Anyone here play guitar?

[SWScorch]

Originally posted by: BD2003
Oh and as far as the G chord goes, you're gonna have to get your pinky into it, whether you like it or not.

I use my ring finger for the first string, if it's a G major chord (or whichever has the bottom two strings fretted) then I have to use my pinky as well though.

 

[hpkeeper]

Your flexibility may be limited with the G chord simply because you may be doing it completely wrong

I had that problem when I started learning chords, I just put my figers where I thought it would be easiest
to play the chord, which turned out to be wrong so if your playing a G chord:

your 2nd finger (middle finger) should be on the G (or 3rd fret on your E string)
your 1st finger (Pointer finger) Should be on the Cb(or 2nd fret on your A string)
your 4th finger (pinky finger) should be on the G (or 3rd fret on your high E string)

the rest is just open.

I had a rough time getting my fingers just in the right spot, much less learning the chord correctly,
hopefully that helped.

 

[BD2003]

Originally posted by: SWScorch

Originally posted by: BD2003
Oh and as far as the G chord goes, you're gonna have to get your pinky into it, whether you like it or not.

I use my ring finger for the first string, if it's a G major chord (or whichever has the bottom two strings fretted) then I have to use my pinky as well though.

I assume you mean the 6th string? Same here....makes switching to C that much easier. Unless Ihave to switch to D...then I'll go with all four fingers.

 

[Wag]

Once you learn I/IV/V it opens up alot of possibilities.

It's amazing how many songs are based around the basic Blues chord progression.

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: BD2003
Yep, as everyone else said, practice. It does seem quite impossible to start, and if youre learning on a steel string acoustic, it probably hurts like a bitch too.

I just picked the guitar up about 3 months ago, thought it was impossible too, but practice makes perfect. You just can't get worse by practicing...just get a real good book, find some good friends, and if youre loaded, consider a teacher.

That f chord is a pain though. I can barre all 6 strings easily, but getting just those bottom two puts such a strain on that one finger...strange.

Oh and as far as the G chord goes, you're gonna have to get your pinky into it, whether you like it or not.

I don't use barre chords on an acoustic- it sounds too harsh. I almost always use this for F:

E|-1-|---|---|
B|-1-|---|---|
G|---|-2-|---|
D|---|---|-3-|
A|---|---|---|
E|---|---|---|

When playing a C-G-F progression, I'm also addicted to adding an extra D to my G (it makes it sound more rich):

E|---|---|-4-|
B|---|---|-3-|
G|---|---|---|
D|---|---|---|
A|---|-1-|---|
E|---|---|-2-|

Barre chords on an electric are fine and you want that harsh sound Guess it depends on what you're playing.

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: hpkeeper
Your flexibility may be limited with the G chord simply because you may be doing it completely wrong

I had that problem when I started learning chords, I just put my figers where I thought it would be easiest
to play the chord, which turned out to be wrong so if your playing a G chord:

your 2nd finger (middle finger) should be on the G (or 3rd fret on your E string)
your 1st finger (Pointer finger) Should be on the Cb(or 2nd fret on your A string)
your 4th finger (pinky finger) should be on the G (or 3rd fret on your high E string)

the rest is just open.

I had a rough time getting my fingers just in the right spot, much less learning the chord correctly,
hopefully that helped.

I wouldn't say it is a wrong way...but if you play the G chord with out your pinky, you do decrease your flexibility to go to certain chords.....

 

[SludgeFactory]

Originally posted by: Fritzo
Not true. Step one of learning any instrument is teaching your fingers to move in the right way. You can do this in any tuning, using one finger chords, etc. Heck, the Mel Bay method is based on that Once that is mastered, the mechanics of guitar music can be pursued. 9/10 people are going to drop guitar because their fingers hurt or they can't get build the required dexterity, so it's really important to get past this.

I was really suggesting that using alternate tunings to get around the inevitability of training your hands to form standard chord shapes would be a mistake.

no disrespect to the mighty Mel Bay

 

[ITJunkie]

Originally posted by: NesuD
Practice and repetition is the key. I thought G was impossible to when I first started. Now it is automatic and comfortable to play. Try learning the major triad first. I believe that is E,C,and D then learn G, and A. those are all open chords. That will get you started after that you will need to Learn F which is played Barre. There is an open shape for it but the Barre chord is a nicer bigger sounding way to play it. then learn B which is also Barre but is not used as frequently. Master the open major chords first though then be sure to learn F as it is used quite often. If you can get those down the minors will come pretty easily. I always made it a point to put in a minimum 1/2 hour everyday no matter how impossible the chords seemed.

Excellent advice!!! :beer: :thumbsup:

 

[SWScorch]

Originally posted by: BD2003
I assume you mean the 6th string? Same here....makes switching to C that much easier. Unless Ihave to switch to D...then I'll go with all four fingers.

I thought the highest string was the first string, and the thickest was the sixth? Or am I bass ackwards?

 

[dakels]

hmmm there used to be a good site from this guy Dan Smith. Seems to be gone now.

It helps to get a few lessons from some teachers to help you get started and learn how to hold the guitar and finger positions. From that basic understanding its just alot of practice and strengthening/toughening of the fingers. As you start to learn basic chords and scales, you will start moving to certain styles you like. Dont get too frustrated. Some things can be really difficult early on but become second nature eventually. Barre chords are one of them. I know for me they were a nightmare because I started on a very high action Guild acoustic. F major and B's and other barres were so difficult for me but i soon learned that it was more the guitar. Even pros were buzzing barres on my guild. I didnt mind too much though as I figured, if I could play on this, I can play on anything. Had the same mentality with an old steinway piano which was really heavy to play on. My fingers were so tired after practicing but once I jumped on any other piano, it was effortless. Choice is yours. Once you play on a few different boards, you will learn what feel you like and you can change the action of your guitar (I recommend going to a pro at a guitar store).

You'll find Electric's are often easier to play, especially for smaller hands but playing on a challenging acoustic makes an electric feel like butter. If all you know is electrics then often a switch to acoustic can be very difficult to play cleanly.

here are some sites which may help you:
http://chordguide.com/guitar/index.asp
http://www.gtrdan.com/
http://www.guitarbasics.com/


Fritzo I dont understand what you mean by Barre's on acoustics sound too harsh. You refering to the fact that many people dont play them cleanly due to it being a bit more difficult on an acoustic?

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: dakels
here are some sites which may help you:
http://chordguide.com/guitar/index.asp
http://www.gtrdan.com/
http://www.guitarbasics.com/


Fritzo I dont understand what you mean by Barre's on acoustics sound too harsh. You refering to the fact that many people dont play them cleanly due to it being a bit more difficult on an acoustic?

And there's also WholeNote which is a pretty decent resource.
I agree on the bar chord question. Played improperly, I can see how it would sound harsh, but otherwise it's much fuller.

 

[Kntx]

Spend half an hour on chords...

...then half an hour trying to play stairway

In a month you'll be rocking hard.

 

[dakels]

p.s. I never listened to the Beatles that much, until I started playing acoustic guitar. Lots of sheet music available and everything from very easy to moderatley difficult music in there. Chords, classical fingering and picking, blues, electric and acoustic, Beatles collection has alot to learn on.

 

[BD2003]

Originally posted by: SWScorch

Originally posted by: BD2003
I assume you mean the 6th string? Same here....makes switching to C that much easier. Unless Ihave to switch to D...then I'll go with all four fingers.

I thought the highest string was the first string, and the thickest was the sixth? Or am I bass ackwards?

No, youre right. But I'm surprised that you use the ring finger for the first string. It works good for the chord itself, but it doesnt really help you get to any other chords faster.

If you use the ring for the 6th, middle for the 5th and pinky for the first, you can get down to C like its nothing...your index finger is ready and waiting at the second string and you just move the others down.

If you use the pinky and ring for the 1st and 2nd string, and index and middle for 6th and 5th, its also quite easy to get to D.

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: dakels
here are some sites which may help you:
http://chordguide.com/guitar/index.asp
http://www.gtrdan.com/
http://www.guitarbasics.com/


Fritzo I dont understand what you mean by Barre's on acoustics sound too harsh. You refering to the fact that many people dont play them cleanly due to it being a bit more difficult on an acoustic?

And there's also WholeNote which is a pretty decent resource.
I agree on the bar chord question. Played improperly, I can see how it would sound harsh, but otherwise it's much fuller.

When you're playing live (especially with an acoustic pickup), the bass strings tend to drown out the treble strings (G, B, and, E). For a cleaner sound, it's better to play chord forms instead of bar chords, otherwise everything comes across like you're playing a power chord when you have to play loud. Also this leaves your fingers open to add 7th and 9th notes to your chords to make them sound more interesting. Finally, I like to play "in a box", meaning if I'm in certain key, I like to make all of my chord forms on the same three frets I start out with. This makes for a smoother sound (less squeeking) and it's easier to keep up with your drummer without having to skip beats. Barre chords make you run up and down the neck in a lot of instances.

I've been playing for quite a while, so these are some of the things I've experienced over the years.

 

[dakels]

I know what you are talking about now. People who choose to alternatively barre instead of playing the standard open chord. I agree, it does sound better to me open, but like you said it depends on the characteristic you are going for. On acoustic I always opt for open chords but depends on the situation of course. Sometimes I need to barre a chord. But of course, the better you "nut" the strings the better your barre sounds, even then it still has a different character to the tone.

less squeaking you mean the finger noise?

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: dakels
less squeaking you mean the finger noise?

Yeah, I get that a lot. I switched to Martin phosphor strings with an unwound G and that helped somewhat. The thing that helped the most is filing down my fingertips with a nail file. Don't do it in public, but it works heheh

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: Fritzo

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: dakels
here are some sites which may help you:
http://chordguide.com/guitar/index.asp
http://www.gtrdan.com/
http://www.guitarbasics.com/


Fritzo I dont understand what you mean by Barre's on acoustics sound too harsh. You refering to the fact that many people dont play them cleanly due to it being a bit more difficult on an acoustic?

And there's also WholeNote which is a pretty decent resource.
I agree on the bar chord question. Played improperly, I can see how it would sound harsh, but otherwise it's much fuller.

When you're playing live (especially with an acoustic pickup), the bass strings tend to drown out the treble strings (G, B, and, E). For a cleaner sound, it's better to play chord forms instead of bar chords, otherwise everything comes across like you're playing a power chord when you have to play loud. Also this leaves your fingers open to add 7th and 9th notes to your chords to make them sound more interesting. Finally, I like to play "in a box", meaning if I'm in certain key, I like to make all of my chord forms on the same three frets I start out with. This makes for a smoother sound (less squeeking) and it's easier to keep up with your drummer without having to skip beats. Barre chords make you run up and down the neck in a lot of instances.

I've been playing for quite a while, so these are some of the things I've experienced over the years.

Hm... maybe just a stylistic thing then. I'll usually play through part of it in open form, then move up to 5th-9th fret bars. Generally you can hit any of the chords you need in that area without necessitating a huge move, and can still switch to 7th etc. without too much hassle.

 

[RaDragon]

D
A (MAJ, min)
E (MAJ, min)

Are "easy" chords where you don't have to "stretch" your fingers as much.

Once you get the hang of it, you can then practice G and C.

Do NOT start with barre chords unless you feel you're ready. It'll just frustrate you more because barre chords are EVIL Although, barre chords will also help strengthen your fingers.

When you're playing, make sure you're in a relaxed, but proper posture mode. The worst thing that you can get for improper posture is wrist cramps (which can escalate to carpal tunnel syndrome).

 

[amoeba]

I only play air guitar : (

anybody ever see those air guitar competitions though?

those are hilarious.

 

[Fritzo]

Hm... maybe just a stylistic thing then. I'll usually play through part of it in open form, then move up to 5th-9th fret bars. Generally you can hit any of the chords you need in that area without necessitating a huge move, and can still switch to 7th etc. without too much hassle.

Moving from 5th-8th from 1-3 is fine, I'm talking of these meatheads I see once in a while that'll play a G barre at the 3rd, then a C at the 8th so they can keep the same chord shape. There are like 5 different ways to make a C chord before the 5th fret alone, but this guy basically looks like he's masturbating his guitar

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: Fritzo
Moving from 5th-8th from 1-3 is fine, I'm talking of these meatheads I see once in a while that'll play a G barre at the 3rd, then a C at the 8th so they can keep the same chord shape. There are like 5 different ways to make a C chord before the 5th fret alone, but this guy basically looks like he's masturbating his guitar

Okay, now I definitely know where you're coming from. I do like the mental image that presents, though

 

[TheNinja]

If by "play" you mean "wail" then yes I play on guitar! Everything mentioned is good. Learn some songs and learn how to read single note tabs as well otherwise you might get bored.
OLGA - great place for tabs