Quote:
Originally Posted by JayFreddy
Very nice, thanks for sharing! Can you explain more about "The String Mute 4000"? Seems like a great idea for kids. Is this just to keep the bass strings from ringing?
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That's right. I typically start them out learning how to play just a G chord, so I put the mute on 5th and 6th strings and have them fret 1st string, 3rd fret. We learn a handful of songs playing just that chord--"Are You Sleeping, Brother John," "Row, Row, Row Your Boat," and sometimes a few that really should have more than one chord, but sound decent with just one, like "Twinkle, Twinkle" and "The Itsy Bitsy Spider."
Then we move to two-chord songs--C and G7--and I move the mute to the 4th, 5th, and 6th strings. That way they can continue to just use one finger, fretting the 2nd string first fret, then the 1st string first fret. Getting that C chord to sound good is a huge accomplishment for any child under 7 years old. We play "The Hokey Pokey," "There Ain't No Bugs On Me," and "Buffalo Gals."
While we're dong this strumming stuff, we're also learning lots of bass lines on the 1st string. I've got a 5-year-old who's a huge KISS fan, and I've been teaching him simple bass lines to the choruses of KISS songs this way. He's almost ready to be singing along. "I WAS MADE FOR LOVING YOU BAYYYYBY!"
About alternate tunings...I have considered it, but haven't gone for it because 1) I still couldn't find a way to make it easier to CHANGE chords--sure, the 1 chord sounds fantastic, but they're stuck there; and 2) They might get confused or bummed out when we switch to regular tuning.
Still, that seems like a good idea for REALLY little kids who can't fret yet. I've got a 3-year-old right now who might be in that category (he's a new student). I might try an open C with him...
Thanks for your kind words about my tutorial!
Rob