5ths first string theory
5ths First String Theory — Lessons with J. Carmichael
Most people who’ve struggled with guitar haven’t failed at music. They’ve just been handed the hardest version of the problem first.
Standard tuning on the guitar is a historical compromise — it makes open chord shapes convenient, but it breaks its own rules on the B string and asks beginners to fight through barre chords and the F chord before they ever feel musical.
I think there’s a better on-ramp for aspiring musicians .
I teach what I call 5ths First String Theory — a method built around instruments and tunings that are already used by violinists, cellists, mandolin players, and tenor guitar players. The same fingering. The same chord shapes. The same scales — on every string, every time, across multiple instruments.
You can learn this on a $100 ukulele, a $300 tenor guitar, or a six-string in set up in Robert Fripp’s New Standard Tuning.
Once you know the language, it transfers across all of them. That means beginners become multi-instrumentalists faster than they would expect, and experienced players find a new way into music theory and have a new tool in their kit.
This isn’t just for beginners.
It’s for the guitarist who feels stuck. The worship leader who needs simpler tools for their team. The songwriter who wants to write melodies faster. The studio musician who wants another voice in the room. The classical string player who wants to pick up a fretted instrument without starting over.
A book is coming — but you don’t have to wait for it.
Intro lessons are available now, in person in the Boise / Boise County area or online wherever you are. We’ll start simple, but we’ll get you sounding musical fast.
Set up your first session below.
Join J. Carmichael for a 45 minute in studio introductory 5ths First lesson. If you don’t have an instrument to learn on J has a variety of instruments you can try from tenor banjo and guitar, to ukulele, to guitar in New Standard Tuning, to a variety of mandolins. Giving the student options for finding their voice.
Join J. Carmichael for a 45 minute in studio introductory 5ths First lesson. If you don’t have an instrument to learn on J has a variety of instruments you can try from tenor banjo and guitar, to ukulele, to guitar in New Standard Tuning, to a variety of mandolins. Giving the student options for finding their voice.
4 5ths first lessons with J. Carmichael (these can be in one month or every other week and spread out over 2) - fill out the form, and we can coordinate with one another for scheduling. If you would like J to travel regionally (Treasure Valley, Valley County for in person lessons reach out for billing.
4 5ths first lessons with J. Carmichael (these can be in one month or every other week and spread out over 2) - fill out the form, and we can coordinate with one another for scheduling. If you would like J to travel regionally (Treasure Valley, Valley County for in person lessons reach out for billing.
If you are in the Treasure Valley or Valley County and would like J to come to your for an in person intro lesson, J can bring a variety of instruments for you to try, ukulele, mandolins, guitar in New Standard Tuning, Tenor Guitar, Mandocello and more so you ca hear and feel the difference before committing to anything. 60 minute lesson block.
If you are in Idaho or southeast Oregon and would like to set up a group lesson at your church or school, J. Carmichael can provide a number of instruments for a small group to get a feel for what playing this way is like. We will spend the workshop learning about the different instruments and give the attendees a chance to get their hands on them and learn a song. You will be amazed at how quickly even young students can go from knowing almost nothing about playing an instrument to being able to learn a song with one another. ***After making a deposit I will contact you to confirm dates times, and workshop size.
A $90 non refundable deposit confirms your spot and gets you in the system (we’ll schedule the specific date after a deposit has been made). Typical workshop rate is $250 for up to 10 students, with additional students and travel billed separately. Workshop is 60-75 minutes plus 20-30 minutes of J performing and demonstrating on his instruments before/after diving into the educational material.
If you would like J to travel further (Salt Lake, Portland, Northern Idaho, Washington, Montana or Wyoming) please reach out for full pricing and availability. J will be traveling with multiple instrument; mandolins, guitars, tenor guitars, amps etc. J can also provide a PA and will run his own sound unless your church/school has a solid PA system you would prefer to use and provide a qualified sound engineer to run.
If you are in Idaho or southeast Oregon and would like to set up a group lesson at your church or school, J. Carmichael can provide a number of instruments for a small group to get a feel for what playing this way is like. We will spend the workshop learning about the different instruments and give the attendees a chance to get their hands on them and learn a song. You will be amazed at how quickly even young students can go from knowing almost nothing about playing an instrument to being able to learn a song with one another. ***After making a deposit I will contact you to confirm dates times, and workshop size.
A $90 non refundable deposit confirms your spot and gets you in the system (we’ll schedule the specific date after a deposit has been made). Typical workshop rate is $250 for up to 10 students, with additional students and travel billed separately. Workshop is 60-75 minutes plus 20-30 minutes of J performing and demonstrating on his instruments before/after diving into the educational material.
If you would like J to travel further (Salt Lake, Portland, Northern Idaho, Washington, Montana or Wyoming) please reach out for full pricing and availability. J will be traveling with multiple instrument; mandolins, guitars, tenor guitars, amps etc. J can also provide a PA and will run his own sound unless your church/school has a solid PA system you would prefer to use and provide a qualified sound engineer to run.