beginners guitar player thread

hyperfish

What pick size are you using?
I'm using Dunlop 0.46 at the moment. Light and forgiving for the strumming but not so good for individual strings.

reevesy

something similar...light..0.46 I think....started off with a medium one but as you say it wasn't very forgiving on strumming....light ones can sound a bit 'flappy' when you get going though

got a tin of various sizes from amazon for about 3 quid

Goooner

I can thoroughly recommend the Justinguitar Beginners Songbook, starts with some really easy songs, just four down strums per bar and goes from there, all the songs have suggested strumming patterns too.

After 3 years, I still can't really work out strumming patterns myself from just listening to a song, probably something I need to practice more.

A tin of various picks is a good idea, then you can try a few and find what suits you best.

reevesy

got the oasis strumming pattern off this morning....DDDUDD I think just got to find out hound dog a bit later.
people seem to say learn the song just doing down strums then worry about the strumming pattern later...which helps

...funnily enough I was looking at the justinguitar song book yesterday....17 quid I think....50 songs.

looked at the sample shots and they are laid out well with chords and where the words are in relation....strumming pattern at the side.

...something you could do and print off yourself I suppose but I do feel I should send some money his way as I've used his youtube lessons a lot.

Goooner

Yep, it's great that he does all those lessons and stuff for free, I always try and buy stuff off him when I can.

I've got all four of his songbooks now, all the same high quality and loads of great songs, not that I can play a lot of them yet though

hyperfish

I have been practicing two chords I have always struggled with, C and F.

As muscle memory takes care of the chords I can focus on strumming. It's only been a couple of hours and things seem to be coming together.

When I look back just two weeks I see a lot of improvement. I'm not trying to strangle the neck anymore so it's much kinder to my fingertips.

Oh,and the minor petatonic is in the bag.

RBZ5416

12 Dunlop Tortex Standard & Nylon Standard Guitar Picks / Plectrums 1 Of Each Type In A Handy Tin: Amazon.co.uk: Musical Instruments

Try lighter for acoustic & heavier for electric, but there's no right or wrong. Whatever you're happy with.

reevesy

got the tiger ones meself
Tiger Music 10 Guitar Picks with Pick Tin: Amazon.co.uk: Musical Instruments

yeah I struggled with C...took quiet a while and I still hit a few bum ones.. cheating using the C plus 9 is handy....basically drop a string down with 1 and 2 fingers from a 'rock' G.

cant do a F yet

hyperfish

I've been murdering 'Don't look back in anger' to work on my C and F.

Guitar Chords and Tabs is handy for Android users.

Guitar chords and tabs - Android Apps on Google Play

reevesy

well just ordered the justinguitar song book so i'll finally be able to chuck out all the bits of scrap paper with chords and bars all scribbled down.


...actually 100 songs....new edition copy