Where to next

cinthya · #1 January 9th, 2005

Hi Kirk,

Love your site. I kinda made my first lessons by trying to understand the major scale and deriving all 12 scales, identifying all 7 chords within each scale and becoming familiar with the open chords. However, I am a little confused as to why a note can move up in pitch by positioning your finger one fret towards the body of the guitar but a chord must be "barred" in order to achieve the next major chord higher in pitch. Does my question make sense? In other words, what happens when you just slide your finger positions without barring...another chord?

Also, I'd like some guidance as to where to go next. I don't own a guitar yet since I'm very slowly getting back into music. Took lessons as a child and forgot most of what I learned (except for tuning). I do remember I wasn't a great plucker. Was thinking of starting with steel strings since as you wrote, is better for non-pluckers. Should I focus on the open chords and progressions? Do you have a recommended book for kinda beginners who are also fast learners and appreciate a little music theory (was a math major in college so I relate with frequencies and sound waves, etc.)? I would like to get your book when I'm ready but I think I need some work. Thanks,

Cinthya

Spyder F16 · #2 January 12th, 2005

WHen it comes to single notes, your'e fretting and getting an increase in pitch in single notes.

When it comes to certain chords that need to be barred, however, you have to do the barring to get all the strings to ring out in a higher pitch, since leaving them unbarred allows them to ring in their normal pitch, which will detune and maybe even botch/Change the sound of the chord (Thusly turning it into either a powerchord shape or just a bad sounding mess.)

Kirk Lorange · #3 January 12th, 2005

Hi Cynthya. Another way of putting what Spyder says:

If the original chord is a barre chord, then the whole formation, bar and all, must move up or down to retain the quality of the chord. However, if you just use fragments of chords (something I recommend you look into), you can move those fragment up or down and retain the original quality, but in a different pitch. That's the beauty of guitars. But as Spyder points out: beware any open strings in the original fragment.

Never feel that you must constantly be looking for and playing six-note chords. It's not necessary to make music. It just so happens guitars have six strings, but a simple chord requires only three notes/strings. As you add notes to that chord, you add strings. Most of my finger style lessons are fragments of larger shapes. I like to be as sparing as possible when I look to arrange tunes ... just enough to say 'that's the flavor'.

Yes, if you're looking to be a strummer rather than plucker, keep working away on the open chords. They're the basis of everything of course, since all those open shapes simply move up the fretboard for all other chords. Some can be barred, some not, but it's where the notes ARE that's important to lock in.

Learn songs that you like, experiment with them; don't feel like you have to duplicate anything; don't keep playing things you know don't sound quite right. Find the problem and fix it. Refine the flow. Listen.

cinthya · #4 January 17th, 2005

so i went to my local guitar shop today. seems they have quite a collection of used and news ones. i looked at a basic blueridge which happened to be on sale for $400 USD...seemed reasonable but as a novice, i really don't know how good or not so good blueridges are. any advice on picking a good starter guitar and not getting ripped off?

cinthya

Kirk Lorange · #5 January 17th, 2005

I've never heard of them Cynthya and I'm a little surprised they don't have a web site. It's very difficult to recommend any specific brand of guitar ... even the best brands can be duds ... I did find quite a few references to them however, and they sure look like they're well made guitars.

Spyder F16 · #6 January 18th, 2005

In your case cynthia, ask the music shop owner to let you try out several different guitars. They will be more than glad to let you take it for a test run to play it. After playing as many as you can, pick the one that feels the best, sounds the best (And one that can fit in your price range), and that will last well. Make sure you also inspect it throughly for any signs of wear, warping, cracking, or damage. Usually if you test run the models before you buy it's easier to get a guitar that fits you. I myself tend to order guitars online and just happen to chance my luck as my local music store doesnt have a wide variety of guitars (They only stock 1 brand). But as I have said, test run a few, and see which one you like.