beginner re: chords

quone · 2009-10-15T17:29:55+00:00

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. I...

beginner re: chords

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)

chris77

He-he, relax Quone. Didnt see it as an insult at all! Besides, politicians and boybands normally deserves all the flak they get, and then some more! ? Glad to hear the playing is going well.

quone

So the G chord - I have seen it differently - in one book it says use fingers 2, 3, 4 and another it said 1, 2, 3. 1, 2, 3 is easier to me because it's hard to get my pinky down there. Are there like "standard" fingerings and if so, which one is "correct"? or do you just do whatever is easier, or does it vary based on where your fingers are "coming from" i.e. notes before and after? Thanks

Rudolf

From my experience there is no "correct" way to finger any chord to be honest. Your thinking about whatever's easier considering where you are coming from is indeed very correct. I've come up with some rather interesting ways to finger some chords due to the situation without even thinking about it.

There are some things vital however always and that is basic technique, hand position and how your fingers attack the strings. Pay attention to these things as you really don't want to get stuck with bad habits ever. Shortcuts are forgiven alot of times but just plain bad habbits, no!

I do suggest trying to get used to all ways you could possibly play a chord, it could come in rather handy alot of times. Some chords you'll see as you get into their whatchamaycallits like suspended versions and 7ths that some of them actually build and develope from the basig open chord. Point is some of them require a certain fingering to stupid easily get to the whatchamaycallits which is usually thrown in the middle of a rather quick progression.

[deleted]

or does it vary based on where your fingers are "coming from"

That's exactly it, although you also have to consider where you're going. I must say, I don't use either of those combinations, I use 2 1 4. Luckily the G chord is one of those chords that is fairly "independant". When you're playing A maj or min you might want to experiment with 1 2 3 or 2 3 4 depending on the chord before and after it.

Jack-Flash-Jr

Hey Quone - welcome... one way of getting there is by playing power chords, so you only hit the bottom two or three strings (the bass strings). This develops muscle memory for not strumming all strings, it can equally be done with chords like Open D - strum only the top (treble) three strings though. When you're comfortable with this try do only three strings of the middle strings. Muting skipped strings is tougher but you will get there.
By the way, this is the best forum on the net - compare to guitar.reddit.com where comparatively nothing happens 8)