timo101
Verified buyer
04/26/20
This has enough material to provide months of practice!
3D Acoustic Guitar
Igniting creativity with percussion, alternative tunings and rhythmic harmonics
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About this course
How do you brew a veritable renaissance in acoustic guitar music? Mix equal parts of percussion, harmonics and alternate open tunings. Spice freely with tapping, hammers, brushes, and groove. Flavor with invention and compelling melody. Place all of the ingredients in the hands of an impressive assembly of masters including, but certainly not limited to, Michael Hedges, Kaki King, Jonatha Brooke, Preston Reed, Andy McKee and Vicki Genfan. Then stand back in wonder and amazement.
3D Acoustic Guitar from Vicki Genfan is a dream come true for we apprentices and enthusiasts of this emerging and exciting new style of acoustic guitar. Three years in the making, 3D Acoustic Guitar is the very first comprehensive study program to pass on the technical skills and insight that are requisite to master the style.
There's no one better qualified to guide your apprenticeship than Vicki Genfan. Vicki spent the better part of 20 years experimenting with and exploring the use of open tunings, percussive techniques, harmonic tapping, bass note slapping and all of the other nuances of the style. Her expertise and artistry were clearly validated by winning Guitar Player Magazine's coveted Guitar Superstar award in 2008, rising above hundreds of other contestants in the annual competition. Judges Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Elliot Easton, George Lynch and Brendon Small were unanimous in their decision.
Vicki has organized 3D Acoustic Guitar into two sections. The first section covers techniques; thumb slaps, harmonic tapping, harmonic brushing, left-hand harmonics, body percussion, hammering single notes and chords, vibrato and how to establish and maintain groove. Vicki goes into great detail on each technique and includes very effective exercises and etudes to get you up and running very quickly.
The second section focuses on creating and exploring alternate open tunings. While Vicki composes and performs in 31 open tunings, she thoroughly explores five of her favorites (C2, Dsus, D2, C-9sus4 and C 6/9) replete with six jaw-dropping, full-length performances of her most popular tunes; Cause of You, New Grass, Let It Rain, Impossanova, Kali Dreams, C-9 Improvisation and the award-winning Atomic Reshuffle.
Each tune is meticulously notated and tabbed using a very clear and inventive approach for notating this particular style. Also included in this section, Vicki's 12 Steps to Exploring New Tunings is in itself, one of the most ear- and eye-opening tutorials on the subject of open tunings.
Perhaps the most significant quality of 3D Acoustic Guitar is how accessible the techniques are and how quickly you will be able to employ them in your playing. Naturally, honing the skills to perform Vicki’s tunes at her level will take you many years, but this course is more about getting a grip on the style's tunings, percussive qualities and right- and left-hand techniques.
Whether you work with Vicki’s tunings or invent your own, as she very effectively demonstrates, you will be generating exciting new sounds and making incredible new and original music from the very first lesson. Join the renaissance!
3D Acoustic Guitar from Vicki Genfan is a dream come true for we apprentices and enthusiasts of this emerging and exciting new style of acoustic guitar. Three years in the making, 3D Acoustic Guitar is the very first comprehensive study program to pass on the technical skills and insight that are requisite to master the style.
There's no one better qualified to guide your apprenticeship than Vicki Genfan. Vicki spent the better part of 20 years experimenting with and exploring the use of open tunings, percussive techniques, harmonic tapping, bass note slapping and all of the other nuances of the style. Her expertise and artistry were clearly validated by winning Guitar Player Magazine's coveted Guitar Superstar award in 2008, rising above hundreds of other contestants in the annual competition. Judges Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Elliot Easton, George Lynch and Brendon Small were unanimous in their decision.
Vicki has organized 3D Acoustic Guitar into two sections. The first section covers techniques; thumb slaps, harmonic tapping, harmonic brushing, left-hand harmonics, body percussion, hammering single notes and chords, vibrato and how to establish and maintain groove. Vicki goes into great detail on each technique and includes very effective exercises and etudes to get you up and running very quickly.
The second section focuses on creating and exploring alternate open tunings. While Vicki composes and performs in 31 open tunings, she thoroughly explores five of her favorites (C2, Dsus, D2, C-9sus4 and C 6/9) replete with six jaw-dropping, full-length performances of her most popular tunes; Cause of You, New Grass, Let It Rain, Impossanova, Kali Dreams, C-9 Improvisation and the award-winning Atomic Reshuffle.
Each tune is meticulously notated and tabbed using a very clear and inventive approach for notating this particular style. Also included in this section, Vicki's 12 Steps to Exploring New Tunings is in itself, one of the most ear- and eye-opening tutorials on the subject of open tunings.
Perhaps the most significant quality of 3D Acoustic Guitar is how accessible the techniques are and how quickly you will be able to employ them in your playing. Naturally, honing the skills to perform Vicki’s tunes at her level will take you many years, but this course is more about getting a grip on the style's tunings, percussive qualities and right- and left-hand techniques.
Whether you work with Vicki’s tunings or invent your own, as she very effectively demonstrates, you will be generating exciting new sounds and making incredible new and original music from the very first lesson. Join the renaissance!
What you'll learn
- Play a I-IV-iv-v-I chord progression in this tuning
- Discover the harmonic richness of minor 9 sus4 chord voicings
- Learn how alternate tunings can replicate piano voicings impossible in standard tuning
- Learn how open tunings without thirds create harmonic flexibility
- Develop an exploratory approach to new tunings
Release date: 10/24/2009 • 3h 07m runtime
Sample lessons
Atomic Reshuffle
Performance
Thumb Slaps with Hammers
Technique
Body Slaps 2
Technique
Hammering Single Notes
Technique
What's included
35 lessons • 31 charts
3D Acoustic Guitar
3D Acoustic Guitar is about charting new territory in your playing and creative process as it relates to the guitar. It's about having conversations with your instrument, about listening in new ways, responding to what you hear with confidence and curiosity, with abandon, without inhibition. It's about a new vocabulary, and it's about your thirst for new ways to express your deepest thoughts, feelings, visions and dreams. It's about adding some new tricks to your collection and it's about courageously embracing your muse.
We start with techniques – drawing from my collection of original material – which reflects over 20 years of experimenting and exploring with the use of open tunings, percussive techniques, harmonic tapping, funkified bass note slapping and the like. Breaking things down into small, bite sized pieces, you’ll get an opportunity to see, hear and understand many new approaches to making sound on the guitar and you’ll get plenty of exercises to help you practice them and make them your own. Then we go into the deep water – creating and exploring new tunings on your own. I’ve given you lots of suggestions and I take you through them -step by step. You’ll see and hear how much fun it is to explore and discover new sounds, new harmonic combinations, new melodic and rhythmic possibilities.
It's about going deeper, wider and higher....3 Dimensional. You ready?
Section I - Techniques (Kali-sthenics)
- Thumb Slaps
- Harmonic Tapping
- Harmonic Brushing
- Left Hand Harmonics
- Body Percussion
Section II - Creating & Exploring Open Tunings
- 5 Specific Tunings
- Listening
- 12 Steps to exploring a new tuning
>> Start Right Now!
Take the advice of one of my teachers, Edward Flower: Spend the first 5 minutes of your playing time playing things you've NEVER played before! That's the only rule. Try this in standard tuning or any tuning. Go ahead - try it right now!
Atomic Reshuffle
Tuning: Bb-Bb-Eb-G-Ab-Bb
This piece has become my 'signature' instrumental. It's a wonderful showcase for the techniques that I've developed over the past 20 years. When writing, I never set out to compose a piece with 'techniques' in mind...rather, there's always a musical or rhythmic idea that's begging for expression. Then I have to figure out how to play it! Many times I've simply 'followed' the urges in my hands to move in certain ways or the sounds in my head and that's led to a new technique. (Certainly that was the case with the section starting at 3:00 in this piece where I'm using my left hand on top of the neck and keeping time with my ring finger hitting the wood...)
So sit back, relax and listen. Get ready to open your ears and your mind. We're about to venture into some new dimensions...new sounds, new ways of thinking, playing, exploring and ultimately - enjoying the guitar!
This piece has become my 'signature' instrumental. It's a wonderful showcase for the techniques that I've developed over the past 20 years. When writing, I never set out to compose a piece with 'techniques' in mind...rather, there's always a musical or rhythmic idea that's begging for expression. Then I have to figure out how to play it! Many times I've simply 'followed' the urges in my hands to move in certain ways or the sounds in my head and that's led to a new technique. (Certainly that was the case with the section starting at 3:00 in this piece where I'm using my left hand on top of the neck and keeping time with my ring finger hitting the wood...)
So sit back, relax and listen. Get ready to open your ears and your mind. We're about to venture into some new dimensions...new sounds, new ways of thinking, playing, exploring and ultimately - enjoying the guitar!
Tuning
For the entire first section, we'll use what I call a Dsus tuning:
D-A-D-G-C-D
Refer to the Tuning Guide in your tool kit for help if you need it. This will show you how to tune with a tuner and without a tuner using your 'ear'.
We will change 3 strings - 6, 2 & 1
Tuning Tip - Try playing the 12th fret harmonic when using a tuner - I often get a better response this way.
D-A-D-G-C-D
Refer to the Tuning Guide in your tool kit for help if you need it. This will show you how to tune with a tuner and without a tuner using your 'ear'.
We will change 3 strings - 6, 2 & 1
Tuning Tip - Try playing the 12th fret harmonic when using a tuner - I often get a better response this way.
Thumb Slaps
>> Tips:
- Hold your right hand as if you are going to shake hands
- Pivot from the elbow
- Strike string with side of thumb - try different positions and see/hear what works best for you!
- Mute strings 5-1 with Left Hand so they don't interfere with the sound of your bass note
>> Forearm Mute:
- Play around with positions until you find what works for you.
- Don't forget to roll up your sleeve (right hand).
- Rest forearm directly on 6th & 5th strings
- Change pressure - more pressure = more muting, less pressure = more 'true note'
- Hold your right hand as if you are going to shake hands
- Pivot from the elbow
- Strike string with side of thumb - try different positions and see/hear what works best for you!
- Mute strings 5-1 with Left Hand so they don't interfere with the sound of your bass note
>> Forearm Mute:
- Play around with positions until you find what works for you.
- Don't forget to roll up your sleeve (right hand).
- Rest forearm directly on 6th & 5th strings
- Change pressure - more pressure = more muting, less pressure = more 'true note'
Thumb Slaps with Hammers
>> Review:
- Have you found the 'sweet' spot on the 6th string when slapping?
- Are you pivoting from your elbow?
>> Tips:
- When slapping 5th and 4th strings you can use your Left Hand thumb to mute the 6th string (over the top of neck).
- Be sure your thumb comes off the string quickly - immediately after slapping!
Practice the exercises with and without Forearm Muting.
Take some time on your own and jam around with Thumb Slapping and Hammer Ons. Try using the muted and open sounds. Have fun!
- Have you found the 'sweet' spot on the 6th string when slapping?
- Are you pivoting from your elbow?
>> Tips:
- When slapping 5th and 4th strings you can use your Left Hand thumb to mute the 6th string (over the top of neck).
- Be sure your thumb comes off the string quickly - immediately after slapping!
Practice the exercises with and without Forearm Muting.
Take some time on your own and jam around with Thumb Slapping and Hammer Ons. Try using the muted and open sounds. Have fun!
Thumb Slap Etude
>> Review:
Do you know the difference between 'Open', 'Left Hand Muting' and 'Forearm Muting'? If not, go back and watch this segment again!
Practice this simple exercise with Mindfulness and Patience and you will quickly become a skillful thumb slapper! Take your time. Focus on these 3 things:
1 - Crisp, funky tone
2 - Clean muting with Left Hand
3 - Clean muting with Forearm (Right Hand)
Do you know the difference between 'Open', 'Left Hand Muting' and 'Forearm Muting'? If not, go back and watch this segment again!
Practice this simple exercise with Mindfulness and Patience and you will quickly become a skillful thumb slapper! Take your time. Focus on these 3 things:
1 - Crisp, funky tone
2 - Clean muting with Left Hand
3 - Clean muting with Forearm (Right Hand)
Harmonics
>> Review:
For those of you who may be new to making these sounds (harmonics), make sure you spend time finding the right 'touch'; the right amount of pressure (left hand) and the right point of contact - directly ON the fret. It's well worth spending the time getting this just right. I promise!
Listen for a bright, ringing harmonic tone. Once you get it down, you won't have to think about it anymore!
For those who are familiar with harmonics make sure you haven't become lazy and that you're really getting the brightest ringing harmonics that you can. You may want to spend some time perfecting the 7th and 5th fret harmonics as these require more focus and accuracy.
When 'brushing' all 6 strings, make sure you're hearing all 6 strings! You may have to adjust your middle finger.
>> BONUS - If you spend time practicing getting the harmonics in the 9th and 4th frets to sound well - you'll be amazed at how easy it is in the 12th, 7th and 5th frets!
For those of you who may be new to making these sounds (harmonics), make sure you spend time finding the right 'touch'; the right amount of pressure (left hand) and the right point of contact - directly ON the fret. It's well worth spending the time getting this just right. I promise!
Listen for a bright, ringing harmonic tone. Once you get it down, you won't have to think about it anymore!
For those who are familiar with harmonics make sure you haven't become lazy and that you're really getting the brightest ringing harmonics that you can. You may want to spend some time perfecting the 7th and 5th fret harmonics as these require more focus and accuracy.
When 'brushing' all 6 strings, make sure you're hearing all 6 strings! You may have to adjust your middle finger.
>> BONUS - If you spend time practicing getting the harmonics in the 9th and 4th frets to sound well - you'll be amazed at how easy it is in the 12th, 7th and 5th frets!
+ 28 more lessons
Reviews
5 results
Jimbo35
Verified buyer
03/28/20
Vicki Genfan is a really inspiring tutor with a totally unique style
I'm really inspired by all the material in the courses Vicki Genfan has done for Truefire including this one. I've got most of them now and really get so much enjoyment from working through them inch by inch.
ebeagle
Verified buyer
09/26/19
great course
robvell
02/18/19
Melodic ideas
This course not only helps to expand your repertoire of alternative techniques to express yourself in the acoustic guitar, but also shows you that music comes first. The examples Vicki Genfan shows here are taken from beautifully crafted songs. They are not just a vehicle to show virtuosity, they are an important part of the composition as a whole.
mattstutts2
10/02/18
Challenging but insightful
There's a lot to absorb here. Some of it can seem wildly challenging simply b/c you aren't Vicki. I play a decent amount of acoustic fingerstyle guitar but I had real trouble emulating Vicki b/c she's just so good. That doesn't mean you can't pick up ideas here. You can and should. Vicki does a fantastic job of explaining the basics, really. But the real bang for your buck here are the lessons on her methodology for creating and using your own tunings. It really breaks down barriers and gets you thinking about sound and music rather than scales and positions and theory. Good stuff
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