might find that this isn’t the right thing for you.

Depending on your style and musical skills, you might need a different type of exercise.

There are a few articles on Justin Guitar and Ultimate Guitar.

Good luck with your journey, guys.

The Video Lesson

Thumb Position

One of the thing you will have to focus on a lot if you want to improve flying fingers is to improve your left-hand thumb position.

I suggest you keep the thumb straight behind the neck and position it right in the middle of the neck.

Use the mirror or your phone to check if the thumb is placed correctly.

My preference is that I want to see the tip of the thumb as I am looking at my hand in the mirror.

By keeping the thumb low, your fingers are grounded and easy to control.

Give it a try.

Fingers Stretch

Another factor that determines flying fingers is poor fingers stretch.

With the exercises I am showing you today; you should be able to improve your fingers stretch.

Hold the bass note while you play the melody every time it’s possible.

This approach will keep your fingers close to the strings.

Take it to step by step and stop immediately if you feel pain between your fingers.

Improvising over the Canon in D | Fingerstyle Acoustic Guitar

Feb 26, 2018

Improvising over the Canon in D

Fingerstyle Acoustic Guitar

I had a ton of fun today recording this version of the Canon in D on my acoustic guitar.

This is indeed one of the most beautiful pieces of music to play on classical or acoustic guitar.

The chord progression, melody, and musicality make the Canon in D the number one music anyone can learn and play.

In this video, I am playing the C major song even though the original key is in D major.

I am also improvising a few choruses and combining them with the original music.

Enjoy this instrumental, guys.

The Video

The 6 Things you will Probably Play in Drop D

Feb 24, 2018

The 6 Things you will Probably Play in Drop D.

Drop D is one of my favorite alternative guitar tunings.

You only tune one string differently, but your guitar sounds different.

I have been experimenting a lot with the Drop D tuning on my acoustic guitar, and a ton of students asked me to teach them how to become better with this tuning.

The Drop D opens up a ton of different chords and melodic ideas that you can use along with all the techniques and musical skills you already have.

Usually, there are 6 things that guitar players always come up with when they start experimenting in drop D.

Every guitar player is different but trusts me, as soon as you tune your guitar in Drop D, you will notice each guitar player going for one of the 6 options I am showing you in this video.

I am sure I am probably missing your first Drop D approach, so make sure you leave a comment on my YouTube channel to let me know your experience with Drop D tuning.

Let’s get started!

The Video

How Guitar Players Rearrange Fingerstyle Songs on YouTube in 4 Steps

Feb 23, 2018

How Guitar Players Rearrange Fingerstyle Songs on YouTube

One of the questions I get asked the most is about how guitar players rearrange fingerstyle songs.

Over the past 10 years, YouTube has been flooded with Fingerstyle covers.

From simple to difficult arrangements, beginners, with loops or backing tracks, solo or with a singer at some point, almost any fingerstyle acoustic guitar player has posted a cover.

There are also many guitar lessons and fingerstyle tutorials that teach you how to play songs, so guitar players started to learn how to play fingerstyle songs on YouTube.

The number one question I get the most is how to arrange a fingerstyle song just like guitar players do on YouTube?

Today I am going to show you how to do that in 4 simple steps.

Find the chord progression and reorganize it.
Learn the scale related to the key.
Combine the chords with the scale.
Add rhythm

Let’s get started.

Step 1

Define the Chord Progression

The first step to rearranging fingerstyle songs (or melodies) is to define a chord progression.

This is a crucial step because the chords must be reorganized and memorize differently.

The chord progression we are working on today is Am – F – C and G.

Once you know the progression, you should then memorize the root note of each chord and practice the chord progression by playing the root note only.

Step 2

The Scale

Once you familiarize yourself with the chord progression, it is time to add a melody over the fingerstyle chords you just learned.

This is a crucial step because the scale will then become a melody.

You really want to learn the scale perfectly and from memory, as things will get more challenging once we combine the scale with the chord.

For this chord progression in A minor, we will be using an A minor scale on the top three strings.

Here is the guitar tab of the scale

Step 3

Combine Chords and Scale

One of the most exciting moments of learning how to rearrange a melody or a song is when you will start combining the A minor scale and fingerstyle chords.

Remember to always visualize the chords and the scale as two separate things.

The first approach could be playing the scale along with the chord. I am giving you a straightforward musical example to show you how the scale sounds over the chord progression.

In the example above, you can see how the bass note is played every two counts and the A minor scale.

How to Escape the Scale and Build Musical Concepts

Once you are familiar with the step above, you can start playing the scale using different intervals.

This is indeed a very complex step guys so you should always start with few notes for each chord.

In this example, I am playing a more challenging pattern based on different intervals. The fingerstyle chords are still played with the root note only, but the melody sounds more articulated.

Let me give you another example to avoid the scale pattern and play a much more melodic phrase.

This approach is a little bit more difficult because the notes don’t follow a repetitive pattern. Instead, the melody is more of a “singing” line.

Check the example below.

More ups and down phrases for the last example.

Here I am playing a lovely melody that sounds perfect over these fingerstyle chords.

Remember to keep the Root note down as you play the melody and let it ring out.

This is definitely one of my favorite guitar phrases for step 3.

Step 4

Add Rhythm and Musicality

The last step is to start playing melodies that sound like a song, finally.

So far, you learned the chord progression and memorized the root note for each chord.
You learned the A minor scale that can be used over this chord progression.
The scale and chords can be combined to create song-like melodies.

With this step, we will be playing more difficult and musical ideas, so warm up your finger and let’s get started.

Example 1

Example 2

Example 3

Example 4

The Easiest Chord on Guitar – Learn Two Shapes Play Any Major and Minor Chord

Feb 22, 2018

The Easiest Chord on Guitar

Easy Guitar Chord for Beginners

Today I am going to show you one of the easiest chords on the guitar.

This chord is so easy that you can learn almost instantly, and it only requires two strings. I call this chord the “1-5 chord” due to its interval construction.

We will not consider any of the basic guitar chords that you already know. In fact, I think we had enough of always playing the same chord shapes.

This guitar chord is easy, effective, and can be transposed in any key. Only possible if you play Fingerstyle guitar.

Let’s get started, and let me show you how to make build this easy chord and use it over three different chord progressions.

The Chord Shape

How do you play a chord that only has two notes?

In this section, I will show you the chord shape and interval that the chord is made of and how you can easily transpose it up and down the neck.

Root and 3rd

As you look at this diagram, you realize that the chord only has two notes: the root note, which could be played on the 4th, 5th, and 6th string, and the 3rd, which could be either major or minor.

The chord in this diagram is a G major chord. The 4th string fret 5 is the Root note G and the 1st string fret 7 is the major 3rd B.

Once you memorize the chord shape and the distance between the root note and its 3rd, you can then transpose it up and down the neck to play any major chord.

How to Transpose

Once you familiarize yourself with the chord shape, you can move on to the next step, transposing the chord on the 5th string and 6th string.

The chord played with the root note on the 4th and 5 string share the same shape.

The Exception

There is only one exception when we transpose the chord with the Root note on the 6th string. The chord shape will be slightly different with the major 3rd one fret closer to the Root note.

Check the diagram to learn the guitar chord shape.

How about the Minor Shape?

Once you feel comfortable playing the major shape, you can easily play the minor shape by lowering the major 3rd of one fret.

Sweetest/Sentimental Chord Progression In C major | Creative Fingerstyle Guitar

Feb 16, 2018

Sweet Chord Progression In C major

Sentimental Chords

A few days ago, I recorded a video called 5 Sweet Chord Progressions that will Make you Wanna Hug Someone, where I play a bunch of sentimental/sweet chord progression in different keys that should sound sentimental or sweet.

I really love this approach on guitar because it forces you to write a melody based on your emotions rather than just your fingers.

This is an exercise that everybody should improve their creativity, musicality, and overall music skills.

What will you Learn

Today we are checking out the first sweet chord progression from the 5 Sweet Chord Progressions that will Make you want a Hug Someone, and I am going deep into details to show you the chord progression and melody I used.

This is a fingerstyle guitar lesson for Intermediate guitar players who want to try new ways of playing basic chords.

If you are a beginner guitar player, I suggest you come back when you feel ready. Check some of the easier fingerstyle lessons here.

The Video Lesson

The 5 Sweet Chord Progressions

Chords and Melody

Let’s get into details and talk more about the chord progression and melody.

We can split the chord progression into two parts.

The first two bars are C – G/B – Am – F. The melody is played in the high position of the neck. As a result, the sound is “tiny” and sentimental.

The second part is C’E – F – C/E – F – Am7 – Em – F – Gsus – Cadd9. Here the melody is played in 1st position, where we have more bass and the chords sound bigger.

My favorite chord is the C’E, which sounds amazing after the F major chord.

Let me know if you like it!

Let me tell you more about the fingerstyle guitar lessons you’ll find here!

BlitzGuitar Mini-Course: I personally love challenges. With this beginner mini-course, I want to challenge you to learn a chord progression, a rhythmic pattern, and a melody in less than 60 minutes. This guitar course is super good for beginners and enjoyable to try.
BlitzGuitar Melody lab: This is my favorite melody laboratory. Here you will learn simple fingerstyle melody for beginners. Each melody you learn will help you improve your alternate fingering, thumb plucking movement, simple chords, musicality, and dynamics.
Fingerstyle Engine: This guitar program is perfect for intermediate fingerstyle guitar players. There are more than 30 fingerstyle exercises available, and each one of them is a killer! Please take it step by step and learn one exercise at a time. Good luck.

Emotional Chord Progression in D major on Fingerstyle Guitar

Feb 15, 2018

Emotional Chord Progression in D major

Beautiful Chords on Guitar

The first thing to say, I was inspired by the Canon in D by Johann Pachelbel. I personally loved this music since I was 10 years old and I feel blessed I can actually record a lesson today, which is inspired by this music.

We will be working on an extraordinary emotional chord progression in D major key, which sounds beautiful and sentimental.

The chord progression is D – A – Bm – A – G – A – Bm – A/C# – D – D/F# – G, but we will not be playing the fundamental chords you already know.

Instead, we will be focusing on playing a few notes from each chord and improvise a beautiful sounding melody.

Enjoy this lesson.

The Video

The Tab

The 6 Emotional Chord Progressions that will Make you want to Cry.

This lesson is the N.5

My Top 8 Open Chords I love the Most

Feb 14, 2018

My Top 8 Open Chords on Guitar

and How to play them

Super guitar lessons today.

We are checking out my Top 8 Open Chords I love the most and in this video, I am going to show you how to apply them within a chord progression.

We will be working on three keys: E major, D minor and A major.

Each chord progression contains some of the open chords I love the most.

Tab Available on Patreon.

Tab Here

E major Chord Progression

Favorite Open Chords: Emaj7 – C#m7(6)

The E major key is probably the most amazing place for open strings chords and beautiful sounding chord progressions.

The chord progression goes like this: Emaj 7 – Aadd9(6) – C#m7(6) – B

The Emaj7 chord is a beautiful sounding open chord. It isn’t a difficult chord to play as the notes are pretty close. Make sure you let each open string ring out nicely.

The C#m7(6) is an amazing, a beautiful chord that you will love playing. It’s a really stretchy chord so learn it slowly and stop immediately if your fingers hurt.

All the Diagrams and Tab here - Creative Fingerstyle Program - All in Monthly pass - £14.99/month

The D minor Chord Progression

Favorite Open Chords: Dmadd9 – Bb6(#11) – Cadd9

I have to be honest with you. I love every single open chord in this chord progression.

The D minor is perfect on guitar and you can use the high E string open on each chord to create beautiful sounding progressions.

The chord progression goes like this: Dmadd9 – Bb6(#11) – Cadd9

All the chords here are played with the high E string open.

Take a little bit of time working on the Cadd9 chord which is pretty stretchy therefore difficult at first.

The A major Chord Progression

Favorite Open Chords: F#min7add11 – Eadd9

The third chords progression is very simple to play yet really beautiful.

This is the chord progression: Aadd9 – Dadd9 – F#m7add11 – Eadd9

The F#m7add11 is probably one of my favorite chord on the guitar. It sounds good with almost any chord progression in A major.

The Eadd9 is another overused open chord on the guitar.

Good luck with this lesson.

5 “Sweet” Chord Progression that will Make you Wanna Hug Someone.

Feb 13, 2018

5 “Sweet” Chord Progression

that will Make you want a Hug Someone.

Today I am going to show you the sweetest chord progressions I can play on guitar.

It was challenging, but we made it.

I really love working on a chord progression based on a specific mood or emotion.

It takes time to get the right chord progression and voicing, and my struggle is always finding the first two chords. Once I get them, it is pretty natural for me to write the whole thing.

But getting the first two chords right is more difficult than you think.

That’s why I will share the 5 sweet chord progressions I came up with, so you can learn from them and come up with your own.

The Video

Which Chord Progressions?

Last Time Together Kind of Hug

This is an unfortunate chord progression in C major.

This is the chord progression: C – G/B – Am – F – C/E – F – C/E – Fadd9 – Am – Em – F – G

The melody starts on the high range. The first chord starts on fret XII, so the melody sounds tiny. This is the best approach if you want to create sweet/sad melodies.

The second part of the music opens up with basic chords in C major.

I love the C/E chord before the Fadd9.

Couple in Love Kind of Hug

This chord progression really reminds me of When you Say Nothing at All by Ronan Keating.

I really love the voicing and melody over this chord progression.

We are in D major Key, and there are two different sections.

The first part is D – A – G. The D major and G major chord are embellished with different extensions. For the D major, you can use a hammer on and pull off on the first string. The G major can be played as Gadd9.

The second part is more melodic, and the melody more predominant. The chord progression is D – A – Bm – G.

Definitely one of my favorite chord progression.

Together Again Kind of Hug

Another chord progression in E major, this time more melodic challenging to play.

The chords are Eadd9 – B/D# – C#min (add9) B – A – E – A – E – A – E – B – E which repeats twice.

Another section at the end of the song goes like this: E – E/A – E/B repeated three times, then Amadd9 and E.

Honestly, one of my favorite progression of chords I’ve ever played.

Father and Son Kind of Hug

We are in E major key, and the chord progression is fascinating and fun to play.

There are three different sections:

The music starts with E – E/F# – A – E – C#m – E – B. The chords are pretty basic and simple to play. The only challenging chord is the E/G#, which is quite stretchy. Take it to step by step with this chord.

Then you have a more difficult chord progression: C#m – B/D# – E – A – C#m – B/D# – E – A

The last section is only few chords: E/G# – A – E/G# – A – E/G# – F#7(13) – B7 – E.

Please don’t Go Kind of Hug.

A major key and a simple arpeggio.

I wrote this music when I was 12, and this is the first time I am recording it, so I hope you like it.

The progression starts with A – A/D – C#m – Bm – A – E, which you can repeat twice. The second section is more challenging, and it goes like this: A – A/D – C#m – D – E – F#m – D – A – E – A.

I am mainly using 153 chord shapes, so the melody is within the chord and easy to play.

Chords that Sound like a Beautiful Melody | Creative Fingerstyle Guitar

Feb 12, 2018

Chords that Sound like a Beautiful Melody

Creative Fingerstyle Guitar

Hello guys, today, we will focus on one of my favorite topics: Chords and Melody.

I will show you how you can make a chord progression sound like a beautiful melody using the fingerstyle technique.

The chord progression we are working on is Am – G – Fmaj7 – E, the standard Spanish chord progression.

The Video

Chords and Melody

Why these chords sound like a Melody

The chord progression is very simple: Am – G – Fmaj7 – E.

The thumb plays the melody throughout, while the index and middle finger play the E open string as the accompaniment.

Check the example below.

The Red color shows you the melody played with the thumb.

The Yellow color indicates the accompaniment played with alternate fingering on the high E string. We will keep the same note throughout the entire exercise. This technique is called pedal point.

Using this approach, you will be able to create a beautiful melody based on the chord progression you are using.

The secret here is to play the melody on the lower strings and leave the accompaniment to the top strings only.

How to Practice

I highly recommend you practice the melody separately before adding the accompaniment.

By doing that, you will isolate the melody and focus on fluidity and fingers dexterity.

Once you feel comfortable playing the melody, add the accompaniment. Don’t forger to use alternate fingering starting on the middle finger.

One key point is to emphasize the melody over the accompaniment.

Fingerstyle guitar is amazing because it allows you to put more emphasy on a certain guitar part.

For this guitar part, you should try to keep the melody’s volume higher by plucking the strings harder with the thumb and lightly with the fingers.

Not an easy task.

Here’s the Tab

Get the PDF Inside the Student Area

THIS IS A LESSON FROM PRACTICAL FINGERSTYLE

My Video Course for Beginners

Practical Fingerstyle is a Fingerstyle video course that focuses on melodies and musicality.

Few info about this program.

Eight weeks program
Song-like exercises
Each week focuses on one technique

Check this course on Patreon.