Hi Kirk,
Love your site. I kinda made my first lessons by trying to understand the major scale and deriving all 12 scales, identifying all 7 chords within each scale and becoming familiar with the open chords. However, I am a little confused as to why a note can move up in pitch by positioning your finger one fret towards the body of the guitar but a chord must be "barred" in order to achieve the next major chord higher in pitch. Does my question make sense? In other words, what happens when you just
slide your finger positions without barring...another chord?
Also, I'd like some guidance as to where to go next. I don't own a guitar yet since I'm very slowly getting back into music. Took lessons as a child and forgot most of what I learned (except for tuning). I do remember I wasn't a great plucker. Was thinking of starting with steel strings since as you wrote, is better for non-pluckers. Should I focus on the open chords and progressions? Do you have a recommended book for kinda beginners who are also fast learners and appreciate a little music theory (was a math major in college so I relate with frequencies and sound waves, etc.)? I would like to get your book when I'm ready but I think I need some work. Thanks,
Cinthya