Hello!

[SlamaJama]

New to this site and a beginner guitarist. I recently purchased a used Yamaha F325, been having some of the same issues (stretching my hand for G chord is killin me) and im sure the strings need replacing( which id like to learn how to replace....

 

o btw, im trying to learn a certain song for my GF to play for her as a surprise on Valentines Day, i have some time to practice but is this a unreasonable goal?

 

Im going to search on site for info, but any words of wisdom are appreciated.

 

thxs,

mike

[BrandonBrinley]

cant help you with anything else but heres how to replace your strings :]

[guitarist21]

o btw, im trying to learn a certain song for my GF to play for her as a surprise on Valentines Day, i have some time to practice but is this a unreasonable goal?

Depends on the song!

Ellen

[T.B.]

New to this site and a beginner guitarist. I recently purchased a used Yamaha F325, been having some of the same issues (stretching my hand for G chord is killin me) and im sure the strings need replacing( which id like to learn how to replace.... o btw, im trying to learn a certain song for my GF to play for her as a surprise on Valentines Day, i have some time to practice but is this a unreasonable goal? Im going to search on site for info, but any words of wisdom are appreciated. thxs, mike

What up Slama Jama, welcome. Well, first on getting the Yammy. As far as serenading your girlfriend, yeah I would think that's enough time to learn and play a song. Don't get bogged down if it's not perfect, folks who like you and love you appreciate the thought and the effort. In a years time you'll be an even better player, and she/they will notice that too.

Trina

[ESL94]

What up Slama Jama, welcome. Well, first on getting the Yammy. As far a serenading your girlfriend, yeah I would think that's a enough time to learn and play a song. Don't get bogged down if it's not perfect, folks who like you and love you appreciate the thought and the effort. In a years times you'll be an even better player, and she/they'll notice that too. Trina

Howdy & welcome Mike,

I too, think that you have enough time to learn a song & serenad your girlfriend.

That brings back great memories when I did the same thing back to
high school. Putting myself out there & just going for it. The ladies really enjoyed effort.

The first time I did it. (Trying to break the ice with this girl in my Bio. class & then having the curage to ask her out) It went o.k. for my first time playing infront of her & her friends.

I did came across a problem that I didn't even think about. "What if they ask me to play another song" & thats what her Dad asked. The look on my face was: "{censored}, {censored}, {censored}" I've only learned one song, give me a F***ing break. Her Dad was working in the garage & watched me play for his daughter.

At that time I was also trying to learn EVH "Eruption", so I said What the Hell I gone this far, lets try it. I played what I knew & air guitar (w/sound effects) the rest - looking like a "Jack-Ass" for doing it.

Everyone was on the floor laughing. Her Dad told me to come into the garage, & come to find out that he was a guitarist & all of gear was stored there. He told me that he would teach me how to play "Eruption", & "That took a lot of curage" to be laughed at by a group of girls.

It did break the ice, we became good friends & dated off & for a couple of years. Her old man helped me with learning songs as well as jam w/him & his friends.

And still to this day, that story is still talked about with her & her family, as well as w/mine!

[SlamaJama]

ty all for the warm welcome and the helpful links...

 

the song is either "green eyes" from coldplay or "write you a song" from plain white t's

 

esl94, funny story, i got a shudder when you told of being asked for another song...lol

 

looking forward to the challenge...and all your advise..ty

[daklander]

Welcome.

My advice, learn a second song.....

[guitarist21]

the song is either "green eyes" from coldplay or "write you a song" from plain white t's looking forward to the challenge...and all your advise..ty

I don't know the Plain White T's tune but I love Green Eyes. Unfortunately, learning Green Eyes means you're going to have to learn a type of chord known as a barre chord, which involves stretching one of your fingers all the way across the frets and fretting all of the strings at once. Barre chords take a while to get used to but if you're doing it for your girlfriend, I think the motivation will be there.

Ellen

[Scott Fonseca]

Welcome here as well! This is the best forum I have ever come across. The people here are extremely friendly! As for the song, I think you will have no problem playing by Valentine's day!

[SlamaJama]

I don't know the Plain White T's tune but I love Green Eyes. Unfortunately, learning Green Eyes means you're going to have to learn a type of chord known as a barre chord, which involves stretching one of your fingers all the way across the frets and fretting all of the strings at once. Barre chords take a while to get used to but if you're doing it for your girlfriend, I think the motivation will be there. Ellen

second song...*sigh*...lol

well that figures Ellen, i never do anything thats easy *sigh*...lol

scott, already seems that way, and ty

[guitarist21]

second song...*sigh*...lol well that figures Ellen, i never do anything thats easy *sigh*...lol

 

 

That's not to say it isn't worth a try! I mean, if its for your girlfriend and all. Especially if she actually has green eye, man, that would completely slay any green-eyed girl.

 

Ellen

[T.B.]

That's not to say it isn't worth a try! I mean, if its for your girlfriend and all. Especially if she actually has green eye, man, that would completely slay any green-eyed girl. Ellen

 

 

 

+1 Yeah, I agree.

It wouldn't hurt to get your first barre chord outta-the-way. By my second lesson my guitar teacher threw a few at me. I thought he was nuts .... but I glad he did. Baptism by fire.

 

Trina

[Hudman]

Welcome to the forum!

 

Green Eyes is a pretty easy song. There is only one barre chord in it (Bm [b minor]). It also has your favorite G chord in it.

 

It uses A, E, Bm, D and G. I think a beginner should be able to get a good handle on it with some practice.

 

Here is a good version of it in tab:

http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/tabs/c/coldplay/green_eyes_ver2_crd.htm

[SlamaJama]

That's not to say it isn't worth a try! I mean, if its for your girlfriend and all. Especially if she actually has green eye, man, that would completely slay any green-eyed girl. Ellen

well worth it...she my huneyyyyy...lol

ur rite T, but my hand already hurts...all good...lol

thxs hud, got it bookmarked

[Harmonycat]

Welcome to the Forum!

Another Romantic in the making......Can't think of a better reason to play.

As an old Romantic French actor named Maurice used to sing....

"Thank heaven for little girls, for without them what would little boys do"

Cheers!

[SlamaJama]

Thxs H.C, great place here...

 

I have a question, prob 1 that has been asked here over and over so i decided to go looking for similar...got this from an active thread..im looking to go purchase strings today.

 

 

If I had a Seagull S6 I'd use DR Strings Rare Phosphor Bronze strings on it. Why? Because those are the strings I use on ALL my acoustic guitars with one exception and I use DR Strings on my Mandolin, 12 string and electric guitars as well. The only other instrument I own that does not have DR Strings on it is my banjo and that will change when I have to replace them. The lone acoustic guitar that does not have DR Strings on it has a set of John Pearse strings that were sent to me to demo and they will, more than likely, be replaced with the DR Strings it was strung with before the demo.

 

 

my question is why are they so good and is there some comparison chart or is this a preference?..... with respect to Dak's opinion.

[missedmyexit]

Best advice I have for anyone starting out is Practice practice practice. There is no great mystery to guitar playing it's all muscle memory. You put in the time and eventually your fingers will go to the right places without you even thinking about it. Keep the guitar close, practice when you watch T.V., when you are sitting around the house, if you have a spare 10 minutes before work/school. Every minute you spend on the guitar will help.

 

As far as the G chord swing your left arm and wrist around to see if you can find a comfortable position to fret it.

 

There are a couple different ways to play a G Chord which one are you trying?

 

Some Play it EADGBE some play it EADGBE

330003 330033

Some play it with pinky some don't.

[Amanda-Jane]

I think its easier to play with the pinky- but I have been directed to use the third finger (supposed to be easier to change between chords this way)??

Finger tips toughen up pretty quick. I have been playing a whole week!. lol The first days were sore, but by the end of this week I have no pain. I have played everyday.

Good luck and welcome.

[missedmyexit]

I think its easier to play with the pinky- but I have been directed to use the third finger (supposed to be easier to change between chords this way)?? Finger tips toughen up pretty quick. I have been playing a whole week!. lol The first days were sore, but by the end of this week I have no pain. I have played everyday. Good luck and welcome.

 

 

I personally play both. If I am going to or from a D I use the 330033 which I find easy to move back and forth from D. If I am going to or from a C I will use 330003 with the pinky which I find easier to get back and forth.

[OldGuitarPlayer]

Welcome to the forum

It's good you are learning to play and keep at it because....speaking as a bluesman I'll let you know that when your woman leaves you ...you at least will still have your geetar. (listen to Hendrix Red House )

Trust me I know all too well.....

[SlamaJama]

 

I personally play both. If I am going to or from a D I use the 330033 which I find easy to move back and forth from D. If I am going to or from a C I will use 330003 with the pinky which I find easier to get back and forth.

 

 

i highlighted something that i dont recognize...obviously something i need to learn...?

 

i have the time to practice, may look into some lessons, just like so many of us ar-tists lol (j/k) im on a shoe string budget...any ideas?

 

thxs old, miss,and amanda!

[garthman]

I think its easier to play with the pinky- but I have been directed to use the third finger (supposed to be easier to change between chords this way)??

 

 

I use my 2nd, 3rd and 4th fingers for G (sometimes 1st, 2nd 3rd but only if I'm changing to G from D). I think chord changes are better using the little finger method and it leaves the 1st finger free for passing chords (Gsus4, G6, G7)

 

Welcome Slamajama, BTW.

[daklander]

Thxs H.C, great place here... I have a question, prob 1 that has been asked here over and over so i decided to go looking for similar...got this from an active thread..im looking to go purchase strings today. my question is why are they so good and is there some comparison chart or is this a preference?..... with respect to Dak's opinion.

 

 

Heh, it happens to be a preference. I've had the best life and tone from the DR Strings, bar none. I don't like Elixirs, I've tried them. As a coated string I would use the D'Adarrios or possibly the Black Diamonds or even the DR Strings coated strings. I've not had good life or didn't like the tone or playability of the other strings I've tried and believe me, I've tried lots of them. In my case the Rare Phosphor Bronze strings I use give at least as long a life as any coated string I've used, which is nearly all, or nearly all, of them so they certainly, in my case, not worth the extra money.

There is no chart that I know of but there is a kind of test that shows gives some information that Freeman Keller did here. You'll Find it here.

The key is, if you don't like the tone, playability or life from the strings on your guitar try another set until you find the set that meets or exceeds all your expectations and then stay with it.

[daklander]

I think its easier to play with the pinky- but I have been directed to use the third finger (supposed to be easier to change between chords this way)?? ......

 

 

Yes, it is a much easier transition to come chords from one of the G formations or the other, depending on where you're going. Several tunes I do I'll transition to the old standby G from a particular chord form. Transition from that standby form to the second form and that makes it easier to move to the next chord form.

[missedmyexit]

 

i highlighted something that i dont recognize...obviously something i need to learn...? i have the time to practice, may look into some lessons, just like so many of us ar-tists lol (j/k) im on a shoe string budget...any ideas? thxs old, miss,and amanda!

 

 

There are a couple different ways to show chords.

 

One is the chord charts

EADGBE

________

| | | | | | 1st Fret

----------

| X | | | | 2nd Fret

----------

X | | | X X 3rd Fret1

 

The above is the "G chord" in picture form. X's represent where you fingers go the far left line is the Low E string far right the high E string.

 

 

Looking back on my post there is a typo. I ment to type 320033 & 320003

this is a shorthand for a chord. The numbers represent what fret to place your finger on (0 means leave the string open). The strings are assumed to be low to high (thickest string to thinest) EADGBE.

 

So the low E String would be fretted at the 3rd Fret the A string at the 2nd D and G left open and B and E fretted 3rd.