1 Reply by bigrinwv

(8 replies, posted in About Chordie)

Certainly not an expert but I'll take a stab at it, depends on what you mean. To change the key you place the capo on the desired fret to match the key you want. Standard tuning on a guitar is E if you place it on the first fret you raise that to F. That's one half step. There are no sharps or flats between E and F. If you now play an E shape chord you get F. If you place it on the second fret you raise the the key to F#. Play the E shape and you get F#. Third fret G, play the E shape you get G and so on. Remember when you get to the B position the next half step is C, there are no sharps or flats between B and C.

Its kind of like playing barre chords without having to bar across the strings. The capo takes the place of the barring finger.

The good thing about the capo is that you can now use all those open chord fingerings and get different chord sounds.

For instance capo on second fret play the open G shape and you get A. PLay the C shape and you get D. Play the D shape and you get E.

Theres lots more to it and there are many folks here that will explain this better than I can and correct anything I get wrong.

If you you were just wanting to know where in the fret box to put the capo, most people suggest puting it as close to the fret wire as possible but trial and error will be your friend on this. I have big fingers so I have to move it back a little so my finger will fit.

One more thing, it is probably a good idea to retune your guitar once the capo is in place.

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2 Reply by bigrinwv

(38 replies, posted in Acoustic)

Good luck Tony and have fun!

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3 Reply by bigrinwv

(48 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

I sure could use new strings, mine are worn out and coming unwrapped. The DVD would be good too, but I'm so dumb it may not help me.

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4 Reply by bigrinwv

(16 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)

More than a year after my first post in this thread, I finally worked up enough courage to give it a try. I had a blank saddle in my case so I grabbed some sand paper and started sanding. Had to match the shape of the original saddle as closely as I could. Then start lowering the height. I did it slowly so as not get too much sanded away. When it looked about right I put the saddle in the bridge and put the old strings back on. I could tell an immediate difference in the way the guitar played and sounded. Barre chords easier all down the neck. Volume maybe a little less but the tone much clearer. I dunno, a prettier sound. I hooked it up to my Laney amplifier( I don't have an acoustic amp) and it was beautiful.  Before when amplified it had a harsh clacking sound when the volume was up just a little. Now it sounds like a really loud unapmplified acoustic guitar. Just what I want from an acoustic electric. I have a feeling it has to do with the material the saddles are made from. The original is more plasticy and I think the new one is Tusq or something llike that, synthetic bone maybe.I think I should have taken a bit more off the bottom of the saddle and I may do that when I change strings again.  One thing that hasn't changed is the guitar isn't intonated correctly. Its a little off on all strings but it was that way before I changed the saddle so I guess that might be a topic for another thread.

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5 Reply by bigrinwv

(6 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Thanks guys. I use you tube a lot. Just can't find anything that's real clear on this one thing. I think I had the right notes all along just the timing wasn't right. Still isn't but I think if i use Russell's examlpe I can get it to work. I just play for my own entertainment anyway so it's just my satisfaction if I can get it "right".

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6 Reply by bigrinwv

(6 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Thanks Russell

If I reverse that will it get the sound I want? The little thing when Luther Perkins changes from E to A in Folsom Prison Blues. I know they played it all sorts of different ways, slow, fast, different keys. But when I attempt it, I try the simple approach and do it in E but I just can't get the part between the chords. I draw it out way too long and it just doesn't sound right.

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7 Topic by bigrinwv

(6 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Can't figure out how to walk down to open A from open E, like in Folsom Prison Blues. When I do it sounds like I Walk The Line. Maybe too many notes or the wrong ones, I don't know. Can somebody point me in the right direction.

Thanks, "R"

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8 Reply by bigrinwv

(18 replies, posted in Acoustic)

Mooch

Every one here is probably twice the guitar player I'll ever be..and you yourself are probably better than me. But this worked for me. I just kept changing from E to B7 over and over seems to be a natural change or something. Think Folsom Prison Blues sound. Sooner than I thought I could find B7 easily. Hope this helps. It did me.

R

oh by the way I too have big fat clumsy hands and fingers

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9 Reply by bigrinwv

(10 replies, posted in Music theory)

Searched and found this thread...what I want to figure out is how to do those songs that have a second guitar double with the lead. Down On The Corner in particular. There is one part where the two guitars play harmony I think. I can play the riffs and I have seen someone play the harmony on one guitar. How can I arrange it so that I can do this. Someone said you use the thirds or the fifths. What exactly does that mean? If the first note is G, do I use B to play harmony for that? Would that be the third? Then would the fifth be D? Whaqt happens to the sharps and flats? What I'm trying to do is play the riffs from Down On the Corner in harmony on a single guitar. Whew, sorry for the long post and I hope someone can help me.

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10 Reply by bigrinwv

(16 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)

Thanks South Paw

I'll drop him a line. It really isn't that bad but I play a lot and the action could be a bit easier. I can live with it if I have to but If I can make it easier, so much the better.

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11 Reply by bigrinwv

(16 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)

Thanks guys, I'll try all those things. Well almost all, I'm afraid I can't have a professional do the job right now for previously stated reasons.

"R"

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12 Topic by bigrinwv

(16 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)

I know this question has been covered before and I have researched it some but still need some advice or maybe just some encouragement. I have an acoustic electric guitar that was moderately priced. My budget is small, as a matter of fact it takes most of what I make to keep the family under shelter, fed, clothed etc, so taking the guitar to a tech, luthier, repair shop or whatever just isn't going to happen. I am very happy with my guitar, it suits my needs well. I play only for my entertainment. I think the strings are just a bit high though. I know what to to do, because of what I have learned here and at other sites but I am hesitant for fear of ruining my guitar. I believe just sanding the bottom of the saddle down a bit would help a lot. Is this someting I could really mess up? Should I get another saddle to have standing by in case I make a mess of the old one? Should I maybe just get a new saddle and try and shave that one down? Help please!

Thanks,

"R"

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13 Reply by bigrinwv

(17 replies, posted in Music theory)

Sorry, this might have been a stupid response to a good question. I didn't realize we were already in the music theory section. I'm dumb as a coal bucket when it comes to music theory but I can usually find a lot of good information here.

"R"

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14 Reply by bigrinwv

(17 replies, posted in Music theory)

Try going to forums and look under music theory...there should be enough information there to get you started.

Hope this helps..

"R"

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15 Reply by bigrinwv

(1 replies, posted in About Chordie)

Try clicking on all versions...it should look more like the old style. Then when you are done it will go back to the new version and you have to change again. The place to click is to the right and near the top, the words all versions.

"R"

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16 Reply by bigrinwv

(2 replies, posted in About Chordie)

Thanks I'll try that right now!

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17 Topic by bigrinwv

(2 replies, posted in About Chordie)

Hi All:

This might should be in music theory but I'm not sure.

Some songs have a solo included with the chords. I often use the chord change feature to raise or lower the key. Of course the tab for the solo is unchanged. Is there a trick to transposing the solo part say from G to C?  The chords change automatically but the solo doesn't work (sound right) if played in the original key.

Thanks, "R"

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18 Reply by bigrinwv

(8 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)

Nela:

That was a good answer you gave, wish I had thought of saying it that way.

Wish someone had told it to me that way years ago, you made it very easy to understand.

I went for years trying to learn many different chords until I figured out what you said in your answer. And the bonus is once you figure it out it helps with the open chords as well because you sort of start to understand why there are 7ths and flats and sharps and minors etc.

Good job.

"R"

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19 Reply by bigrinwv

(8 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)

Try barring across the first fret with index finger, middle finger on third string second fret, pinky on fourth string third fret, ring finger on fitfh string third fret. That is the full barre version of the F chord. There are other variations that mau be easier at first.

Barre with index finger 1st  and 2nd strings at frtst fret, midlle finger third string second fret, ring finger 4th string third fret. You can sort of see how you make variations from that. I think there is a chord dictionary here on this site and also I use gootar.com.

Hope this helps, I am for sure not an expert so...

"R"

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20 Reply by bigrinwv

(5 replies, posted in Songwriting)

I love it...do you have it recorded anywhere? I'd love to hear it!  I think DAC really could do this one right. Or at least the old DAC, he sort of seems a little bit road worn now. But then I guess we all wear out.

"R"

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21 Reply by bigrinwv

(10 replies, posted in Acoustic)

Hi Shad:

MY best thought is to click on forum, pick a topic and start reading. Then when a question comes to mind, ask it. Somebody here will know the answer and help you. Seems like the question I see most often is the one about barre chords. They are a wonderful thing, so simple and yet so hard at the same time.

Oh, and it helps to play a lot.

Have fun.

"R"

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22 Topic by bigrinwv

(1 replies, posted in About Chordie)

I know this has probably been asked before but I can't find the answer.

When I find a song I like, particularly with tabs for the lead part, sometimes the tab is all spread out. I try going to the original song and usually they pop back into place. Sometimes the orignal song can't be found. Is this a setting on my computer or is this Chordie wide?

Thanks, "R"

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23 Reply by bigrinwv

(7 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)

I read somewhere that a lot of the "little brothers are made by the same factory" ie. Sigma, Epiphone, Squier all made in the same place but to the design and specs of the parent co. Martin, Gibson, Fender etc.

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24 Topic by bigrinwv

(0 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)

I just noticed yesterday that my Samick acoustic electric makes a sick sounding noise at the saddle on the second string. Sounds llike the string is loose in the slot. The strings are d'addario coated strings medium gauge. They are starting to wear and need changed. Will changing the strings help? Is there a way to fix this short of changing the saddle? I can't really afford to put it in the shop right now and of course it isn't a really expensive guitar but except for this problem I like it very much and am very satisfied with it.

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25 Reply by bigrinwv

(7 replies, posted in Bands and artists)

docphil:

You always ask such deep questions. Love to read them and the answers. This one is way over my head musically, so I won't try and fumble with an answer. Just to say I always enjoyed the Beatles collectviely and separtely, even Ringo. I watched a video of Ringo's new song last week and as always keep expecting him to play the drums. He looks weird playing the guitar but it sounded good to me.

"R"

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