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Jo Ellen
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3/3/2008 12:12:26 PM
The Learning Curve
I am completely frustrated in my attempt to teach myself acoustic guitar. It seems one of those instruments that fits my writing and vocal styles so perfectly, but I have always relied on my wonderful dad to play for me. I would appreciate any advice or encouragement in this process. Some helpful suggestions on form would be could.
Jo Ellen
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The CODE
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3/3/2008 12:22:33 PM
Jo - when I was learning the acoustic guitar (Many years ago!!!) I used to play the thing for HOURS!!! I think it took at least 2 years before my chord changes were made without looking!!!
Moral: Time heals everything!!!
Keep on strumming!!!
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Jo Ellen
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3/3/2008 12:29:39 PM
I'm just a little impatient because melody has always come easy for me, but the chord changes are tough on the fingers. A new challenge I suppose...
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Susan Raven
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3/3/2008 12:34:41 PM
Keep on with it - you get out what you put in!
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The Man With No Band
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3/3/2008 12:39:43 PM
Jo Ellen ... I suppose there are right ways to play ... but I never figured 'em out .... My advice is (as far as form goes) is to find what is comfortable to you ... I know that your thumb is supposed to go on the back of the neck, but my fingers are crooked and doing that just doesn't work for me ... so my thumb hangs out in mid-air ... but it is comfortable that way ....
Start with the easy chords and just practice two or three at a time ... going from one to the other until the changes get easier ... It will come, don't get discouraged ... play something you know like maybe Bob Dylans Knockin' On Heavens Door ... go G to D to C .... or another one is just a simple E to A blues thing to get your strumming timing down ...
There are also several good acoustic playing websites available .. If you need one I'll look in my files as there was a great one that Roy Muniz showed me ....
Just keep at it and you will be fine..... Go get 'em girl !
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The CODE
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3/3/2008 12:43:21 PM
Ahh! The impatience of youth!!!
As I say to my boy!!! - you gotta put the shift in!!!!
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satch
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3/3/2008 12:46:13 PM
A good way to learn and to practice is to get a song book that includes a song or two that you know and enjoy singing... and then just keep on playing until it gets easier!
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SILVERWOODSTUDIO
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3/3/2008 12:47:00 PM
as a teacher----I sometimes start students on an Open tuning---so they get a rhythmic strum first--and only have to bar the fret!!
BUT---I tune the guitar for them----open D or E are reasonably easy to tune but you may need a tuner to get it right.
I agree with Susan----practice every day-----pick and strum
start with 2 & 3 chord songs changing back and forth until your fingers get the memory---repitition codes it into your brain!!
good luck
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Two Silo Complex
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3/3/2008 12:58:12 PM
I agree with some of the others.
Try open chords first like c and g even d
bar chords are hard to press down on acoustic.
just hold one chord get the strum then stop switch to the next chord get the strum then you will start to switch cords with no stopping.
It takes time and sore fingers.
Be pateint it will come.
TSC
Ken
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The Man With No Band
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3/3/2008 1:23:02 PM
One more thing that should be mentioned is the guitar itself...
I first started learning to play on a cheap Kay guitar from Sears .... Although it didn't stop me from learning it was way more difficult than need be... Get a fairly good guitar and the playing gets easier ... the main reason is on cheap guitars the strings are set up way to far away from the neck ... you will wear your fingers out trying to get a good tone and it makes changing chords difficult as well ... the closer the strings are to your fret board the easier you will find it to play ....
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Jo Ellen
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3/3/2008 1:30:08 PM
TMWNB:
My father is an excellent guitar player as yourself. He taught himself when he was twelve and he plays upside down because he is left handed (using a right-handed guitar). He has been teaching me on and off, but he doesn't have a lot of time. (He teaches right handed guitar the proper way). And as far what I would like to happen---YES, I JUST WANT TO PLAY. :) Thanks everyone.
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The Man With No Band
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3/3/2008 1:31:38 PM
I found the link ... maybe this will help ....
Acoustic Guitar
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The CODE
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3/3/2008 1:32:35 PM
Sam - my first electric guitar was a Kay Gibson Les Paul copy!!! £35.00!!!
It's been years since I heard that name!!! (Wish I had it now!!!)
Maybe NOT - Strat's much better!!!
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The Man With No Band
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3/3/2008 1:37:49 PM
Ha ! ... I still have my old Kay ! .... I think it was $29.00 brand new ... back in ... well ... a long long time ago .... :)
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Tony Vani and Debbie Hoskin
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3/3/2008 5:19:35 PM
I have very tender fingers too Jo Ellen. I learned on a classical guitar with soft strings. It made it much easier. I still like soft strings for that reason.
deb
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LyinDan
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3/3/2008 5:27:04 PM
When you're just starting out on guitar? Strum an Emajor (the three finger first fret one) for several days until you get it right. It's the foundation for everything on guitar.
When you can produce a clean chord there, just by plopping your fingers on the guitar without thinking about it, then, you're ready to progress and move on to A. The Second Foundation (apologies to Heinlein).
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