Have a Question?
Is there something that's frustrating you about learning guitar? Then please let me know about it here.
While I may not be able to answer every question individually, I will take the best questions and make some articles with videos or PDF's and post them here so everyone can benefit from them.
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Comments on Have a Question?
I have a serious problem of tuning my guitar. I have to get someone to tune it for me everytime. If its out of tune and there is no one around I cant play
I am ready now to start learning about the picking technique to playing guitar. How am I best to learn about this ? Andrew
question 1: what key is the guitar in after it has been tuned properly?
question 2: what does it mean when I hear people say that they are playing this or that tune in the key of A,B,C,D,E,F or G? ( you understand my question, right?).
Thank you!
Hi Tim.
1. The guitar is not tuned to a key.
2. Playing in a key means you are using the chords that belong to that key. E.g., you may have the chords C, F and G for a song in the key of C. If you were to play that same song in the key of 'G', you would use the chords G, C and D. Or, if you played it in the key of Bb you would use the chords Bb, Eb and F.
This is known as 'transposing' a song to another key. I suggest you download 'Guitar Chord Secrets' from the 'Downloads' area and have a read of that.
I have the learn and master guitar set and it is great, Can i get the add on dvd's and the blue's dvd's at the same time? Certain price…
Hey Mitchell, you'll have to ask Legacy that question. Click here for their contact page.
I just bought a Seagull S6. I live in New Mexico where the humidity is quite low. How critical is it to use a humidifier in the case with the guitar?
Not sure it's really much of a problem with normal use. Probably depends how long its staying in the case. I can't provide a detailed answer here because this is for questions about 'learning' guitar. I suggest you have a read of this guitar care page.
Keep up the good work TortoiseGuitar!
it's me again, ok so the guitar is not tuned to a key.
how do I know what chords belong to what key(s)?
I have been reading, however not finding this info.
Thank you!
I have a serious problem of tuning my guitar ? How can I tune it without any instrument or music or guide?
Please advise..
i want to ask sommething.if i want to change chords how can i do it.if i have one song with some chords and i want to change to other chords.do you understand?
@zoe samara: Hi Zoe, I don't understand, no. Unless you mean how to change the song to another key. Is that it?
i am a mediocre/novice guitar player. iwould like to know the minor chords, flats etc
John,
In my e-mail I was referring to bar chords on page 34. In the second paragraph (last sentence) "you stated open notes on the strings that aren't fingered must also move up one fret at a time too." That is what I was asking about. I'm not clear about what you mean.
I am a beginner guitar player. My father was a great player and I thought I may try to learn guitar. I can chord some on the guitar, I haven't learned all the scales. My other question was, are the A and E chords the only two you use to make the other chords by sliding them on the frets of the guitar?
Thanks for asking here, Mark.
1: It just means ALL notes must move up one fret at a time. The open strings – you have to make a bar with your first finger to move them up. Your 1st finger which forms the bar is like a moving nut. The other way is to use a capo and you can then finger the chords normally without the 1st finger bar.
2: You can use any of the basic CAGED chords as bar chords. You can move them up too. But they are not always very practical. Form 1 (E) and Form 2 (A) are the most practical for full bar chords. The others are generally used as partial bar chords spanning the top 4 strings. Or, perhaps even 5 strings.
I'll make a video explaining the concept of bar chords. But it won't be for a few weeks, sorry. But it's on my to-do list.
adding humidity in the case in the Southwest is quite important for a solid wood instrument … i live in Arizona … i has some problems with my Collings guitar and spoke with Bill Collings … he said the biggest problem he has with warrenty work is from guitars in the Southwest … add some humidy … there are a lot of simple cheap ways to do it … jim @Norm Wendell:
How helpful is the circle of fifths when creating songs?
Personally, I don't use it. But using it in reverse is probably more helpful. Cycle of 4ths. This is because that's how chord progressions tend to 'move'. I.e., Moving in 4ths makes chords sound more resolved. There's a Wiki article that may help. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circle_of_fifths
i want to learn chord melody,i am not a good player but would like this venue
thanks bob romeo
Sorry Bob, I cannot teach chord melody in an answer to a question here. That's a whole study in itself. Besides, I'm more blues/rock than chord melody, sorry.
On page 22 of Guitar Chord secrets, how did the chords for a C major suddenly change. ie there are some minor chords in the C major on page 22 which is different from the one on page 21. Please help I was doingh OK until now
@Rolf Forrester: They didn't change. There are no chords listed on page 21. Did you watch the video?
Thanks for the chords e-book. I've been searching for a lot of what you've crammed in there. I still don't "get" WHY music works like it does, but I feel like I'm closer now.
A technique I think was over-looked by every instructor I've seen is the strumming hand. (Master and Learn arrives tomorrow per your recommendation.) Sure there's talk about tempo and rhythm, but how about some clues on keeping your hand anchored so one can pick the right strings? How does one drag a pick? Heck, even a clue on how to keep the pick from wandering out of hand could have eased some beginning frustration. I'm getting much better with these items, but I wonder, do I have bad habits that will restrict my progress?
Do you recommend the thumb being centered on the neck for extra string pressure when playing chords or leave the thumb perpendicular, cradling the neck and showing above the 6th string?
Well worded question, Charles. Generally, it's best to keep your thumb centered on the back of the neck because it offers more leverage and allows full access to all strings. It's also easier to bar with the first finger.
E.g., chunking out a blues rhythm ala Chuck Berry or SRV on the 6th and 5th strings can't be achieved with the 'cradle' because you can't reach the 6th and 5th strings properly. You need thumb on back of neck.
BUT… sometimes it's just easier and more comfortable to 'cradle' the neck as you describe. It really depends on the situation and what you're playing.
Hope that helps.
John:
What is your position on standing while practicing?
I can only speak from my own experience. I used to sit while practicing because I was always looking at my fingers. It was easier to do that while sitting.
When I joined my first band is when I started standing and playing. It was no real problem. I got used to it quickly. And I tried to not look at my fingers. I was more interested looking at the audience.
But in general, I think sitting is probably better while practicing because it's easier to relax your body. Relaxation is important. Avoid tension in your body when practicing as much as possible. That includes face, neck, shoulders, arms, stomach, legs etc.
I suggest always starting a practice session by doing some relaxation exercise. Sit in the chair and relax every part of your body before you pick up your guitar. And check from time to time when practicing that you are not building tension anywhere in your body.
I believe it's very helpful to also have regular breaks (every 10 mins or so) and do the relaxation exercise again. Or even just lie on the floor and relax for a minute or two. You know, you can really be getting into it but that's when tension tends to build somewhere in your body. Hunching my shoulders is what tends to happen most with me.
And never rest your elbows on your knees while playing.
Hope that helps.
Hi, really enjoy your lessons. I'm learning a lot about theory but am still practicing applying it to the fretboard. I am studying intervals but my problem is carrying intervals to the next string. for example, is the note G on the third fret 6th string to the next open string A count as one interval?
Also, will you be doing lessons on how to play songs? I can pick out the melody to a song, but still can't figure out how to find the chords and scales that go with the melody line.
Thank you.
Angie
Hi Angie. G to A is a 2nd (a major 2nd in fact) in the instance you describe. And if you played the A on the 6th string 5th fret, that too, is a major 2nd.
I will be showing how to learn songs using slow-down software. But that will be in the Fretboard Domination member area.