The Official Guitar Thread

[TheMightyOdin]

Thanks.  I'm going to aim for your suggestions.  I'll get the chords down as quickly as my fingers and memory will let me.  I'll likely also trying and get at least one song going so I'm not bored or feeling that it's going nowhere (with just chords).

Well, if I can suggest three chords in particular I'd aim for G, C and D. Get those down pat and with a little fooling around you'll be able to play, oh, 50% of everything recorded post 1962.

I think those three are the main chords in Pink Floyd's Mother.. Or was it G,C and A?

 

[Bender]

Theres a lot of simple chords you can learn that will help. Basically the chords in open position are great to start on. G, C, A. Try Am, Em, Dm as well and you'll also have some minor chords to play with too, and Am, and Em are dirt simple, and make a great one two punch (like in No Reply).

 

[Stebro]

I find it much harder to learn how to play the guitarr than the keyboard or piano, and most guitarr players i've talked to says it's the other way around so they don't understand it

 

[Rick C.]

So... I've got a regular steel string acoustic, as well as a classical acoustic with larger frets.

My fat fingers make it hard to play the regular acoustic - does it matter what I learn on first?

 

[louisstamos]

So we're two days before our CD release party, and my Line 6 DL4 pedal isn't powering on. :S

Anyone know any places in Toronto that repairs guitar pedals?  Preferably with a quick turnaround?

 

[Kin]

So... I've got a regular steel string acoustic, as well as a classical acoustic with larger frets.

My fat fingers make it hard to play the regular acoustic - does it matter what I learn on first?

What really matters is what you're more comfortable on. If you learn on the classical and get good the transition will probably be easier. I've got pretty big fingers myself and it doesn't pose a challenge at this point.

As for louis, my first shot would be the The Twelfth Fret. I can't say for certain that they repair pedals but they're definitely who I'd call first.

 

[Champ Kind]

So... I've got a regular steel string acoustic, as well as a classical acoustic with larger frets.

My fat fingers make it hard to play the regular acoustic - does it matter what I learn on first?

What really matters is what you're more comfortable on. If you learn on the classical and get good the transition will probably be easier. I've got pretty big fingers myself and it doesn't pose a challenge at this point.

As for louis, my first shot would be the The Twelfth Fret. I can't say for certain that they repair pedals but they're definitely who I'd call first.

Capsule Music has an excellent repair department.

Rick, may I also suggest getting a capo.  I think it's a great help in getting started (makes fretting some chords a bit easier).  And don't worry about your fingers not fitting.  There's lots of big - and I mean BIG - guitar players and they don't have a problem.  Get through the first two weeks and your fingers will loosen up, the skin on your tips will harden, and the whole thing will start becoming enjoyable.

 

[Rick C.]

Rick, may I also suggest getting a capo.  I think it's a great help in getting started (makes fretting some chords a bit easier).  And don't worry about your fingers not fitting.  There's lots of big - and I mean BIG - guitar players and they don't have a problem.  Get through the first two weeks and your fingers will loosen up, the skin on your tips will harden, and the whole thing will start becoming enjoyable.

I'm going to start with the regular acoustic for a few weeks and see how the fingers make out.  This is a surprise, me doing this.  I want to be able to grab a guitar and play a few songs in front of my son and bro-in-law.  They both play well and I'd love to be in tune with them, so to speak.  I want to feel good about something - those of you who know me and what I've been through the past several years know that I'm about due for something positive.  Learning guitar sounds perfect to me. And surprising family sounds just as perfect to me.

I have a capo - don't know how to use it yet, but I'll get there.  In my spare time I'm trying to read up on music theory BASICS.  Makes sense to me to do this - if I'm doing this, I want to do a decent job of it.

I'll keep you all posted!

 

[Bender]

Rick, may I also suggest getting a capo.  I think it's a great help in getting started (makes fretting some chords a bit easier).  And don't worry about your fingers not fitting.  There's lots of big - and I mean BIG - guitar players and they don't have a problem.  Get through the first two weeks and your fingers will loosen up, the skin on your tips will harden, and the whole thing will start becoming enjoyable.

I'm going to start with the regular acoustic for a few weeks and see how the fingers make out.  This is a surprise, me doing this.  I want to be able to grab a guitar and play a few songs in front of my son and bro-in-law.  They both play well and I'd love to be in tune with them, so to speak.  I want to feel good about something - those of you who know me and what I've been through the past several years know that I'm about due for something positive.  Learning guitar sounds perfect to me. And surprising family sounds just as perfect to me.

I have a capo - don't know how to use it yet, but I'll get there.  In my spare time I'm trying to read up on music theory BASICS.  Makes sense to me to do this - if I'm doing this, I want to do a decent job of it.

I'll keep you all posted!

The Capo is used to just change key. You can still play everything normally but it will have a different sound. George Harrison uses it to get that mandolin-like sound on Here Comes the Sun.

 

[Rick C.]

The Capo is used to just change key. You can still play everything normally but it will have a different sound. George Harrison uses it to get that mandolin-like sound on Here Comes the Sun.

So Gmajor chord without a capo, is still a Gmajor with the capo moved up a few frets.  Just changes the key (meaning it is higher sounding)?

I'm actually trying to read up a fair bit on guitar theory.  Learning about steps and half steps and notes where AEDGBE land etc etc

 

[Rick C.]

Anudder question...  As I've said, I want some simple theory.  But I also just want to play fairly straight forward tunes around the campfire.

So, if you had - say - $150 to play with, would you take some lessons, maybe to make sure I'm holding the damn thing properly, pressing the fretboard in the right places, etc?  Or would you do a half dozen theory from a guitar perspective?!

 

[Bender]

Anudder question...  As I've said, I want some simple theory.  But I also just want to play fairly straight forward tunes around the campfire.

So, if you had - say - $150 to play with, would you take some lessons, maybe to make sure I'm holding the damn thing properly, pressing the fretboard in the right places, etc?  Or would you do a half dozen theory from a guitar perspective?!

To start, in my opinion, you don't really need theory. If that's all you want it's not really necessary and it's possible you can get information overload. Learn the basics first, how to hold it, how to strum, basic chords and just get comfortable with the instrument.

Theory can come later, (you actually may never need theory if you're not composing anything) at least I think so. When I was in uni tons of kids used to play and have a great time. There's no way all of them knew theory.

 

[Rick C.]

To start, in my opinion, you don't really need theory. If that's all you want it's not really necessary and it's possible you can get information overload. Learn the basics first, how to hold it, how to strum, basic chords and just get comfortable with the instrument.

Theory can come later, (you actually may never need theory if you're not composing anything) at least I think so. When I was in uni tons of kids used to play and have a great time. There's no way all of them knew theory.

Thanks.  Beyond the major chords, do i need to memorize some of the notes on the fretboard?

 

[louisstamos]

Reviving this thread for all the players out there. 

Thinking about picking up a new axe.  Doing a sort of informal poll:

Fender Classic Player Jazzmaster

vs

Fender Kurt Cobain Signature Mustang

Anyone every owned or is a particular fan of either instrument?  I play mostly punk-to-postrock stuff (a lot of dynamics - clean to heavy).  My cousin, who had a Mustang once upon a time, said the Jazzmaster is the better way to go, but I like the humbucker and single coil option in the KC Mustang.

 

[Kin]

I really love the Jazzmaster I've played and been less enthused with the Mustangs I've had access to but it does sound like the Mustang might be more suited to your sound. That said I've always kind of been a "if you don't like the pickups in a guitar, put new ones in" kind of guy.

 

[Bender]

To start, in my opinion, you don't really need theory. If that's all you want it's not really necessary and it's possible you can get information overload. Learn the basics first, how to hold it, how to strum, basic chords and just get comfortable with the instrument.

Theory can come later, (you actually may never need theory if you're not composing anything) at least I think so. When I was in uni tons of kids used to play and have a great time. There's no way all of them knew theory.

Thanks.  Beyond the major chords, do i need to memorize some of the notes on the fretboard?

I don't know them. I just remember shapes and patterns. I find that a lot easier to remember than every single note, although I'm sure it's beneficial.

 

[Redleaf]

To start, in my opinion, you don't really need theory. If that's all you want it's not really necessary and it's possible you can get information overload. Learn the basics first, how to hold it, how to strum, basic chords and just get comfortable with the instrument.

Theory can come later, (you actually may never need theory if you're not composing anything) at least I think so. When I was in uni tons of kids used to play and have a great time. There's no way all of them knew theory.

Thanks.  Beyond the major chords, do i need to memorize some of the notes on the fretboard?

Don't do what I did, and learn to play guitar on a twelve string. I'd start with an acoustic though. You can transfer your ability going from acoustic to electric easier than the other way around.

 

[Madferret]

They're both dead sexy and used to be a hell of a lot cheaper than what they go for nowadays. Anyone seen The Johnny Mar signature Jag?

 

[Madferret]

I'd put P90s or EMGs in if was given the option - I won't slag off a humbucker tho

 

[Madferret]

I've touched on this before but in one sentence or less the best thing to do with theory / modes is learn it inside out and then never think about it again.