Beginning guitar...
#1
Cool New Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Dallas, Texas
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Beginning guitar...
Hi all,
I am interested in learning how to play the guitar...and I want to build hand strength...what exercises do you guys suggest I do to build both left and right hand strength?
I'm looking at purchasing a grip master and a squeeze ball...
I am interested in learning how to play the guitar...and I want to build hand strength...what exercises do you guys suggest I do to build both left and right hand strength?
I'm looking at purchasing a grip master and a squeeze ball...
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2001
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Those are decent but just playing the guitar frequently will help more......So I wouldn't sit in my living room doing those hand exercises instead of playing but if it's something to do during your commute, then that sounds like the two best choices.
Good luck with it.
Good luck with it.
#4
Moderator
Originally posted by gp98
Those are decent but just playing the guitar frequently will help more......So I wouldn't sit in my living room doing those hand exercises instead of playing but if it's something to do during your commute, then that sounds like the two best choices.
Good luck with it.
Those are decent but just playing the guitar frequently will help more......So I wouldn't sit in my living room doing those hand exercises instead of playing but if it's something to do during your commute, then that sounds like the two best choices.
Good luck with it.
#7
DVD Talk Legend
I just started taking lessons. My fingers are killing me, but I can start to notice some differences already. I can tell that those are notes that I am playing, and not gibberish.
#8
DVD Talk Legend
So anyone got any recommendations about some easy to play songs to start off (and nothing corny like Michael Row The Boat Ashore)? Any pages with the info would be great too...
#9
DVD Talk Special Edition
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,371
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've been playing since I was 17 (I'm 35 now). It's important to have "hand strength" but you also don't want to choke the life out of the instrument. You want to keep a firm grip but at the same time you really don't need to press down extremely hard on the strings. Depending how high you have the action set will also help alot.
Just keep at it and practice, practice, practice!!
Just keep at it and practice, practice, practice!!
#10
Moderator
Originally Posted by movieking
So anyone got any recommendations about some easy to play songs to start off (and nothing corny like Michael Row The Boat Ashore)? Any pages with the info would be great too...
Other artists who have written great but not all that complicated songs are people as diverse as Dylan, Oasis, Neil Young, and Lou Reed/VU.
For example, you can play Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower" as simply as repeating:
Am G F G
over and over again. "Waiting For My Man" by the Velvets is:
G C
repeated several times followed by:
G B C A
Neil Young's "Helpless" is nothing but:
G D C
over and over again and if you alternate:
G D Am G D C
and repeat, you're playing "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" by Dylan.
"Live Forever" by Oasis is:
G D Am C D for the verse, and
Em D Am C for the chorus.
(Better guitar players, please note I've simplified some of the above slightly).
Email me if you want more info.
#11
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: The city with no sports championships...Cleveland
Posts: 2,109
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
wendersfan is 100% correct.
start playing any accoustic/slow oldies songs...The Beatles are the perfect group to learn to play from (pre 1967 - when guitars drove the songs and less studio magic was used). They are very easy to learn yet extremely hard to master.
I would also suggest having a guitar in hand whenever you are at the computer...It needs to be with you all the time so you can get the feel (and the calouses). Make up songs, switch chords, try to learn a scale..just have the guitar in hand! Good luck!
start playing any accoustic/slow oldies songs...The Beatles are the perfect group to learn to play from (pre 1967 - when guitars drove the songs and less studio magic was used). They are very easy to learn yet extremely hard to master.
I would also suggest having a guitar in hand whenever you are at the computer...It needs to be with you all the time so you can get the feel (and the calouses). Make up songs, switch chords, try to learn a scale..just have the guitar in hand! Good luck!
#12
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Also, Stairway to Heaven (the slow part) is a relatively easy song to acquant yourself with finger-picking. It'll also get you used to using your pinkie.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2001
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
guitarnoise.com is a great site. Go to Songs for Beginners and scroll down to the bottom of those and begin. I have to admit that I can't stand the first song that they do (Horse With No Name) but it's great after that.....
#15
DVD Talk Godfather
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Gateway Cities/Harbor Region
Posts: 63,288
Received 1,808 Likes
on
1,129 Posts
I hear Playing a guitar with wide neck helps to build strength.
#16
DVD Talk Special Edition
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,371
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Giantrobo
I hear Playing a guitar with wide neck helps to build strength.
Strength is not as important as comfort. There are some guitars that I don't feel comfortable playing even after all these years. Then there are some I pick up and feel like they were made just for me. There are some model Rickenbackers that I just don't feel comfortable playing even after all these years.
You have to find the right guitar for you. I'd suggest trying out a Fender Telecaster. They have a nice, thin neck that's easy to play. One of the problems is that they sound a bit thin, and you need alot of power or a good pedal to beef it up a bit.
#18
DVD Talk Godfather
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Gateway Cities/Harbor Region
Posts: 63,288
Received 1,808 Likes
on
1,129 Posts
Originally Posted by Captain Harlock
Strength is not as important as comfort. There are some guitars that I don't feel comfortable playing even after all these years. Then there are some I pick up and feel like they were made just for me. There are some model Rickenbackers that I just don't feel comfortable playing even after all these years.
You have to find the right guitar for you. I'd suggest trying out a Fender Telecaster. They have a nice, thin neck that's easy to play. One of the problems is that they sound a bit thin, and you need alot of power or a good pedal to beef it up a bit.
I'm a Gibson fan so all Fender stuff sounds "thin" too me.
#19
DVD Talk Special Edition
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,371
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Giantrobo
I prefer necks like those found on Ibanez guitars. As much As I looooove Les Pauls I'm not all that crazy about their "Classic" neck feel.
I'm a Gibson fan so all Fender stuff sounds "thin" too me.
I'm a Gibson fan so all Fender stuff sounds "thin" too me.
#20
DVD Talk Godfather
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Gateway Cities/Harbor Region
Posts: 63,288
Received 1,808 Likes
on
1,129 Posts
Originally Posted by Captain Harlock
I'm also a big Gibson fan, but for someone just begining a Telecaster might be more within someone's price range. Alot of Gibson guitars have gone through the roof in recent years.
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: May 1999
Posts: 866
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Giantrobo
I prefer necks like those found on Ibanez guitars. As much As I looooove Les Pauls I'm not all that crazy about their "Classic" neck feel.
I'm a Gibson fan so all Fender stuff sounds "thin" too me.
I'm a Gibson fan so all Fender stuff sounds "thin" too me.
Yeah, I love my Les Paul Standard but that 60's neck can be a pain the ass. That's why I love my new Zakk Wylde Les Paul so much. It has an unfinished mapel neck that is thin and closer to an Ibanez and Jackson neck so it's superfast. The Epiphone version is so close to the Gibson all you have to do is change the pickups to actives and you are ready to roll. I was going to buy the Gibson but even the salesman agreed that the Epi was so close that there was no reason to spend the extra $$$.
#22
DVD Talk Legend
OK, another question/request for learning to play guitar:
I need to learn some different strums. The strum that I use now is:
down down up up down up
This fits an amazing amount of songs, but I want more. What other common strums are there? Are there any websites that might be a good help? I checked some of the ones on this thread without much luck.
Thanks
I need to learn some different strums. The strum that I use now is:
down down up up down up
This fits an amazing amount of songs, but I want more. What other common strums are there? Are there any websites that might be a good help? I checked some of the ones on this thread without much luck.
Thanks
#23
DVD Talk Hero
Just play along rhythmically to songs you like - you don't even have to hold down chords - just practice strumming to the rhythm of different songs - you'll pick it up and get better as you go along. Also, try to play with other people as much as you can - that's how I learned strumming.
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2001
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I agree with slop. The other thing to keep in mind is that the downstroke is usually on beat and so you can often tell if it's an upstroke or a downstroke based on the rhythm.
Also, look at tabs that show you strum patterns (like on the guitarnoise.com site I mentioned above) and that will help you become more familiar with different patterns and be able to identify them better.
Also, look at tabs that show you strum patterns (like on the guitarnoise.com site I mentioned above) and that will help you become more familiar with different patterns and be able to identify them better.
#25
DVD Talk Godfather
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Gateway Cities/Harbor Region
Posts: 63,288
Received 1,808 Likes
on
1,129 Posts
Originally Posted by slop101
Also, try to play with other people as much as you can - that's how I learned strumming.
I agree 100%.
I didn't have any like minded friends who played so I never got any good. I think playing with others live is CRITICAL to learning.