Video Question: Understanding Notes

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Date: March 24th, 2008 | Length: 2.47 | Instructor: Mark Lincoln

Rodwhitney49 asks, "Steve, I have been taking your lessons, and I think they are great, but I am worried that I am missing something. When you start naming off string names and notes that each finger is playing, I am lost instantly. Do i need to understand what you are doing to advance? If so, how do you recommend that I learn what it is you are talking about. I am on your fifth lesson and i am doing alright at playing what you say to play but I am not sure about my level of understanding. What do I do? Thank You For Your Help, rodwhitney49" Another benefit of being a member of JamPlay is the video response section. Our expert staff fields questions from our members and provides video responses each week.

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Tuning Issues - November 5th, 2007 (3 minutes, 10 seconds)

Bridgmanbomb asks: "Hi I am new to the guitar and I just got an Ibanez guitar with a tremolo. Recently ive been having trouble tuning it and I think its because of the tremolo. Its easy to tune one string but whenever I tune another string it messes up the tuning of the other strings. I also notice my tremolo keeps rising whenever i try tuning. Do you have any tips thanks- David" View Response

Tuning and Measuring Notes - July 9th, 2008 (3 minutes, 50 seconds)

duaneellison asks, "Hello, I am sure there is a simple explanation but I don't understand something about tuning (well a lot of things, but that for a different question). I noticed this "problem" while trying to tune the new Squire Mini I bought for the kids. My chromatic tuner (Seiko SAT500) gave me the "green" dot for the strings - but the notes were not right and it sounded bad, bad, bad. So I went online and turned up my speakers and measured on the display the following for the different strings: E - C#2 A - F#2 D - B2 G - E3 B - G#3 e - C#4 Once I had this written down I went back to the Squire and retuned the strings making sure the display showed the same notes for the different strings. That brought everything in tune (duh) but what is the significances of the C#2, F#2, B2, E3, G#3 and C#4? I am sure it is something simple but I just don't get it! Thanks for the help and you guys have a really great site here! Keep up the good work! Duane..." View Response

Changing Scale Boxes - April 21st, 2009 (6 minutes, 19 seconds)

Hendoe30 asked "Hey Brad and DMAC, love the site it has really helped me out. I watched the video Q&A from 7/10/08 from john873 regarding mode changes and I was wondering if you could clear this up for me. I am definitely a beginner and I am currently learning the minor pent. scale and I was wondering this. . . In A minor pent. scale when you change from first position to second position do you leave on the root note in first position and start the second position on the root note in order to stay in key, or can you start on any part of the second position. I posted this in the forums but after 77 views and no responses I thought I would give this a shot. I know you guys have lives and can't read all the forums but can you give me some insight. You guys rock!!!" View Response

Sweeping Arpeggios - September 19th, 2007 (2 minutes, 27 seconds)

Billy asks "I have been trying these for about a year now and I just can't seem to nail them. Are their any exercises for both hands that will make it more easier. It seems that my left hand has the most problems." View Response

Master of Puppets Solo - November 5th, 2008 (5 minutes, 18 seconds)

Fenderboy writes: "Hi, I'm working on Metallica's Master of puppets solo 2. When it starts, there are some really fast notes on it. I don't really get it how to do this. When I play it, there is limitation of speed. I think there might be a special fingering. Please please give me some tips about this solo... Have a great day!! :)" View Response