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Time to try some arpeggio i think. Its a bit frustrating at first but once you've got to grips with the basics it can add alot to your playing.

Also as mentioned in other reply bar chords are a must.

Adios

Send me the track and I will work it out for you.

<a href="mailto:spykedb7&#64;gmail.com" target="_blank">spykedb7&#64;gmail.com</a>

Adios

Yep not an easy piece however, not impossible. What I tend to do is get the tab for the piece I want to learn then split it up into small sections to begin with, gradually getting bigger as the piece progresses.

Walk it through till i get the sequence and fingers right for the section I am learning then bring it up to speed, but whilst learning try and keep to the beat, just slow it down.

I normally find that once I am on the 3rd section it tends to get easier and progress is quicker. In fact I can normally finish a piece without having to look at the tab as your brain and hands get into the groove; thats what I find anyway.

Hope it helps.

Adios

Also if you want a challenge try Eric Clapton, The Unplugged Sessions.

Adios

One of my favs for strumming is Memory by Sugar Cult. Nice finger pick in the middle and a good song nonetheless.

Adios

Hi,

Am not quite sure what you mean but a chords name can change depending on the key that you are playing in. I would suggest it is more important to know 'how' a chord is made that way you can work it out whatever the name is.

Cheers

Hi,

Yep another one from Bleighty here. I live in Wigan but travel often to Lincoln. I like fingerstyle playing, although have only been playing guitar for just over 2 years, have sung all my life though.

As for musical tastes, JD is good and anything of that ilk will do fine for me. At the moment I am working on some swing and ballad type stuff ( I am a big softie at heart).

Anyways, good to hear from a Brit and if you are ever in the area on a thursdays let me know, I have a good few venues that will appeal to you for a jam session no doubt.

Cheers

I think I am right in saying you can play most bar chords without the bar. Take a F for instance. You can play it just on the top four strings as I do often, or if you need the extra F bass note hit it with all 6 strings. Just look at the chord shape and work it out taking away the bass strings first. However, you will loose something of the sound the less strings you play in my opinion. There is no real substitute for play a full bar chord, so yes, unfortunalty it comes down to practise.

If you are finding it really tough maybe some lighter strings would help to start with or a hand strengthner as suggested. Either way don't give up, it does get easier..........I promise <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_confused.gif" border=0 alt="Confused">

Adios

Shaun

HI,

OK, my partner is from Scotland and many of her friends are musicians. I will see what I can do. Will be in touch.

Adios

Shaun

Vincent in the Key of G is cool to learn, and sounds really nice.

Adios

Shaun

HI,

I was looking at christmas songs to sing in church for a performance and alot of what I was looking at (traditional) LOOKS complicated but most isn't really.

If you see something you fancy playing just try and transpose it to an easier key and then use a capo to bring it to your pitch of voice if you need to. Transposing is easy and will let you know how if you like.

As for songs, Silent night, as suggested is a good one also the Elvis Presley version of White Christmas is pretty cool if you can sing it that way and its only 3 chords! (look in my song book on here).

Adios

Shaun

I presume you are talking about acoustic here?

In general the thinner the string the less noise you get when you slide your fingers around, but then the strings are quieter all round the thinner they get. I personally use 10's (the top E is 1 tenth of a milllimeter). Also you can buy coated strings which help somewhat.

You can buy products that you can use to help with the squeak but more importantly it is technique. When changing chords try to lessen the contact you have with the strings to the point that you are barely touching them when changing shape. This takes some doing ( doesn't everything!) but it is just a matter of practise.

Listen to any acoustic trak and you will nearly alays hear some squeak. I listen to John WIlliams alot and even this supremo cannot get rid of it totally.

Lastly, I have found that it always sounds worst to the player than the listener. We are right on top of the fret board and hear every little noise. Try recoerding yourself from the distance that others would hear you and you will find it is not that bad. Other than that, as always, practise makes perfect. Happy playing. Adios.

Shaun