Tips for a beginner?

markTR · Unread post by **markTR** » Sun Jul 16, 2006 10:12 pm

kabanna wrote:Somewhat would be a bit of an understatement. I've been hearing Dave my whole life, everyone in my family loves him. And I just got to go to my first show, 6.20.06. An experience I wont forget.

So what exactly does a suspended G chord...mean? Should i quit playing that, or what? I feel rather ignorant.

And I've just looked at The Song That Jane Likes...and am a bit confused. I've only just begun reading tabs, and am perplexed by the 3/5, and other slashes.
Would anyone mind explaining?

(And, although man is a relative term, I'll just avoid all gender confusion now. I am female.)

Nah, there's nothing wrong with playing the G the way you do. I myself play it that way out of habit, and because I think it just sounds better. Basically, nobody is gonna rip on you if, down the road, you're playing a song that has a G chord in it and you add that 5th note (with your 3rd finger). It's all good.

As far as STJL goes, I forgot about that outro. I was more pointing you towards the opening and verse. Those slashes at the end of the verse indicate a slide.

kabanna · Unread post by **kabanna** » Sun Jul 16, 2006 10:27 pm

Thanks very much, sciaracastro. I'll write those down for future reference.

And another thanks for markus. I think I'll hold off on attempting the slides...I'm not sure my fingers could handle that right now :lol:

.
Now, if I can just get my pinky to start cooperating more on that G, I'll be alright. Not enough finger muscles.

On STJL, as I stumble my way through reading the tabs, I think I'll check my work...
The chords are D C F G A minor on the first bit, right?
(It seems I keep reading them upside-down...)

Sciaracastro · Unread post by **Sciaracastro** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 7:19 am

np man

i forgot about STJL outro as well :S
anyway, after u get used to chord changes, ask your teacher to tell u HOW chords are made...that way, u wont have to know them all but u will be able to get any chord position anyway

kabanna · Unread post by **kabanna** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 11:56 am

Alright, how chords are made... I'll keep that in mind for my next lesson or so. Thanks!

I have just received a call from my wonderful teacher... He has suggested I bring in some music that I'd like to learn to play, he'll judge if I'll be able to play it, then we'll work on it.
So what sort of stuff do you think I ought to bring?
What I've put together so far is... John Mayer, Jason Mraz, Jack Johnson, Matt Costa, Dispatch, Sublime, and I'd like to bring some Dave Matthews... What album would you suggest? And are any of those.. Out of my league, I guess I'd say?
And are there any artists you know of that play some good music, that I might be able to learn? Some song suggestions would be great, too.

Thanks again, everyone.

Hydro120 · Unread post by **Hydro120** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 12:02 pm

kabanna wrote:Alright, how chords are made... I'll keep that in mind for my next lesson or so. Thanks!

I have just received a call from my wonderful teacher... He has suggested I bring in some music that I'd like to learn to play, he'll judge if I'll be able to play it, then we'll work on it.
So what sort of stuff do you think I ought to bring?
What I've put together so far is... John Mayer, Jason Mraz, Jack Johnson, Matt Costa, Dispatch, Sublime, and I'd like to bring some Dave Matthews... What album would you suggest? And are any of those.. Out of my league, I guess I'd say?
And are there any artists you know of that play some good music, that I might be able to learn? Some song suggestions would be great, too.

Thanks again, everyone.

Remember this, and remember this good:

Don't let anyone try to tell you that a song is "above your skill level". If you try and and can do it, it's not. If you try it and you can't, just keep working at it until you can. But NEVER let anyone try to tell you that a song is "out of your league".

Just my thoughts. BTW, that wasn't a shot at you or anything, for asking it we thought it was out of your league. It was just some advice. I think, if you like those artists, thats a great place to start.

Good luck!

kabanna · Unread post by **kabanna** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 12:13 pm

Well, alrighty then. Thanks for the advice.
I guess I was asking about.. difficulty, and such.
Like....I wouldn't try to play Billies or The Stone when my finger muscles have only begun to develop. Sure, I could try, but It'd all probably end up in a depressing amount of failure... :lol:

Yes, I want to challenge myself, but not to the point of a toddler in swimmies trying to jump off the high dive.
....
My analogies kinda suck, don't they.... :lol:

sunglassesatnight · Unread post by **sunglassesatnight** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 12:26 pm

You're on the right track that it would be very difficult, greatly frustrating, and possibly dangerous to start out with songs such as Billies or The Stone.

However, don't allow yourself to fall into a mindset that some songs are simply impossible to play correctly. That will do nothing but discourage you and likely put you in a rut. So get your land legs first, then play whatever it is that you want to. The biggest obsticle in this game is the mental side.

kabanna · Unread post by **kabanna** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 1:21 pm

Does anyone have a copy of STJL I can download?
I did a search, but it looks like all previous ones have expired.

Of course no song is impossible... for then how would the artist have played it? But I see your point, and thanks for the advice. And yes, your state of mind has a huge impact on your abilities. If all you think it "I Can't Do It" then chances are, you won't be able to. Confidence is ever important.

Pizzle · Unread post by **Pizzle** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 1:26 pm

CWMCALL · Unread post by **CWMCALL** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 1:36 pm

kabanna wrote:Does anyone have a copy of STJL I can download?
I did a search, but it looks like all previous ones have expired.

Of course no song is impossible... for then how would the artist have played it? But I see your point, and thanks for the advice. And yes, your state of mind has a huge impact on your abilities. If all you think it "I Can't Do It" then chances are, you won't be able to. Confidence is ever important.

STJL from "The Lost Acoustics"
http://www.sendspace.com/file/jdh3y6

good luck!

justanotherfan · Unread post by **justanotherfan** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 4:41 pm

Wow....such a great response to this thread. Thanks Kabanna for starting it. Now my question.......what are good finger excersises to stretch you finger span???? I have a hard time keeping my finger on one fret then trying to stretch to another. (maybe cause i'm a girl hehehe) I guess that will also come with time.
Also, on the side, I would like to dabble in some tab guitar playing. How do you know when to strum up or down in tab??? AND more ???? will come later. I will shut up for now.
Thanks!!!!!!!!!

brian_ok · Unread post by **brian_ok** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 4:48 pm

justanotherfan wrote:Wow....such a great response to this thread. Thanks Kabanna for starting it. Now my question.......what are good finger excersises to stretch you finger span???? I have a hard time keeping my finger on one fret then trying to stretch to another. (maybe cause i'm a girl hehehe) I guess that will also come with time.
Also, on the side, I would like to dabble in some tab guitar playing. How do you know when to strum up or down in tab??? AND more ???? will come later. I will shut up for now.
Thanks!!!!!!!!!

For now, just work on playing simple chords. (E, A, C, G, Am, D) Those will stretch your fingers enough for now.
Congratulations, you've just discovered one of the many drawbacks of tab. You usually have to listen to the CD and figure out the strumming pattern (you'll get better at this as you play more). Tab usually only gives you the notes.

Nuladion · Unread post by **Nuladion** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 5:40 pm

There was a thread with a ton of finger exercises, let me find it quick.

http://www.dmbtabs.com/boards/viewtopic ... +exercises

kabanna · Unread post by **kabanna** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 7:55 pm

Thanks very much, CWMCALL. Man, that's a good song. I've begun working on it, but it's slow going.

I can sympathize, justanotherfan. I think my fingers are already getting stronger, even if I 've only been playing a short time.
I think I'll take a look at those finger exercises, too.

Hydro120 · Unread post by **Hydro120** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 7:59 pm

You'll be extremely grateful when the day comes where you have callusses on all your fret hand fingertips.

DMBTabs.com

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