Guitar Players
- Thread starter KyCatFan
- Start date
I'll re-emphasize. Learn to play this these four chords the easy way and you can play thousands of songs.
The F is always the first barre that you must learn. And of course B is next. I agree with you, don't cheat them....despite watching all the good players who do. I am not good enough to play to what I call the lazy version. But once you understand the neck of the guitar you master F and then I prefer to incorporate the G barred. Then drop down to the C. Its just a matter of understanding the major and minors of the barre cords and then muscle memory.
The F to C (open) are the first ones in my opinion to incorporate the "cheat." Alternate between open C to F (lazy barre) and back to C (open). Just makes the cord change easier.
Its a lot more fun playing a song you like. If you try Youtube karaoke songs with lyrics and cords included it allows you to play along and sing if you wish. From that I like to figure out which is the easiest cord changes to make. Sometimes using and Open G or others with the Barre G. Majors and Minors are so easy with the barre cords so its just memorizing. I memorize G to C, A to D, B to E with barre cords and then of course their major and minors. Just knowing the neck.
Good thread here. I'm trying to learn to play myself. The Wife got me a starter acoustic for Christmas. I've always wanted to learn to play guitar and drums. I'm in my 50's and it's never too late to learn anything. Been watching some you tube vids and my head is spinning, lol. There's a lot of good advice on here. I'm gonna get ahold of Guitar Center and purchase a few months worth of lessons. For the good players on here, is that a bad idea? Can I get the same kind of teaching from some youtube vids?
A lot of good advice here. As mentioned, learning to keep time is important. 4/4 is the most common, but also learn waltz time: 123123. I'm old, so my examples are old music: The Beatles "I Me Mine" is waltz time. So is the Rascals song "How Can I Be Sure?" I'd be inclined to learn on a steel-string acoustic first. A nylon string guitar is far more forgiving on the fingers, but it's nearly inevitable that a player is going to end up with a steel-string eventually. Go ahead and get started; it's going to be uncomfortable. Your fingers are going to rebel. Keep practicing. Gear? I'd buy an acoustic guitar with a solid wood top. A laminated top guitar isn't going to resonate properly. There are decent guitars that are maybe $300 or $400. One other determinate -- how big are your hands? If they are relatively small, you'll probably want a guitar with a neck that measures 1 11/16 inches across at the nut. That would include a lot of guitars. But wider necks are becoming more common: 1 3/4. I have one guitar that's 1 3/4, and I'm not comfortable playing it. I have at best average hands; and//or I have bad technique. Having an individual instructor probably makes sense. Seek out music that you like and as you build your knowledge of chords, you can easily find the chords of your songs online. It's a lot more engaging to play songs you know than to do theoretical exercises. After all, the whole idea is to have fun.
I live in Louisville-HIghlands area-and would be interested in getting together with any local posters to work on guitar. I am a intermediate level that would like to work on getting better.
Had a thought today while listening to George Benson. When regular-people (non genius/prodigy) guitarists are noodling around, do you or can you sing the riffs you’re playing at the same time? Not talking about playing other people’s songs, but just stuff that you come up with.
I can: I sing what I play mainly to help train my ear to help figure out harmony vocals.
I took lessons for about 3 months in the 7th grade (about 40yrs ago). My teacher quit to play full-time with his band. I never went back and haven't had a lesson since.
I've played on-and-off for years "learning" on my own and now play in my church's sunday morning worship band.
I've learned to play what i play just from tab books and videos and after having done that for so long, i would say one thing. Whatever keeps you practicing on a regular basis, do it. If it's lessons or whatever, do it. I've seen it countless times in my own playing over the years. If i just sit down and practice techniques (vs just playing songs i already know or learning new ones from tab), i can tell a difference in my playing in a matter of days. Unfortunately, i'll quit doing it and lose a good bit of what i built up.
I kick myself all the time for not keeping up a steady practice routine.
You'll be amazed at what 20 minutes a day every day will do for ya... I've seen guys go from absolute beginner to bar band chord playing rhythm guitarist in 2 months with 20 minutes or so a day...
If you're sitting in front of the TV... grab the guitar... run thru scales, chords, whatever your level.
If you're sitting in front of the TV... grab the guitar... run thru scales, chords, whatever your level.
