Bill ([info]eldritch_crank) wrote,
@ 2006-04-13 22:41:00
Previous Entry  Add to memories!  Tell a Friend!  Next Entry
Guitar is Hard
I'm trying to learn how to play the guitar. My fingers aren't yet tough enough to do much practicing. So far, I haven't figured out how to keep my fretting fingers from muffling the strings unintentionally. This is going to be a tough slog.

(Post a new comment)


[info]discogravy
2006-04-14 03:07 am UTC (link)
practice open chords more, and do finger excercises up and down the strings:

e|-1234-2345-3456-4567-5678-6789-789(10)-89(10)(11)-9(10)(11)(12)-|

and then back down to the open string. and then switch strings.

give it about 2 weeks for the callouses to start, 4 to get them going well.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]eldritch_crank
2006-04-14 04:24 am UTC (link)
Open cords are what I've been practicing, plus I've been working on making a barre when my fingertips get too sore to go on. So far, I can play Em, sometimes, once in a while, without muffling the strings.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]cpf
2006-04-14 07:25 am UTC (link)
I thought meth was the answer?

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]baldghoti
2006-04-14 03:36 am UTC (link)
agreed re: open chords.

Run-Around is my favorite exercise: G - C - Am - D. Lather, rinse, repeat. It's pleasant to listen to and it's a good way to practice chord switching.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]eldritch_crank
2006-04-14 04:27 am UTC (link)
I've been trying to learn C along with Em, but so far it has defeated me.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

[info]baldghoti
2006-04-14 12:07 pm UTC (link)
Practice, man. Just run the transition over and over.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]zornog
2006-04-14 03:43 am UTC (link)
There's also the super-famous G - Em - C - D, which is in a ton ton ton of songs.

On top of learning the physical playing, though, you ought to dabble in some music theory, so that you can learn that the chord progression above is I - vi - IV - V, which means you can now transpose! huzzah!

(and rob's is I - V - ii - V). My chord progression is used prominently in Elton John's Crocodile Rock (I believe the verse is in C [meaning C = I] and the chorus is in G [meaning G = I].

This might be a big step (or maybe you already know it), but when I was in super-beginner-learning-mode I liked knowing that there was all this stuff -- interesting, usable stuff -- that I would eventually learn. It kept me motivated. :)

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]eldritch_crank
2006-04-14 04:18 am UTC (link)
I've been reading about music theory. Reading is easy for me.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]betahuman
2006-04-14 05:33 am UTC (link)
Go for it, man! Guitar is insanely satisfying. I also just started learning guitar, and I had issues with my insanely skinny fingers -- and lack of strength in my left hand. There's a pretty easy pattern to many of the chords, and learning to do barre chords will get you a step ahead in the long run.

Coolest thing ever: Guitar Chord Explorer.

Are you learning on an acoustic or electric?

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]eldritch_crank
2006-04-14 06:36 am UTC (link)
electric

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]hostirad
2006-04-14 11:27 pm UTC (link)
It is tough when you're first starting. Progress will be slow at first, but don't give up. It'll be well worth it, believe me.

(Reply to this)

Create an Account
Forgot your login or password?
Login w/ OpenID
English • Español • Deutsch • Русский…