Hints and tips for guitar beginner

[MasterBlaster76]

One thing I will say is, a big fuss is made over equipment, but a huge amount of the tone comes from the player, the way you strike the strings, the angle you hold the pick (if you use a pick) the amount of force you use to fret the notes.

And in many cases, I'd imagine a player needs to be have someone who knows what they're doing show them how to do all that, and not off some video where you can't see it from every angle.

 

[MasterBlaster76]

I asked the shop about putting a strap on the guitar - they just said to hook one end over the peg at the base of the guitar and tie the other end on with a bootlace to the headstock. They didn't mention anything about fitting another peg to the body of the guitar, but I don't like the idea of just tying it to the headstock with a bootlace - it doesn't sound all that secure to me. What I don't get is why most acoustic guitars seem to only come with the one fitting for the strap, whereas electric guitars come with both - surely acoustics are used with straps as much as electric guitars?

 

[Dutch]

I asked the shop about putting a strap on the guitar - they just said to hook one end over the peg at the base of the guitar and tie the other end on with a bootlace to the headstock. They didn't mention anything about fitting another peg to the body of the guitar, but I don't like the idea of just tying it to the headstock with a bootlace - it doesn't sound all that secure to me. What I don't get is why most acoustic guitars seem to only come with the one fitting for the strap, whereas electric guitars come with both - surely acoustics are used with straps as much as electric guitars?

Are you sure your weren't in the butchers by mistake????

That sounds very unprofessional: if the guitar came equipped with peg at the base there should be one as well under the neck where it meets the body or just to the side of that. That is the only safest place as you don't want weight or movement on the neck to hinder your playing or tone.

Putting a peg in costs naf-all and is a very easy job for someone who knows what they are doing. Advice; go somewhere more professional.

 

[Simbazz]

String? God Daymmm, hit another shop! I had to have mine put in, I had one at the base but nowhere else. I've seen some capo's with the ability to put the strap on, don't really like the idea as if its tugged, and the strings tug with.

 

[MasterBlaster76]

So, I'm right to be dubious then. Thanks guys, I'll see what my new tutor has to say on the matter when I see him Monday. Can't wait to get started properly - my chord changes are beginning to flow more now in any case.

 

[MasterBlaster76]

Just had my first lesson!

OK - firstly, I know how to strum chords properly now - my fingers are going to take some time getting used to this - before I was playing them very gently. I think this teacher's going to be really good though. He gave me numerous exercises, some boring, some fun, but it's often the boring things that lay the strongest foundation, I've found. I reckon I'm just a few weeks practice from being able to play 'Knocking on Heaven's Door' - chords of course (one of the songs he gave me to aim for, the other being 'Let it Be').

So, we'll see how it goes over the next few months. The good thing about singing and guitar/piano lessons is I don't think you can be fooled by a teacher (who only wants your money) into thinking you're good. If you are, and the teacher's helping you, you'll hear the improvement. It's a lot more tricky with acting, because all actors think they're Oscar winners when practicing at home. It's when you take it out there to perform to people that it can fall apart.

 

[MasterBlaster76]

Quick update - I've had a breakthrough today. I found that if I sang along to my chord changes, my fingers sort of automatically (almost) went to the next chord - in other words if I don't think about it too much, the changes are fluent. It's still not there yet, I'm making the odd mistake, but it sure is a nice feeling when you can string a few chords together for the first time.

 

[jkartik]

its been exactly a month since i started learning the guitar...
now,i can play all Basic Eight Shapes, Dominant Shapes, Sus Shapes,Fmaj7, Power Chords G5 & C5...i can also change between between them pretty comfortably.

only the Barre F is giving lot of grief...but made some strides there as well..

overall, really happy with progress so far...if i can sustain and keep on improving for the next 5-6 months...i'll buy myself an electric guitar.

 

[Dutch]

its been exactly a month since i started learning the guitar...
now,i can play all Basic Eight Shapes, Dominant Shapes, Sus Shapes,Fmaj7, Power Chords G5 & C5...i can also change between between them pretty comfortably.

only the Barre F is giving lot of grief...but made some strides there as well..

overall, really happy with progress so far...if i can sustain and keep on improving for the next 5-6 months...i'll buy myself an electric guitar.

The Barre chords are tricky for a lot of people learning the guitar because of the "unusualness" of the hand position. A good way to practice is to place only the index finger, the bar as it were. Then add the middle finger and play for a while with that, and then the next finger etcetera.

Equally important is the thumb position: don't let it slide to-wards you, which it will automatically want to do to compensate. You shorten the reach of your fingers by doing so: keep the thumb at the back of the neck in the middle.

And don't tense too much: keep it relaxed but firm (paradoxical I know but workable!)
You can also get used to bar chords easier by playing the same chords higher up the fret = less reach!

 

[MasterBlaster76]

I'm getting bored of the same chord progressions over and over again - can you suggest me some good ones (that involve simple, beginner level chords )? I found a nice one the other day - A minor > E Minor > G > D (repeat), but I'm not sure where to take it now because I don't know enough chords! I now have a strap on my guitar, so I can play standing up. I think I prefer that.

 

[jkartik]

well, you can do

G > C > D Major > E Major

C > A Major > C > A Minor

hmmm....it'll be better if you can tell which chords you've learnt properly till now..

 

[Dutch]

Adding a simple "tension" to a known chord is also a great way of getting new and exciting sounds: for example am7: a normal "a minor" chord with the little finger on the third fret of the first string (a G).

Or a g-chord with a "d": make a g chord and add with you little finger (or whichever finger is over, depending on the way you place the g chord) on the third fret of the second string (d).

There are many others but just to give an idea.

 

[Dutch]

Of course the best way to get variation and pleasure from the same chords is to work on the rhythm: there are many ways to play 3 chords that can sound different. Different accents, strumming speed etcetera can achieve much to bring variation in your playing. Remember nearly 90 pro cent of music is based around three or four of the same chords!!!!

 

[MasterBlaster76]

well, you can do

G > C > D Major > E Major

C > A Major > C > A Minor

hmmm....it'll be better if you can tell which chords you've learnt properly till now..

I know all of the above, plus I'm getting more of a handle on the damned F Chord, A Major, D 7th & E Minor.

 

[Robelinda]

Some good advice here. Ive been a professional guitar teacher for 14 years, most of the advice here is spot on.