Still Learning

queenmel831 · #1 October 31st, 2006

Hi All:

I am new to learing this instrument and I have a couple of questions and need advice. First, I have been playing about 2 months now. I bought a Fender guitar and have been practicing faithfully every night for 2 months. Here are the chords I know: E, Em, Am, G, D, Dm, C. I can't move quickly between them when playing, but do reasonably well. I also purchased Esteban's instuctional DVD's and learned 1 song and in the process of learning "greensleeves" presently. I also can play/strum REM's "Loosing My Religion". However, I want to really, really learn how to fingerpick but I read on here about fingerpicking and do not understand what the heck they are saying to do. I cannot figure out how to read the numbers and what your are suppose to do with what they are saying. My question is should I just concentrate on learning my chords really, really well and to be able to move quicker between chord changes and stick with my Esteban lessons before moving forward trying to fingerpick and overwhelm myself way to much to quick?

Need advice from all of you.

Queenmel

lorispencer · #2 October 31st, 2006

Most find it hard to concentrate on the movements of both hands at once when first learning. You might find it easier to stay on one chord and practice finger picking that one chord and then move to a second chord that you are familiar with and then put the two together. Em to Am might be a good combination because of the open bass strings. Which lesson are you looking at that is confusing you?

queenmel831 · #3 October 31st, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by lorispencer

Most find it hard to concentrate on the movements of both hands at once when first learning. You might find it easier to stay on one chord and practice finger picking that one chord and then move to a second chord that you are familiar with and then put the two together. Em to Am might be a good combination because of the open bass strings. Which lesson are you looking at that is confusing you?

The fingerpicking lesson on this site. Where it tells you what the numbers mean and the colors. I guess I pick up things quicker when someone shows me on a DVD or in person than trying to read it and explaining it in text.

allthumbs · #4 October 31st, 2006

This lesson should help you with tabs.
Tablature - what it is and how it works

coldethyl · #5 November 1st, 2006

Hi Qeenmel, welcome!

6string · #6 November 1st, 2006

Queenmel I think you hold the record for starting introduction threads

queenmel831 · #7 November 1st, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6string

Queenmel I think you hold the record for starting introduction threads

I thought this was the beginners section and we are supposed to ask questions here? If I am mistaken, please correct me. I am trying to learn from all of you.

allthumbs · #8 November 1st, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by queenmel831

I thought this was the beginners section and we are supposed to ask questions here? If I am mistaken, please correct me. I am trying to learn from all of you.

That's ok queen. You will find you will get more replies asking your questions in the forums devoted to that subject. Playing Guitar for the mechanics of it and The Workings of Music for the theory side of things. We really don't have beginner sections of the forums though there are some beginners lessons from Kirk and Nelsonite.

queenmel831 · #9 November 2nd, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by allthumbs

That's ok queen. You will find you will get more replies asking your questions in the forums devoted to that subject. Playing Guitar for the mechanics of it and The Workings of Music for the theory side of things. We really don't have beginner sections of the forums though there are some beginners lessons from Kirk and Nelsonite.

Thank You Allthumbs, in the future I will ask my questions in those forums instead. I apologize for the mistake. I am trying to learn how to teach myself how to play and I am frustrated. Just need a little guidance from time to time.

Queenmel

bikerbob46 · #10 December 8th, 2006

hi i purchased the 23 piece starlight guitar package and the dvd's . Stay with the estaban lessons he excellant teacher and artist. And have fun with the lessons from estaban lesson 1. He tells you about the numbers and chords you are aquireing about, or go to i playmusic.com. They have demo lessons that show you what you are asking about. But you first have to join the web site first before useing the free lessons on the site . Its all free on some and some you have to pay for the cd's. i hope this will answer your question and be helpfull to you. see ya latter and god bless bob. from toledo ohio.