Introduction:
I love to teach. Among the more noble reasons, it makes me a better player. Sometimes I selfishly get to bounce new ideas and techniques off my students, hoping they will find their own way in the process. The content in my previous books, Voicing Modes, Modal Etudes, and The 4-Note Universe, tends to emphasize original thought and creativity rather than fulfilling the typical expectations of what students need in terms of essential skills. This fact became even more obvious to me when a student once told me in his first lesson, "I want to find the holes in my playing." As he was already a fine musician without any obvious shortcomings, his desire to fill any gaps, I thought, was very wise. Even though he was asking for my opinion, the answer lies not really in my perspective but in a universal truth: the fundamentals.
If you ask 100 guitarists to define the "fundamentals" of playing, you'll likely hear 100 unique answers. To me, fundamentals are the essential tools you wield to give confidence and conviction to your musical ideas. Every guitarist has their own toolkit, shaped by their experiences and mastery of different techniques. The tools at your immediate disposal define how effortlessly you can express yourself through music. Sometimes, our limitations define our sound as we lean into our strengths; however, this can lead to frustration down the road. The mastery and consistent practice of fundamentals makes everything else easier.
One of the most successful college basketball coaches, John Wooden, was meticulous about teaching fundamentals. In his book Practical Modern Basketball, he stated, "The team that has the best command of the fundamentals-passing, catching, dribbling, shooting, and defense-will usually win." Another successful coach, Tom Crean, said, "Game plans win games. Fundamentals win championships."
With Creative Fundamentals, my goal is to systematically equip you with the raw skills needed to become a versatile, well-rounded guitarist (with examples for application along the way via compositions and etudes). Through a blend of pure technical exercises for your hands, ear-hand coordination to sharpen your musical intuition, eye-hand coordination to navigate both the visual symbols of music and the fretboard's symmetry with precision, and mind-hand coordination to unlock the creative potential that analysis can provide, this book offers both the knowledge and a clear game plan. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned player, these exercises will help you identify your weaknesses, build a strong foundation, and expand your ability to make music with confidence and conviction.
Practicing fundamentals doesn't have to be mundane. In this book, I share creative approaches to mastering essential skills, transforming routine practice into ideas for composition. By thinking like a composer, you'll learn to weave technical proficiency into musical ideas that turn the routine into something fun and interesting. My hope is that Creative Fundamentals not only fills the gaps in your playing but also sparks new ways to express your unique voice as a musician.
Throughout this book, I'll try to help you master the fundamentals not just in terms of technique, but how to access that technique: by ear, by eye and by mind.
