
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 FREELesson 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.Hi,Eve, Yes,I can switch chords between D to A and back to D, strumming Boom Chuck.
Hi Eve, I have enjoyed your lessions very much and doing much beyyer than every thought. I have a question about your guitar, what is the make, model and are they still in production. If I can ever get through all your lessions , would like to find one. Thanks
My guitar was made by William Laskin, a world famous guitar maker. You can find out more about him at http://www.williamlaskin.com
Your lessons are enjoyable and so helpful, but I'm stuck on this D chord. I just can't seem to get the 1st string/2nd finger to sound right while playing the 2nd string/3rd finger with it. Somehow I must shift my hand when I press down my 3rd finger which deadens the 1st string. I'm determined to get this, but am a little discouraged. Have been working on this now for 2 weeks. I find my left wrist hurting after practicing it and even my elbow sometimes. Any suggestions about what I might be doing wrong or what I might try?
Hi tator, first of all you should make sure you are staying as relaxed as possible. I know from what you are describing that the problem isn't how hard you are pushing down the strings, it is that one of your fingers is blocking another string. This is really common when you are first learning guitar, so don't get discouraged! It takes time. If you are experiencing pain you need to play less and you need to make sure you aren't contorting your body in ways that aren't good. You want your playing position to be as relaxed and natural as possible. Remember to try wiggling and squishing your fingers in different ways to see if you can get all the strings ringing. And be patient! It will come...
i knew it was only the first 4 strings too :/
I'm afraid that my hands haven't grown to their full size yet, so it is a little bit painful to play the D chord... Is their any alternate fingering for D that might help me?
Hi Zack, the only other fingering is actually harder, so I wouldn't recommend it. Be patient, and keep working at it a little at a time!
Practicing and trying to keep a steady beat. I think like this. Right first and the rest will come in due time. Enjoying your classes. :)
Thanks Eve. Your lessons are working well for me and I am improving somewhat. Getting a few callouses back, sore fingers still tho. ha ha n lol Very good lessons for that, especially on the steel string acoustic I have. Sore fingers still tho and hope that goes away soon too. My biggest problem is i get in too big of a hurry and i know i can't rush it. Thanks :)
First, I love your lessons. They are the best I have found so far for an absolute beginner like me. I really enjoy the guitar and can manage some strumming and a few scales and other simple moves. But chords are kicking my tush. I know the fingering for A, E and D and I can even moving from one to the other, albeit not very fast. But I can't do A or D without touching other strings causing them to sound "dead". E I can manage some of the time. I am trying just to practice the chords but I can't seem to improve. Do you have any other advice beside patience, patience, patence???
You got it. Wiggle and squish. Be patient. Trouble shoot your chords and see what is causing the problem. Move your fingers a little bit. Be patient.
Great lessons Eve. (See my coments elswhere.) But, am a little lost as to why you are strumming the fifth string, isnt a D the first 4 strings only? And if it is, then how do you play the 2 bass notes in the strumming pattern? Or is that the reason? Thanks.
Hi webworld, The D chord is played on the first 5 strings of the guitar. The only string you don't play is the 6th string. So the bass notes alternate between the 4th string and the 5th string. Try it, it sounds good!
Yeah, the root note is on the 4th string so a lot of times the people will play only the 4th, 3rd, 2nd and 1st strings but the open A string is part of the D Major chord!
Ok, thanks for your replies. But now its getting confusing. I have seen a few examples of chords being played differently all over the net! I am sure on this site and many others the tabs show a 'x' above the low e and a, so as not to play them. And we now are told to play the 5th string ! Help, why is music so confusing! (I guess most play the first 4 strings, until you strum this way, then you need to play the 5th eh ?)
One of the biggest things to remember is with guitar in many cases there is not a set or right thing to do. The reason you can choose to either play or not play the A string is not as complicated as it may seem. The D chord is made up of 3 notes, the D, A and F# notes. These 3 notes can be played as many times as you want, for instance if you had a guitar with 20 strings and could somehow finger it you could play a chord that has 7 d notes, 4 a notes and 6 F# notes and it would still be a D Major. Most people mute the 5th string when playing the D chord so the root (a d in this case) is played first, which gives it a more defined sound, however there is absolutely no reason you cannot play the A if it sounds good for you. I personally don't play the A when strumming, but of course use it when doing something that has an alternating bass. I think the main thing to remember is that no matter which way you play it it's still a D chord and is entirely a matter of personal preference as to which you think sounds better.
Thanks for the help and quick response. As I thought, theres more than one way to do the job, cheers. Am getting to grips with these lessons, and the easy few chords are helping. Now hoping Eve will do a few more song lessons using these chords, songs that I and friends can recognise round a camp fire, maybe a bit more modern! Keep up the good work Eve.
Thanks Tortuga! It was great to chat with you.
Great to see another lesson from you. I enjoyed last night's chat and have been practicing what I remember from it. Looking forward to a lesson on it. Thanks.