1 Reply by daomor

(11 replies, posted in Acoustic)

First off I would look at some songs you like, that are slightly more challenging for you. (If you don't enjoy the music your learning you're not going to keep up the practise). Maybe you need to learn some new techniques or types of chords to be able to play these songs. Barre chords are very useful.

I also think (as stated earlier in somone elses post) that playing with others is really beneficial. You can learn alot by playing with your friends, or even get new friends. It should also help neaten up your playing should you need it.

If the songs you have played are all chord based. Perhaps look into some songs where you need to learn riffs and scales? Obviously it all depends on the variety of music you like. Try some Red Hot Chilli Peppers, If thats your sort of thing?

Anywho, Best of luck!

Daó

Go to forum: Acoustic

2 Reply by daomor

(26 replies, posted in Electric)

At the end of the day, you have to do what is right for you.

If you can't afford guitar lessons, like many have said you can find great tutorials online.

Don't get me wrong, having one-on-one instruction is great, but you need to find the right teatcher and have the money and time etc...

I started off with guitar lessons then went on to teatch myself.

Independant learning is where the real progression lies imho.

Daomor

Go to forum: Electric

3 Reply by daomor

(6 replies, posted in Acoustic)

And for those of you not comfortable with the B chord just yet, try playing the 12 bar in A major.

|  A  |  A  |  A  |  A  |
|  D  |  D  |  A  |  A  |
|  E  |  D  |  A  |  A  |

With the same strumming as NELA's post


"Again, this is a very simple strum pattern that is easy to play and if you will listen you can even feel the pattern developing. If you will learn this, I believe other strum patterns will come much easier."

--Nicely said.

Daomor

Go to forum: Acoustic

4 Reply by daomor

(13 replies, posted in Acoustic)

I have posted some help on other strumming threads, and my advice to all is, when your starting out, usually you strum DOWN on the beat. Thats not to say you cant strum down off the beat too. But for songs like father and son. Its going to be a down strum on the beat.

Father and son: (1)DOWN skip (2)DOWN down up (3)DOWN skip (4)DOWN down up  (I havent listened to the originial anytime soon, but I assume its somewhere close).


If you are just starting out and are getting use to the beginners chords. Try just strumming on the beat. (1.. 2.. 3.. 4..).

This will help with the chord changes.

Have fun

Daomor

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5 Reply by daomor

(34 replies, posted in Acoustic)

This shape is alot easier to play.

e---2---
b---4---
g---4---
d---4---
a---x---
e---x---

(Hope the above rendors properly)

I would only use this as a temporary measure. Because although difficult, the B chord is useful.

I hate it too by the way and I've been playing for a long time now.

Hope this helps.

Daomor

p.s. Also try playing the full shape at the 5th fret to get use to it (D major). It might be easier for some there. Then you can move it down as you get more confident.

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6 Reply by daomor

(6 replies, posted in Acoustic)

For most beginner songs, a simple strumming pattern would use a down strum for every beat. (ofcourse this isnt always the case, it also depends on genre of music)

So, on the beat you can assume a down strum would usually fit. So in 4/4 timing you're counting 1..2..3..4.. its on those numbers you want to strum down (if there is a strum at all). Inbetween the beat, it is open for experimentation.

What I would say is; persist. The more you read up about it and practise the better you will get. The satisfaction of perfecting something you have worked hard to acheive (be it playing a song, or a change between two difficult chords) is a great feeling.

Hope this helps.

Good luck!

Daomor

P.S. another helpful tip: the slower you play it, the easier it is, so go slow at first and then gradually speed up.

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7 Reply by daomor

(3 replies, posted in Acoustic)

As you said, Accentuating strums can make a strumming pattern stand out. But have you considered that not all strums have to hit every string?

For example:

A strum on the beat would hit every string (We'll just consider down strums for ease). strum(1) .. strum(2) .. strum(3) .. strum(4)

If you are required to strum inbetween beats you could hit the top few strings (about 2 or 3), but lighter than that of a normal strum. Consider this a half strum.

Count 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + (+sign = and)

fullstrum(1) .. halfstrum(and) .. fullstrum(2) .. halfstrum(and) .. fullstrum(3) .. halfstrum(and) .. fullstrum(4) .. halfstrum(and) ..

I've tried to go into as much detail as possible, hopefully without over complicating it.

Obviously this can be applied to different strumming patterns. Generally strums on the beat get a full accentuated strum. Strums on the offbeat (+) will get a softer strum only hitting the top few strings.

Hope this helps

Daomor

Go to forum: Acoustic