Search options (Page 8 of 12)

A few simple songs that both beginner (can learn) and intermediate players:

What's Going On?  - Four Non Blondes (A, Bm, D)

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

Enjoy!

I think the song you're referring to is "Looking Out my Backdoor" by CCR.  The chucking is used at the beginning of the song, before the drum starts.  Basically, muting all the strings while strumming. 

<table border="0" align="center" width="90%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td class="SmallText"><b>stevemc62 wrote on Sun, 22 April 2007 21&#58;30</b></td></tr><tr><td class="quote">

can anyone help.

Can someone explain what chucking is???

I was trying to play a CCR song and was told by an online help place to play down/up chuck as the strumming pattern.

I am only a beginner and havnt a clue what this means.

any advice????

<img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_cry.gif" border=0 alt="Crying or Very Sad">  <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_cry.gif" border=0 alt="Crying or Very Sad">  <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_cry.gif" border=0 alt="Crying or Very Sad">

</td></tr></table>

No! Don't use any oil!  You shouldn't have to oil the capo to get it to fit the neck.  Have you looked at other brands beside the one you have?  I have the same capo, and never had any problem fitting it on the neck.  Maybe it's too new and you need to break-in the spring? 

<table border="0" align="center" width="90%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td class="SmallText"><b>ShadyWilbury wrote on Wed, 11 April 2007 22&#58;52</b></td></tr><tr><td class="quote">
Thanks, I'll try that. (Is there any possibility of oiling the thing without ending up with "gunk" on my guitar strings?)
</td></tr></table>

Try "Wicked Games" by Chris Isaak.  It's only three chords A, E, Bm.

<table border="0" align="center" width="90%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td class="SmallText"><b>fat.fingerz wrote on Sat, 07 April 2007 21&#58;15</b></td></tr><tr><td class="quote">
Hi ppl, looking for a simple song with bm in , any sugestions welcome, Tone
</td></tr></table>

Trippy,

Your understanding is correct, if the song is played on a 4/4 measure.  However, it may not apply to strumming pattern.  As, in a 4/4 song, you may play one note on two beats (beat 1&2), then you change chord to play the remaining two beats.  Your strumming pattern always start with a down stroke.  Depending on the time signature of the measure, you may be have to strum down/up/down (3 strokes) in one beat!  Some songs go as far as four strum stroke per beat!  But, that's pretty extreme. 

<table border="0" align="center" width="90%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td class="SmallText"><b>trippy wrote on Wed, 04 April 2007 20&#58;11</b></td></tr><tr><td class="quote">
thanks, i whas afraid i would get this answer but stil wanted to try  <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_biggrin.gif" border=0 alt="Very Happy">  , wel a&#180;ve been ryding about this tempos? you speak about, i understand that 4/4 means 4 beat between two lines if you look at a partiture, someting like this

|--1--2--3--4|--1--2--3--4|

how can o know in a song where the line ends? do i have to hear it? or can you count is same how?
</td></tr></table>

Jerome is right on the money!  I too, will not buy a guitar based on name or what people tell me.  I have to physically hold it in my hands and play a few bars on it.  I have played Taylor, Martin, and Takamine at a store once. And, as much as people told me how great Taylor and Martin were, I ended up liking the Takamine best.

So, each his own.  But, for me, it doesn't matter if a guitar is made by a large manufacturer or a small shop in Oregon.  The sound and feel have to be pleasing to me. 

<table border="0" align="center" width="90%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td class="SmallText"><b>jerome.oneil wrote on Wed, 04 April 2007 05&#58;03</b></td></tr><tr><td class="quote">
I don't know that I would buy a guitar I hadn't played.  I was at a local acoustic dealer's shop this weekend and played half a dozen different guitars, Taylors, Gibsons, and Martins.   I thought the Gibsons sounded dead, and the Taylors sounded like there was an angel singing inside each one.   I couldn't afford any of 'em.  <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_sad.gif" border=0 alt="Sad">

Anyway, I believe that the only true measure of any guitar is how it sounds.  And you can't tell that unless you have it in your hands.

Carvers are probably pretty nice instruments if we can use the quality of their amps as a measure, but go play one and find out for sure. 

Then report back.
</td></tr></table>

I agree with jcellini.  There's really no standard when it comes to strumming pattern.  Although some genres may have similar strumming patterns (ie country), but even then, there isn't always a standard.  You have to strum based on the rhythm and the beat count the song is written in. 

Some songs are 4/4 beat, some have 3/4 and so on.  Some songs will call you to be in a chord/note for two beat, then change.  Some will change chord after one beat within a measure.  This often alter the strum pattern.  One example of this is a James Taylor's song: Sweet Baby James.  This song requires you to change chords after only one or two beats. 

Others may have different thoughts on this.  Hope this helps.

<table border="0" align="center" width="90%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td class="SmallText"><b>jcellini wrote on Wed, 04 April 2007 19&#58;12</b></td></tr><tr><td class="quote">
I don't think ther is such a thing as a standard strumming pattern. It realy helps if you know the song and practice off of it. However in country music alot of the strumming is followed by hitting the base string in tempo. I hope this helps. <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_smile.gif" border=0 alt="Smile">
</td></tr></table>

Jimmy,

I think Jerome is referring to a tube amp vs electronic amp.  In the 50's and 60's amplifiers using tubes (similar to old TVs) were popular--as they produced incredible sound!  Today, new amps are made using electronic sampler, which tries to mimic the "tube" sound. They are also less expensive, thus more affordable. 

With that said, some of the more popular brands are still making tube and/or tube/electronic amps.  Some players (even me) prefer tube amp over electronic one.  I just love the warm sound coming out of it.  But, a tube amp will also cost more than an electronic one. 

There are many excellent tube amp makers out there.  Some of which are Fender, Vox, and Marshall.  Others may have additional recommendation. 

<table border="0" align="center" width="90%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td class="SmallText"><b>jimmyriddle74 wrote on Wed, 28 March 2007 23&#58;09</b></td></tr><tr><td class="quote">
what is a tube sorry if this is a daft question ive never owned an amp i play acoustic and am looking to play the electric guitar now.

Royston
</td></tr></table>

1234,

I think there are several ways for one to hold a pick.  Of course the conventional (most popular) is to hold it between your thumb and index finger.  I know some musicians who don't use a pick at all, and some use slip-on picks on their fingers. 

Using a pick helps create a more crisp sound when played.  This is more suitable when you're playing an acoustic guitar (if you don't fingerpick.)  For electric, I'm not sure if it matters.  Unless you're planning to do some lead or blues guitar work. 

These are just my own opinions.  Others may have different perspective.

Nonetheless, play often and make music!

<table border="0" align="center" width="90%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td class="SmallText"><b>12345abcd3 wrote on Fri, 30 March 2007 16&#58;48</b></td></tr><tr><td class="quote">
hi

i always held a pick with my thumb on one side and my first and second fingers on the other side but i recently read that your supposed to only have your first finger on the other side to the thumb. this certainly seems easier when picking songs like good riddance(green day) but i prefer strumming the other way. should i try and get used to strumming with just first finger and thumb? and will it make a difference to my strumming sound?

thanks

12345abcd3
</td></tr></table>

Jerome,

Don't you mean a D shape chord?  The F chord on the 8th fret is based on a 5th string root.  Thus, would be similar to the D shape on the 5th fret. 

<table border="0" align="center" width="90%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td class="SmallText"><b>jerome.oneil wrote on Wed, 28 March 2007 19&#58;45</b></td></tr><tr><td class="quote">
You can also barre F on the 8th fret.

-8-

-10-

-10-

-10-

-8-

-8-

It's an A shape chord.
</td></tr></table>

I completely agree with Jay!  I have recently purchased an Epi LP Studio (brand new).  And, have experienced nothing but a good quality (for the money) guitar!  The LP Studio has all the main features similar to the Gibson version.  But, lack the Gibson cosmetics!  I am very satisfied with the open humbuggers as well as the action of the set neck.  I'm sure once this guitar is set up (being done next week), it will become a fine practice/playing guitar! 

I also agree that you should stay away from the LP Special model and the all-in-one kit Epi sells.  Another Epi you should look at also is the SG model.  This model combines the LP warm tone with a Fender Strats-like light weight body. 

Overall, I feel this is a good first LP for any one on a budget or just starting out on an electric. 

<table border="0" align="center" width="90%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td class="SmallText"><b>jaygordon75 wrote on Mon, 26 March 2007 19&#58;18</b></td></tr><tr><td class="quote">
<font color="crimson"></font><b></b><i></i>Epiphone makes some very good guitars and some that are not so good...you pretty much get what you pay for. The Epiphone Les Paul Standard and Customs are excellent guitar for the money...most that I've seen had a great sound and excellent fit and finish. I would stay away from the Epiphone LP specials and kits unless you are looking for a really cheap starter guitar package. I agree with a previous suggestion about trying out several and seeing which one does what you need. Many players will start with the Epiphone and then invest money in "hotrodding" or upgrading with different pickups, etc... tons of aftermarket and name brand pickups and accessories are available for any of the Les Paul design guitars. I have a Gibson Les Paul Classic...expensive, but well worth it for me.
</td></tr></table>

Harry,

You can still play and F chord without barring.  Try the following:

Index Finger:    1st&2nd strings   1st fret

Middle Finger:   3rd string        2nd fret

Ring Finger:     4th string        3rd fret

Pinky Finger:    5th string        3rd fret (this is optional)

The trick here is not to play the 6th string.  You can also play the first 4 strings to get a pretty decent sound.  Once you're more comfortable holding the F this way, try to move to the barre version. 

Like JP said, practice, practice, practice.

Kahuna

<table border="0" align="center" width="90%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td class="SmallText"><b>harryscoffield wrote on Mon, 26 March 2007 21&#58;56</b></td></tr><tr><td class="quote">
I have been playing for around 8 months now and am still haviing trouble with Barre chords, I can form the chord OK, but when it comes to changing chords whilst playing I can either change with no interuption of strumming but a duff chord or I can just miss a strum or two and get a clean chord - which is the best way to go? should I practice quick change or clean chord?
</td></tr></table>