Zoom sessions

Zoom sessions are optional and periodic, scheduled when enough learners ask for one. They are open to anyone, at any point in the eight weeks. They are for checking hand positions and correcting habits before they set.

Zoom's audio delay makes it impossible to play together in time. So everyone except the leader stays muted while playing along, and individual players unmute one at a time for correction.

Setup for every participant

In Zoom's audio settings, turn on Original sound for musicians. Without it, Zoom's noise suppression cuts out sustained guitar notes.
Angle the camera so it shows the fretting hand and the guitar neck from the side.

What a session looks like

Tune together (about 5 min).
Change check (about 10 min). Each person reports their one-minute change counts from the notebook.
Spotlights (about 20 min). Each person unmutes and plays eight bars of a song from their week. The leader corrects one thing, and only one.
Preview (about 10 min). Demonstrate the next chord and strum. Everyone tries it while muted.

Common problems and corrections

What you hear or see	Usual cause	Correction
A string buzzes	Fingertip too far from the fret, or pressing too lightly	Move the finger to just behind the fret wire and press with the tip
A string sounds dull or dead	A finger is leaning on the next string	Arch the knuckles and drop the thumb lower on the back of the neck
A pause before every change	Waiting for the next chord to be perfect	Lift the fingers on the last beat. Strum on time even if the chord isn't fully formed.
Tempo speeds up and slows down	Tempo is set by the easy chords	Practice to a metronome at 60 beats per minute
F sounds muddy	Low strings are being strummed	Strum only the top four strings; let the thumb rest against the low E
Sore wrist	Wrist bent sharply	Raise the guitar neck and bring the elbow in
Fingertip soreness	Normal for the first two weeks	Practice in shorter sessions. Stop if the pain is sharp.

I'm interested in a session

Tell us when you could join. A session is scheduled when enough people ask.