Members GSCaster08 Posted February 19, 2010 Members Posted February 19, 2010 Okay, I've always wanted to learn how to play the guitar and have finally made the plunge. Now, I've run into a few questions and hopefully you guys can help: 1. I'm using the Guitar Grimoire "Scales & Modes" along with the exercise book and was curious about the patterns shown. If you down tune your guitar, do the patterns stay the same or do you have to adjust the positioning of your fingers accordingly? 2. What's a decent amp for a beginner? I have a Fender Frontman 15G, but it sounds like crap. 3. What's the proper way to strum using an up-stroke? I've studied several videos on-line, and haven't seen anything regarding this. I'm not interested in speed right now, just precision (figure speed will come much later), however, whenever I practice strumming, the down-stroke sounds fine but the up-stroke sounds terrible. Thanks for your time. -GS
Members Virgman Posted February 19, 2010 Members Posted February 19, 2010 Well...I'll try to help. 1. I'm using the Guitar Grimoire "Scales & Modes" along with the exercise book and was curious about the patterns shown. If you down tune your guitar, do the patterns stay the same or do you have to adjust the positioning of your fingers accordingly? The patterns in the book are for standard tuning. Different tunings change the patterns, but only for the strings downtuned.2. What's a decent amp for a beginner? I have a Fender Frontman 15G, but it sounds like crap. It's a practice amp. Small amps like that fine for practicing but don't expect too much. Go to a music store and try some amps. I wouldn't expect too much out of a practice amp. I have 4 or 5 little practice amps and none of them sound too hot. But serve their purpose. For example I have a little Peavey Rage 15w for example. Basically it sounds like crap. For practicing it's convenient, reliable. I suggest you don't worry about it. It's easy to to get caught up in buying more and more equipment. It's foolish. Concentrate on practicing, learning songs, some technique (not too much), be patient.3. What's the proper way to strum using an up-stroke? I've studied several videos on-line, and haven't seen anything regarding this. I'm not interested in speed right now, just precision (figure speed will come much later), however, whenever I practice strumming, the down-stroke sounds fine but the up-stroke sounds terrible.You strum down, you strum up. Down, Up. Practice. You just started, you stink, you sound bad. Patience, Yago, patience. -GS
Poparad Posted February 19, 2010 Posted February 19, 2010 1. I'm using the Guitar Grimoire "Scales & Modes" along with the exercise book and was curious about the patterns shown. If you down tune your guitar, do the patterns stay the same or do you have to adjust the positioning of your fingers accordingly? If you tune every string down from standard tuning by exactly the same amount, then the patterns will be the same. If some strings (like the low 6th string) are tuned down further than the others, the pattern will start to mutate because of this. The one thing that does change when you tune down is what scale you're playing. If you were playing an E major scale in standard tuning, and then you tuned each string down 3 frets worth, then you'd be playing a C# or Db major scale (C#/Db is three lower than E), but the pattern will be identical. This is what's called "transposing." Most of the time though, when tuning down, people will still think about the names as if they were in standard tuning. They would probably still think of that as an E major scale, but know that it would just be sounding a little bit lower. If you're in a band where everyone is tuned down the same, then this discrepancy isn't a problem. However, if you had another instrument, like a keyboard, then you'd have to translate a little bit when describing what scale you're playing.
Poparad Posted February 19, 2010 Posted February 19, 2010 3. What's the proper way to strum using an up-stroke? I've studied several videos on-line, and haven't seen anything regarding this. I'm not interested in speed right now, just precision (figure speed will come much later), however, whenever I practice strumming, the down-stroke sounds fine but the up-stroke sounds terrible. Your hand will turn inwards slightly when doing an upstroke, so the pick hits the strings at the same slanted angle as when doing a downstroke (only slanting the opposite way). However, you don't want to exaggerate this either; it's only a slight tilt inwards. Also, be careful not to grip the pick too tightly. The pick should be able to flex a bit in your hands so it doesn't resist the strings too much when strumming.
Members GreenAsJade Posted February 19, 2010 Members Posted February 19, 2010 Try this: http://tinyurl.com/yl7ddq4 This is one good example: http://guitars.greenasjade.net/products/125 Make sure you leave a review about the lesson - we'd all like to know if it helped you... HTH GaJ
Members Steadfastly Posted February 20, 2010 Members Posted February 20, 2010 Okay, I've always wanted to learn how to play the guitar and have finally made the plunge. Now, I've run into a few questions and hopefully you guys can help:2. What's a decent amp for a beginner? I have a Fender Frontman 15G, but it sounds like crap. 3. What's the proper way to strum using an up-stroke? I've studied several videos on-line, and haven't seen anything regarding this. I'm not interested in speed right now, just precision (figure speed will come much later), however, whenever I practice strumming, the down-stroke sounds fine but the up-stroke sounds terrible.Thanks for your time.-GS Don't worry too much about the amp. It's a decent enough practice/beginner amp. I know, I had one. If you are bound and determined to get another, look at the Fender Super Champ. The Traynor DG65 is also a very good solid state amp in the same price range. On the up-stroke, don't worry about hitting all the appropriate strings on the way back up. If you hit 2 or 3 or 4, or 3 or 4 of five, that is fine.
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