"Am" means A minor. Lowercase "m" next to a chord means minor. Major chords typically don't have any letters next to them, but sometimes you'll see AMaj, which is still A Major. "G/B" is a G chord with a B in the root. Sounds complicated, but it isn't: If you're playing the normal Open G chord (3-2-0-0-0-3), all you do is not play the top string, which is the G. That will leave you with x-2-0-0-0-3, which is a G/B. The sideways tab is read from top string to bottom, in case that didn't make sense. For example, if you played all open strings (0-0-0-0-0-0), the notes would be E-A-D-G-b-e. In the G chord, the notes are G-B-D-g-b-g, and just omitting the root gives you the G/B. The "root" here is the main note of the chord, so an A chord has the A as the root. I have no idea how much you've learned, so you probably know all this already, I just didn't want to leave anything up to guesses for you, I ain't down-talkin.
I understood his way, but that's the one thing that's been fucking me up with the tabs I found online. The top line on those are the e string, not the E string, and I figured it would be top to bottom like the guitar, not high to low like they wrote it. It will take a few days, but it will become natural. The stuff I've been practicing is all 0 through 3rd fret, too, so at least I am not all over the damn place on the neck. Now, if you see something like this: ---0------ ---------- ---------- ---2------ ---------- ---------- I'm assuming you only play those two strings at once and leave everything else out? How do you only play those two strings at the same time?
Depends on the song, if something's written like that it might indicate fingerstyle as opposed to picking. If the song were picked, you'd probably see this: ---0------ ---x------ ---x------ ---2------ ---------- ---------- because there's just no way to not hit those. What song is it, for one? And to answer your question, you can play that (with a pick) by muting the strings not being played. I don't have a guitar in hand, but if you fret the D string with your middle finger, you can probably figure out how to mute the G and b string with your other fingers, while leaving the e string open. It's an important skill to learn, and one that takes time. It'll prevent you from sounding like a jangly mess. If it's a fingerstyle song, the answers a bit easier, but it would require an entire explanation of fingerstyle and a video would do it better. I'll see if I can find one.
There are also some songs where you pick one string and then pluck the other string with another finger on your pick hand at the same time. It also might be played with fingers, no pick at all. Again, it depends on the song.
I've been playing mostly with my fingers just because I don't feel like holding a pick. Would I be better off using the pick to start with? Also, should I bother getting a capo? How often do you need one of those?
I really like using a capo. A lot of great songs employ their use and to try and play the correct chord without it might prove to be very difficult.(you might need to bar certain chords, which is more advanced) Also learning to be able to use and pick and hit the right strings takes practice. Using your fingers won't help develop that skill. That said, certain songs sound better with a pick and others without. Generally speaking, using your fingers will produce a mellower tone than a pick will. When I play the song, "Foolish Games", the opening melody is actually much easier to finger-pick than to use a regular pick. But different strengths and materials of pick will also affect tone. I like using medium Tortex picks by Dunlop. They have a more satin-like texture which is something I prefer.
OK, I will order a capo then, and I'll practice with a pick too. I figure if I'm going to learn this, I should learn it right. I started with a cheap 41" acoustic guitar from Amazon just to learn with the kids, but since I'm enjoying it so much, I'll probably end up getting a nicer guitar. I know I can go to Guitar Center and just buy something expensive, but since that's stupid, what would you guys recommend? EDIT: How come a lot of the tabs I see tune the guitar down half a step? Is that a common thing?
Learn both fingerstyle and picking. Don't just learn one or the other. I'm kind of assuming here based on what you just said, but I take it you're basically picking using your fingers? If so, that's incorrect. I found this video on fingerstyle: Pretty good beginning instruction. I watched most of it, I'm pretty sure he doesn't even get into using the left hand, but its the same principle no matter the chord. Watch the video, do all the little exercises of the different finger patterns, and you'll be able to play most fingerstyle songs. Learn songs that require a pick as well, don't pigeonhole yourself into one or the other, they're both useful skills. Get a capo, they're like 5 bucks and will let you play songs you otherwise couldn't. As for guitars, something in the 300-400 range is your best bet for something that will allow you to play and learn correctly, get a decent tone, and not make you spend ridiculous amounts. I can't speak for acoustic guitars in that range, double_stop probably can, but if you're looking to go electric I doubt you'll find something better than a Fender Mexican series, you can find them for 3-400 and you can play them for the rest of your life if you were so inclined. My first guitar was a piece of shit Ibanez that I hated and impeded my learning progress. The Strat was just the right range for me when I was approaching intermediate level. If you're sure you want to continue learning, definitely spend the little bit of extra money to get something that will help you learn, not hurt. Oh, also, when buying guitars its hard to tell you what to buy, because you may or may not like it. Definitely go into a shop and play all the guitars in a certain price range. We can give you general advice, but you have to find what you like to play. For example, I prefer the Fender line, which is why I recommended that to you, but you might like the feel of Les Pauls/ SGs/ whatever. There's nothing really wrong with buying a guitar from Guitar Center, but if there's a local shop near your house you'll probably be better off there. Shop around.
Well, I used to have a bass (I wasn't any good) so I kinda pick the guitar the way I did on the bass. I had an Ibanez 5 string bass, it was pretty decent. I have big hands (I can palm a basketball) so I need to find something pretty comfortable. I sure am glad we have this board (and it ain't just the rum talkin') because I don't want to go get fucked over by some salesman. I'm looking at the Guitar Center website right now, just to see ideas. I would like to pay between 300-600 tops. I'll probably keep my cheap acoustic to learn on, but will switch to an electric (or an acoustic-electric) if I'm going to upgrade. My little guy has a Peavey electric that my parents got him when he turned 7, it would be make his day if Daddy had an electric too. EDIT: Watched the video, that's how I've been doing it. Because of my hands being big, I do whatever is comfortable, and doing it that way felt the best.
A lot of the grunge and rock from the 90's and even some bands nowadays downtune 1/2 step because it changes the tone just a little. Adds a little more bass and can make the low ends sound a little crunchier. It also voices the chords differently. Other artists sometimes do whats called drop D tuning, where they take the low E string and tune it down a full step to a D. Neil Young did this a bit...for instance in "Harvest Moon". As for nicer guitars, it all depends on your price range. Try to think of a price before you go shopping, otherwise you might get lost. I have a Taylor. I love it. Taylors get really pricey. My next guitar will probably be a Martin. They are known for their darker and richer sounds but are sometimes less playable by beginner musicians. Taylors are known for their brightness and airy tone quality. They are also beautiful to look at. But these guitars aren't the ones where you just mosey on in and pick one up. Either way, you want to make sure the guitars you look at have at least a solid top. A lot of inexpensive guitars are made of laminate woods rather than solid pieces. Solid wood guitars give you much nicer tone quality and you don't have to break the bank to get one. I happen to like the Takamine gs430. Its a cedar guitar which provides a nice mellow sound at a really nice price. I think its less than 400. Spruce guitars give a brighter sound with a decent low end.
What do you guys think of those kits where you get to build it yourself? That sounds like something I could do with my son that would be a fun father-son project.
I've never actually done that before. I knew a guy a few years back who used to build his own guitars. That sounds like it would make a really nice piece that you could hold on to for a long time. I'm not sure of the quality of the instrument you will get. I'm not speaking on your abilities as a craftsman, but on the quality of the materials in the kit. Always worth a shot for something fun to do.
If you're talking about things like the Martin build-your-own kit, make sure you know what you're getting yourself into. I've read some stuff from people who built guitars from the kits, and it ends up being way more involved than you might initially think. For example, I think the person said the instructions that came with the kit simply said to fit the neck and install it. But the person went on to say that entire books have been written about fitting guitar necks and that if you do it wrong, even by a little bit, your entire guitar might as well be garbage. So yes, the kits sound like a lot of fun and very interesting. But to wind up with a guitar that will sound good and play well, be prepared to spend the time necessary to research the proper techniques for guitar building. I know the kits say that the hard work has been done by skilled luthiers, but they can only do so much without putting the guitar together. It is some seriously skilled work.
There's a whole lot that goes into guitar building, but you're better off learning the instrument and what you like first, that way when you go to build one you'll know what you want.
My friend who plays guitar came over last night with his electric-acoustic, and it has a built in tuner on the top. I have a digital tuner, but I really like the idea of having one built in.
OK, I stopped by Guitar Center today and bought new strings for my daughters' and my acoustics. The strings that came on both of our guitars were pretty cheesy and sounded like shit. I was able to get hers restrung pretty easily, but the little plastic doo-hickeys that hold the strings in on mine were a bitch to get out, and one broke. I'm assuming I can upgrade those, right? I don't even know what the hell they are called, so I can't find them online to replace them. EDIT: They are called "bridge pins". Are they all the same size/universal?
They are usually all about the same size. I would bring in the broken pieces and try to match them if there are different ones. What kind of strings did you get? Strings can make an ok guitar sound really nice.
The strings I got for my daughter are "Ernie Ball Earthwood Folk Nylon Ball End String". The strings I got for me are "Martin & Co. Plain Steel/Silk & Steel". The guy at Guitar Center is actually really nice and very helpful. I brought my son's guitar in a few weeks ago and he tuned it for him and gave him a few quick tips. I explained my daughter's guitar to him (that it's a "classical" guitar and how two of the strings sound like shit), and he picked out those strings, and I told him I've been playing every day since I got the guitar and that my fingers were killing me, so he suggested the Martin strings as being a bit easier on my fingers. Both guitars sound much richer and fuller with the new strings. I've noticed that the bridge pins can be plastic or brass or other material. Am I better off going with brass?
Mine are plastic. I didn't know I could get them in different materials. I would go with whatever your guitar currently has. What gauge are the strings? A good way to build up callouses is to use a bit heavier gauge(thicker string). I use D'addario exp 17's.(these are considered medium) With a heavier gauge, you get a real nice bass response out of low E, A, and D strings. I always like getting a good full sound with nice balance. I used to have really skinny elixir strings. But they sounded tinny and broke on me all the time. They are a coated string so you get a lot of life out of them. I've had my current set on for probably about 6 months and they still ring out just a nice as the day I put them on.
My daughter and I were cruising the aisles at Guitar Center, and I think I'd rather get an electric for my next guitar. I want to play the kind of stuff I listen to (Van Halen, Guns N Roses, shit like that) and this acoustic should be good enough to learn the basics, but I'll want to move up to the effects pedals and all that eventually. I realize that's a bit of running before I crawl, but from looking around, there were a lot of electric guitars I could have easily walked out with today. I wouldn't mind eventually getting another bass as well. My daughter is funny, she wants a drum set now, too, and wants to get this electric guitar when she gets better at playing: She said it reminds her of the Hex Girls from Scooby Doo.