Learning Guitar

Kerplunk said:
Yeah I am holding with thumb and two fingers.
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I've actually found using thumb and index for holding the plectrum is a more efficient way for me to play, especially as it frees my three fingers to mute or pick and also is much easier when palm muting (acoustic guitar).

Good stuff to the OP - keep it up. I taught myself but got to a point where I got some pointers from a jazz guitarist which really opened up a whole new world as far as chord construction and unusual forms.

Just not enough time in the day to practice! :(


Johno please? said:
Alt picking is an efficient way of playing fast for sure, but it doesn't sound as strong as down picked notes.
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With a lot of practice that can change.

What mm pick are people using? I found if using a light pick (sub 1mm) then only when using three fingers to hold the pick can you get a nice loud pick as there is more power applied compared to thumb and index.
I'm using a 1mm for both electric or acoustic and after a bit of practice (scales, scales, scales) sorted my weak sounding up-pick.
 
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Been playing for 2 years, with not a lot of practice or guidance... Got a nice Fender acoustic I picked up for about £80 second hand from the local music shop :D

Trying to make more of an effort now, not sure what the best option would be.

- I have a chord book with the chords shown in "Chords for songs played in the key of x" which I could sit down with and try out switching between different chords in each key. Could do a few scales too.

- I have a Complete Guitar book + CD which I started before wanting to learn a couple of songs. I could start going through this again. Only have book one though so I'm not sure how far this would take me!

- Or I could just continue learning the odd song, just putting a bit more effort in. Currently can just about play:
I Summon You - Spoon, with singing
Title & Registration - Death Cab For Cutie, with singing (for certain parts anyway!)

Besides that, a bit of Gomez but no full songs yet and other bits and bobs.

Really need to knuckle down...
 
Depends how far you want to go into it really Phil.

What opened my eyes was the various chord forms (shapes). Basically 4 main ones (other variants). With these basic forms you can make any chord you want (good to know your scales and chord construction).

Best way to learn would be to hook up with better musicians than yourself. Really does help you improve much faster.
 
boxman2000 said:
With a lot of practice that can change.

What mm pick are people using? I found if using a light pick (sub 1mm) then only when using three fingers to hold the pick can you get a nice loud pick as there is more power applied compared to thumb and index.
I'm using a 1mm for both electric or acoustic and after a bit of practice (scales, scales, scales) sorted my weak sounding up-pick.
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So why do loooooooads of metal bands still down pick notes that most people would go "**** that im alt picking"
 
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Johno please? said:
So why do loooooooads of metal bands still down pick notes that most people would go "**** that im alt picking"
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The idea is that the note has more 'attack', so sounds heavier and angrier.

It does have this effect, although nobody but guitar snobs are ever going to notice the difference or pull you up on it - if alternate picking works for you better then do that, but it is always good to try always down picking if you want to stay focussed on metal guitar.
 
Kerplunk said:
Im about to upgrade my Yamaha Pacifica to an Epiphone Les Paul :)

Plus thinking about getting a Marshall amp, are they good?
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They have some good ones, some really bad ones though.

Be careful with Epiphone's, their quality control isn't the greatest. Try a few of the same guitars in the shop and buy whichever one feels best to you.
 
In my opinion, the Pacifica will outplay most guitars in the sub £500 bracket, so I would potentially focus on upgrading your current guitar rather than a new purchase.

If you try some guitars in a shop and buy the exact guitar you do play, not a cheaper one from the internet, you will save yourself a lot of hassle and peace of mind.
 
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Johno please? said:
So why do loooooooads of metal bands still down pick notes that most people would go "**** that im alt picking"
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As has been mentioned there is more attack on the down pick than up.

Also I wasn't talking about metal bands and I didn't think the OP was on about learning metal (unless I missed that).

Fact is I used to solo/improvise using only down pick but using a combination of down/up it is SO much faster. Obviously in certain situations you stick to either according to the sound you want.
 
Nitefly said:
In my opinion, the Pacifica will outplay most guitars in the sub £500 bracket, so I would potentially focus on upgrading your current guitar rather than a new purchase.

If you try some guitars in a shop and buy the exact guitar you do play, not a cheaper one from the internet, you will save yourself a lot of hassle and peace of mind.
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I'm glad you said this mate, I used to have a Pacifica 112 but then bought a US Strat and a Les Paul Custom. Comparitavely speaking I would say the easiest to play is the Strat but only due to the maple fretboard, the two (Strat and 112) are VERY close IMO.

Out of all the guitars I've sold on the 112 is the one I regret selling the most as it just worked and if it got a knock it didn't bother me like it would the Strat or Les Paul.
 
boxman2000 said:
I'm glad you said this mate, I used to have a Pacifica 112 but then bought a US Strat and a Les Paul Custom. Comparitavely speaking I would say the easiest to play is the Strat but only due to the maple fretboard, the two (Strat and 112) are VERY close IMO.

Out of all the guitars I've sold on the 112 is the one I regret selling the most as it just worked and if it got a knock it didn't bother me like it would the Strat or Les Paul.
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Well, that says it all really. It is a ridiculously good guitar, and incredibly consistent between individuals examples too.
 
Hope everyone is still chooglin'

Just bought a 2nd user Fender SQuire Strat Standard to road test against my pimped Yamaha 112J :D


If you are getting into scales you need to bookmark this Link

Regards
Jleo
 
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