Assignment #20- Ellis Padgett- How to Learn Guitar (and thumb-slap it)

When I first started learning guitar, one of the biggest obstacles I encountered was having to change chords quickly. And half of guitar playing is changing chords so that's a problem. But to help with that, I suggest picking a song with simple chords that repeat throughout, and practicing them in order. I chose Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit." The chords are Em, A, G, and C. Google each chord (i.e. "Em chord guitar"), and a little picture of where you put your fingers pops up. 

Once you have your chords, start to play them in order, practicing switching chords. Don't try and rush through one chord once you've got it; go slow, playing each chord four times evenly before switching. Doing this over and over again not only helps you become familiar with the chords; it helps train your left hand to switch quickly between them, so that you can play really fast. Once you're comfortable with switching, you can add in the strumming pattern and play the actual song.

Another trick that I think is helpful when learning guitar is studying a finger-picking pattern. For this, I used Aurora's "Murder Song." This finger-picking pattern uses all 6 strings, which helps your right hand learn where each string is. Use your thumb to pluck the bottom three strings, and allow your other fingers to take the top strings respectively. You have to go really slow at first, watching which string you're hitting each time; but once you have it down, learning other picking patterns is easier,  because you know instinctively where each string is. 

Finger-picking tab: https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/aurora/murder-song-5-4-3-2-1-chords-1742994

Okay so if you know how to switch between chords and finger-pick cool patterns you're pretty well off. One more thing I think is really cool is actually hitting the guitar while playing to make it seem like there are drums as well.

To thumb-slap an acoustic guitar, you use your index finger to strum the upper strings while your thumb hits the lower ones. There are three steps to learning this:

1) Extend your right thumb, and flick your hand so that your thumb hits the lower strings. This is what gets you your slapping sounds. Repeat this, hitting the strings with the side of your thumb without actually strumming. 

2) Curl your right hand up, getting ready to strum the guitar. When you go to strum, release your index finger down on the strings so that sound is made. Do this over and over again, using only that flicking motion to strum with your index finger. 

3) Combine them! Flick your right hand, allowing your thumb to slap against the lower strings while your index finger strums them. This creates a simultaneous sound of playing and drumming.

*There are lots more ways to slap a guitar. You can also take your thumb off the strings and instead slap the actual guitar, which will get a more drum like sound. This is what Charlie Cunningham does in his music, and it sounds like there are both drums and a guitar- but it's all him!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38E_fFM3xe0