Bought a Guitar

There are some great "playalong" videos on YouTube. Great for practicing your speed / rythmn playing.

When you can play a few chords or licks then join up with other players. It is always best to learn by playing live. Does not need to be with an audience though. Lots of "open mic" clubs around these days. We have 3 or 4 locally that started up after Covid.
 
donnie_arko said:
If you need a little less tension on the fingers, you can try downtuning a semi tone or two and use a capo.

I've been using 11-52's for a long time, I hope they work out for you.
Click to expand...

wayne_m said:
That is great advise, thanks Donnie. I was originally a Bricklayer although I have been in household maintanance for 30 years. My fingers are tough and flexible. I'll soon get them working...Hopefully.
Click to expand...

I've been using these for years on my acoustic guitars, easy on the fingers, and easier to bend a note, and as an added benefit, they last forever.

3.JPG
 
TobyC said:
I've been using these for years on my acoustic guitars, easy on the fingers, and easier to bend a note, and as an added benefit, they last forever.

View attachment 146574
Click to expand...

I've not used that gauge, as I play in open tunings (eg Open D) but I used to use Martin M175's which were the 11-52's. 80/20's don't seem to get as much love as they deserve, but I generally prefer them to phosphor bronze strings.

I can see you being a D28 kind of guy Toby!
 
donnie_arko said:
I've not used that gauge, as I play in open tunings (eg Open D) but I used to use Martin M175's which were the 11-52's. 80/20's don't seem to get as much love as they deserve, but I generally prefer them to phosphor bronze strings.

I can see you being a D28 kind of guy Toby!
Click to expand...
I would love to have a D-28 from the '50's, but I just don't have the $$$. I do have a D-28 knock off from the '70's, Japanese I think. (y)
 
TobyC said:
I would love to have a D-28 from the '50's, but I just don't have the $$$. I do have a D-28 knock off from the '70's, Japanese I think. (y)
Click to expand...

Those Brazilian Rosewood D28's are too damn expensive now.

I've played a number of nice acoustics over the years, but nothing even came close to a 'mystery spruce' 1953 000-18 I played a while back but way more than I could afford.
 
I have chosen and am practicing my first song. I have chosen America's Horse with no name. the basic version only uses EM and D6/9 which are both two finger chords. I can hit both cleanly and am learning to swap between them and am doing well. The strumming pattern is more difficult, I'm spending lots of time learing to strum upward, which is harder than it looks to do consistantly, but i'll get there with practice.
 
wayne_m said:
America's Horse with no name
Click to expand...

I came across a pretty good video for a tutorial to play the strumming pattern for this song. She has a nice way to approach things.


Maybe a few other guitarists here might appreciate this, but however long you might be playing the guitar you'll be always looking at the instrument with new eyes.

Good luck with the up strums though.
 
donnie_arko said:
I came across a pretty good video for a tutorial to play the strumming pattern for this song. She has a nice way to approach things.


Maybe a few other guitarists here might appreciate this, but however long you might be playing the guitar you'll be always looking at the instrument with new eyes.

Good luck with the up strums though.
Click to expand...
On the money. (y)
 
Thanks guys, that is the one I have been following. I sound horrible at the moment but just like starting wet shaving you only get better with practice. It is frustrating that I have not turned into Segovia yet, I sound more like Frankenstien. But it's only been a week or two and I can hit my chosen notes clearly and you can't have everything. I'll be like this for a good few months yet.
 
It is really hard, if not impossible, to recommend one song to start with. Horse with no name is a good one. Something that you can sing in your head as you strum. Something familiar.

My "go to" beginner teacher would be Andy Guitar or Justin Guitar. Both of these guys do a "first steps beginners course" on line either via their website or on YouTube.

I have put at least 3 of my friends through these courses and I can certainly recommend this pair.

Lots of 3 chord songs out there.

Just keep practicing every day.
 
Chalkie said:
It is really hard, if not impossible, to recommend one song to start with. Horse with no name is a good one. Something that you can sing in your head as you strum. Something familiar.

My "go to" beginner teacher would be Andy Guitar or Justin Guitar. Both of these guys do a "first steps beginners course" on line either via their website or on YouTube.

I have put at least 3 of my friends through these courses and I can certainly recommend this pair.

Lots of 3 chord songs out there.

Just keep practicing every day.
Click to expand...
I have chosen to follow Justin guitar's course. He is really easy to understand and puts his teachings across really well.
 
Yup. Justin is good even though he is from "down under".

You can progress with him as well.

He does acoustic, electric, ukulele. All sorts.

As you say, he is easy to follow, easy to understand.
 
I've been playing guitar for around 16 years now (not professionally) I've settled on electric guitars a Gibson Les Paul traditional gold top finish and a Mexico Fender stratocaster. Just keep practicing you'll get better.
 
John said:
I've been playing guitar for around 16 years now (not professionally) I've settled on electric guitars a Gibson Les Paul traditional gold top finish and a Mexico Fender stratocaster. Just keep practicing you'll get better.
Click to expand...
Thanks.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom