FREE LESSONS:

RIGHT-HAND WALK


In the following lesson the student will explore an exercise in the right-hand that will force them to always alternate fingers. Repeating digits in the right-hand are ok in some situations but, in most cases it should be avoided. The lesson will demonstrate an easy walk using the "i" and "m" fingers up and down and later an excerpt from Beethoven's ninth symphony in order to show how the concept works into action. I recommend this video to the students that have a desire to gain speed, precision and clarity in their playing. Enjoy!


Students cannot always remember everything that their instructors try to teach them during a lesson. As a result, they arrive at the next lesson making some of the same mistakes or not understanding the purpose of the assignment. In addition, there are certain concepts about the instrument that can be explained using examples of musical etudes, excerpts and method's book designed by great guitar masters. It is the teacher's job to challenge their students to become critical thinking musicians. Teaching them about the foundations of guitar technique and how to have a productive practice time will help them become independent.


The topics will vary for each level and each music genre. Although, the lessons are based on common struggles that either I had in the past or I've seen some of my students do. I will try to produce a new video once a week and I am open to suggestions. If there is a topic on guitar that you would like to know more or if there is something about my playing technique that you would like to learn how you can do it, please send me an email. Also, if there are any questions about the lessons after the video, please contact me! 


RIGHT-HAND WORKOUT


The purpose of this video is help the student gain some strength and speed in the right-hand fingerpicking movements. Even though the exercised proposed in the video is a  rasgueado which is a strumming technique used in flamenco guitar, the goal is to help the student develop those muscles in the right-hand and get in touch with the natural movement of a fist. This is short lesson with one brief example of how to include the rasgueado in your daily practice routines.

PRACTICING THE BASIC CHORDS​:


The following lesson was designed for beginner students that struggle with switching chords at a faster phase. Through the introduction of micro-phrasing, I will teach the student an important practicing concept that it can be used at all levels of studying. There are several great videos devoted to how to build the basic chords, my lesson is for the student that is beyond that stage. Check it out and contact me if you have any questions.

RIGHT-HAND ARPEGGIO


Right-hand arpeggios are used in all genres of music that include the guitar. This lecture will explain the importance of being relaxed and finding a position that avoids tension on the right-hand. In addition, there is an arpeggio exercise that I use on my daily practice routine and a few examples from the Mauro Giuliani 120 right-hand studies. A guitarist can never have too many resources, this lectures briefly explains how a solid right-hand arpeggio technique can become a powerful asset to your playing. Check it out and contact me if you have any questions.

INTRO TO BOSSA NOVA GROOVE:


The first step to play Bossa Nova well is to learn how to groove well. The goal of this lesson is to help the student develop a steady bossa pattern in the right-hand. Most students wonder what does it take to acquire a authentic Brazilian sound and the secret is with listening. Listening to Bossa Nova and Brazilian music will help the student to become more familiar with the groove and the style. Enjoy! 

email: marcusdejesus@marcusdejesus.com
phone: 563-581-3099

YESTERDAY VIDEO LESSON 2#


Following up from the first lesson on this iconic Beatles tune, I will walk my students through efficient ways to practice using the lead sheet and the chords. Using the concept first introduced during the second video lesson called microphrasing, anything is possible! Trying to conquer small goals during each practice section may seem slow. However, its more important to constantly be making progress rather than rushing through necessary learning steps.

2 and 4 STRUMMING


Music composed in the last 70, 80 years or more is "grooving high" and,  syncopation plays an essential structure role in sustaining the groove. The guitar is able to imitate several instruments and in this case, a strumming pattern that aims to sound like the high heads of a drum set is what the video will teach you. Remember that control is all that a musician hopes to accomplish when learning a new task. Therefore, do not forget to use the metronome. 

RIGHT-HAND PATTERN 2#


A new right-hand fingerpicking pattern that serves quite well for pop songs, some folk and other popular genres. This lesson is short and sweet but it reviews the concept of planting the right-hand fingers and eliminating space. Remember that practicing these patterns requires patience and the use of the metronome. 



OUTLINING THE RIGHT-HAND


Controlling the movements of the right-hand is extremely important in order to create a clear tone. The ragueado is a common strumming technique used especially in Spanish folk music and wonderful  for increasing the strength of the fingers because it uses the movement of a closed fist. This lesson is a follow up of the "Right-hand workout." 

INTRODUCTION TO SCALES:


Scales are a essential part of music learning because it allows the guitarist to explore foundations of music theory. In a practical point of view, scales are one the steps for those who desire to move from playing basic chords on the guitar and begin to play solos. The video will introduce a format of the G major scale that can be transferred to other keys. In addition, the video will explain that scales itself only show one side of learning how to solo. Scales in reality are only letters of an alphabet. The student must learn how to put some put these "letters" into a practical context. Therefore, at the end of the video lesson there is a brief touchable on arpeggios.

LEFT-HAND SPIDER:


This short lesson will help the student strength precision, speed, coordination and help get over the pain of stretching the fingers between the frets of the guitar. The video shows a  simple chromatic exercise and touches base in how each finger should be positioned. In addition, there is the "TAPE PRACTICE" where the student will put a piece of tape between the left thumb (P) and the back of the neck of the instrument. The purpose of this last exercise is to help the student maintain a correct position of the thumb (P), something that beginner students often struggle.


YESTERDAY VIDEO LESSON


What's a lead sheet? How to practice the melody and how to master the chords? Please remember to review the concept of micro phrasing which is dividing each measures and identifying problems. In addition, before playing the melody, become familiar with the rhythm by clapping with the metronome. Finally, take a moment to map the melody on the fretboard of the guitar. Where each finger on the right and left hand will go. 


RIGHT-HAND GROOVE:


Learning how to groove is essential especially for beginner guitarists. On this mini-lecture, the goal is to experiment with two strumming exercises: The first one follows a simple up and down movement of the right-hand in a eighth note pattern. The second exercise is a groove that can be used in pop tunes and it should be explored as when practicing with a audio recordings of various songs. Finally, make sure the use a metronome and work in controlling the movements. Practice at the speed of no mistakes.

LEFT-HAND ROUTINES


Acquiring control over each fundamental movement may be one of the most important paths to succeed in guitar studies. The following lesson demonstrates 2 different left-hand routines from the Pumping Nylon book written by Scott Tenant. In the first exercise the goal is move 2 fingers along side the same fret in either a descending or ascending direction with the purpose of developing finger independence. In the second exercise, the student will explore one of the fundamental tools of guitar technique: slurs! the second routine is important to be able to master it because it forces the guitarist to use the most of the fingertips of the left-hand in addition to other things.


OPEN STRINGS:


The open strings can be a powerful asset in classical guitar. This lesson will touch base on what type of timbre does the open string produces in comparison to a fretted note and, it will explain when is advisable to incorporate open strings on a melody line and when its not. Mauro Giuliani's Etude No. 1 is the first example used to demonstrate how you can use the open strings to easily switch positions on the fingerboard of the guitar. Finally, a music excerpt from a BWV 1000 Bach Fugue will be used to show how in guitar you can approach the same musical passage using a different fingering. Check it out and contact me if you have any questions.