Take creative, personalized guitar lessons with a SUNY Purchase alum focused on progress and expression.

The Student and Tutor worked on guitar tuning using a clip-on tuner, identified necessary accessories like a new capo and string winder, and refined right-hand strumming techniques. The Student practiced Lana Del Rey songs, demonstrating strong musicality. The next session will focus on a bar chords bootcamp.

Student and Tutor reviewed and introduced several open chords including G, A, and C major, alongside an initial exploration of the F major bar chord. They extensively practiced these chords within the context of Bob Marley's "Three Little Birds," focusing on reggae strumming patterns and chord transitions. Additionally, the Student worked on palm muting techniques and learned a guitar solo from Green Day's "When I Come Around." The Tutor will send chord diagrams and a video of the solo for follow-up practice.

The Student and Tutor focused on guitar finger-picking techniques, specifically practicing chord changes while maintaining correct right-hand finger assignments to strings. They clarified which bass string to pluck for G, D, E minor, and C major chords, and worked on applying appropriate pressure for a clear sound, especially for the C major chord. The Tutor also advised on replacing old guitar strings with lighter gauge ones to improve playability and sound.

The Student and Tutor reviewed and practiced playing "Come As You Are," focusing on power chords and solo technique. They then selected "When I Come Around" by Green Day as a new song, using it to practice ear training for basslines and learn the palm muting technique. The Student was assigned to independently figure out the solo for "When I Come Around" as homework.

Student and Tutor discussed guitar playing progress, focusing on improving chord transitions and introducing fundamental fingerpicking techniques. They practiced a specific exercise for smooth chord changes and an initial fingerpicking pattern. The Tutor will provide a video summary of the fingerpicking exercise via email, and future lessons were scheduled to continue practicing these new techniques.

Student and Tutor worked on guitar technique, including a right-hand warm-up focusing on octave exercises with metronome practice (eights, triplets, 16ths). They completed learning "Come As You Are" by adding the bridge and solo sections and reviewed "Back in Black," practicing its main riff and bridge sections at a reduced tempo. Homework includes practicing the octave technique, solidifying the two learned songs, and preparing to select a new song next week.