Ask Doktor Dave

May 2008

davidshanes asks: I am just learning acoustic guitar. I have been taking lessons for 5 months. How do I speed up my chord changes so they are smoother?

Doktor Dave Answers: The same way you get to Carnegie Hall…practice, practice, practice.

A simple and obvious answer, I know. But it’s the only thing that works. Keep playing those progressions over and over. Eventually, it becomes second nature to you and you’ll be proficient at it.

Keep in mind you won’t be playing the same progressions all the time. The idea is to train your hand to do what you want it to do and when. Changing your routine helps. There are also various isometric exercises you can do to help develop your ear-to-hand coordination.

JR asks: I’m interested in getting a Melodica.  Do you happen to know anything about them?

Doktor Dave Answers: I don’t know anything about playing Melodicas, but I have heard and seen them used. I did a little comparison/research on Musician’s Friend.

Melodicas do have a unique sound, which means they have a unique application. They aren’t normally used on *every* song. Further, they require both hands…so you can’t play that and the guitar at the same time, as you can with a harmonica.

All that being said and you’ve decided to get one, it seems that (of the melodicas Musicians Friend stocks) any of the models below the “pro-level” model (HM-36 – $200) are of similar quality and tone.

I’d suggest the student model ($40) if you’re just trying it out. I wouldn’t consider anything more expensive unless I intended to use it a lot.

You might be better served by a harmonica. There are many different sizes and shapes capable of unique sound and tone. They’re also more durable and suitable to a wider variety of music. Treat yourself to a Billy Watson show sometime… [oh YEAH!]

That’s my “practical” opinion…but sometimes, you just WANT something a little unique. It can inspire a new approach to your writing and performance of music. And that’s not a bad thing. [smile]

That’s it for this month. If you have further questions, comments or nits to pick with me…leave a comment. Comments are good. Yes, they are.

Aloha!

>Doktor Dave<