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John McNichols
Past Notes
December 20th, 2019
John wasn't well practiced today, so we worked through some areas where he was having trouble.
The biggest challenge for him seems to just know when to strum chords. I would count and play the chord on beat 1 (1, 2, 3, 4, (Strum), 2, 3, 4 (Strum), 2, 3, 4 etc.)
After we did this for some time, he got much better at guessing where the next beat would be, although it's still something he should work on.
After that we switched between G, and C, every four beats (Cadd9 actually).
Merry Christmas!
December 13th, 2019
John was not here today.
December 6th, 2019
Today we added a new song Silent Night, but we ran out of time before we could get all the way through it
Before adding this song, I copied his last song into his book, along with the new chords we've been learning, (Dean Brody, Time), and then we went through it.
I'm getting a little nervous that you won't be paying me - I really hope you can submit payment soon, as I have bills to pay, and depend on this income.
November 22nd, 2019
We went through the Luke Bryan song since we didn't have a book to go over the "Santa Claus is Coming to Town Song." John has the chords for this song down pretty good, although he needs to be told when they change, as he hasn't learned to count through the beats yet.
We added a new song, by Dean Brody - Time. It's in Ab, but I transposed it down to G for John. It has a new chord: Cadd9, which makes the song easier to play.
I wrote it out on a piece of paper, and gave it to him (although, I'm not hopeful he'll ever bring it in again). :D
November 15th, 2019
John did well today - he said he didn't practice at all, but he's still keen and engaged. I hope you can get him to practice.
Also, you still are owing the full amount for all lessons - I would really appreciate being paid, please. My request is that lessons are paid a month in advance.
We wrote out a Christmas song for the school assembly - he wanted to do Santa Claus is coming to town. Please help him to remember to bring it with him next Friday.
Thanks!
November 8th, 2019
John forgot his stuff again today, but we went through Knockin' Boots a few times, and he's making some progress, although slowly.
If he isn't yet, even a few minutes of practice every day can really make a difference in switching chords more quickly. I understand that he's busy with hockey, and that's fine. :)
October 25th, 2019
John is sick today.
October 18th, 2019
John forgot his guitar but luckily I have one here that he's welcome to use every time if that's easier.
He said he got a book, which is awesome! Thank you! Now if we can remember it, that's cool.
I feel bad for making John cry today - I'm sorry. I asked about his dad, if he played hockey, and he said his dad died, and then I asked him details, to show interest, but I should probably have just changed the subject. I'm sorry.
We went through all the chords that he's been learning. He said he hasn't really practiced, but he's acutally doing not too bad considering. I would love to see him practice, because imagine then what he'd sound like!
We went over Luke Bryan's song Knockin' Boots and it has only three chords, A, E, and D. He's actually changing to the chords pretty quickly.
Bring everything next time! :D
October 11th, 2019
John still doesn't have a book. Please purchase a book for him, even from the dollar store - so we can write notes about what he's learning.
He forgot his papers that I've been writing on, so please try to bring those along next time as well. I wrote out Happy Birthday again, and the chords he learned, and included those on the paper.
We went through all the chords together, unfortunately, he couldn't really remember what we learned from other weeks. He said he had hockey every night this week, so wasn't able to practice. I understand that time is a premium, but if he wants to take lessons, then there's an expectation for practicing. I asked him to commit at least 1 minute a day to go over the chords. Ideally 10 minutes, but I'll take what I can get.
We added a song by Luke Bryan, called Knockin' Boots
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTJGOeW1qx8
I am simplifying the song somewhat to make it easier to play. He should practice the chords in this song especially so he can play along and switch with the time in the song.
The chords are A, E, and D.
October 4th, 2019
Help John to remember a book for writing in. Put the notes from 2 weeks ago, and this week into his book.
We worked on the chords G and E minor some more, and then added D, C, and A.
C was a little hard, but if he can work on it, then we can sing happy birthday.
I wrote out the chords for Happy Birthday on his paper.
Practice every day, on all the chords.
September 20th, 2019
Please send a note book for John next time.
We started with the names of the parts of the guitar. We drew a picture to help him see what each part is called.
He said he took piano last year and wanted to take guitar this year, but doesn't have one - it will be much easier if you can get him a guitar so he can practice.
John struggled with getting his fingers to cooperate - but he told me he wasn't getting frustrated. By the end of the lesson he was getting a G fairly close (fingers tend to slip to the wrong strings or frets). The E minor was easier for him (as it is for everyone).
He should practice switching between the chords, and racing himself to beat his time. He could practice every day for 10 minutes.
September 13th, 2019
Oops, John is on a class trip today. :)
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