FAQ
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Q: Can you send me the tab to [x]?
A: Go to the link at the bottom of this description, all the tabs I have transcribed/arranged are there.

Q: Can you tab out the song [x] for me?
A: No, sorry, I've got a lifetime of transcriptions already planned, no room for requests!

Q: Can you redo the song [x] so I can see the finger positions better/make a lesson on song [x]?
A: No, sorry. See above. Perhaps one day I might redo some of my videos but until then WYSIWYG.

Q: How long have you been playing for?
A: I was given my first guitar when I was 7...so I've been playing on and off for 30 years. I probably should be a better player by now then eh! ;)

Q: Ha ha, your face/mouth/lips look funny!
A: Yep, that's guitar face. You can't fight it; if you try to stop guitar face then you won't be able to play properly. Guitar face is usually worse when reading from sheet - if the tune is memorised then guitar face usually isn't so bad.

Q: What brand is your guitar?
A: Steel string acoustic electric Maton EM225C. Maton are easy to source in Australian, not so easy overseas. http://maton.com.au/

Q: How do you get such a clear sound on your videos?
A: I plug the guitar directly into my computer, with a video feed from a webcam. I have written an article about this at http://jaw.iinet.net.au/stuff/ makevideo.html

Q: How do I tune my guitar for "Dropped D"?
A: Dropped D just means the 6th string is a D instead of an E. This is easiest done by playing open string 4th(D) and 6th(normally E) at the same time while twisting the 6th string tuning peg down. When it hits D, you'll hear the 2 notes are the same but an octave apart - ie both are D. I usually go past a bit, then back up slowly, to ensure there is no slack in the string.

Q: How do you arrange classic rock/pop for fingerstyle?
A: Here's my formula:
* Trawl the internet looking for existing tabs of the tune, why re-invent the wheel?
* Listen to the original tune, pick out the "feel" that I like - bassline, melody & chords. Transpose the key as necessary for easier positioning throughout the song.
* Spend some time (few weeks) doodling with the song; type up what I work out into powertab. Typically, from bar to bar, pick a bassline, work out a good inversion of the chord so you can play the melody and strum or arpeggio the chord fragment for "mid fill". Sometimes I will type ideas into powertab, play it back in the software until it has the sound I'm after, then learn that bit on the guitar!
* Spend a month or two playing the tune without looking at the tab.
* Record a video for youtube!

Q: When is the next song coming out?
A: I churn out an arrangement every 6-8 weeks which is about how much my family can tolerate my guitar playing!

Q: Love your stuff! Can I get a copy in MP3?
A: No worries. I keep "high quality" mp3 versions here: http://jaw.gotdns.org/JAW_mp3

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