guitar

Dr. Greenthumb · Post by **Dr. Greenthumb** » Sat Dec 03, 2005 4:58 am

getting my first guitar for christmas and dont really know how to play just wondering if i could get any input from anyone who might be familiar. different types and what-not...any help would be appreciated. thank you

cook · Post by **cook** » Sat Dec 03, 2005 5:16 am

What kind are you getting; Acoustic or electric?

I have both and I always recommend an acoustic first. They'll toughen up your fingers and plus they sounds really nice.

Ultimate-guitar.com has some good tutorials, and otherwise very helpful hints on everything guitar related.

Dr. Greenthumb · Post by **Dr. Greenthumb** » Sat Dec 03, 2005 5:19 am

didnt think i would get a reply so fast. i wasnt sure wether to get an acoustic or electric but i hav been leaning towards acoustic. and ill check out that site. Thanks and here are some seeds.
PS. what brands do you recomend, not extravagant but decent?

cook · Post by **cook** » Sat Dec 03, 2005 5:25 am

Gracias for the seeds amigo.

When I got my first acoustic I was looking for the same thing, decent but not shit. I ended up getting a Washburn; Oscar Schmidt. I find mostly all Washburns nice to play. I'm trying to think of what some of my friends have. But I can't remember names.

If you have a local music store, ask one of the workers. I'm sure they'd help you out. Let them know you're new, but not a complete noob with them. Don't believe that a certain guitar will make you play better. Just ask for a decent opinion.

I've been into guitar for just about 5 years now. So just ask if you need any help with them.

I'd also recommend getting a tuner, and a capo. A music shop should sell them with your new instrument for cheap.

Weedguru Anex · Post by **Weedguru Anex** » Sat Dec 03, 2005 9:46 am

Get some guitar lessons! You won't regret it. You'll progress far more quickly, when your first starting out it can be frustrating- you have to build up the muscles in your hands, get calouses on the tips of your fingers etc. and you want to be able to play like a pro from the start. Just copying other people on records is good but theres nothing like getting tips from a 'proper' guitarist, and them being able to point out your mistakes etc. The main point though is you'll learn about music so you should be able to do things for yourself rather than just imitate others.

IMO the right guitar will make you play better, but it has to be the right guitar for you. Try to go to the shop on a weekday or something- when they're not going to busy so you don't feel rushed about choosing.

Dr. Greenthumb · Post by **Dr. Greenthumb** » Sat Dec 03, 2005 3:30 pm

thanks guys....

Im familiar with what a tuner is but what's a capo?

cook · Post by **cook** » Sat Dec 03, 2005 4:23 pm

You can put a capo on any fret. It bars the fret and replicates where the strings pass over the nut. Allowing for "open" strings on higher frets and the ability to play in higher keys.

And I actually regret taking music lessons. It was a waste of time and money for me. Probably because the teacher was a dickface. So if you're getting lessons, try ask some other people that have been taught by the instructor to see what he/she is like. I should've done that. Oh well, I prefer learning by myself anyways, it's cheap and effective.

And Anex, what I meant about the right guitar was that some sellers will tell you that a certain guitar that they have in stock (usually pretty expensive) will make you play better. Not that there's not a guitar out there for everyone.

Weedguru Anex · Post by **Weedguru Anex** » Sat Dec 03, 2005 4:56 pm

Yes, I was just clarifying.
And yes, you need to make sure you get on with your music teacher and that your doing things the way you want to, theres the saying that the guaranteed way to make anything boring is to teach it and you need to avoid this.

Dr. Greenthumb · Post by **Dr. Greenthumb** » Sun Dec 04, 2005 2:02 am

my aunt is going to give me her guitar since she doesnt play anymore. just a regular guitar doesnt plug into an amp or anything. im gonna get it restrung and buy a tuner/capo(still not really sure what a capo is or a fret). still dont know where to find lessons but im sure it wont be that hard. at least i can start building up the calouses

Gorecore · Post by **Gorecore** » Sun Dec 04, 2005 6:16 am

Dude, if you have a webcam and a microphone (just saves on typing), I'll give you online free lessons when I have time.

I've been playing for almost 20 years, but I'm not super great. I can definately teach ya the basics to get you on the road to playing a few tunes!!

Hit me up on MSN...or maybe you're on my list. What's your MSN name? Mine's on my profile.

Weedguru Anex · Post by **Weedguru Anex** » Sun Dec 04, 2005 12:04 pm

Fret: The metal strips on the neck of the guitar. When you press the string down your squashing it against the nearest fret so your changing the the length of string that is vibrating, so the pitch changes.

A capo lets you do this to all the strings at once but still be able to use the whole fret board (you don't have to keep your finger across the strings). Your basically changing the open key of the guitar so each string starts in a higher note. It'll be easy to understand when you get one. Think of it as shortening the neck of the guitar

Re-stringing is easy if you already have strings on the guitar and some cable snips/cutters? Most wire strippers have a cutter on too, they do fine. Take the old strings off, lay them out next to the new strings, cut the new ones to the same length and put them on the guitar in the reverse of how you took them off, then use your tuner to tune up. Only takes 5 mins.
This site is good, it tells you about the bridge pins:
http://www.fretnotguitarrepair.com/changingstrings.htm
Basically the bridge pins are the little 'bead' things you see on acoustic guitar briges (where the strings anchor to). You pull them out of the bridge to get the strings in and out, then push them back in to clamp the string. Again, it'll make more sense when you get it. If you find the bridge pins are stuck, get a knife and very gently put the blade under the pin, then give a gentle twist on the knife handle, should pop the pin out.
Also worth looking at the 'correct stringing method' bit, stops the tuning slipping all the time.

Lots of guitar teachers register on the internet, if you do a google you should get a load if you weren't going to take up Gorecores kind offer

Dr. Greenthumb · Post by **Dr. Greenthumb** » Sun Dec 04, 2005 3:08 pm

Gorecore wrote:Dude, if you have a webcam and a microphone (just saves on typing), I'll give you online free lessons when I have time.

I've been playing for almost 20 years, but I'm not super great. I can definately teach ya the basics to get you on the road to playing a few tunes!!

Hit me up on MSN...or maybe you're on my list. What's your MSN name? Mine's on my profile.

thanks. i'll let you know when i get it should be within a week or 2.
drgreenthumb@hotmail.com

Gorecore · Post by **Gorecore** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 1:41 am

Sweet! Just let me know when you're ready to strum away!

Dr. Greenthumb · Post by **Dr. Greenthumb** » Sun Dec 25, 2005 11:09 pm

ok ive been strumming away trying to pick up on the basics...i watched a beginner video but it was worthless, all it did was help me get in tune. didnt even explain strings or chords.
i think this is how it goes and i just wanted to verify...
E
B
G
D
A
E

ive been trying to work out some chords but i can seem to get my top hand placed correctly. despite all these things im still having a blast with this.

Gorecore · Post by **Gorecore** » Mon Dec 26, 2005 12:56 am

You're right with the EBGDAE. The little trick that I've used over the years is to start with the string furthest away from you (the skinny E) and say this phrase:

"The Easter Bunny Gets Drunk At Easter" It makes memorizing the string names easier.

If you didn't get a tuner, you can find simple ones on Google that will pluck an "A" note or some even have what each sound is supposed to sound like, so you have to use your ears.

A great exercise that helps build up your finger strength and speed (and callouses) is just to simply start on the low E string and play the 1, 2, 3, 4 frets with your index, middle, ring, and baby finger one note at a time. Then go to the next string down and do it again. Then do it backwards back up the strings.

It's not exactly a scale, but it's simple enough to do, and is great practice.

Let me know if/when you want to hook up on MSN to play. Sadly, I only have electrics at the moment, but I can make do.

www.weedguru.com

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