Guitar Beginner Question (Beware, pretty weird questions)

Hi all.

I started learning the very basics on my guitar last night. I got a beginners book, which had a chord chart. I tired a D chord and almost pulled a hamstring . After trying for a while, I gave the chord a rest and went back to the real basics, reading notes, playing on one string etc.

Just wondering if anyone does any exercises for their fingers to warm them up.

Also on the chord, I seem to smother one of the strings with my (used loosely) technique. Really stupid question, but should the nails of your fingers on the fret board be cut short so as to hit the string in a more vertical plane?

Told ya, weird questions attached!! Don't blame me if you get a stitch from laughing.

Thanks all.

Regards,

René

René,
No wierd questions. Always feel free to ask. I just started teaching my son what little I know and I'm going to tell you what I told him.
1. As you start to learn, your fingertips will experience soreness until you start building up callous on them. Don't let this stop you, it will get better.
2. Right now, your fingers aren't accustomed to being put in strange postions. They'll start to loosen up and become more flexible as you continue to play. I'm sure you can find some exercises online to help with the stretching. Use your fingertips, not your nails for fretting. I keep my nails short (not excessively short, but not long.).
3. Learn you basic chords first in the open position (A, B, C, D, E, F, G). After you master those you can move on to barre chords.
4. Learn how to play a 1, 4, 5 progression in different keys. When you learn to play a 1, 4, 5, you'll be able to play many songs (since most r & r songs (and blues) are in a 1, 4, 5 progression).
5. As you progress, start learning minor and 7th chords.

I think that's enough info for now. I'm sure Pete will also be able to give you some great tips. Off to go put my dice knobs on my 5120. Have a great night.

Steve

Can't give much guitar advix=ce i'm afraid. I'm the original frustrated guitarist, who got on with other musical activities while trying to pla guitar. The best advice i could give, is that - when you've learned haw to play something (chord, progression or even note) then figure out why you played it.... Do this and you'll do much much better than I!!! BTW I can play Stray Cat Strut verbatum.... but i don't know why it's played like that...

Mikey (20 greatest hits)

Hi pony,
Im by no means a pro but I can tell you I experienced everything you did and had the exact same questions but no one to ask. NJ is right on.

One thing I will elaborate on. The 1 4 5 (I IV V) chord progression he refered to is known as a triad. Its a progression of chords that make up a song, usually the first chord being the "key" the song is in. An example would be (off the top of my head) Folsom prison blues. Key E (1) I hear the train comin......sing sing sing until "im stuck in folsom .....draggin onStrum A( 4th chord) back to E(1) then to "B" (5th chord) but that train keeps arollin then back to "E".

This is a very abreviated lesson there is tons of stuff out there and a million ways to learn. Be patient and stick with it. There are plenty of players on here and they all seem willing to help.If you would like I have some simple theory lessons from when I started taking lessons, I would be happy to share with you.

Jon

Here is an Excerpt from Guitar For Dummies ( Yes I am a Dummie )



Left-hand position: Fretting made easy



Extend your left hand, palm up, and make a loose fist, placing your thumb roughly between your first and second fingers. All your knuckles should be bent. Your hand should look about like that after you stick a guitar neck in there. The thumb glides along the back of the neck, straighter than if you were making a fist but not rigid. The finger knuckles stay bent whether they're fretting or relaxed.

To fret a note, press the tip of your finger down on a string, keeping your knuckles bent. Try to get the fingertip to come down vertically on the string rather than at an angle. This position exerts the greatest pressure on the string and also prevents the sides of the finger from touching adjacent strings — which may cause either buzzing or muting (deadening the string, or preventing it from ringing). Use your thumb from its position underneath the neck to help "squeeze" the fingerboard for a tighter grip.

When playing a particular fret, remember that you don't place your finger directly on the metal fret wire, but in between the two frets (or between the nut and first fret wire). For example, if you're playing the fifth fret, place your finger in the square between the fourth and fifth fret wires. Don't place it in the center of the square (midway between the fret wires), but closer to the higher fret wire. This technique will give you the clearest sound and prevent buzzing.

Left-hand fretting requires strength, but don't be tempted to try speeding up the process of strengthening your hands through artificial means. You may see advertisements for hand-strengthening devices that may expedite your left-hand endurance, but one thing's for sure: Nothing builds your left-hand fretting strength better or faster than simply playing guitar.

Because of the strength your left hand exerts while fretting, other parts of your body may tense up to compensate. At periodic intervals, make sure that you relax your left shoulder. Make sure as well that your left elbow doesn't stick out to the side, like that of some rude dinner guest. You want to keep your upper arm and forearm parallel to the side of your body. Relax your elbow so that it stays at your side.

The important thing to remember in maintaining a good left-hand position is that you need to keep it comfortable and natural. If your hand starts to hurt or ache, stop playing and take a rest. As with any other activity that requires muscular development, resting enables your body to catch up.

alka-setzer wrote:

Hi pony,
Im by no means a pro but I can tell you I experienced everything you did and had the exact same questions but no one to ask. NJ is right on.

One thing I will elaborate on. The 1 4 5 (I IV V) chord progression he refered to is known as a triad. Its a progression of chords that make up a song, usually the first chord being the "key" the song is in. An example would be (off the top of my head) Folsom prison blues. Key E (1) I hear the train comin......sing sing sing until "im stuck in folsom .....draggin onStrum A( 4th chord) back to E(1) then to "B" (5th chord) but that train keeps arollin then back to "E".

This is a very abreviated lesson there is tons of stuff out there and a million ways to learn. Be patient and stick with it. There are plenty of players on here and they all seem willing to help.If you would like I have some simple theory lessons from when I started taking lessons, I would be happy to share with you.

Jon

Hi Jon.

Thanks for the great offer. I will take you up on that. Very kind of you .

Regards,

René

Hey Rene,
If ya want, since we literally live a couple of minutes away from each other, I can show ya some basics that the majority of Blues/Rockabilly are based on. Once you grasp these, the rest starts to fall in place. It's not hard but definately easier if someone shows you in person. Plus I'd love to check out that awesome Gretsch of yours!
Send me a PM if you are interested, cheers Pete.

PICKIN' PETE wrote:

Hey Rene,
Plus I'd love to check out that awesome Gretsch of yours!
.

c`mon, that´s THE only reason!!!
(just a joke)

But hey, this is the best help you can get, Pony65k.
Books and thre Internet are very helpfull, but if you have somebody who show you the first steps, thats the best.


For me it`s a little too far away, But Pete will do it perfect, I`m sure.

A triad is the three notes that make up a chord - 1st 3rd and 5th of the scale - not a 1, 4, 5 progression. best not to get the wrong info stuck in your head at start or else some smartass(!) might come along and correct you!

my only advice dude is keep at it! it takes repition and its gonna be a pain in the butt at first but the product is rewarding! especially bar chords... talk about hand cramps when your first starting! as for warmups i never did em... lot of people do though. as for nails i like mine just a smidge long its comfy....

Hey brett,
Now I know that you know, and you know that I know, and everyone else knows that we know that I wanna see that Gretsch, but keep it to yourself OK!!hahaha!!
Nah, seriousily, if Rene wants a hand, I'm happy to show him. My mentors are awesome players compared to me, but they took time to show me stuff and never critized my playing because we all gotta start somewhere. I hate narrow minded people that think they're the shit because they're better at something than someone else!
Cheers Pete.
How ya coming along with those new songs?

PICKIN' PETE wrote:

Hey brett,
I hate narrow minded people that think they're the shit because they're better at something than someone else!?

yep, i do the same

PICKIN' PETE wrote:

How ya coming along with those new songs?

it goes well, some songs are new for me,
some i`m knowing well. (Blues suede shoes, whole lotta shakin, Rock`n Roll Ruby)

So, it works. We have now about 30 songs. It`s ok for the first show end of august.

Cheers

B

Rene,

Everyone so far has given some good advice, so here be my additions:

As for nails, fret-hand nails shouldn't be too long or they will interfere with your playing, especially on extended chords. However, depending on the style you play, you might want to keep the pick-hand nails a little long, as this can impact your fingerstyle playing (Merle Travis, Chet Atkins style, or flamenco/classical) since some players use the tip of the nail to produce their fingerstyle tone. I don't share these concerns, as I eschew pick and/or fingers in favor of using tentacles! (lol)

Ok, back to the topic at hand, you mentioned finger exercises. I don't always use them, but it's probably a good idea to warm up expecially before tackling something fast and difficult (i.e. "Honey Man"). To stretch out the fingers, I'll take two fingers on one hand and hold them in a "V" shape while trying to fit the four fingers from the other hand inside of them, holding for about a few seconds, and repeating one by one on each hand. This helps to stretch out your playing hands. Now for finger exercises, you can try the 1-2-3-4-4-3-2-1 (finger and fret) pattern and its countless variations going up and down the neck and across the neck from string to string. When doing this exercise, go as slow as necessary to play it cleanly and evenly while trying to keep the fret hand close to the board. Gradually build speed as you progress.

Finally, the 1-4-5 progression is known as a Blues-Progression. It and its variations are all a big part of music (rock, blues, jazz) and the Setzer repertoire. Basic form is usually 12 bars (4 for the I chord, 2 for the IV chord, 2 for the I chord, 1 for the V chord, 1 for the IV chord, 1 for the I chord, and 1 (turnaround) for the V chord).

Hope that helps ye out.

Capt. Jones

Lots of great suggestions, thanks everyone. It's amazing how much easier trying to play chords are when you cut your fingernails. Man are my fingers sore though. Tried a few chords and got some nice sounds. Since I'm on the real basics, I try out some chords when I need a break from reading or if I can't pick up something. Progressions are a tab bit advanced at the moment, but I will get there.

You guys are awesome, thanks very much

Regards,

René

Hey Rene,
You did fine last nite. I can tell that you're really gonna get into it and that's half the battle. Having a great instrument helps as well!
Cheers Pete.

Yes. Correct Pete. And I .... I have a perfect "instrument"!!! Hihihihihihihihihihihihiihihii!

PICKIN' PETE wrote:

Hey Rene,
You did fine last nite. I can tell that you're really gonna get into it and that's half the battle. Having a great instrument helps as well!
Cheers Pete.

Thanks Pete.

I really really appreciate your help and especially your support and encouragement. Sitting watching you play and seeing the love you have for playing was intoxicating (maybe the beer). I was so jazzed after I left that I couldn't get to sleep for ages. Actually, how much wine did I have??

By the way, did I leave the paper with the chord progression and boogie at your place? I can't find it, I'm going insane!!

Regards,

René

Hey Rene,
Thanks for the kind words, hopefully you'll enjoy the show on the 16th with the band.
Yes, you left the papers here at my place, I'll bring them to work and keep them there so you can pick them up.
Cheers Pete.
P.S. Only 1 bottle.

PICKIN' PETE wrote:

Hey Rene,
Thanks for the kind words, hopefully you'll enjoy the show on the 16th with the band.
Yes, you left the papers here at my place, I'll bring them to work and keep them there so you can pick them up.
Cheers Pete.
P.S. Only 1 bottle.

I was going nuts looking for that!! What time do you start work tonight? Mate, that show is going to go off on the 16th. What time is it anyway, there's no time on the flyer.

René

Hey Rene,
Show starts at 9, previousily we've done dinner there from 6, but need bookings.
I'll be at work from 3 onwards, come in for a drink. Bring any questions with ya and I'll burn a cd you can jam along to as well.
Cheers Pete.

PICKIN' PETE wrote:

Hey Rene,
Show starts at 9, previousily we've done dinner there from 6, but need bookings.
I'll be at work from 3 onwards, come in for a drink. Bring any questions with ya and I'll burn a cd you can jam along to as well.
Cheers Pete.

Ccol, I'll get there this arvo, I need the sheet!!!! It might be worth something on ebay BTW, check your messages, I sent you the link to that Rockabilly Band I was talking to you about the other night.

René

pony65k wrote:

PICKIN' PETE wrote:

Hey Rene,
Show starts at 9, previousily we've done dinner there from 6, but need bookings.
I'll be at work from 3 onwards, come in for a drink. Bring any questions with ya and I'll burn a cd you can jam along to as well.
Cheers Pete.

Ccol, I'll get there this arvo, I need the sheet!!!! It might be worth something on ebay BTW, check your messages, I sent you the link to that Rockabilly Band I was talking to you about the other night.

René

Yes, since I don't consider myself a good guitarist, with alot still to learn, I think maybe it'll worth big bucks on eBay when you hit it big time!!
See ya this arvo, and got that link, thanks Pete.

Quote :

Yes, since I don't consider myself a good guitarist, with alot still to learn, I think maybe it'll worth big bucks on eBay when you hit it big time!!
See ya this arvo, and got that link, thanks Pete.

Mate if I'm going, I'm taking you with me

René

'Guitar for Dummies' is good but you will probably want to get 'Music Theory for Dummies' as well. Then you know what is going on when someone talks about chord progressions. It will help you be able to read music (not necessary but not harmful either). I would also suggest using the fret board map and learn the notes that make up each chord. 'The Guitar Grimoire' is good too, but it is just scales and scales and modes and more scales ....

i cant seem to get any rythem out of my playing, whenever i play i strum the same lousy way. I cant seem to get any different rythems going. Any tips?