Hello there! Here’s a video of me trying to add more flavor to the 1-5-6 chords. Feel free to share your thoughts.
I also have a question: I’ve found myself enjoying the practice process more than actually playing music. Does anyone else feel the same way, or is it just me? Im almost finished with grade3 and i can’t realy play any song if somebody ask me to
My thought process is that I want to really understand the music and be able to play it well before I start playing full songs. I’d appreciate any advice on that too. to clarify. I do practice songs, but I fall short when it comes to memorizing them. I guess I just don’t have the same motivation to commit them to memory once I know how to play them.
I think this is a bit chicken and egg, which comes first. Generally accepted wisdom here is that learning to play songs will help you to play well and understand the music.
Based on Justin’s recommendations, I’d expect the ability to play a few songs, from start to finish, by the end of Grade 1.
But if you are happy with practice routines and keep developing your ability, I guess there is no harm in it that I can see.
I completely understand what you mean and there are many others who do it this way and I think David is also certainly right.
But Learning to play a number of entire songs and now being able to play stand-alone songs in grade 3 is also a huge skill that will speed up your entire process and fun…
but requires a lot more brain power and dedication… start small.
I myself could also play a lot more “loose” skills than I could play songs since I started until the first 3 (?)years … and if I now think how many difficult the rhythm guitar songs with complicated additions and solos, that is still the case, but I am catching up now… and growing every week
I can hardly believe the difference between "Leonard Cohen Hallelujah " six months ago and how I play it now …now I sound good and the same with "Let It Be " and " John Lennon Imagine " with all additions as Justin teaches…
And /or look at more comlexed ones like “Tears in Heaven” some nice skills to find there …but some grades up
The most important thing is fun, but since you asked the question I suspect that you are now searching a little for more… start with one of those songs for example and see if you like it,
Hi Abanob, I can completely understand your doubts. We all have different approaches to learn the instrument and playing songs is a huge part of it we definitely shouldn’t miss. In an ideal world we would improve our technical skill set, our ability of playing songs and understanding what we are playing at the same time. Everything would go hand in hand and Justin offers us almost everything to do so…
But there is life, available time, motivation, individual preferences that determines us to do things differently. Or to set our focus more on one thing than to spread our attention equally.
I’m trying to learn songs that cover a certain skill set. I guess, it’s beneficial to put practice into context of a song and really rewarding. But due to personal circumstances, I’m behind in terms of “understanding” music. I should do more theory or more experimenting things to improve my understanding how things work. But I have that in mind…
I think you can’t be wrong with learning to understand music…it will help you for sure on the journey, but learning songs should be on your plate too.
Have fun!
I take a fairly intransigent view on this, much more strict and definitely less accommodating of difference than @DavidP and @roger_holland.
I am known for my mantra of learn songs, learn songs, learn songs. In my view, if you can’t play any songs you are not finished grade 3 (or grade 1 or grade 2 for that matter).
Bullet point 5 for grade 1.
Learning to play songs gives you exactly what you seek - and so much more. If you have the technical skills to be learning within grade 3 please learn some songs, lots of songs.
I definitely fired up quite a debate, didn’t I?
Well, the whole discussion really got me thinking about why I rushed into learning skills without playing actual songs. I remember when I started Grade 1, I really liked Call Out My Name by The Weeknd and I Belong To You. But when I searched for them on YouTube and tried to play along, the chords didn’t match what I was been tought — and that what made me siwtch my goals
Just to be clear! i do practice songs. @roger_holland I practiced Hallelujah pretty intensely, and it actually taught me how to handle 3/4 time, which I struggled with back then.
Even now, I’m still practicing diffrent songs and i practice usually what justin is suggesting in his lessons. Recently, I’ve been working on Blackbird, and right now I’m learning All the Small Things. But the thing is, once I’m able to play a song, my interest just fades.
So, to clarify. I do practice songs, but I fall short when it comes to memorizing them. I guess I just don’t have the same motivation to commit them to memory once I know how to play them.
As you move on into further ‘grades’, one crucial aspect of learning songs I’ve found, is the real value of context pressure, and focused purpose.
So not just learning how to play songs by rote, but studying and internalising their structures and techniques. You are then more likely to assimilate these competencies/ skilksets into your own toolkit to take with you wherever you go; whether that’s learning other sings, or creating your own music.
yes you are right, but he is already in grade 3 now and and I indicate that playing songs is an huge skill in grade 3…and should say 1 and 2 too
…I think it came across well that songs just have to be learned and that’s how it’s being handled now 