April 2026 Content

1. Feel it Out

This is all about starting to use your sense of touch to orient yourself in a basic way - without looking at your hand! Use the first finger, or any other finger, on your fret hand to feel and identify each string. Feel the differences in size and texture from one string to another. Engage your sense of touch. Say each string name out loud as you come into contact with it.

Do the same thing with your pick. Place it in the air above your big E string. Let the pick come to rest on the E string. Say "E" aloud. Then move it slowly over the E string so it comes to rest on the A string, say "A" aloud. Keep that up for all the strings.

2. Don't Push

Let's take that last concept and amp it up. This one is for intermediate players or adventurous spirits ready to tolerate and tackle any possible frustration that might roadblock progress. Make a basic chord shape for your instrument - let's just use G. Place your fret hand on the strings and over the frets required to make that chord, but apply no pressure. Now, switch your fingers to the D chord shape, but try to keep your fingers in contact with the strings. The goal is to make minimal movements: economy of motion. Ideally, you won't hear any open strings ring out between chord switches. If you do hear an open string ringing, you've lifted your fingers too far from the strings. This exercise is similar to using Chinese Medicine Balls. Hearing a ringing sound means we have lost control. At first, practice for smoothness. Once you get the hang of basic switches, try to add some speed and repetitions.

3. Don't Look

When playing fretted instruments it's common for experienced and inexperienced players to crane their necks to try to see what their fingers are doing on the fretboard -- Don't. Instead, use those dots on the side of the neck. They are there for a reason. These help you get your "bearing". The the rest is found by feel. Using these dots can help immensely when shifting. This will lead to a much more relaxed playing posture. Most guitar dots are on frets 3, 5, 7, 9 and 12. The twelfth fret is usually marked with double dots. Different instruments and instrument makers place these fret markers differently. You will need to learn and memorize how your instrument is laid out.

4. Close Your Eyes

So often, we listen to music with our eyes instead of our ears. Most people aren't even aware they are engaging one sense more than the other. Remove wicked temptation and visual stimulation completely. Close your eyes. Listen to a song you are wanting to learn in Tunefox, or in a playlist, and close your eyes. You will focus more deeply on the sounds you are experiencing and will likely start to relax some. It's a win-win.

Remember, we provide links to Spotify and Apple music for most songs in our song list. You can also listen to Tunefox arrangements anywhere with the app and some good headphones or earbuds. Listen with the tempo slowed down to better understand what's happening in the song. Use the focus feature to hear a piece repeatedly. Listening is important.

5. Keep 'em Closed

Try playing something on your instrument with your eyes closed. This requires memorization. If you have a song memorized, give it a shot. If not, try something foundational like a scale or banjo roll pattern. Mistakes will be made. That's to be expected. It's part of the learning process. Go slow, be patient with yourself and keep trying. Take big breaks and short breaks whenever or wherever you need to.

Make sure you are playing something that isn't too far beyond your skill level to avoid frustration. Something like the one finger workouts on banjo would be great for this. Once you get the hang of it, playing with your eyes closed can be very relaxing.