My son is getting group lessons at his school and it made me remember my old electric acoustic guitar in the garage that hadn't been played for about 17 years. We used to go down to original banana row back in the day and thrash about (very badly!)
Anyway, I decided to get it repaired again and while I was in my local shop doing so I saw one of these and couldn't help myself. Ideal for practising when I'm out at work and good for those who are, ahem, blessed with slightly stubby fingers like myself.
I dug out the old book that taught me the basics all those years ago and only now realise how boring it was. Im not even going to try and look for the accompanying cassette. I persevered with the first few lessons last night though and the tips of my fingers are on fire/numb which feels great.
To anyone who plays, is my choice of guitar OK (over the Squier mini) and is there anything out there, free or otherwise, that's a little bit more interesting to get me started again?
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Thread: Any guitar players out there?
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03-02-2017 06:03 AM #1
Any guitar players out there?
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03-02-2017 08:33 AM #2
Have you got an Xbox or PlayStation?
I'd recommend Rocksmith if you have. You get a cable that connects your guitar (which looks very nice by the way - I just got a Squire Stratocaster before Christmas to learn on).
The game teachers you real songs, gives challenges to learn scanners and chords etc.
At the moment I'm working my way through about seven Oasis subs and about the same for Radiohead. It's brilliant playing along to songs you know and love. The difficulty increases as you get better at each song and it goes back a bit if you're struggling.
I've tried a few times to learn and this is by far and away the best imho.Follow the Hibs podcast, Longbangers, on Twitter (@longbangers)
https://longbangers.hubwave.net
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03-02-2017 09:11 AM #3
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I took up the bass a while back & love it, frustrating at first trying to play chords but a few visits to you tube & now I can play a few songs from The Cure, James, The Pogues etc. I started off with basic riffs using tabs.
I also struggled with learning more than four bars at a time & moreso if I tried to play a more complex song. I bought a couple of books by Hal Leonard, started at basic & Im now between basic & intermediate. Timing was an issue, particularly when playing along to a fast song, I started off well then played as if I was using someone elses fingers 😄
Im now onto learning Stone Roses songs, in particular & relatively easy is She Bangs The Drums, brilliant chunky bass lines. I am struggling with Peter Hook & the Light, Hooks bass playing is on another planet 😄
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03-02-2017 10:48 AM #4
My advice would be to set aside say 15-30mins every day for a wee practice. You won't notice the small daily improvements but after a few weeks you'll see the difference.
As mentioned, the YouTube lessons are a great free source for learning.
Re. guitars. You usually get what you pay for. Epiphone if you can't afford a Gibson and Squire if you can't afford a real Fender.
If you want a good affordable acoustic beginner's guitar, I recommend the Yamaha F310. You can pick up a 2nd hand one for around £50- £80 on eBay/gumtree. I think they are approx £120 new.
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04-02-2017 01:58 AM #5This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
Is it something a nine year old would appreciate as well or will it be a bit too hard/advanced for him? I'm going to meet a bit of resistance if it's just for me and I have to invade his room to play it.
Edit: ...how much did you pay for it if you don't mind me asking? It looks pretty scarce and very expensive from Amazon etc...!!Last edited by Pete; 04-02-2017 at 06:27 AM.
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04-02-2017 02:17 AM #6This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
When you said The Stone Roses, She bangs the drums was the first song that came to mind. A lot of their songs had brilliant basslines.
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I looked at lots of guitars and decided that it would be Epiphone or Squier over unfamiliar/shops own brands as they are sort of linked to Gibson and Fender (which I can't afford).
It's odd that the 3/4 size squire strat was £30 more expensive than the Epiphone and even £5 more expensive than the full size strat! The guy in the local shop (who I'll be supporting from now on) was really helpful and said that the quality was pretty similar and its down to personal choice.
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04-02-2017 09:23 AM #7This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
You might be able to get a second hand copy cheaper, I only have the 360 versions otherwise I'd offer you a loan of it to try it out - it's not backwards compatible on Xbox One so I'll wait for the next version to come out before getting it for that.
I think it's brilliant though, I've had a few goes over the years at learning and this is the only one that I've found particularly rewarding.Follow the Hibs podcast, Longbangers, on Twitter (@longbangers)
https://longbangers.hubwave.net
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04-02-2017 07:32 PM #8This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
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10-05-2017 06:09 PM #9
Hit a brick wall with something evil called the A shaped barre chord. That outrageous finger bending just isn't happening.
Grrr. :-(
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10-05-2017 07:54 PM #10
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11-05-2017 07:53 PM #11This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
However, the tips of all my fingers are bendy apart from the one that needs to be and I'm wondering if it's an old injury from childhood. No room for excuses though and after a bit of reading I've discovered there are other ways to play it, with some famous guitarists using these methods.
Onwards and upwards!
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12-05-2017 05:36 AM #12
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12-05-2017 06:05 AM #13This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
This time around I feel I want to get the basics right so I'm persisting with the "boring" book, which is actually teaching me about sheet music, notes and scales etc...Ive only been learning about music "properly" for a few months but I can now understand what I'm playing when I look at videos of people telling me how to play my favourite songs. It's maybe back to front in some people's eyes but it's good to know why you're playing a certain note.
Was doing a few bass note excercises last night and I'm digging that. Shame there isn't the same range of equipment as I'd pick up a cheapish mid-range bass if I could. Cheers for the recommendations, I'll look out the books.Last edited by Pete; 12-05-2017 at 06:17 AM.
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12-05-2017 06:42 AM #14This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/
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12-05-2017 07:57 AM #15
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12-05-2017 06:40 PM #16
I have a guitar, but haven't really got far with learning how to play it. It's my favourite instrument to listen to, and many of my favourite musicians are guitarists, which is equally inspiring and demotivating at the same.
I watch and and listen to them marvelling at what they can do (inspiring), then immediately think 'what's the point, I'll never be anywhere near as good as that' (demotivating)
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12-05-2017 07:25 PM #17
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12-05-2017 07:31 PM #18This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
Don't give up.
Listen to the break in this song. I am not a very good player but just about have it down. I know it's just copying but I love this song. If I can progress you certainly can :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETkzK9pXMio
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12-05-2017 09:52 PM #19This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show QuoteThis quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
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12-05-2017 10:01 PM #20This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
A more experienced player might correct me on this but one reason might be equipment. I'm learning on electric guitars nowadays but I learned on a bowl back acoustic with thick steel strings and a terribly high action back in the day. So much harder to play and it's no wonder I gave up.
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13-05-2017 07:16 AM #21This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show QuoteThis quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show QuoteThis quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
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13-05-2017 10:50 AM #22
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With regards equipment, no doubt decent kit will get decent sounds. A colleague of mines plays lead. He has a run of the mill accoustic which he practices on then refines the songs (mostly Oasis) on a steel stringed accoustic or a lead guitar. He goes up town in summer & makes a few bob busking 😄
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13-05-2017 07:07 PM #23This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
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13-05-2017 07:25 PM #24
Sure I've recommended it before but get a hold of Rocksmith on Xbox or PlayStation - makes learning songs much more interesting and will teach you chords, scales and different techniques.
Follow the Hibs podcast, Longbangers, on Twitter (@longbangers)
https://longbangers.hubwave.net
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19-05-2017 03:16 PM #25This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
That "lag" is a nightmare though and I have to rig up my amp to get proper sound that isn't a millisecond behind.
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19-05-2017 06:02 PM #26This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show QuoteFollow the Hibs podcast, Longbangers, on Twitter (@longbangers)
https://longbangers.hubwave.net
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01-03-2018 07:09 PM #27
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Pete, how are you getting on with your guitar, knocking out any good tunes yet ? I decided to buy an left handed Electro Accoustic (Chord) as I fancied changing between both. I am really enjoying learning the accoustic apart from having sore fingers from the steel strings.
I have learnt a few chords but am slightly sluggish with the chord changes as opposed to doing it with the bass which I am finding easier.Last edited by MSK; 01-03-2018 at 07:19 PM.
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02-03-2018 07:25 PM #28This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
One thing I did do was download that ultimate guitar app, which can tell you how play any song (well the chords anyway). It’s great but the best source has been YouTube, where I can get the strumming patterns nailed too. I’m only playing rhythm just now and one thing I’ve realised is how easy to play most of the popular songs are...loads of basic, open chords that are just rearranged a bit differently. Learning these songs is great but I feel like I’m losing all the knowledge I worked so hard to gain at the start as I’m not testing myself by learning new things. Hard to explain.
Anyway, good luck with the electro acoustic, a new instrument is a new motivation. Is it a plastic bowl-back or is it made of wood?
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02-03-2018 07:57 PM #29
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Stick with it mateLast edited by MSK; 03-03-2018 at 02:10 AM.
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02-03-2018 08:40 PM #30This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
I’m getting back into guitar after a few years out. The rhythm stuff has never really left me but I’m trying to reteach myself lead. I don’t think my wife is enjoying it, especially when I crank up the effect where I get my name on here from.
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