Topic: MORE Tips For Beginners

<font face="Arial"><font color="orange">Well Since my first post gathered record replies LOL, I Thought I'd write another post out for the beginner, maybe something a bit more lucid.</font>

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<font color="blue"><font face="Arial"><font color="red"><font face="Arial">The First thing you want to do, is obviously get yourself a guitar.  Maybe look into a "kit" for beginners, doesn't have to be anything fancy.  Don't sink a lot of money into it if you think you are just going to drop your whole playing ego in a week.</font></font>


<font color="blue"><font face="Arial">The Next thing you should do is grab yourself a guitar chord chart from a local dollar store or music store, whichever suits you. Make sure it lists ALL of the major chords, as well as the variations and barres. You may also want to get a chart of notes and scales.</font></font>



<font color="red">If you didn't purchase a kit, you will want to get yourself several picks, as they are easy to lose (all though I have never lost one) I recommend trying different styles of picks, get yourself some light picks, medium, heavy, guitar thumb pick, banjo thumb pick, and try them all! for people who don't grip a regular flat pick well, a thumb pick may be your answer.</font></font>


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Practice your scales first, then once you have those down, move on to the major chords.  You can learn some minor chords in between all that if you want, but that may just  complicate things.  Don't forget your F Major!! some people find this "too hard" to play, and merely just don't bother with it.  It's a major chord! you need it.</font></font>


<font color="red"><font face="Arial">When playing with other musicians, the most important thing other than knowing your chords and being able to change quickly between them, is timing!  If your timing is not on with the other persons, it will sound horrible.  Most people keep time with their foot, others just do it in their head.  Or you can use a metronome.</font>  </font>


<font face="Arial"><font color="blue">Start out slow and don't give up, no matter what, you can do it! learn some songs that are easy, but also ones that you like.  If a song doesn't hold your interest, what good is it?  Being able to play well takes time.</font></font>


If you need any help with anything, just send me a reply or post something on the chordie forum!  I'm sure this post will get most of our older members in a huff..LOL! So good luck with that, peace

DJ Cormier
[url=http://www.bigdjindustriez.tk]www.bigdjindustriez.tk[/url]
myspace.com/bigdjindustriez

Re: MORE Tips For Beginners

And of course I'm going to wade right in with my two cents worth, LOL!


The beginner packages can be a good start.  I would add that if you can possibly find one, get a beginner package featuring a guitar with a solid (not laminate) top.


As for chords and scales, as you learn chords, relate them to the scales you learn and be aware of the chord definitions, i.e. the recipe that makes up the chord.  Eventually, you should know how to construct and name chords.


As for picks, I agree that you should try a wide variety of shapes, materials and thicknesses.  If you're looking to play fast leads or bluegrass style flatpicking, you may find that you have better control with a heavy pick.  I like Clayton Golds, Dunlop Ultex, and Fender heavy picks.  But try a bunch and listen for the tone for which you're looking.


Never quit on a piece of music that you want to play.  If it seems too hard at first, refuse to surrender.  If you're stubborn enough, it will smooth out and what seems impossible will become possible.  Keep practicing.


Consciously prompt yourself to relax while you're playing.  Beginners tend to tense up and seem to be trying to wring the neck off the guitar and press their fingers through the fretboard.  If you can stay relaxed and only fret hard enough to get clean, ringing, sustained notes, you'll play faster than if you clamp down with a death-grip on the guitar.


And lastly, us geezers actually only rarely get in a huff, LOL!


Oubaas  <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_biggrin.gif" border=0 alt="Very Happy">

Re: MORE Tips For Beginners

wow thats shocking, oubaas didn't disagree with me  <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_confused.gif" border=0 alt="Confused">

DJ Cormier
[url=http://www.bigdjindustriez.tk]www.bigdjindustriez.tk[/url]
myspace.com/bigdjindustriez

Re: MORE Tips For Beginners

That's because you put some thought behind your posting this time.  <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_biggrin.gif" border=0 alt="Very Happy">


Part of the old geezers (wisemen)


Bootlegger.

Re: MORE Tips For Beginners

Sooooo... tell me...

what's the use for scales, if one's only going to be basically playing chords only as well as mostly playing-by-ear.


I've been playing for almost a year now, and i see myself as 'advancing on' and i haven't yet played or taught myself one scale. And know what else??? I haven't run into any problems as to that not learning scales limits my playing...


Hmmm...???

Re: MORE Tips For Beginners

Actually, the topic isn't up for debate.  I Personally don't use scales either, but I knew I would have problems from the other users If I didn't mention them.

DJ Cormier
[url=http://www.bigdjindustriez.tk]www.bigdjindustriez.tk[/url]
myspace.com/bigdjindustriez

Re: MORE Tips For Beginners

If you had a deep and abiding love for flying, what would you rather do - make and fly paper airplanes on your porch, or become a fighter pilot and fly the latest and greatest high performance jets?


Aaargh!  Never mind!  You're absolutely right!  You don't need scales!  There's no point in them at all!  Don't give it another thought!


Oubaas  <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_lol.gif" border=0 alt="Laughing">

Re: MORE Tips For Beginners

<img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_smile.gif" border=0 alt="Smile">

Go WINGS..and Tigers,Lions and Reading F.C...C'mon Royals

Re: MORE Tips For Beginners

are you being phocesious or do you really think people should forget scales LOL.  I personally don't use them, theres no need for scales if you are just playing for your own benefit or just playing folk music

DJ Cormier
[url=http://www.bigdjindustriez.tk]www.bigdjindustriez.tk[/url]
myspace.com/bigdjindustriez

Re: MORE Tips For Beginners

<table border="0" align="center" width="90%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td class="SmallText"><b>accousticplayer wrote on Sat, 17 March 2007 22&#58;33</b></td></tr><tr><td class="quote">
Sooooo... tell me...

what's the use for scales, if one's only going to be basically playing chords only as well as mostly playing-by-ear.


</td></tr></table>



Well, if all you're going to do is play someone else's songs, and only play chords, you'll probably never need to know.


If you're going to play lead lines, or write your own music,  or even improvise or jam with chords, you'll probably want to have some understanding of scales, as they are the underpinning of western music.


Everything is derived from scales.  Chords are derived from scales.  Chord progressions are derived from scales (at least the ones that resolve nicely).  Modes are derived from scales.   Pretty much anything you do on the fretboard relates back to a scale of one kind or another. 


Found a chord you don't know?  Can you figure it out without resorting to a chord chart or a chord book?   You can if you know scales.   Can you transpose from one key to another easily?  I can, because I know scales.  Can you improvise in any key?  Scales make that easy.


So, are scales critical?  No.  You *can* play without them.  Will they help you immensely to become a better musician?  Absolutely.

Someday we'll win this thing...

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