Practicing what are your techniques

drew1 · #1 January 23rd, 2007

Hello all

I am getting started on the guitar and all I have now is this great site and a couple dvd's from ole Esteban, which aren't really geared toward beginners, at least I don't think so....Question, how do you practice? each chords or easy chords first then...

Any info would be GREATLY apprecated...

Thx
drew

solidwalnut · #2 January 23rd, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by drew1

Hello all

I am getting started on the guitar and all I have now is this great site and a couple dvd's from ole Esteban, which aren't really geared toward beginners, at least I don't think so....Question, how do you practice? each chords or easy chords first then...

Any info would be GREATLY apprecated...

Thx
drew

Howdy Drew. Well, I think it's easiest to just begin by learning these chords:

C, D, Dm, E, Em, F, G, A, Am, Bm

Learn to switch cleanly between these chords. Just start out by switching between two or three at a time. You'll find some easy songs to play by knowing these chords.

Have fun,

Steve

drew1 · #3 January 24th, 2007

Thanks Steve,

Also, when should a newbie start to work or learn to use a capo?

Thx
Andrew

doug russell · #4 January 24th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by drew1

Thanks Steve,

Also, when should a newbie start to work or learn to use a capo?

Thx
Andrew

That's really up to you. But I would really get fluent on mastering your standard playing first, Try not to run before you can walk. But if a song requires a capo, there is no harm in seeing how you get on with using one. Good luck.

drew1 · #5 January 24th, 2007

thx Doug....I guess I am intrigued with all the guitar accessories and such and just want all of it NOW!!!! I hope I am this pumped a year from now even if I haven't made much progress on the guitar

do_you_really_care · #6 January 24th, 2007

Use of a capo:

Suppose you have a chord progression in a song like : A#, Gm, D#, F. Now if you know to hold only the open chords then it might get difficult for you to play the song in the original scale. Here is where you take the help of a capo. Fix it over the 3rd fret and then play the progression as G, Em, C, D...easy open chords! I think a capo is useful to play the popular Oasis song - Wonderwall.

But then, at least learn to play all the chords in the open position! The capo will come handy then!

Cheers!

Ballard · #7 January 25th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by do_you_really_care

I think a capo is useful to play the popular Oasis song - Wonderwall.

But then, at least learn to play all the chords in the open position! The capo will come handy then!

Cheers!

Wonderwall was the first song I learned on guitar. I learned to play it without a capo, though. Capos tend to make fretting strings easier, so I suggest learning to play without them and putting the extra pressure on your fingers.

Wonderwall is a great song to learn because it's not difficult and gets you excited about learning more when you can finally play it, but at the same time it improves your chord switching skills and builds calouses, especially on your pinky (which is the weskest finger and hardest to get a calouse on).

do_you_really_care · #8 January 25th, 2007

yeah...it was one of the first songs i learnt as well...played it without a capo on Em I think.
try it out drew1..you'll get it!..

drew1 · #9 January 26th, 2007

thx do you, I will give it a shot and post results.
Thx
Drew

Jhengsman · #10 January 28th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by drew1

Hello all

I am getting started on the guitar and all I have now is this great site and a couple dvd's from ole Esteban, which aren't really geared toward beginners, at least I don't think so....Question, how do you practice? each chords or easy chords first then...

Any info would be GREATLY apprecated...

Thx
drew

By easy chords do you mean like power chords without the full voicing on each string to make up a chord?

When I first started I went through the chord change exercises but also spent time on easy songs. If I was lucky I could subsitute a F7 for a F chord making it easier for example.

These days I sight read through a song's chord sheet using the easy version, the basic major or minor open chord. Then I start changing the strum or pick pattern then I start to subsitute the more exotic chord voicings for a partucular song.

Buzzy · #11 January 30th, 2007

With all do respect to the others, buy a capo, detune your guitar a tone, put the capo on the second fret. It makes life so much easier when you are starting out. Oh, and use a metronome!