Search options

This is how i learned to strum:

I was taught the basic pattern " Down Down, Up Up, Down Up. I used this very much, and as time passed i began alternating it in order to make it sound nice in other songs etc. In other words; I figured how other patterns where played by listening to trhe rythm - just needed a little push from the basic pattern i mentioned up there.

Point is that i think you can do the same thing, because best way to learn this is to use your ears.
Ofcourse those basic pattern on that page is a very good start, but it really comes down to using your side attachments - simplest way.

I've been playing for 10 months now, every second day, and I'm experiencing the exact same thing.
I have an acoustic steel string, and if i play for half an hour the tip of my fingers gets more or less ripped off and it starts to hurt. I usually keep my hands away from the guitar when it happens, which is quite often. I'm considering to purchase one of those nylon-string guitars, at least i can practise the fingering with one of those, and let my fingers rest a bit before I play the acoustic. This way I would be able to play every day

And btw: I'm also struggling with some tough and dreaded barre chords. I don't really know if you are struggeling, but I assumed as much. If not feel free to indulge yourself in my sincere apology; for thinking less of you.

I wish you good luck on your guitar journey then, but steel string players knows it's not a painless journey  at allfor soft fingers!

Edit: I would like to add to Geo's list of prospective suggestions.

- Use gloves ( I've tryed this and it works, but you might encounter some muted strings, but it's quite possible to make the root note ring out clearly)

And the use of mittens is a great ide, at least our fingers would benefit greatly!

Anything is easy if you have already learned it
Fingerpicking and chordchanges + strumming i thought was very difficult at first; now i can do blindfolded. But i still find playing solo arrangements, or lead guitar very difficult. And of course the advanced barre chords!

I can strum those shapes and get them to cling, but while fingerpicking a pattern i dont. Because while strumming i can move my index up and down and adjust so that those loose strings keep ringing. With fingerpicking i find that i have less time between the changes, and lifting up my index in middle of a barre chord, say HM - HM7 ( In this case my index need to go up a little to get the string i lift of to ring) i find that the chord changes are less...mhm - let's say "Smooth". Hope at least some of you understood this..

To me it looks like i only have about two things to do. Eather keep practising and hope for the best, or assume that my index finger will grow larger or bigger something ( Not likely - unless i start gaining weight)

And btw: A little of topic here, but im listening to a song and I'm trying to figure out the fingerpicking pattern. I have already found one, but im not sure if thats the right one. Can anyone listen to the norwegian love-song and tell how the pattern goes?? ( It's a basic pattern i think - of some advanced kind) Here's the link to the tune: http://www.norsknettskole.no/fag/ressur … v/hunstmo/

( As you enter the page you'll have to scroll down and choose song number 28, "kjærlighetsvisa," remember to turn the volume=))    ( Thanks if trying, i really wanna figure out the pattern to this one, and sorry if it's not allowed to post links)

I've also tried that tune it's seems a bit difficult too. I know there are a couple of good tabs on it here on chordie if you search for it though, but me at least find the fingerpicking in that song quite difficult, but it isnt that difficult though and with some practise I'm sure you can figure out the tabs. Good luck, and i know it would be best to figure out by the ear or something but that takes much extra time surely if you just wanna play it right away..

Thanks for good advice, I'll try to perfect my technique then.
I think I'll get around the easier shapes and change quicker as i build up strength and speed, but i still find the shapes F7 and Fm7 to be very, very tricky as it is always one or two strings not ringing out, but is totally muted. And I'just learned that they all can be used as you move the shapes up and down, and yes it was a big light bulb when i realized it Too bad i cant play those 2 types properly in reality then, still thankful for advice on those two spesific shapes though .