Topic: Re: The Guitar Topic - B (Read 387832 times)

CrowFairy · « **Reply #3350 on:** 12 Sep 2011, 20:50 »

So I won an acoustic guitar several years ago but haven't had the opportunity to learn how to play. I've settled on teaching myself using the Internet, my own intuition, and this program I bought for the computer last year but can't find. The only other instrument I've played before was the recorder in 4th grade like everyone else.

In other words, I have no musical knowledge built up, other than a vague idea of how sheet music works because of many years of chorus (from the time I learned how to talk until I was 13). But most of my musical ability is from pitch-matching, so sheet music is almost entirely foreign to me again. :/ I see strange letters, and they mean almost nothing to me. D: I don't really have an ear for it yet.

So here's my question: How do you learn to recognize what notes are what? How do you learn what strings are what? And more importantly... How the heck do you know if you're tuning the dang thing properly?? (Okay, so it turned out to be three questions.

Sue me.

)

I found a guitar tab for a song I'd like to learn, but a lot of it doesn't make sense to me. It says it's for novice-level players, but I don't know what these things mean, so I'm still pretty lost. D:

Edit: I'm starting to get a bit of a handle on things. I found a neato online tool if anyone's interested in help with tuning their guitars: http://www.howtotuneaguitar.org/

Radical AC · « **Reply #3351 on:** 12 Sep 2011, 22:31 »

Wow, TWO Tom Anderson guitars. How much is that new QC book again?

A new guitar shop opened up last year, across the street from where my old favorite closed down when the economy crashed. They sell Andersons and those are some of the nicer guitars I have ever played.

Patrick · « **Reply #3352 on:** 13 Sep 2011, 03:26 »

Quote from: LoliBot on 12 Sep 2011, 20:50

So here's my question: How do you learn to recognize what notes are what? How do you learn what strings are what? And more importantly... How the heck do you know if you're tuning the dang thing properly??

q1: Get a chart of which frets correspond to which notes (in standard tuning), found online here
q2: If you're in standard tuning, from low (pitch) to high, EADGBE
q3: If your tuner agrees that each of the strings is accurately tuned to the corresponding pitches above

valley_parade · « **Reply #3353 on:** 13 Sep 2011, 07:29 »

Hey Jeph, what's that bass in the back?

Radical AC · « **Reply #3354 on:** 13 Sep 2011, 13:39 »

Youtube is pretty invaluable in learning guitar these days. There are videos you can use to tune to if you don't have a tuner, and videos on how to practice all different styles. You can't replace a good teacher, but learning is only limited by you.

CrowFairy · « **Reply #3355 on:** 13 Sep 2011, 22:44 »

Wow, thanks, guys! I'm a little overwhelmed because I realized just how much I'm going to need to learn. D:

I don't have a physical tuner--are they worth the money? I'm not sure I can learn how to do it by ear, but there are a lot of things online that I can use to match the pitches as closely as possible. Are they a good enough substitute?

Melodic · « **Reply #3356 on:** 13 Sep 2011, 23:16 »

no, go buy a tuner. it's like, 20 bucks.

Lummer · « **Reply #3357 on:** 14 Sep 2011, 00:41 »

yeah, buy a tuner and use that until your ears can do it for you.

valley_parade · « **Reply #3358 on:** 14 Sep 2011, 05:46 »

Admission: It's probably because I don't pay in live situations, but I really can't ever justify spending $80-90 on a tuner pedal.

The little $15 handheld thing I have, sure.

edit: The TC Polytune does seem really, really cool, though.

Kwaping · « **Reply #3359 on:** 14 Sep 2011, 09:02 »

Snark SN-1, less than $10 on Amazon. Unbelievable value for the money.

Melodic · « **Reply #3360 on:** 14 Sep 2011, 10:56 »

I think the only reason people actually use Boss' chromatic tuner pedal is because it's a convenient cutoff switch, too.

Patrick · « **Reply #3361 on:** 14 Sep 2011, 11:21 »

And because it's true bypass instead of digital, if I'm not mistaken

and for that reason alone I am never buying another DigiTech product ever; I recently tried my HotHead distortion out again, and I've decided I'm not wasting batteries or sacrificing any of the tone I worked so hard at chasing.

I'll sell that shit for $20 if anybody wants to PM me

Radical AC · « **Reply #3362 on:** 15 Sep 2011, 13:05 »

All Boss pedals, even their tuners, use a buffer followed by FET switching for their bypass. It's hardly noticeable, but still there if you care. I have a Turbo-Tuner ST-200 which is my favorite tuner I've ever used (Feels much more solid than those overpriced Peterson Strobostomps). The TC Polytune looks perfect for live playing, though.

Patrick · « **Reply #3363 on:** 15 Sep 2011, 15:31 »

My Boss OD-1 sounds significantly better than my DigiTech distortion unit does, and that's whether I bypass it or not. My old roomie just gave it to me because it's missing a knob, and I have no reason to find another distortion at the moment. Creamy as fuck when I place it ahead of my Tonebone in the chain.

Melodic · « **Reply #3364 on:** 15 Sep 2011, 16:13 »

I have Boss' RC-2 and really like it! I played around with a few other loop pedals before picking it up and couldn't find anything better.

doombilly · « **Reply #3365 on:** 15 Sep 2011, 16:26 »

Guys, just hold down the tuner button on your PODs. Duh.

Wife uses the BOSS, but she only tunes prior to playing. It isn't plugged in line. I can only thing of 3-4 times either of us have had to tune during a show.
Usually from goofing around and knocking the guitars into eachother or the mic stand. An instrument that holds a tune through a couple hours is worth more than you think.

greenMonkey · « **Reply #3366 on:** 15 Sep 2011, 18:46 »

I have left my Danelectro alone for months on end (it stays at home when I'm at university) and returned to find it perfectly in tune.

CrowFairy · « **Reply #3367 on:** 15 Sep 2011, 21:33 »

Quote from: Kwaping on 14 Sep 2011, 09:02

Snark SN-1, less than $10 on Amazon. Unbelievable value for the money.

Wow, I'll probably get that one--that's awesome. ^.^

I have one more question for now:
Fingers or guitar pick? What's the difference in usage? Is one better/more effective than the other? Does it matter which one you learn how to do first?

celticgeek · « **Reply #3368 on:** 15 Sep 2011, 21:58 »

Fingerpick.

CrowFairy · « **Reply #3369 on:** 15 Sep 2011, 22:28 »

=O You are so right. I didn't even think about that option. I'll definitely have to pick up a few of those. Thank you!

Zingoleb · « **Reply #3370 on:** 15 Sep 2011, 23:13 »

It really depends on what your goal is. Folk and more acoustic oriented music tends to have more interesting fingerpicking stuff, while almost everything else that's coming to mind tends to be dominated with people who use a pick. Personally, I fingerpick with everything I do. Your fingers will hurt for awhile - don't give up!

Patrick · « **Reply #3371 on:** 16 Sep 2011, 00:33 »

There's also the option of hybrid picking, which involves using a flat pick between your thumb and fore, and your ring and middle fingers also pick at strings (with or without plastic finger picks).

Quote from: celticgeek on 15 Sep 2011, 21:58

Fingerpick.

To avoid confusion, there's the verb "fingerpick" which basically means plucking at the strings with your fingers and thumb (sometimes people refer to this as a 'clawhammer' picking method). Then there's the noun, which is what I assume you were referring to.

Distinctions, I makes them

Lummer · « **Reply #3372 on:** 16 Sep 2011, 02:37 »

Just go with a normal pick and strumming to begin with. Babysteps, m'kay!?

Besides, what do you want to play? Where do you want to go with it?

celticgeek · « **Reply #3373 on:** 16 Sep 2011, 06:35 »

Quote from: Patrick on 16 Sep 2011, 00:33

There's also the option of hybrid picking, which involves using a flat pick between your thumb and fore, and your ring and middle fingers also pick at strings (with or without plastic finger picks).

Quote from: celticgeek on 15 Sep 2011, 21:58
Fingerpick.

To avoid confusion, there's the verb "fingerpick" which basically means plucking at the strings with your fingers and thumb (sometimes people refer to this as a 'clawhammer' picking method). Then there's the noun, which is what I assume you were referring to.

Distinctions, I makes them

I meant the verb fingerpick, since that is what I do.

valley_parade · « **Reply #3374 on:** 16 Sep 2011, 09:56 »

Dear Squier,

You're putting out a J Mascis Jazzmaster, but your cousins Gretsch are putting out basically a $600 Duo Jet (it's actually the 'new' Pro Jet model):

There's also a new model called the "Club Jet" which seems to be a stripped down Pro Jet:

I've gotta get one of these. Whichever.

Kwaping · « **Reply #3375 on:** 16 Sep 2011, 10:15 »

Do fingers and pick right from the start. Each has their place, and it's good to not get too set on one style right away. That's what I've done and it's working out nicely.

Bearer · « **Reply #3376 on:** 16 Sep 2011, 16:45 »

Fingerpicking:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OrtLxsqSic

Lindsey Buckingham, nuff said.

CrowFairy · « **Reply #3377 on:** 16 Sep 2011, 23:42 »

Oh, geez, I'm tired, so I'm a little overwhelmed with your responses right now. I'll try to respond as best I can.

I have an acoustic guitar, and I just want to learn for fun. I don't intend to be a musician or anything, but I'd like to learn this skill for my own relaxation and to be able to say I know how to play a cool instrument and all that good stuff. I'll mostly be playing things that are either designed for acoustic guitars (like acoustic versions of songs and Beatles songs and other things in that vein

).

My concern with playing with fingers is that fingernails are hard to maintain with things like that.

I'll definitely try a variety and see what works best with me. The friend I'm staying with tonight has some picks she's going to give me, so I'll see how that works. I don't really know how to orient my fingers with an instrument, so I'm nervous about that and all. We'll just have to see.

Thanks for the continued advice to a newb like me. ^.^

Zingoleb · « **Reply #3378 on:** 17 Sep 2011, 01:14 »

I started out learning on Beatles songs. They're mostly pretty simple, easy stuff to play along to. It's a good place to begin!

Patrick · « **Reply #3379 on:** 17 Sep 2011, 01:26 »

Quote from: LoliBot on 16 Sep 2011, 23:42

My concern with playing with fingers is that fingernails are hard to maintain with things like that.

This improves with time actually, very similar to calluses. I mean... I wouldn't take a French manicure to any Bert Jansch or Nick Drake or nothin, but if your protein intake is good you don't have much to worry about if you don't do your nails.

Besides, not gonna lie, I have a huge thing for ladies who play music (or, frankly, are gifted artists of any kind). Girls tend to have that same thing for guys who play music, makes sense to me that it'd go the other way around. Appreciation for music is something you can have in common that goes deeper than the appearance of your fingernails

doombilly · « **Reply #3380 on:** 17 Sep 2011, 06:17 »

As a reformed 5 string banjoist, I have to say fingernails are both, not necessary and can get in the way. I can no longer comfortably wear the thumb and 2 fingerpicks I learned to play banjo with. But you might want to try those for a spin if you want more attack than nekkid fingers.
http://banjoteacher.com/Gear/Thumbpicks/index.htm

CrowFairy · « **Reply #3381 on:** 17 Sep 2011, 11:07 »

The Beatles are my favorite band, so I'm pretty excited to get to learn how to play their songs. ^.^

Patrick:
I'll definitely keep an eye on my protein then--I'm a recovering ex-vegetarian (since last November), so I'm still getting back into the swing of things. I pretty much never do my nails actually, so that's a good thing. ^.^

Hehe, excellent. >:3 There's actually a group of guys who sit outside the main eating place on campus and play guitars, so maybe I can get to know them. ^.^ Lol, true. I just have OCD, so I'm just hoping they won't get torn up or anything.

I'm also a worry-wart. XD I should stop worrying about things like that.

And thanks, doombilly! Those look good. I'll probably have to get the child-size, though. :/ I have super-small fingers. How does sizing run on them?

Regress · « **Reply #3382 on:** 17 Sep 2011, 12:22 »

As a classical guitarist I play exclusively with my nails, and can't stand the tone that playing with the actual finger gives. Beyond that using a file to change the slope of the nail gives you a lot of control over the tone you get while playing, and allows for more expression. But about the protein intake I wouldn't really worry about it, I'm a vegan myself, and as long as you remember to file your nails routinely they will be perfectly fine.

doombilly · « **Reply #3383 on:** 18 Sep 2011, 14:28 »

There are sm, med, lg thumb picks. I used to get the big clear dobro picks. The 2 metal fingerpicks are sized by thickness, you just squeeze them around you fingers.

valley_parade · « **Reply #3384 on:** 19 Sep 2011, 10:13 »

I've liked what I've heard briefly of the newish Fender Champ 600s, but anyone have one?

I'm being offered one as a trade for my vintage MXR Distortion+, and my gut, brain, dick, everything are saying "uh duh dude, get it".

edit:

Now I'm also being offered a shell pink Jazzmaster body for the pedal. I have visions of a tortguard and my white witch hats and oh god WHAT DO I DO.

valley_parade · « **Reply #3385 on:** 19 Sep 2011, 12:20 »

He'd be including a guard, plus I can use the neck/electronics from my Jagmaster.

All I need are a bridge, tailpiece (which would be a custom $40 piece from Paul Rhoney), and pickups. I've heard good things about the GFS ones, and they're only $33 or whatever a piece.

And then when the time comes, toooooooort.

valley_parade · « **Reply #3386 on:** 19 Sep 2011, 12:25 »

For the time being yeah I should just get the amp, hey?

Lummer · « **Reply #3387 on:** 20 Sep 2011, 00:38 »

Oh hey look what I bought!

IDMG · « **Reply #3388 on:** 20 Sep 2011, 01:41 »

I'll admit to thinking of that company as a bit of a joke, but looking at the specs of that particular guitar, it actually seems pretty good.

valley_parade · « **Reply #3389 on:** 20 Sep 2011, 07:12 »

Nah dude. The guy modded the amp to add a tone control. That's happening.

Also happening: I'll be here and there buying a few JM parts, and then come spring or if I get some money come xmas, I'll get the body and go from there.

btw, before I left for work today, I spent a good bit of time with my new Muff clone and my Tele tuned down a full step. GOOD LORD.

valley_parade · « **Reply #3390 on:** 20 Sep 2011, 07:29 »

btw, as a tube amp noob, he said he's shipping the amp with the tubes out..is that a hard process to put them back in?

Kwaping · « **Reply #3391 on:** 20 Sep 2011, 08:57 »

Super easy to put the tubes back in. Personally, I would ship with the tubes in, as there's not much that can damage them in shipping that wouldn't totally destroy the rest of the amp. But whatever, an abundance of caution is not a bad thing.

greenMonkey · « **Reply #3392 on:** 20 Sep 2011, 09:03 »

What constitutes a 'newish Champ 600'? I have one from three or four years ago, I think. I like it, but I wish it had a better speaker. The stock one is not very good. It does make awesome noises when I crank it all the way up, going through the high gain input with my Boss Super Overdrive completely dimed.

valley_parade · « **Reply #3393 on:** 20 Sep 2011, 09:22 »

Newish meaning yes, the same version you have, and not the original two-tone Champs.

And yeah, I've heard the speakers are so-so. I may end up snagging a Weber or something.

valley_parade · « **Reply #3394 on:** 20 Sep 2011, 09:28 »

Quote from: Kwaping on 20 Sep 2011, 08:57

not much that can damage them in shipping that wouldn't totally destroy the rest of the amp.

Because he's shipping USPS and one time, according to my neighbor, upon delivering a t-shirt, the mail carrier just chucked the package from the sidewalk onto my porch.

valley_parade · « **Reply #3395 on:** 20 Sep 2011, 10:23 »

Yeah, the Webers are $30 for a ceramic magnet 6" and $45 for an AlNiCo 6". Not bad at all.

valley_parade · « **Reply #3396 on:** 25 Sep 2011, 14:59 »

Amp = here.

Amp = rad.

That is all.

valley_parade · « **Reply #3397 on:** 26 Sep 2011, 05:44 »

Haha, don't remind me. Someday, I do plan on upgrading to a proper Silverface Champ.

valley_parade · « **Reply #3398 on:** 26 Sep 2011, 17:51 »

RRRRRGHHHH WANT.

Bearer · « **Reply #3399 on:** 27 Sep 2011, 00:41 »

Hey all, this has probably come up before but this topic is fuck-long. Does anyone have experience with Xavier guitars from Guitar Fetish, specifically this one: http://store.guitarfetish.com/XV-910-Semi-Hollowbody-Alnico-Dogear-P90s-Gloss-White_p_1657.html ?

I've always wanted a hollow body and this thing seems pretty awesome for the price. Thoughts?

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Author Topic: Re: The Guitar Topic - B (Read 387832 times)

Zingoleb

Zingoleb