Learning to read notes and remembering chords

[thuynen1981]

#11870

Hi Renato,

After being away from this site for a while I came back and started in the foundational section once more. My level is still that of a beginner. I can read and find notes on the first 5 frets, after that I have to think before I can find them.

I was wondering what the best approach is with all the unfamiliar chords I see in the exercises. Is it good practice to learn every chord by heart the first time you come across an unfamiliar one? Or is it better to just play the songs and learn the chords over a longer period of time? Do you look at the notes or do you know where to play a chord based on its name alone?

My question basically is what the best approach is to learning the chords common to Bossa Nova. From my beginners perspective there seem to be so many different ones, I’m kinda looking for a system to remember them.

Hope you can help out.

Regards, Tom

[Renato]

#11871

Hello Tom, it’s good that you are here. I will try to help you here, but the best thing is to provide a lesson about this.

I can read and find notes on the first 5 frets, after that I have to think before I can find them.

This is one of the biggest challenges that a guitar students faces. To be honest it usually takes some time to master, and even so only if you study sistematically. I recommend you to watch the lesson #50 so you have an idea what I’m talking about.

Is it good practice to learn every chord by heart the first time you come across an unfamiliar one? Or is it better to just play the songs and learn the chords over a longer period of time?

I believe that it will take too much time to learn the chords names (or types) just by playing the songs. It’s a kind of passive attitude you have no control over. If you want to play the song you have to focus on the movements of your arms and fingers, the sound quality you are getting from the guitar, and the tempo perception. On the other hand if you want to learn chords you have to focus on the content of the song. I don’t think these approaches are complementary.
For example, I can have two different approaches when reading a music. If I want to practice sight-reading I will play all the score from beginning to end without repeat a single note. Even if I play one or more wrong notes. Because in this case the goal is to practice sight-reading and not perform the song. On the other hand, if I want to learn how to play the song, I will read some measures and practice a little until know them by heart. Then, a few more measures and so on.

Do you look at the notes or do you know where to play a chord based on its name alone?

I have played all the chords so many times that I can think about almost all possibilities instantaneously. But remember that I started practicing the guitar when I was seven.

My question basically is what the best approach is to learning the chords common to Bossa Nova. From my beginners perspective there seem to be so many different ones, I’m kinda looking for a system to remember them.

I will provide a lesson about this. Only for you think about. The more dissonances a chord has, the less possibilities to get it in different fretboard regions exist.

[thuynen1981]

#11872

Hi Renato,

Thanks for your reply!

I will check out lesson number 50 concerning learning notes.

As for the chords, I’m really looking forward to your lesson. A big thanks in advance.

I hope it will be accessible for someone like me without too much music theory knowledge.

I arrived at Bossa Nova after playing blues for a while which is a lot more simple then Bossa.

For example, I have no idea what a dissonance in a chord is ..

Kind regards,
Tom

[Renato Candro]

#12002

Hi Tom.

I’ve made two lessons to help those who want to better understand how the fretboard works.
I hope these lessons can help you too.

Best,
Renato.

[thuynen1981]

#12010

Hi Renato,

I’m just checking out the lesson on the fretboard and it’s great. Really nicely illustrated.

This well be a big help. For now my main focus will be learning all the notes in the three regions.

Thanks a lot for taking the time to do this.

Tom

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