Blues Guitar Lick 13: D Chord Double Stops

Today's blues lick shows some double stops played over a D chord. A double stop is simply two notes from the scale or chord played together, like the notes played at the 7th fret in the lick below.

       D                   D 
  4  &   1  2  &  3   4  &   1  2  &  3
e-------|-------------------|---------------
B-------|-------------------|----------7----
G-------|-7--7-----7--------|-7--7-----7----
D-------|-7--7-h9--7--------|-7--7-h9-------
A--8--9-|--------------8--9-|---------------
E-------|-------------------|---------------

The lick starts with a little chromatic walk up. This leads up to the major 3rd of the D chord to establish the D chord's harmony. You'll then play the first double stop which uses the D chord's 5th note (D string) and its root (G string).

This double stop is played again on beat two, this time with a hammer on for a little embellishment. We then come back to rest an instant on the root-5th double stop again, before repeating the minor 3rd - major 3rd walk up again before the second bar of the lick.

The second bar starts identically to the first. The lick finishes on the third beat of this bar with a double stop on the G and B strings. This time the double stop uses the D chord's root note (G string) and its major 3rd (B string).

You'll be getting more licks around this major pentatonic position in the coming weeks. Be sure to sign up for the RSS feed using the link below so you don't miss them.

Beginner's Guitar Chords: E Major

Today's post is introducing a new beginner guitar chord, the E major chord. This is the last of the beginner major chords that you'll learn.

E major chord
The E major chord is a favourite chord of guitar players for its rich deep sound. To play the E major chord you use three fingers as shown in the diagram below. The other three strings are all strummed open.

e 0|---|---|---|
b 0|---|---|---|
g  |-1-|---|---|
d  |---|-3-|---|
a  |---|-2-|---|
E 0|---|---|---|

Practice by placing your fingers lightly on the strings to get familiar with the position. Try starting with the first finger on the 3rd chord. Once it's in place then add the two other fingers relative to it. You can also try starting with the second finger. Experiment a little with both to find what you feel best with.

When you feel you're comfortable getting the fingers into place try pressing down on the strings and slowly pick the chords one by one to check they all sound well. Don't worry if some of the notes are muffled, the following tips should help fix the problem.

Muffled Strings?
A common problem with the E chord is the G# note on the 3rd string not sounding. This can be caused by the finger on the 4th string above it touching the chord. It can also be caused by failing to push the first finger down to the fretboard.

To fix both these problems make sure you get the end of your first finger perpendicular to the fretboard. The string should be pressed by the tip of the finger, avoid using the fleshy part just behind the finger's tip.

Another problem that can arise is the first finger muffling the 2nd string. Again, ensure that your first finger is perpendicular to the fretboard to fix things.

Finally, you may find that your second finger interferes with the 6th string. Be careful to keep the finger a little lower in this case. Keeping it perpendicular to the fretboard and using the tip to press the 5th string will also fix this problem.

Key of A
Once you've got the E chord to a point where you're playing comfortably, try using it with the A and D chords. These three chords are very often used when playing in the key of A.

That wraps up the series of easy open major chords, congratulate yourself on learning G, C, D, A, and E chords. In future posts you'll learn about playing minor chords.

Guitar Practice Pitfalls: Sitting Down

Do you sit down when you practice guitar?

It seems natural to sit down to practice guitar in the comfort of your home. That comfy sofa or chair is a great place to practice. At first you might even feel quite ridiculous standing up in your living room to play guitar.

But sitting down during all of your guitar practice easily turns into a pitfall. When it comes to performing, in many cases you'll be standing up to face your audience. Now, if all your practice has been done sitting down, you'll find this difficult.

The whole position and balance of your guitar is different when it doesn't have a handy knee to rest on. It's as if someone had changed the placing of your strings a little. You'll need some time to adjust to this new position and feel confident about standing up. The best time to do that is during practice, not when you're trying to perform guitar for an audience.

The solution to this pitfall is easy, just stand up for at least a part of the time you practice guitar. If you don't have a guitar strap already, you'll need to buy one.

If you're used to putting your music down next to you on the sofa you'll also discover that it's hard to see when you're standing up (unless you have a very tall sofa). That's where a music stand comes in handy to position your music where you can see it easily.

You can buy both of these accessories from any guitar store, and they won't cost you very much.

So now you know how to avoid this pitfall, stand up and practice more guitar.

Play More Guitar

Do you wish you could play more guitar? Don't we all, it's one of the best ways of progressing. But for those of us with day jobs and other commitments finding time is not always easy.

But don't despair, there is hope for us non-pros. This list of tips will show you some simple ways you can make time in your day to play more guitar.

Tip #1: Leave your guitar in view
This is advice you'll hear time and again. Get yourself a guitar stand and leave your guitar out in the lounge, or whichever room you hang around in the most. Every time you walk by you'll want to pick it up and play.

Tip #2: Leave a guitar at work
Get yourself a cheap guitar and leave it at work. Take it out and practice during the lunch break. It's also a great way to relieve stress and get your creative energy flowing for the afternoon. See also tip #6.

Tip #3: Play in small bursts
This one goes right along with tip #1. You don't need an hour of free time to practice effectively, just two or three minutes will do if you repeat them regularly. Two minutes waiting for that kettle to boil? Pick up the guitar and rock n roll...

Tip #4: Play in your mind
I've said it before, twice, and I'll say it again now: you don't need your guitar in your hands to work on your playing skills. Visualization exercises are a great way to reinforce your learning without your guitar.

Tip #5: Play when you wake up
Play first thing in the morning when you get up, five minutes will do. Try a passage that's giving you trouble, you might be surprised to find it easier in your half awake state. I thinks it's because you're more relaxed and your mind doesn't get in the way of your playing so much.

You'll also find that having played once you'll have the urge to play more during the day.

Tip #6: Get a travel guitar or a ukulele
Get a small travel guitar, or a ukulele, and carry it around in your bag or your car. You're then equipped to whip it out anytime you're at a loose end, like waiting for a bus. You never know, you might even earn your fare.

I hope these tips will get you thinking about ways that you can play more guitar. Maybe you'll come up with ideas of your own that you could share by leaving a comment.