• Registered: 2010-10-14
  • Posts: 4

Topic: New to the game - Question?

Hi all.

I have been learning for about 3 months now, and are really enjoying (attempting to) playing the guitar.  I have myself an early Xmas pressie in the shape of an electro-acoustic tanglewood.

I am doing well with most of the major chords, and can manage quite a few songs.  Not perfect obviously, but you can tell what most of them are and that is good enough for me at the moment.  Like other beginers on here I struggle mostly with the strum patterns as I tend to follow the vocal's with my strum.  A hard habit to break on some songs I am finding.

Anyway, I have noticed that lots of players play in different areas of the neck on the fretboard; I understand this when using Barre chords (which I am currently staying well clear of) and capo's, but have also seen people doing it without either.  My question is that when reading chords when would I know to move around the fretboard, and where to?

Many thanks.

  • From: Renfrewshire, Scotland
  • Registered: 2006-03-04
  • Posts: 1,359

Re: New to the game - Question?

Welcome to the journey goonerandy. You will soon realise that there are many ways to play any chord. Maybe this is what you're seeing in people playing in different parts of the fretboard. This usually involves muting more that one string and can be a bit of a challenge for some. I'd concentrate on the standard chord shapes for now while adding a few new ones. Learning any instrument takes a long time so take your time, enjoy the journey and you'll learn a load along the way.

As for strum patterns - this is all about rhythm and finding the rhythm of the song. If you have to, sit and play the air drums to the song. This will let you find the rhythm. Once you have this - do it with one hand, your strumming hand, against your leg or something. Hopefully this will help you see what's an up or down beat. I know this sounds weird but it works for me.

All the best,

Al

Is anything really made up of zeros and ones??

alvee33's Website

  • Registered: 2010-10-14
  • Posts: 4

Re: New to the game - Question?

Al, many thanks for the advice.  I will give it a try.

Don't worry, I wasn't planning to go flying down the fretboard.  I think I will be staying around the top end for a good while yet.  This is a great board, and I have already picked up some good tips just by trawling through some of the threads.

It really is a great feeling where you can (badly at the moment I know) play a song you have liked for years.

  • From: Stretton-Under-Fosse UK
  • Registered: 2008-03-04
  • Posts: 21

Re: New to the game - Question?

Hi Goonerandy,
one of the things I do to get the strum patern is to play along to the song on my i-pod with one earphone in. It a bit like Al said really. The more you play along the more you will get it.
Don't be afraid to try any chorde, barre or open the more you try the easier it gets. Always be possitive as well ,I have in the past told myself I couldn't play a certain chorde and it has taken me an age to master it. Remember "little steps". Good luck on your journey.

  • From: NY
  • Registered: 2009-08-26
  • Posts: 4,320

Re: New to the game - Question?

Welcome to the forum goonreandy!  It feels like yesterday that I was saying I'd been playing/learning for three months, it's been over a year now.  That is a good point to be at right there... you're past the worst of the finger pain and really starting to learn some chords and be able to put things together a bit.  Different strumming patterns will soon come to you, I promise!  Check out the sticky in the top of this section for a look at some different strumming pattern videos.  A good way to search for patterns to specific songs is on youtube using the word "tutorial" along with the song name.  Another useful tip is checking out the large chord chart here on Chordie which can be found in the resources tab at the top of the page, or here:  http://www.chordie.com/chords.php  - you can click on any individual chord to get alternate fingerings to play. 

As for your question about playing higher up the fret board, I'm not too into bare chords yet myself... but one hint of advice that I did pick up along the way that was helpful... check out this chord:

http://www.chordimages.com/ramimages/i1/Asharp7chord_NN1112_3.png
NOTE the 3 on the left side of the chord chart?  That indicates that you are not fretting this chord at the top of neck, rather the barre is on the 3rd fret.  This does occur in shapes other than barre chords and you may see it more often as you look into alternate fingerings for chords.  Check out the alternate fingerings for the A7 chord (easy enough as is, you could play it on the 7th fret a little differently).

Anyhow, welcome aboard!  You'll find that there are tons of people here from all over the world that will be happy to help you along your journey.  MANY of us are self taught... I like to consider myself as "Chordie Taught" though!  wink

Amy

Art and beauty are in the eyes of the beholder.
What constitutes excellent music is in the ears of the listener.

mekidsmom's Website

  • Registered: 2010-10-14
  • Posts: 4

Re: New to the game - Question?

Cheers for tips guys/gals.  Good to know I have somewhere to come for advice once I get stuck smile