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Want to know how to hold a guitar?

2/20/2019

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Would you like to hold the Guitar like a Pro?
The guitar is a powerful instrument and perhaps the most learned instrument. The fact that it’s a mobile instrument makes the fingering and hand control techniques. The mastery of its control becomes imperative as it could save you from potential hazards either in posture, fatigue or related injuries.
If your answer is yes!
This post is designed courtesy of The Best Guitar Lesson in Burbank to explicitly give you guides on how to hold a guitar with reference to three basic methods:
The Casual Method
The Classical Method and
Standing up with a Strap
You must pay cognizance to your preferred hand. If you’re right-handed the rules go for you basically. However, left-handed players should just consider the reverse of the right-handed principles. Either you are right handed or left handed by nature, the rule of thumb is that you opt for the most comfortable way and play like that subsequently. It is also important that you get a footstool for it’s vital for these techniques; they cost little, about fifteen dollars.
The Casual Method
For the casual method use, right-handed players advisably should set the guitar on the right leg. A footstool is vital here; it helps to raise the guitar up which makes it more comfortable to play for long hours and still avoid fatigue.
However, you should avoid slouching the guitar down; this is a bad and lazy habit done by most guitarists! They do this for the sake of seeing the fingers used for fretting. Why this is not encouraged is because you would wear out too soon or inflict injury on yourself. It may seem comforting at first but as time goes you will see the need to pull the guitar in to stay upright and have it closer to your body.
Another tip to note for the Casual Method is the Strumming of the arm around the guitar
Comfort still remains the goal for this guide and as such, there is need to strum the arm around the guitar properly to enhance grasp. Once there is enough grasp, there are little chances of the guitar slouching and playing becomes easy.
The Classical Method
In this method of holding the guitar, the right-hand users should move the footstool from the right foot, and then move the guitar to rest on the left leg; this protrudes the guitar neck to the left and brings it up. This method may seem hard to use for longer periods at first, except you use a strap to hold the guitar up. However, it helps to put the neck in the best position for getting all the notes.
Standing up with a Strap
This is a useful technique regardless of the kind of gig you’re playing for or your preferred comfortable technique. If you choose to stand, it is recommended that you get a strap; they are quite affordable and useful. Importantly, note that you apply the same method if you choose to stand while practicing or Performing.
Ultimately, you should try all techniques and as The Best Guitar Lesson in Burbank advise: Opt for the most comfortable technique for you.
Los Angeles Music Teachers

Register Here for Guitar Lessons
Or Contact us:
Phone: 818-902-1233
Email: rick@losangelesmusicteachers.com

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What are the differences to learning an acoustic guitar and an electric guitar?

2/13/2019

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Learning How To Play Guitars:
When it was first launched, all acoustic guitars could project sound acoustically. No amplification was necessary from outside. In fact, they were not designed to take outside amplifications. However, modern acoustic guitars are designed otherwise. They can take amplifications from outside.
Advantages of learning with an acoustic guitar
•   Acoustic guitars generally have calm, nice and pleasant tones so no matter how bad you are, the tone projected from your guitar will not be so bad.
•   It is more difficult to play an acoustic guitar than an electric guitar so if you learn with the former, playing the latter will be a breeze. This can be likened to learning how to drive. Acoustic guitars are like cars with manual transmission while electric guitars can be likened to cars with automatic transmission. Since manual cars are harder to drive, if you learn with them, driving an automatic car will just be as easy as ABC.
•   Acoustic guitars do not require amplifiers and additional cables so it saves you some cost.
Disadvantages of learning with an acoustic guitar
•   One of the things that make acoustic guitars more difficult to play is its higher gauge strings which makes it harder for users to hold barre chords. Electric guitars offer better gauge strings.
•   The higher gauge strings on acoustic guitars are more likely to produce buzzing sound so they require better skills.
•   Acoustic guitars usually have wider fretboards and these are more difficult for beginners to handle. Besides, they are more fragile than electric guitars.
•   Beginners usually find it difficult to play the heavy strings of acoustic guitars.
Electric Guitar
Unlike acoustic guitars, electric guitars make use of electric amplification to produce sounds. They pick up string vibrations and convert them to electric signals which are sent to the amplifier.
Advantages of learning on an electric guitar
•   They have headphone input for you to practice without disturbing people around with noise.
•   It is easier to hold barre chords on electric guitars because they have softer strings.
•   Since the pickups and amplifier project all the sound, the strings are easier to learn.
•   Electric guitars have lighter gauges, thinner necks, and smaller bodies, so they are not only easier to carry around but they are also easier to play than their acoustic counterparts.
Disadvantages of learning on an electric guitar
•   Being able to play an electric guitar does not mean you can automatically play an acoustic guitar.
•   Being able to find a good tone is more difficult on an electric guitar.
•   An electric guitar requires an amplifier and that is an additional cost.
Conclusively, whether you learn with an acoustic guitar or an electric one, you will need several years of practice and dedication to be a master of the game. Even the best guitarists around the world still continue to learn. Lastly, it is also necessary to bear in mind that newer guitars will still be produced and they will have better features than older and existing ones so you need to be abreast of the new guitars that are coming into the market.
Contact: Los Angeles Music Teachers Email: rick@losangelesmusicteachers.com Call: 818-902-1233

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What do I need to know to learn to play the clarinet?

2/12/2019

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The clarinet is as versatile as it is fun. It is a great woodwind instrument to learn to play but the process can be confusing to those who are new to this instrument. If you're out of breath while playing or unsure on how to properly clean your instrument, our list of advice is designed to assist beginners. For more personalized, speak with your music instructor.
What Equipment Is Needed?
There are a few essential pieces of equipment for every clarinetist:
Reeds [https://goo.gl/Haibfr]
Ligatures [https://goo.gl/TVAqx2]
Mouthpieces [https://goo.gl/Bmaq17]
Did the clarinet come with a stock mouthpiece? If so, it is time to upgrade a better mouthpiece that provides the desired sound. All stock ligatures should be eliminated as well. Cloth ligatures offer more control than metal ones, so most educators recommend that their students transition into the usage of metal ligatures to open up their sound.
The reed's strength should be determined by the mouthpiece. A “3” is usually the most common but it is not right for everyone. Be sure to speak with your music educator to find out about the strength that is right for you.
How Is Embouchure Improved?
This process doesn’t happen overnight. It’s an often overlooked performance aspect that involves the proper coordination between your upper lip, lower lip, chin and teeth. To begin, drop the jaw so that it is relaxed and not forced open. From there, move the jaw from side to side slightly, so that it can loosen up.
Once full relaxation is achieved, roll your bottom lip ever so slightly over your lower teeth and firm up the mouths's corners. They should be brought forward and in, much like a smile. Place the index finger against the space between your top teeth and use the upper lip to press downward onto your finger.
(The chin should automatically point downward once this step is taken.)
Remove the finger, do not move a muscle, insert 1/4th of your mouthpiece and keep the upper teeth resting on top. Perfect embouchure has been achieved!
What About Reeds?
Finding the right clarinet reeds [https://goo.gl/Z3PmC8] and maintaining them in the proper manner is crucial to your success. Choose the correct reeds for your mouthpiece and the level of pressure used. Do not moisten reeds with saliva, as these acids are highly detrimental to cane.
When a new box of reeds is opened, do not test them all at the same time. The lip desensitizes and reed impressions are inaccurate. The break in process should be steady and slow. It does not take place in one day, they are played for a few minutes each day.
When it comes to cleaning and maintenance, rinse your reeds in water after playing and use a soft cloth to dry them before they are stored on glass. Reed adjustment requires trial and error, so be sure to speak with your clarinet instructor for further advice.

Any Practicing Advice?
Most new clarinet players are misguided as far as practicing is concerned. The amount of time spent practicing is not as important as how that time is spent. An hour of efficient practicing is more effective than three hours of distracted practice. Practice time should consist of warm-ups, enjoyable sheet music and technique practice.
Keeping up the technical side of things can be tough. Always practice technique, no matter what. Each practice should begin with a warm up, you can switch between sheet music and technique as necessary.
For more practice tips, check out How to Make Your Practice Time Count. [https://goo.gl/gqD6ko]
What If I Have a Bad Day?
Bad clarinet days are a very real thing. Practice can be frustrating at times. The trick is to remain calm. Don't force yourself to complete technique exercises or run through scales. At times like these, it is important to simply play through some of your favorite tunes.
Spending time playing what you want to play lets you get into the flow of playing more rapidly. Becoming frustrated? There's nothing wrong with skipping your practice session for that day. Remember: this process is a challenge. There are going to be good days and there will be bad ones. Don't be discouraged. Your determination will pay off in the long run.

Los Angeles Music Teachers Clarinet Lessons

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How To Hold The Guitar

2/1/2019

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Would you like to hold the Guitar like a Pro?
The guitar is a powerful instrument and perhaps the most learned instrument. The fact that it’s a mobile instrument makes the fingering and hand control techniques. The mastery of its control becomes imperative as it could save you from potential hazards either in posture, fatigue or related injuries.
If your answer is yes!
This post is designed courtesy of The Best Guitar Lesson in Burbank to explicitly give you guides on how to hold a guitar with reference to three basic methods:
The Casual Method
The Classical Method and
Standing up with a Strap
You must pay cognizance to your preferred hand. If you’re right-handed the rules go for you basically. However, left-handed players should just consider the reverse of the right-handed principles. Either you are right handed or left handed by nature, the rule of thumb is that you opt for the most comfortable way and play like that subsequently. It is also important that you get a footstool for it’s vital for these techniques; they cost little, about fifteen dollars.
The Casual Method
For the casual method use, right-handed players advisably should set the guitar on the right leg. A footstool is vital here; it helps to raise the guitar up which makes it more comfortable to play for long hours and still avoid fatigue.
However, you should avoid slouching the guitar down; this is a bad and lazy habit done by most guitarists! They do this for the sake of seeing the fingers used for fretting. Why this is not encouraged is because you would wear out too soon or inflict injury on yourself. It may seem comforting at first but as time goes you will see the need to pull the guitar in to stay upright and have it closer to your body.
Another tip to note for the Casual Method is the Strumming of the arm around the guitar
Comfort still remains the goal for this guide and as such, there is need to strum the arm around the guitar properly to enhance grasp. Once there is enough grasp, there are little chances of the guitar slouching and playing becomes easy.
The Classical Method
In this method of holding the guitar, the right-hand users should move the footstool from the right foot, and then move the guitar to rest on the left leg; this protrudes the guitar neck to the left and brings it up. This method may seem hard to use for longer periods at first, except you use a strap to hold the guitar up. However, it helps to put the neck in the best position for getting all the notes.
Standing up with a Strap
This is a useful technique regardless of the kind of gig you’re playing for or your preferred comfortable technique. If you choose to stand, it is recommended that you get a strap; they are quite affordable and useful. Importantly, note that you apply the same method if you choose to stand while practising or Performing.
Ultimately, you should try all techniques and as The Best Guitar Lesson in Burbank advise: Opt for the most comfortable technique for you.

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