
The acoustic guitar is one of the most beloved instruments in the world. Eve Goldberg will guide you on your guitar playing journey.
Lesson 1
In this lesson, Eve Goldberg introduces the acoustic guitar. She talks about the parts of the guitar, the string names, and tuning.
Length: 27:16 Difficulty: 0.5 Members OnlyLesson 2
In this lesson, Eve Goldberg introduces the first chord in this series, the A chord. She also shows how this chord can be used to play a simple song.
Length: 22:54 Difficulty: 0.5 Members OnlyLesson 3
Eve Goldberg introduces the E chord. She explains how it is played and provides some exercises designed to improve your chord changing abilities.
Length: 21:54 Difficulty: 0.5 Members OnlyLesson 4
Eve Goldberg returns to the song "Swing Low" and talks about playing it with two chords instead of one.
Length: 16:20 Difficulty: 1.0 Members OnlyLesson 5
Eve talks about the boom-chuck strum pattern. This strum pattern will completely change the sound of your playing.
Length: 15:56 Difficulty: 1.0 Members OnlyLesson 6
Eve Goldberg teaches how the boom-chuck strum can be applied to the song "Swing Low."
Length: 8:16 Difficulty: 1.0 Members OnlyLesson 7
In this lesson, Eve introduces the D chord. You will also learn how to switch from the D chord to the A chord while applying the boom-chuck strum.
Length: 16:59 Difficulty: 1.5 Members OnlyLesson 8
Eve teaches the song "Little Birdy," which is a great tune to practice changing from the D chord to the A chord with your boom-chuck strum.
Length: 23:54 Difficulty: 1.5 Members OnlyLesson 9
You will learn the The Carter Family song "I'm Thinking Tonight of My Blue Eyes" in this lesson.
Length: 32:58 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 10
Eve talks about 3 chord songs and demonstrates a few as an example. She also introduces the capo.
Length: 10:36 Difficulty: 1.0 Members OnlyLesson 11
Eve continues her discussion on capos. She explains how to find a key by using a piano keyboard drawing.
Length: 12:28 Difficulty: 2.5 Members OnlyLesson 12
Eve introduces the flatpick. She explains the proper way to hold it and strum.
Length: 10:00 Difficulty: 1.5 Members OnlyLesson 13
Eve shows you how to to compliment your boom-chuck strum by adding an A to D bass run.
Length: 14:59 Difficulty: 2.5 Members OnlyLesson 14
In this lesson, Eve furthers your knowledge of bass runs by teaching the E to A bass run.
Length: 22:59 Difficulty: 2.5 Members OnlyLesson 15
Eve continues her discussion of bass runs and also covers some great practicing techniques.
Length: 22:46 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 16
Eve introduces the G chord and practices changing to and from other chords you have learned. This is important for the next song you will learn.
Length: 14:06 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 17
Eve teaches the song "Gold Watch and Chain" using the G chord you learned in the last lesson.
Length: 19:02 Difficulty: 2.5 Members OnlyLesson 18
Eve shows you how to add a little spice to your standard boom-chuck strum in this lesson.
Length: 10:54 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 19
You've learned the Boom-Chuck strum. You've learned the Boom-Chucka strum. Now you will learn the Boom-a-Chucka strum. Have fun!
Length: 13:16 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 20
Eve shows how to incorporate the A to D bass run into the song "Gold Watch and Chain."
Length: 18:10 Difficulty: 2.5 Members OnlyLesson 21
Get ready for a new run! Eve teaches the D to A bass run in this lesson.
Length: 30:35 Difficulty: 2.5 Members OnlyLesson 22
Learn how to add even more flavor to "Gold Watch and Chain" by including a bass run from D to G.
Length: 20:02 Difficulty: 2.5 Members OnlyLesson 23
Learn the G to D bass run and incorporate it into the song "Gold Watch and Chain."
Length: 29:10 Difficulty: 2.5 Members OnlyLesson 24
Eve encourages you to take all of the tools you've learned thus far and apply them to the song "Gold Watch and Chain."
Length: 16:07 Difficulty: 2.5 Members OnlyLesson 25
Eve introduces a new song called "Hobo's Lullaby."
Length: 15:26 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 26
Eve introduces fingerpicking in this lesson by using the song "Hobo's Lullaby" as an example.
Length: 24:19 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 27
Eve adds a D to G bass run into the song "Hobo's Lullaby."
Length: 19:27 Difficulty: 2.5 Members OnlyLesson 28
Eve adds the bass run from A to D into the song "Hobo's Lullaby."
Length: 16:45 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 29
Eve adds the bass run from G to A into the song "Hobo's Lullaby."
Length: 19:55 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 30
Eve Goldberg finishes up her lessons on "Hobo's Lullaby" by adding one final technique: The D Doodad.
Length: 30:49 Difficulty: 2.5 Members OnlyLesson 31
Eve Goldberg continues her beginner series with another amazing song called "Careless Love."
Length: 12:34 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 32
Eve Goldberg continues her discussion on "Careless Love" with a lesson about the pattern and chord changes of the song.
Length: 16:09 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 33
Eve Goldberg takes a look at the G chord fingerpicking pattern for the song "Careless Love."
Length: 14:45 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 34
Eve Goldberg continues "Careless Love" with a lesson about the fingerpicking pattern for the D chord.
Length: 16:48 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 35
Eve teaches a Travis style picking pattern for the C chord. She also explains how to make the change from the C to the G pattern.
Length: 10:02 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 36
Eve wraps up "Careless Love" with a lesson about putting the whole song together.
Length: 16:12 Difficulty: 2.5 Members OnlyLesson 37
Eve Goldberg introduces a new song called "Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad."
Length: 11:06 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 38
Eve Goldberg reviews the chord structure for the song "Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad."
Length: 13:21 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 39
Eve Goldberg returns to "Goin' Down the Road Feelin' Bad" with a lesson all about the hammer-on.
Length: 9:40 Difficulty: 2.5 Members OnlyLesson 40
Eve Goldberg continues her discussion of the hammer-on. She explains how a hammer-on can be used within a C major chord and the importance of timing.
Length: 13:18 Difficulty: 0.0 Members OnlyLesson 41
Eve adds the G chord hammer-on to the song "Goin' Down the Road Feelin' Bad."
Length: 15:15 Difficulty: 2.5 Members OnlyLesson 42
Eve gives a quick review of what you have learned so far in "Goin' Down the Road Feelin' Bad." Then, she dives into some bass runs that can be added to the chord progression.
Length: 13:54 Difficulty: 0.0 Members OnlyLesson 43
Eve plays the G to C run in the song "Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad." Then, she breaks it down for practice.
Length: 16:42 Difficulty: 0.0 Members OnlyLesson 44
Eve taught the G to C bass run in the last lesson. In this lesson, she teaches you how to go from C back to G.
Length: 16:42 Difficulty: 0.0 Members OnlyLesson 45
Eve Goldberg covers a transitional chord between G and Em that functions like a bass run.
Length: 16:42 Difficulty: 0.0 Members OnlyLesson 46
Eve Goldberg wraps up "Goin' Down this Road Feelin' Bad" with a lesson that combines all the techniques you have learned in the song.
Length: 17:12 Difficulty: 0.0 Members OnlyLesson 47
Eve Goldberg introduces a new song called "Stewball" in this lesson. Get started with a little history and some basic concepts.
Length: 10:11 Difficulty: 0.0 Members OnlyLesson 48
Eve Goldberg talks about the chord structure for the song "Stewball" in this lesson.
Length: 11:48 Difficulty: 0.0 Members OnlyLesson 49
Eve Goldberg wraps up the song "Stewball" with some strum pattern variations.
Length: 15:08 Difficulty: 0.0 Members OnlyLesson 50
Eve Goldberg returns to JamPlay with another exciting addition to her beginner series! Here you will take a look at "Drunken Sailor". Eve builds on this song in lessons to come.
Length: 16:44 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 51
Eve Goldberg returns to the song "Drunken Sailor" with some great tips on strumming patterns and more.
Length: 21:14 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 52
Eve Goldberg finishes up "Drunken Sailor" with some new strumming exercises.
Length: 13:45 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 53
Eve Goldberg dives into "Haul Away Joe," another fun sea shanty.
Length: 25:29 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 54
Eve Goldberg takes another look at "Haul Away Joe" with a brand new strumming pattern.
Length: 17:32 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 55
Eve Goldberg starts on a new folk song called "The John B. Sails". This particular song was later made famous by The Beach Boys under the title of "Sloop John B".
Length: 21:42 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 56
Eve Goldberg continues with "The John B. Sails". This time she introduces a brand new strumming pattern.
Length: 17:47 Difficulty: 2.5 Members OnlyLesson 57
Eve Goldberg finishes up "The John B. Sails" lessons with a couple of brand new chords and a new strum.
Length: 24:16 Difficulty: 2.5 Members OnlyLesson 58
Eve Goldberg dives into some basic, practical theory to expand your knowledge of the guitar. In this lesson, she talks about the I-IV-V progression and explains the circle of fifths.
Length: 13:30 Difficulty: 1.5 Members OnlyLesson 59
Eve Goldberg continues her practical theory discussion, this time with an emphasis on minor chords and how they fit in.
Length: 13:52 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
About Eve Goldberg
View Full Biography
Imagine a kitchen party where Mother Maybelle Carter, Ella Fitzgerald, Mississippi John Hurt, Bessie Smith, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, and Patsy Cline show up, and you begin to get a sense of what it feels like inside songwriter Eve Goldberg's head. Never one to restrict herself to one genre of music, Eve has performed her trademark mixture of folk, blues, country, bluegrass, old time, and jazz in venues ranging from small house concerts to the prestigious Kennedy Center in Washington DC since 1990.
Eve was born in the Boston area but has called Toronto, Ontario home since 1981. As a child, she was dragged to folk concerts by the likes of The Weavers, Doc Watson, Arlo Guthrie, the Watersons, and countless others. Eventually it sank in, and as a teenager she began to devour all kinds of contemporary and traditional roots music. She began performing in 1990, and hasn't looked back since. Along the way she's earned the respect of legendary musicians like Peggy Seeger, Geoff Muldaur, and Penny Lang.
Her watercolour voice and solid guitar style has become a favourite at festivals, folk clubs, and concert series across Canada and the US. With an equal passion for traditional music, and for the art of songwriting and interpretation, Eve's performances are intimate and relaxed, moving effortlessly from folk classics to original gems, all wrapped up in her clear, pure voice and dynamic guitar playing. She has released two albums to widespread acclaim -- 1998's "Ever Brightening Day" released on her own Sweet Patootie Music label, and 2003's "Crossing the Water," released by The Borealis Recording Company. Her instrumental tune "Watermelon Sorbet" was used for years as the opening theme to the popular CBC national radio show "Richardson's Roundup."
Her latest album "A Kinder Season" was released in September 2007 on Borealis Records (US Release: Jan 9, 2007). Recorded in the months after her mother's death, the album is a remarkable personal testament to the joy and hope that lurks somewhere beyond the heartache, and the sweetness that can be found even in the bitterest seasons of life. Produced by Ken Whiteley, "A Kinder Season" features twelve new originals that firmly establish Eve as a compelling and thoughtful writer whose songs draw honey from the rock of human experience. As legendary blues musician Geoff Muldaur put it, "As far as I'm concerned, Eve Goldberg is on the verge of riches. Big name folks would want to get hold of this stuff."
In January 2008, Eve released "The Streets of Burma," a song inspired by the peaceful demonstrations of monks and nuns in Burma in September 2007. Since then, Amnesty International Canada has used the song as part of its campaign to free U Gambira, one of the monks arrested following his participation in the protests. Visitors to www.amnesty.ca/streetsofburma/ can listen to a preview of the song, find out more about the situation in Burma, sign an e-postcard to help free U Gambira, and if they want, download the song in exchange for a donation to Amnesty International Canada.
"A pure and pleasing voice and a performance style that know no bounds."
- Greg Quill, Toronto Star
"...one of the most promising young singers in the Canadian folk scene"
- Alistair Brown, Greenman Review
"Wow! Ever Brightening Day is one of the best albums I've heard this year!"
- Back Porch Music Distribution
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Member Comments about this Lesson
Discussions with our instructors are just one of the many benefits of becoming a member of JamPlay.Is it ok to play with a pick instead of thumb and fingers? I am 55 years old and learning for the first time and started with a pick a few weeks ago. Thanks!
Eve, I'm finding your lessons very helpful. I really like your teaching style. Looking forward to completing this series with you. Laura
I have been practicing chords for a few weeks now (lesson 5) and am having a lot of difficulty moving between chords while keeping the rhythm of the right hand going with the boom struck strum . That is right hand thumb and fingers move up ready for next strum while changing chords. Having a lot of trouble doing these actions simultaneously. Any suggestions in terms of practise techniques
Hi Jake, how are you progressing? Are you able to make the chord changes OK by themselves? Eve has a saying of "It just takes some tree time". By that she means finding a quiet place to practice, start slowly, and build your speed up.
You might want to try isolating the two parts, practicing just the alternating bass alone, and the strum with the chord changes alone, then work on combining them. Just a thought. Don't forget you might be able to catch a live QA with Eve and ask her a question, and if you have a web cam you can show her what you're doing to see if she can make a suggestion.
Hi Eve Great lessons having a bit of trouble moving from E,to A but A to E is fine just starting my boom chuck at 54 just got my first guitar apart from having trouble getting my three sausage size fingers in the 2nd fret for the A cord , it seems to be going OK here in England. Thanks again.
Hi Eve Great lessons having a bit of trouble moving from E,to A but A to E is fine just starting my boom chuck at 54 just got my first guitar apart from having trouble getting my three sausage size fingers in the 2nd fret for the A cord , it seems to be going OK here in England. Thanks again.
lol I've been using a flatpick this whole time :) Whoopsies :P i can play both ways perfectly fine though
keeping at it!!! :)
I am enjoying your classes and here for the long haul. thanks for your help. :)
Your'e a really good teacher :)
Hi Eve -- although I have been taking classes from another instructor on Jamplay, I have enjoyed seeing your method of teaching. One question though, in your initial lessons, i.e., the thumb strumming -- are you mainly struming with the fleshy part of the side of the thumb, or the side of the thumbnail? Is the thumbnail ever used? My nail seems to keep getting caught up in the strings -- maybe something I have to "unlearn." Thanks.
Just the fleshy part of the thumb -- you don't want to mess your nails!
I have started to learn the guitar a few times--with your lessons I find I am actually making progress. Your pacing is perfect for me. Thank so much.
How long should One take on each of the lessons example building chords and chord changes and knowing where the strings are located on the boom chuck strum these seem to be where I am lagging
Personal preference really. My recommendation would be to practice it until you know the material, and then move on, but be sure to keep practicing the previous lessons as part of your daily practice session until you have it absolutely perfect. Obsessing over the same couple of chords for too long can really demotivate you and hurt your playing in the long run.
I think Jeff is right on, taylorman. You probably won't get it perfectly right off the bat, but keep practicing at it. The lessons that come after all build on the same skills so as you practice those lessons you'll still be working on the boom-chuck strum. It takes time! And you can always come back and spend a little time on this lesson whenever you want, but you don't want to lose interest!
Hi Eve I am having trouble locating the stings on the boom chuck strum and changing the chords how long should one take for each of your lessons
Happy New Year! My resolution this year is to learn to play the guitar well. With you and all the other great instructors on this website I'm sure I'm well on my way. I've definetely found a great place to call home. Thanks for the great lessons.
Great to hear that hoosier! I hope that you have many happy years of playing the guitar, now that you've started, and I'm glad my lessons are helping you on the way.
Thanks Eve. You really Folk! lol
Hi Eve, never in a million years did I think I would start to learn guitar and at my age(68 ) old man ! Thank you for making it look so easy!! Ron S. Penfield NY
Glad you are having fun Ron, keep it up!
eve why on the e chord you pick the e stirng then picked the d string why not the a string
Hi angie, there are lots of options when you are playing bass notes for a chord. So it really comes down to aesthetic choices and what you like to hear. One of the strings is pretty much ALWAYS the root note of the chord (an E note if you are playing an E chord, or an A note if you are playing an A chord, etc.). After that, you can often choose what the alternating note is. So for an E chord, you could play the 6th string and the 5th string instead of the 6th string and the 4th string. I really like the sound of the 4th string more when I'm playing an E chord, so that's what I tend to default to. But once you have the idea of how the bass notes work, it's really your choice. Have fun!
Great lessons! I feel like I'm actually playing something now. I have a question though. Under the supplemental content/lesson exercises, I have no idea how to read the music, what the TAB means or the 0, 1, 2 numbers are for. Is there a tutorial you can point me at as I seem to have lost something along the way. Thanks!
Hi aree, I'm sure there is a lesson somewhere on the site that shows you how to read tablature, but I'm not sure where it would be-- maybe someone else can chime in here (you might want to ask the question in the forum, where more people would see it). The idea is that each line represents a string on the guitar. The top line is the high E string (the one closest to the floor) and the bottom line is the low E string (the one closest to your head). The number tells you what fret on that string is being played (O= open, 1= 1st fret, 2= 2nd fret, etc). That's pretty much all there is to it, but it takes a little getting used to. Good luck, and feel free to post questions in my forum if you want more help.
Thank you for your comments on the hills and valleys. I thought I was getting good, until I had to think with my right hand. :)
Hey mlapia, you are not alone! We all go through ups and downs with our playing, and that's especially true when you add something new into the equation. Like your right hand :-)
Hi Eve, That was nice lesson. Could you please let me know your guitar brand and type and suggest me one?
Hi Chandra, I'm playing a handmade guitar that was build by a luthier friend of mind, Grit (William) Laskin. You can see more about him at http://www.williamlaskin.com But I'm guessing you are looking for something a little more in the budget range! So, I would highly recommend the following brands: Art & Lutherie or Simon & Patrick. They are made by the same company, and they are great starter guitars. They stay in tune, are easy to play, and the sound pretty good. And they are fairly inexpensive. Having said that, the best thing to do is to go the guitar store, and try a lot of guitars yourself. Evey guitar is different, even two guitars of the same model can sound and feel different. You want to find something that is comfortable to hold and play, and something that you like the sound of. If you have a friend who is a more experienced guitar player, it might help to take them with you. Also, you might want to check the forum -- there are a few threads about beginner guitars that will have other suggestions. Good luck!
thank you eve well explained lesson !cant get any simpler than how you teach it......
Thanks rockingchicago, I'm glad you enjoyed the lesson.
Thanks for the lessons Eve - the words of encourangement too, even with all your experience you obviously remember what it felt like when you first picked up a guitar. Ive been playing for a few months and kinda getting to know how it eventually comes together but hearing you talk about that definately helps. Thanks !!
Thanks for the info on the roots of the chords, and the nice practice strumming example.
Glad the information was helpful. Let me know if you have questions!
Hey, my pleasure! It's great for me to meet a whole bunch of new students from all over!
I love your teaching method. You are teaching exactly the way I wanted someone to teach me and I was getting frustrated when I couldn't find someone. Thank you so much!