• From: Northern Ireland
  • Registered: 2010-12-21
  • Posts: 22

Topic: VERY beginner problem!

HI all

ive been learning guitar for a few months now, my chord changes are very good-in general!-and i know a few songs.

My biggest problem is that i dont know when to come in if i was trying to sing along and i struggle with my rhythm and strumming pattern if i do get the timing right!

Also, I havnt the slightest clue-if i was writing a song- as to what chord to play and why a specific chord is used

I would like to start writing songs but i have no idea how to get over these problems.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Regards, Nathan

"just keep strumming, just keep strumming, just keep strumming, strummming, strummming"
  • dino48
  • Honoured Member
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  • From: los banos,california
  • Registered: 2007-04-06
  • Posts: 6,801

Re: VERY beginner problem!

Hi Mcclatch,welcome too chordie, I think you might try playing with the recorded song that way you will be in time and listen to the chord changes.Practice alot,even the most talanted players practice. I am sure you will get some help from other members here.

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  • arkady
  • arkady
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  • From: England
  • Registered: 2006-11-23
  • Posts: 2,147

Re: VERY beginner problem!

Hi mcclatch
Welcome to Chordie.
Well rhythm and strumming are basically down to practice listening to the song as been said it's a good way of learning the timing of the chord changes. There are other methods such as practicing with a metronome etc. I've not had much time for getting stumming patterns exactly right I just go with what feels right to me.

Writing songs are basically words/music or music/words.....
If you can play 3 chords you can write a song even 2 will do maybe 1 at a pinch smile
Anyway get a 3 chord progression going maybe C G D could be any major chords even minors 7th etc....and see if you can fit a melody (tune) over the the top of the Chords sing it, hum it, whistle it if you like just bang away until you get fed up or bingo something clicks...
or....
Have some words and do the same just make the chords/melody fit the words.
It can be easy or impossible.. just give it go and don't give up
Good luck
ark

  • From: Northern Ireland
  • Registered: 2010-12-21
  • Posts: 22

Re: VERY beginner problem!

Thanks guys, ill give some of this a go.
Guitar is fun so its not so bad that it takes time smile

"just keep strumming, just keep strumming, just keep strumming, strummming, strummming"
  • KAP54
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  • From: London Ontario Canada
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,746

Re: VERY beginner problem!

Hi mcclatch. Welcome to Chordie.

Chordie is the best site on the net for getting and giving advise. It's good to see you jumping right in. smile
As said by Ark and Dino it all boils down to practice with your mates. After a while you'll find that as you don't think about the chords or where to place your fingers jumping in to sing will become second nature.
As for writing a song, as you are strumming a chord pattern try to hum a melody. It doesn't matter if the melody is a song or not but this way you will find what chords are better suited to your voice or what key you sing best in. Once you know what chords work for your voice then let your imagination give you a melody. Don't try to force a song, let the song come to you and as Ark says...Don't ever give up.

Hope this helps.

Cheers smile

Kenny

Just Keepin on Keepin on
Martin DC15E
Cort MR710F
Squire Strat (Chinese)
  • From: derbyshire
  • Registered: 2007-05-17
  • Posts: 2,844

Re: VERY beginner problem!

hi mcclatch welcome to chordie,i used to practice with TEN GREEN BOTTLES using the G chord,strumming down one strum for each word as  you sing the song,just a simple song like that can help and then change the chord to C and then F,that is a three chord sequence,or try A,D,E whichever suits you best,i've been practicing 30 years and only use about 12 chords on the first three frets and can play my version of 90% of songs just using them,just enjoy what your doing and it will come to you with practice....stay cool

love is life ,life is for love,keep a true heart and live life to the full....stay cool

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  • From: Tooele Ut
  • Registered: 2006-03-04
  • Posts: 4,049

Re: VERY beginner problem!

You sound like me daddycool.  My kind of player.

You can see all my video covers on [url]http://www.youtube.com/bensonp1000[/url]
I have finally found happiness in my life.  Guitars, singing, beer and camping.  And they all intertwine wonderfully.
  • From: The Land Of Song
  • Registered: 2007-12-10
  • Posts: 5,707

Re: VERY beginner problem!

i'm sure i've added a couple of comments here?

any how, the best piece of advice i can give you is; dont write too many words cos you never know, you may be asked to sing your song one day, then you'll have to learn all the words! worse yet, they may ask you to mime it, then you've got to learn all the words in order....horror!

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