What chords can you play currently?  What types of music do you like?  Can't answer your question without knowing these.

127

(4 replies, posted in Electric)

I place my capo on the headstock all the time.  No issues at all.  And, yes, you can use the capo on both electric and acoustic.

Well, instead of an acoustic, why not practice on an electric one instead?  Although it's good to practice on an acoustic, you'll find doing barre chords a bit easier on electric. 

fourteedollars wrote:

Cheers for that, Im getting there, just frustrating, especially as im not a bad bass player, seems like im going back to school but like you say, they are essential.

129

(57 replies, posted in Acoustic)

Two good songs to use barre chords:

- Wicked Games (Chris Isaak) = E, A, Bm

- What's Going on? (4 Non Blondes) = A, D, Bm

130

(7 replies, posted in Electric)

Wonderful tonight by Eric Clapton.  Great solo, and pretty easy.  Very consistent throughout.

131

(2 replies, posted in Electric)

You can also barre a B chord on the 8th fret, using the E chord shape.  I normally play this one with the major chords.  Pretty easy to play song overall.  Once you have that one down, try Suzie Q guitar licks. 

cytania wrote:

So there I was spooning around with a Dry Riff (17E) Vamp setting when I found a great 'Proud Mary' verse sound. Barre chord B on the seventh fret, I transposed the rest of the song and yes the 'dang-dang-dung' riff works quite well as A > F# - a simple drop to fifth fret and then second fret then back. Wish I'd watched John Fogerty's set at Glastonbury closer.

Anyone else played this song this way?

132

(13 replies, posted in Electric)

NZ,

Go out and spend $30 on a nice metronome.  It will help you with your strumming and timing.  Strumming is nothing more than keeping the beat in a measure, while changing chords.  Strumming can be done differently on every song.  It depends if a song calls for you strumming 1/4 note, 1/8 note or 1/16 note.  Before you learn about strumming, spend some time and learn about timing.  This will help you greatly on your strumming. 

nzlectric wrote:

i got no troubles with chords just with the strumm though. i know all basic chords, major and minors, and few barre chords too. just got problem with my strumming.

133

(9 replies, posted in Acoustic)

I thought that was Dsus2?  Dsus4 is when you add a high E string on the 3rd fret!  Correct me if I'm wrong.

bigdjindustriez wrote:

dsus4 is a regular D major with your middle finger taken off of the bottom string.

134

(1 replies, posted in Electric)

I like the Epiphone guitar line.  The quality is still top notch, and the prices are very reasonable.  If you like light guitar, the SG is similar to the Fender Strat.  I have a Les Paul model, and it plays very well for what I paid for it.

135

(2 replies, posted in Electric)

I've seen this product as well.  And, I'm a bit half-hearted about it.  My old school mindset tells me that it's always better to learn from playing and memorizing.  But, on the other hand, having a tool like this product would help enhance my learning.  In the end, I shied away from it, because I think the tool would make me conform to it.  Thus, losing my creativity and attitude. 

I still think there is no substitute for a good instructor.

136

(4 replies, posted in Electric)

I found the link for you.

http://www.freeguitarvideos.com/peter-vogl.html

Good luck!

137

(4 replies, posted in Electric)

SG,

Take a look at some of Peter Vogl's on-line lessons about chord changes.  I've learned a few things from him.  One of the ways to master fast chord changes is to use the guide finger method.  Sounds difficult, but it's pretty simple.  Try Googling him on the web.  Let me know if you have more questions.

Kahuna

138

(14 replies, posted in Acoustic)

I love to play more vintage rock as well as older acoustic artists--like James Taylor and Jim Croce.

139

(5 replies, posted in Acoustic)

Barring a chord takes time.  And, with practice, I'm sure you'll become an expert in no time.  One suggestion is to select one or two tough songs that require barre chords.  Then, try to play each one about once a week.  Once the songs get easier, then play it every other day.   It's a good goal to set, and doable!   Good luck!

hopeful wrote:

Im trying to learn the barre chord  but when i try to bar with my index finger, i have trouble positioning the other fingers, i feel like i need to be a contortionist!!

140

(16 replies, posted in Acoustic)

Edgefan,

Remember, also, that most open and minor chords can still be barred.  Chords like G, A, B, C, D, Am, Dm can be barred.  I still love the normal open chords myself.  But, if you're having difficulty transitioning from a barre chord to an open chord, this may help.  Just my two cents (or pences).

Kahuna


Edgefan wrote:

Hey Skydad,
Practice is the best way to build up the hand strength but that spring loaded hand exercise thing that Kahuna metioned was a big help for me.  It's called a Gripmaster and I keep one at work so that I can work on my hand strength even when I can't pick up my guitar.  Although, I think my coworkers may have thought I had some nervous condition that needed to be released through constant hand exercise until I explaiined what it was used for. lol  Anyway, my challange now is not the actual formation of the bar chord but the transition from bar to open chords.  Yes, I know the answer...practice, practice, practice.

EF

141

(5 replies, posted in Acoustic)

KramL,

Most, if not all, acoustic/electric guitars now come with built-in pick-ups.  Some even come complete with a chromatic tuner, which is a lifesaver for me!  Those sound hole pick ups are cumbersome and they don't sound nearly as good.  It helps with older acoustic guitars don't have amplification built in.  Just my opinion.


KramL wrote:

I am talking about when they are plugged in,
Is there a general difference between an acoustic with a built in pickup and one that you add the pickup over the sound hole?
I might not know what I'm talking about, but isn't there a difference?

thanks for the help.

142

(16 replies, posted in Acoustic)

Skydad3,

You might want to pick yourself up a spring-loaded hand training thing.  When you use it, try to simulate a barre chord and work your left index finger more than the rest.  Use this thing about 30 minutes a day for about a week.  You'll find that it will help reduce the cramp when barring a chord.

Hope this helps.



SkyDad3 wrote:

what the f?  Will my hands ever be able to do barre chords?  I'm a new student, and I'm just starting to try barre chords.  Seems friggin imposible.  I have a Washburn D10S with fairly low action, but it seems pretty tough.  I know it's probably a matter of practice, practice, practice.....but I think I'll feel better if some of you guys and gals told me you had trouble too.  So, as I tell my wife........just tell me what I want to hear!

Thanks!

143

(5 replies, posted in Acoustic)

KramL,

Most electric/acoustic starts with being acoustic first.  It becomes electric once you plug it in to an amp.  Having said that, some guitar makers don't follow that rule.  Depending on the shape and bowl size/depth, some guitars will sound better plugged in.  The sound you get (plugged-in) may also be different, based on the type of amplifier (amp) you use.  Since I play both electric and acoustic, I have a different amp for each.  The acoustic amp will provide a much warmer sound when plugged in.  While electric amp will be more crisp, with additional special effects.

Hope this helps.

Kahuna

144

(5 replies, posted in Acoustic)

I agree with wormproof and his method!  My suggestion is to learn barring the chord.  But, if you're just starting out, do the best you can to get a clear sound.  You can also try barring the first three stings.  Then, put your pinky on the on the 4th string and ring on the 5th string (3rd fret). 

Hope this helps.

145

(4 replies, posted in Acoustic)

smack,

The basic finger picking pattern is similar the chart below.  (T = Thumb, 1 = Index, 2 = Middle, 3 = Ring)

6th string root = 6th string (T), 1st string (3), 2nd string (2), 3rd string (1)

5th string root = 4th/5th (T), 1st string (3), 2nd string (2), 3rd string (1)

This is just a basic pattern.  There are many other patterns to choose from, based on the song you play. 

Thanks,
Kahuna

146

(5 replies, posted in Acoustic)

I would recommend some CCR or Eagles stuff.  Creedence (CCR) has songs that require only three to four chords to play.  And, the strum patterns are pretty consistent.  Some of the Eagles stuff, like Lying Eyes and Taquila Sunrise are pretty easy to play.  But, you'll need to know one or two barre chords.

mh,

Both of these tabs are correct.  It depends on which guitar you want to play.  Guitar 1 is rhythm, which has Bm, F#, A, E, G, D.  Guitar 2 is the lead, which plays at a higher key (7th fret).  I do play both, but it easier to play Guitar 1.  If you don't mind learning the licks, Guitar 2 is pretty awesome! 

Good luck!

148

(52 replies, posted in Electric)

Detman,

Did you actually compare tuning, string by string, with the others in your group?  You may want to make sure that they do standard tuning on their guitars.  Some players do tune their instruments 1/2 step (one fret) low.  Then, they use a capo to bring them up to standard tuning. 

The best way to overcome the fear of playing is to spend some time in private jam sessions with the church group.  This way, you can learn the songs and the style they are playing.  I have four core friends who I get together with and jam every other week.  We are now starting to sound a bit better than when we first started.

rockin,

The typical size is .009 for the high E string.  Make sure you get the strings made specifically for electric guitar.  Some of the brands to consider: GHS, D'adadrio (sp?), Ernie Ball.

150

(8 replies, posted in Electric)

I agree with SouthPaw.  Playing guitar is like creating a painting.  It takes time to get it right.  What you're going through is completely normal, and all of us have gone through it.  Finger placement on the strings will become easier with practice.  Be sure to cradle the neck with your fingers instead of just "grabbing" it with your hand.  When holding a chord, placing your fingers closer to the fret bars will help reduce the amount of pressure needed to get a clear sound. 

I guess I should also ask about your guitar.  Have you had your guitar set-up correctly?  A well-set up guitar will make your practice and learning easier.  Regarding the callouses, they are the necessary evil when you play.  However, the pain does subside as you play more often.  If your fingers are raw, rest them for a few days, so the callouses can form. 

The bottom line here is practice and play slow!  Getting a clear sound from a chord or note is more important than completing a song.  Be repetitious with the songs you play.  Once you've mastered a song, then try to master another. 

Good Luck and welcome.