Ok so itās my 4th night, just done the strumming on 1 with changes from A to D, loved it. Felt real progress from even 24 hours ago.
1st question is there a quicker way to get to this community page? Iām going right down to the small print at the bottom of the page and finding community then itās tricky to get back to the lesson page. Maybe itās my phone?
Question 2 Iām struggling to use the practice log, Iāve added an event and duration title but canāt seem to log anything. Iām keeping a journal with a pen and paper ( remember those?) so Iāll still be able to look back in a couple of weeks and smile at my trapping the bottom e string with my fat fingers etc
Question 3 when changing chords as shown in the video using an anchor finger (A to D) itv squeeks quite loudly when sliding back and forth, how do I eliminate this?
When using the phone I have one browser window with the main website and another with the community website which makes it easy to switch between the two.
For the practice assistant at the end of each module there is an option to add routine to practice assistant. If you use that then all you need to do is go to your dashboard and start practice. Below each practice item is an option to add notes as you practice. On the practice assistant there is a tab with an i for information which gives instructions for using the assistant as well as a video.
For the squeeking when changing chords that will improve as you develop. It is likely down to you still applying some pressure to the string while adjusting your fingering. I wouldnāt fret about that at the early stages and focus on getting your fingers moving to form the chord shapes and applying as little pressure needed for the notes to ring out crisp and clean.
You can create a āpseudo-appā by pulling down your menu (the three little dots in the upper right on an android browser) and selecting āadd to home screen.ā It will then show up like an app you can click on to come directly to the community.
On the iPhone, just save the open window to the Home Screen by tapping the small box with the arrow pointing up and find the āadd to Home Screenā button. Do it after you log in and it keeps you logged in when you open the bookmark.
The fact that youāre bothered with this squeaking is a good thing.
It will improve with time. There are things to do, but I would postpone it for a few months.
Thanks for your help, I think I understand the practice log now, so I start timer before practice and it will log it for me with my notes and comments. I might stick with my journal though. Iām quite enjoying keeping notes.
This is a good point, maybe it is far too early to worry about the little imperfections when the real issue should be finger placement and strumming. Thank you
I am not sure you can completely eliminate squeak if you change cords and retain contact with the strings.
The āanchor fingerā is a tool to keep you in place learning these first cords that share a string. Eventually, you may slide that finger less. Lighter , or not at all, perhaps, but there is frequently some sliding over the strings, for efficiency or effect.
Over time you will learn to minimize it by limiting sliding when you can, or using a much lighter touch.
It can also be somewhat dependent on the type of string you use and even your skin (you can be a more āsqueakyā person).
I believe that different string material, coatings and winding can affect squeak. I read that āflatā wound strings are specifically made for lower squeak and a quicker feel. Popular in jazz, maybe. They are pretty expensive and the tone alters too.
For classical strings, polished squeak less than rectified. My current classical strings Aquila Sugar (environmentally sound!) are notorious for squeak and we have a thread hundreds of posts long on the DelCamp forum about them. They donāt squeak for me, though and they are amazing!