• Registered: 29-09-10
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Topic: Beginner Guitar Help

Hi everyone, I'm Charlie and I'm 14. I recently picked up the guitar (a few months now) and have taught myself how to play everything so far. I can play a fairly wide range of open chords but am struggling with the following. Number 1, I'm really struggling with barre chords, I only have an acoustic guitar which is probably why but any help on that would be appreciated. Number 2, The type of music I'm into isn't really that popular on youtube especially not acoustic versions. I'm struggling to find lessons I can follow. For Example I saw this guy doing a cover of "Who's gonna ride your wild horses" by U2 and just couldn't get into his lesson. There are so many songs I see the tabs/chords for and  just can't get around the rythym strumming pattern so any help there would be appreciated aswell.

Thanks,

Charlie

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2 Reply by Olly

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Re: Beginner Guitar Help

Hi and welcome

Barre chords can be tough. It is not easy on an acoustic and takes time to build your strength up. It can also be to do with how you are positioning your fingers so go slowly and ensure each individual note rings out. Try and identify any notes that are not ringing out and adjust your hand accordingly.

I cannot really advise you on this particular song as I do not know it. There are hundreds of tabs out there, though some if not most are inaccurate.

I'm sure we can help you out though!

Olly's Website

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  • Registered: 29-09-10
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Re: Beginner Guitar Help

Olly wrote:

Hi and welcome

Barre chords can be tough. It is not easy on an acoustic and takes time to build your strength up. It can also be to do with how you are positioning your fingers so go slowly and ensure each individual note rings out. Try and identify any notes that are not ringing out and adjust your hand accordingly.

I cannot really advise you on this particular song as I do not know it. There are hundreds of tabs out there, though some if not most are inaccurate.

I'm sure we can help you out though!

Cheers for that I was just wondering if there is anywhere that specializes in acoustic tabs/versions of songs and if so what is it?

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4 Reply by Olly

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Re: Beginner Guitar Help

I'm not sure of one that has this specific focus but perhaps someone else here can help you.

Olly's Website

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  • From: Liverpool, UK
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Re: Beginner Guitar Help

Hi Charlie and welcome to the forum.

It is very admirable that you have come this far on your own; it shows a great commitment.

Having said that, I'm sure you'll want to jam with other players at some point and this is a great way to pick up some pointers on your playing - do any of your friends play?

If you're having trouble keeping rhythm, do not worry about it - it could be that you're more of a lead guitarist and you should focus on these skills. Find some songs that you think have a very basic beat and try and strum along to these.

Keep in touch and let us know how you're progressing! Happy playing!

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6 Reply by CharlieeeBeee (edited by CharlieeeBeee 02-10-10 15:04:33)

  • Registered: 29-09-10
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Re: Beginner Guitar Help

Cheers Mikey. There are some of my friends that play and one who plays the bass offered me to come round and play but at the time I'd only recently started playing. If I do take his offer up though my other friend an electric guitarist who has been playing for 3 years will want in aswell, which would surely force me out. default/sad Can you recommend any basic songs that are effective on the acoustic? I can at the moment play; With or without you, Knocking on heavens door, wish you were here, Sunday Bloody Sunday, One, Wonderwall, Whiskey in the jar and The scientist.

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7 Reply by mikeyBoab (edited by mikeyBoab 03-10-10 21:18:54)

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Re: Beginner Guitar Help

All good choices.

I think the best way is to find songs that you like to listen to - it makes it more interesting to play them. What sort of music do you like?

There are absolutely tons of basic songs you can learn!

And I wouldn't worry about band politics. Just jam. It's rock and roll's greatest tradition! Hook up with your mates and if it doesn't work out so be it. Move on to the next lot - pick any high profile guitarist and check them out on wikipedia and note just how many different bands they've played with.

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  • Registered: 29-09-10
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Re: Beginner Guitar Help

mikeyBoab wrote:

All good choices.

I think the best way is to find songs that you like to listen to - it makes it more interesting to play them. What sort of music do you like?

There are absolutely tons of basic songs you can learn!

And I wouldn't worry about band politics. Just jam. It's rock and roll's greatest tradition! Hook up with your mates and if it doesn't work out so be it. Move on to the next lot - pick any high profile guitarist and check them out on wikipedia and note just how many different bands they've played with.

Thanks for the advice default/big_smile I'm really into U2 but most of their stuff is electric and I'm trying to find acoustic versions of some of their songs, not going well. I'm into Bruce Springsteen, Dylan, The Rolling Stones and stuff like that.

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9 Reply by mikeyBoab (edited by mikeyBoab 04-10-10 13:59:20)

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Re: Beginner Guitar Help

Fantastic! Loads to start with! Start off with "Blowin in the wind", a great song to strum to.

For a bit of basic lead, try "Paint it Black".

If you fancy some U2, I would start with "New Year's Day" and "With or without you". The latter is very easy, try plucking the bass notes while you sing along - C G Am F.

All these tabs and chords are available online - I use ultimateguitar.com (I assume you've learned some basic chords? If not let me know; there are some excellent resources)

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  • Registered: 29-09-10
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Re: Beginner Guitar Help

mikeyBoab wrote:

Fantastic! Loads to start with! Start off with "Blowin in the wind", a great song to strum to.

For a bit of basic lead, try "Paint it Black".

If you fancy some U2, I would start with "New Year's Day" and "With or without you". The latter is very easy, try plucking the bass notes while you sing along - C G Am F.

All these tabs and chords are available online - I use ultimateguitar.com (I assume you've learned some basic chords? If not let me know; there are some excellent resources)

default/big_smile Thanks again! I can't find the new years day acoustic so any assistance there would be appreciated, and thanks again I'm really starting to go somewhere now!

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  • From: Liverpool, UK
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Re: Beginner Guitar Help

http://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/u/u2/ne … ay_crd.htm

Rock on!  default/cool

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  • Registered: 29-09-10
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Re: Beginner Guitar Help

mikeyBoab wrote:

http://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/u/u2/ne … ay_crd.htm

Rock on!  default/cool

Thanks Again! Sorry to keep on but is the tuning down half a step neccessary? and what does transpose mean?

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  • From: Liverpool, UK
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Re: Beginner Guitar Help

No, ignore that stuff, it's not helpful.

To transpose is basically to change the key. For example, this song is in the key of Em, but suppose that your voice didn't suit this key - you could transpose up or down to find a key that suited you better.

And don't be sorry Charlie - if you are at all unsure, ASK!!! If I don't know the answer there are plenty of others on this forum who will! (and soon you'll be one of them!)

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14 Reply by Olly

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Re: Beginner Guitar Help

mikeyBoab wrote:

And don't be sorry Charlie - if you are at all unsure, ASK!!!

+1 to that - we are all happy to help.

You will find a lot of songs, especially heavier rock songs are tuned down half a step. That just means each note is turned one fret lower. It makes no odds whether you bother to tune down or not unless

a)it suits your singing voice if you are singing or
b)if you intend to play along to the track itself using that tab.

Olly's Website

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  • Registered: 29-09-10
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Re: Beginner Guitar Help

Thanks!  default/big_smile  default/big_smile

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  • Registered: 10-12-10
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Re: Beginner Guitar Help

HAHA, i remember i got so angry one time that i couldn't play barre chords that i started to literally cry.  The solution is practice practice practice and in time you will make it. 

You should also devote some time to building left hand finger strenght: things such as scales or legato is very useful.

www.guitarlearningtips.org - my website


The Guitar Blueprint to Success - my free 57 pages and 6 chapter Ebook

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