I know NOTHING about Guitars! (Well, almost nothing!)

Godslittlerosebud

PunkStar, I'm a newbie, and I haven't even picked up a real guitar before. I know nothing about playing, the parts of a guitar, or anything! Would you be willing to help me out? I want to become a CCM singer, and the thing I want most is to be able to play guitar when I'm singing! Are you willing to help a 15 year old make her dream come true?

Rose

PunkStar · Posted: Thu Sep 22, 2005 1:31 am Post subject:

First of all, my appologies for getting to this a month late. It's year 12 at school, so I tend to spend my moments relaxing when I don't have to be working. So there is my explanation to everyone on the board for why I don't seem to be around much. I will try to be on a little more often. Wink

By an interesting coincidence I have actually become a guitar teacher. I'm only a 17 year old school kid, but I'm actually being paid to teach other kids to play guitar. So yes, I can help you. But I give away help free on the internet. So no charge. How's that for a sweet deal. Laughing

I think it's quite commendable that you want to be a Christian singer/songwriter. In regard to that, keep watching this section of the forum, I will write up a special tutorial for you about it. There are a few things different about being a Christian performer than just a secular one. But that tutorial will have some tips on doing just what you want. Keep watching this space.

I always said that the internet is a great repository of information on learning to do anything, guitar included. There are plenty of ways to find out information about the guitar. Do a google search for "guitar lessons" and you will found a fair bit. Also, there will be new lessons here which progress in a series that will certainly help. So stick around on the forum and you'll learn a lot. Finally, there are many excellent books out there that you can buy. Go to your local guitar shop and have a look at their range, they are great places to start.

I'm sure it's been said to you before. Welcome to the board, and we hope you'll stick around. We'll get you up to virtuoso status in no time. Very Happy

PS. my website http://www.mickbartel.beplaced.com/Documents.htm it has a few lessons I've written that are the basis of some stuff I've taught. I'll probably be updating them at some point. But they are another good place to start.

Godslittlerosebud · Posted: Thu Sep 22, 2005 11:55 am Post subject:

ACfixer · Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2005 4:52 am Post subject:

Godslittlerosebud1, listen to the Punk Wink

he has words and wisdom far beyond his years (perhaps Solomon was a punk too... Very Happy

).

Get a decent guitar that is "easy" to play and has lighter strings. Make it a point to learn one chord well every week and in no time you'll be playing along.

Godslittlerosebud · Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2005 2:08 pm Post subject:

PunkStar · Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2005 10:11 pm Post subject:

www.chordguide.com

My brief search of a few seconds just returned that. It looks pretty good.

Godslittlerosebud · Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2005 12:10 pm Post subject:

PeaceMaker · Goldfish Joined: 03 Feb 2004 Posts: 61

Hi Godslittlerosebud1,

I've been learning chords as well and some of the things that have helped me is:

Do the chords slow at first and listen to sounds to make sure that you're getting a complete chord with no sour notes; and then take notice of everything that you're doing to get that nice clean sound... Because that's what you'll be wanting to replicate... For example notice how far you have to move your elbow to get a clean F Chord (I have to pull my elbow way in), or notice where your thumb is when you get that clean sound on a Bar Chord (I have to have my thumb in the center): take notice of everything that you're doing and replicate what's making that good clean sound.

Also, make your strum hand the master and not the chord hand: make the chord hand keep up with the strum hand... Keith Wyatt put it this way: your strum hand is your Metronome... You have to make your Chord hand keep up with it.

And another thing that has helped me out is not to look at the chord hand: after awhile it knows were to go... It's kind of like learning to touch type; you need to learn to grab chords without looking... It needs to become a natural reflex.

By the way, I would think a Jasmine would be a good Guitar to start out with: Takamine is a good brand.

Hope this helps, and Love You,
PeaceMaker
Romans 5:1 KJV

PunkStar · Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 6:40 pm Post subject:

PeaceMaker · Goldfish Joined: 03 Feb 2004 Posts: 61

Your welcome... It kind of happened by mistake: I thought this was a new 2006 post and then after I posted I saw that it was a 2005 post. Embarassed

Not sure if is ok to start up old posts like that?... Sorry if it's not. Rolling Eyes

PunkStar · Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 3:04 am Post subject:

On some messageboards, they will tell you not to drag up old threads. But usually they are on boards where the dragged up topic has been buried off the first page for a long time. But as you can see, there isn't much here, so if you wanted to add something to any of these topics, go for it.

But this section of the site is mostly under my control (standard rules still apply). And here is my rule for this section. If you have something constructive or useful to add to any of these posts, please share. Anything for the advancement of good knowledge is a good thing.

Herb · Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 6:04 am Post subject:

Punkstar, as always, you are wise beyond your years! Wink

PunkStar · Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 6:37 pm Post subject:

You do good things for my ego.