beginner re: chords

quone

Hi all,

I am teaching myself electirc guitar (with internet support of course). Some "beginner" chords that I see involve strumming only 5 or 4 strings. Is there any trick or tip you can give me for this? It seems almost impossible to me to be strumming and only strum 4 or 5 strings...like especially on the "up-strum" how do I strum only 5 strings but then "pull away" at the last string before the pick hits it?

Thanks for any advice. It's ok if all you can say is "practice" ? but as a beginner it seems tough...like all the strings are almost even!

RobK

It is actually just practice. I'm also still learning, but I've found that I'm hitting the correct strings more and more (though I still miss ? )

Try play each chord slowly at first and then build up speed later.

Oh, and welcome to theboard ?

dee

Honestly, it is all just about practice! You will eventually get the hang of skipping certain strings. Just take it slow and make sure you get the fingerings correct, and apply proper pressure without any buzzing or dead notes. Once you get it right, pick up the pace a bit. In no time you will get the hang of it all!

And welcome.... ?

Guy-Onraet

quone wrote: Hi all,

I am teaching myself electirc guitar (with internet support of course). Some "beginner" chords that I see involve strumming only 5 or 4 strings. Is there any trick or tip you can give me for this? It seems almost impossible to me to be strumming and only strum 4 or 5 strings...like especially on the "up-strum" how do I strum only 5 strings but then "pull away" at the last string before the pick hits it?

Thanks for any advice. It's ok if all you can say is "practice" ? but as a beginner it seems tough...like all the strings are almost even!

Hey quone

the trick is to mute the strings that are not meant to be played, using your fretting hand.
if you are playing an open C major chord for example, use your ring finger to touch (and stop from ringing out) the open low E string while still playing the 3rd fret on the A string.

and welcome!

SpeedStar

Listen to Mr Onraet
When You start doing fast srumming (like funk) this technique is your best friend. Here are some more tips that helped me when I was a padwaan.

Try not to look at your right hand while playing - This way the instinct of knowing where the right hand goes develops faster.
Play it in your head then play it on your guitar - try and get the two sounding the same
USE A METRONOME and keep in time doesn't matter how slow it is set
For strumming a nice thin flexible pick is your best friend.

the trick is to mute the strings that are not meant to be played, using your fretting hand.
if you are playing an open C major chord for example, use your ring finger to touch (and stop from ringing out) the open low E string while still playing the 3rd fret on the A string.

and welcome!

[/quote]

Rudolf

Definitely like Guy said, especially on chords where a string in the middle of the bunch is not to be played, simply mute it touching it with the side of a finger or an open finger. I do this on quite a bunch of chords, easy effective.

Now as far as being accurate while strumming up goes the best hint I've recieved is to not focus too much energy on for instance only hitting the bottom 5 or 4 strings on the chords where it applies but rather focussing on hitting just a few on your way up like the lower 3 strings. Soon enough you'll grab enough of them to still make the chord sound nice and full like it should, of course for some reason it's oodles easier to hit the correct strings going down and this you should to not ruin the chord with completely unneeded muted sounds.

Play to have fun and don't fuss too much attention on being technically perfect, it'll come soon enough!

Bob-Dubery

Muting isn't going to do it all. Eventually you'll have to learn to confine the pick to 4 or 5 strings.

In lessons I have been tackling Hendrix's "The Wind Cries Mary". There are chords in there that involve a barre across strings 2 to 5 and then a finger hammered on to the 5th string a tone higher than the barre. Hard to use other fingers to mute the 1st and 6th when you're playing that. Else where he has passages that require the thumb on the 6th string and chords that only use strings 2 to 4 - and the pick alternates between 6 and the chord.

Like many things it comes down to practice. You start off making a mess of this, but the practice sharpens it and you confidence increases.

The idea of not looking at the strings is interesting. I am doing that with the left hand, but it may work for the right as well.

baseline

If you listen to all the guys you will see that the common demomiator is practice, here is a link that teaches you how to practice. ?

GuitarPrinciples Newsletter 10-11-09 Contents
• Are Your Scales Scary? ...... Some people are afraid of ghosts......I get horrified watching the finger contortions many guitar players make as they "execute" their scales. Learn how to train all those bad habits and crippling tension from your fingers forever!
• How Slow Do You Go? ...... Sometimes guitar players must delve into the mysteries of motion, space, and time in order to advance to the next level on guitar. Gee, what would Einstein have said about building guitar chops?......
http://www.guitarprinciples.com/Newsletter/current_newsletter.html
(Link is good for one week only.)

chris77

Eesh, long time ago... but I dont think there was ever much of a conscious effort for me to hit the chords exactly as indicated. Mind you, even after all these years I still dont think I manage to now. My advice is to not focus on it too much, but rather just keep strumming untill it sounds right. Sooner or later as your muscle memory develops It will come naturally to hit the strings you want. And if you hit or miss a few in the process, then so be it. Who wants to copy a song 100% anyway? Give it a bit of your own flavour and imho the result will almost always be better. (unless its for exams or a pro gig - in which case my approach is not recommended...) And besides, the way you play it will sound different than the original no matter how good you are. So dont break your head if you dont sound exactly like the original. Play it till you like it and the rest will fall in place as you grow as a player.

quone

Thanks all for advice and welcome. You have given me some good tips to get going.

I am going to read those practice articles but it seems like I should be practicing both things like scales and also chords. Chords are more fun for me right now, except for some little licks like Sunshine of your Love or Smoke on the Water (told you I am REALLY new! haha). I'm actually practicing right now with just an electric guitar and no amp because it's broken (hand me down from brother) and I'm too poor to fix it right now. I do find myself looking more at my left hand, and the right is not so hard except for like I was saying, when I have to only play 4 or 5 strings in a chord.

When playing individual notes, should I try to practice with (not sure if this is what you call it) picking up and down? like on alternating notes. Or is it ok at first to just pick down (b/c it's easier!)

In an A chord, it is only 4 strings is that right? I thought I saw a site saying it's 3 strings. Do some chords have like "optional" strings you would play? I learned the difference between barre and open chords yesterday so I'm only talking open chords right now ?

Any more help is appreciated!

[deleted]

Where are you from, quone?

quone

☹ uh oh I hope I am allowed in here...from the U.S. - Boston. I just googled guitar forum and people here seemed interesting.

I take it you are all from wherever .co.za is ? is that the New Zealand suffix? If it is, I will tell you that I love Flight of the Conchords. Or do New Zealanders hate that show?

So a flexible pick is best for starting out?

quone

I just spotted some city names where you are from. How do you like Mr. Zuma? I read the Economist ?

[deleted]

You're welcome, of course. It's just that I'm sure some of us would offer to give you some input via lessons or in person...but that commute's gonna be a ball-ache!

chris77

Yup, proudly South African. Most beautiful country in the world and a great place to live, no matter what The Economist says... A heck of a lot of social and economic challenges to sort out, but the signs are there that we just might do it, despite all the detractors. We've got a few bad apples and unfortunately turds tend to float on top (btw, whats Bush doing nowadys...), but generally speaking we are a nation full of the friendliest and most remarkably resilient people you can hope to find anywhere in the world. You should come visit sometimes. So welcome man.

Sean

quone wrote: ☹ uh oh I hope I am allowed in here...from the U.S. - Boston. I just googled guitar forum and people here seemed interesting.

I take it you are all from wherever .co.za is ? is that the New Zealand suffix? If it is, I will tell you that I love Flight of the Conchords. Or do New Zealanders hate that show?

So a flexible pick is best for starting out?

You're more than welcome here.

Flight of the Conchords, yeah, like them too, the guys are really funny. At least they're not Aussies ?

Yes, you'll find a flexible pick much easier to handle (for strumming) when starting out

[deleted]

Play it in your head then play it on your guitar - try and get the two sounding the same

I agree with this 100%. I told this to some one once before and he looked at me like I was crazy, but it really does make a difference. You may ask" how can I play it in my head if I can't even play it with my hands yet" ( that's what I was asked). This what I think is called "training your ear". Focus on the sounds you want to make and soon you will learn what adjustments to make to deliver that sound.

CDee

chris77 wrote: Yup, proudly South African. Most beautiful country in the world and a great place to live, no matter what The Economist says... A heck of a lot of social and economic challenges to sort out, but the signs are there that we just might do it, despite all the detractors. We've got a few bad apples and unfortunately turds tend to float on top (btw, whats Bush doing nowadys...), but generally speaking we are a nation full of the friendliest and most remarkably resilient people you can hope to find anywhere in the world. You should come visit sometimes. So welcome man.

+1 and Karma'd.

That is the truth, we have the best country in the world! ?

TomCat

Hey welcome to a fellow noob guitarist....only being "playing" for a few months and enjoy it immensely.

Seeing that you are on a South African Forum, you need to learn a few South Africanisms..... ? ?

The first one is "Howzit". This is a greeting similar to "Howdy"
When things are going a bit tough we say "Ag shame...really......"..... ? ?

I'll let you get around those two first......

Enjoy the forum.....there are a great bunch of guys here.... ? ?

quone

Thanks for welcomes. I definitely did not mean to insult your country or president - I was just trying to show that I at least knew who your president was ? Oh and I totally hear you on Bush (be careful his minions are probably reading this). Ugh, I tell you the first time he was elected I learned something about the American masses (they're dumb), so the second time did not surprise me.

Howzit everyone!

(is that like short for "how's it going?") The other expression I just don't understand.

I am amazed at how just playing a little each day I am getting better even at some of my initial "complaints" on here! 8)