I'm a guitar beginner and I need your tips! [Archive]

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tao63

12-04-2011, 02:32 AM

So I just recently bought an acoustic guitar and a tuner (wow never thought musical instruments are really expensive, even the tuner alone lol) and self teaching myself some chords.

Anyways while I was trying a few chords, I'm currently having a hard time playing the B chord and other similar ones where you have to put index finger to press more than 1 string. So I was wondering if its because I have short and thin fingers (surprisingly I'm a guy, and I'm weirded myself by that fact) but of course that doesn't discourage me in playing it. Any tips you guys can share about it? Like left hand position or some equipment to help me on it?

Also does anyone knows whats the metal stuff placed on the first fret in this video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gvb45pJMeKU&feature=related)? Like what is it for and what is it called?

Also how difficult is it to read musical notes for acoustic guitars instead of tabs?

Fai-kun

12-04-2011, 03:00 AM

Hi there tao63!

I am also a guitar player myself, and I also in the same position as you (having short fingers...). I started just over a year ago, and still continuing to play guitar nowadays.

When I first started to play guitar, the B chord always poses a real problem. Through trial and error, the only best way I can give you from my experience is to stretch all of your fret fingers every now and then .

How: Make a V-shape with two consecutive fingers, then put the back of the first fret of your guitar's fretboard between the gap of the fingers. After that, try to slide from the first fret until the neck of your guitar. Do this for every fingers-pair.

It'll hurt at first, but with constant practise, the gap between your fingers can make a perfect L-shape.

About the metal stuff on the vid, it's called 'capo'.

Personally, I prefer tabs rather than reading notes when you first start to play guitar. Unless you have music education background, just stick with the tabs. Hope these help you.

And one more: Don't give up and good luck! :D

tao63

12-05-2011, 07:51 AM

Lol I just checked the other chords and it seems a lot of chords require index to press straight. Anyways thanks for the tip! Btw is it possible to move the capo while you play?

LivE-EviL

12-15-2011, 04:16 AM

Is it possible to move the capo while you play?

Nope.

What is it for?

The capo is there to bend down all strings to get a higher tuning. Like that, when the capo is on the second fret, you can play i.e. a B chord while holding the fingers as you would do for an A chord. Or an F while you hold your fingers like an E, in this case it's a replacement for your index finger to bend down more than one / all strings. Easy to understand?

Also, reading notes is quite difficult for someone who has no or low skill in musical education - no offense meant. Btw, I can read notes in itself quite good, but I have played flute for ten years and it's completely another thing to read notes and play after them if you have 6 strings and chords. I prefer digital tabs and a program like Guitar Pro to play along with it ^^

Oh and depending on your preferred music: Metal is a LOT easier to play with power chords :D