[tibbs]

hi guys i seem to have lost my way a bit ,ive been learning all the differant chords but cannot seem to get a nice tune going?any help to has were im going wrong please thanks

[jhoita]

Hi tibbs

I am assuming you are just learning.
If you wish to strum a simple tune try the following

Key of E
Strum each chord below using down strokes for now

E E E E E E E E - A A A A A A A A - E E E E E E E E- B B B B- A A A A - E E E E- B B B B. Then repeat this sequence.

You can play this sequense fast, slow, change the rhythm ... play around with it.

Hope this is what you are looking for and it helps.


Regards
john (jhoita)

[randomaire]

Try Kirk's knockin on heavens door lesson. This will keep you busy plus help with chord switching.

I realized that at first I couldn't really play any songs that sounded worth anything, so I eventually just stuck to learning the chords and getting my switching quick. Other than like twinkle twinkle lil star and mary had a little lamb, etc. That was about the extent of my song learning.

Learning songs is hard enough, even harder when you can't switch chords quick, or can't strum right etc... or don't have the fingerspeed to keep up with the rythm.

Like john said though just basic chord switching... you can learn this little part though, see how fast you can get it.... D chord ... DownDown DownUp.... A chord DownDown... then G chord DownDown... repeat. I'm sure you'll recognize the song as soon as you start playing it.

[AX7221]

I try different scale tones and try to see what i like, some that i like are 1, 5, 6, 4 in the major or minor scale. another is 1, 6, 3, 7 in the major scale. Another one that i got from the forum is 1, 6, 4, 5 in the major scale.

1, 5, 6, 4 in A minor is Am, Em, F, Dm
1, 5, 6, 4 in C major is C, G, Am, F
1, 6, 3, 7 in A minor is Am, F, C, G
1, 6, 4, 3 in E minor is G, Em, C, D

And a second to the different strumming, i ushually will play one strum per chord once or twice through to get a feel for the rhythm then start with different strumming, and change around the strumming as i go

[GT]

Instead playing chords, why dont you try and play 5ths? Do it and try to recognize the chords you already know on those diferent freets up on the neck

[RC Antolina]

Someone's gonna blast me for this but here's what I did way back when...

Find a nice slow 4-4 ballad that you like. Concern yourself only with the beginning of the song. Try to find a chord that fits. That will most likely be the key for that song. When you find it, it will be the sweetest sound you ever heard because it'll be you making it. The rest is gonna be fairly easy. Fiddle around with the various chords that fit the key you're now in. Don't over concern yourself with 7ths, minors and such. Most of those ballads are simple 1-3 5 songs. Once you have the basics down, the rest is the fun stuff. Noodle around and you'll see what I mean. Keep flipping back to Kirk's lessons to get an idea of what's to follow.

Now have fun and enjoy yourself. That's why they call it playing.