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begginer - chords

An.Kn
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An.Kn
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01/15/2005 5:21 pm
hi, im new to guitar and new to these forums.

I dont have a teacher, but my dads friend has given me a few chords to learn, and i am struggling. I have got the A chord so that i can get into position in around 15 seconds, but the others (E,C,D,G) are proving a struggle. I havent tried the G yet as my dads friend copied it wrong, but the others just seem to hard. I also have rather long, thin fingers wich i imagine would help.

any help would be appreciated

thanks, An.Kn
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# 1
crazyguy
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crazyguy
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01/15/2005 6:24 pm
Sorry, man, but at this point you need some practice before you even consider playing a guitar. The chords will probably fall into place within a week or two, but there will still be a lot to learn. Depending on how serious you are (and $, obviously) I'd advise you to get an accoustic or classical guitar to start with. They tend to develop good habbits, like propper picking and left wrist position, rather than overdistorted wimpy picking and cramped left hand choking the guitar. The right hand rhythm work, as well.

P.S. Long fingers do help.
Impendance is fruitfull
while the buttons are circled.:eek:
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# 2
hammetthead13
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hammetthead13
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01/15/2005 6:28 pm
hey there, welcome. don't despair on those chords. i remember wen i began learning guitar. i thought these chords were impossible to play on the nylon string acoustic i was learning on. so i quit 4 2 years. BIGGEST MISTAKE OF MY LIFE SO FAR!!! seriously, don't give up. regular practice will make perfect. jus keep playing the 'D' chord at a steady, n slow count of 4. then switch to the 'A' chord then back to the 'D' all in the same timing. this will build up your finger strength. jus keep adding and alternating these chords and keep adding more. but do not give up unless u really want 2
My amp is a weapon of mas DISTORTION!!!!
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# 3
An.Kn
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An.Kn
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01/15/2005 6:42 pm
thanks, i was told it is just the same learning on an electric as on acoustic, and seen as i only just got an electric it would be silly to go out and buy another guitar, and how can i practice before even playing the guitar. i would keep switching if i could do the chords, but it takes me a while just to get my fingers in the positions, so i cant see how could do that, though thanks for the positive feedback, it is much appreciated.
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# 4
Dr_simon
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Dr_simon
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01/15/2005 6:44 pm
Check out these tutorials:

http://www.guitartricks.com/lesson.php?input=8505&s_id=79
My instructors page and www.studiotrax.net for all things recording.
my toons Brought to you by Dr BadGAS
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# 5
hammetthead13
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hammetthead13
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01/15/2005 6:49 pm
Originally Posted by: An.Knthanks, i was told it is just the same learning on an electric as on acoustic, and seen as i only just got an electric it would be silly to go out and buy another guitar, and how can i practice before even playing the guitar. i would keep switching if i could do the chords, but it takes me a while just to get my fingers in the positions, so i cant see how could do that, though thanks for the positive feedback, it is much appreciated.


learning on a nylon string acoustic does get u in to good habits. the idea of the chord switch is to do it in your own time, count slowly, and it will gradually build up.
My amp is a weapon of mas DISTORTION!!!!
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# 6
An.Kn
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An.Kn
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01/15/2005 6:54 pm
my biggest problem is stretching my fingers to the frets, as when i try they seem to take on a mind of their own
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# 7
hammetthead13
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hammetthead13
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01/15/2005 6:58 pm
Originally Posted by: An.Knmy biggest problem is stretching my fingers to the frets, as when i try they seem to take on a mind of their own


In that case, slowly put your fingers on whatever frets u want 2 play, and hold the same chord down and strum it for a while. then remove your hand and try to play the chord again.
My amp is a weapon of mas DISTORTION!!!!
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# 8
An.Kn
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An.Kn
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01/15/2005 7:18 pm
thanks hammetthead, i realy appreciate all the help you are trying to give to me, especially seen as you dont need to because you are out of this stage and can play.

thanks to everybody else aswell, your help is greatly appreciated
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# 9
hammetthead13
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hammetthead13
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01/15/2005 7:22 pm
hey don't worry about it. it's important for you as a begginer to ask questions and get the most out of more experienced players as you can. fortunately you found this site, so you can ask as many questions as you like, and your more than likely to get a variety of good answers. feel free to ask as many questions as you like, make the most of it.

Good luck with all your guitar playing!! :D
My amp is a weapon of mas DISTORTION!!!!
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# 10
crazyguy
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crazyguy
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01/15/2005 7:24 pm
Transition is the purpose of knowledge. :confused: (i.e. Good luck!)
Impendance is fruitfull
while the buttons are circled.:eek:
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# 11
hammetthead13
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hammetthead13
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01/15/2005 7:28 pm
oh, btw, if you can manage to find a reasonably priced nylon string acoustic, then buy it. learning on an electric can be difficult, though it is not impossible. but, the neck of an electric guitar is a lot smaller for your hand to grab hold at this stage in your playing. a nylon string acoustic has a bigger neck, allowing you to grab hold of the chords a lot easier. this will also prevent your fingers from going ' all over the place' as well as increasing your finger strength.
My amp is a weapon of mas DISTORTION!!!!
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# 12
An.Kn
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An.Kn
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01/15/2005 7:41 pm
how can i tell if it is nylon stringed, or is that usualy the case with acoustics that they are nylon stringed
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# 13
hammetthead13
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hammetthead13
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01/15/2005 7:43 pm
you can tell it's a nylon string as the g, b, and e string, the 3 thinnest strings look as if they are see through, kinda like a clear plastic as opposed to the metal steel strings of other acoustics
My amp is a weapon of mas DISTORTION!!!!
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# 14
An.Kn
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An.Kn
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01/15/2005 7:51 pm
yes i thougt that would be the case, i would also like to know what a reasonable price is for an acoustic left handed, just in case i decide to buy one, though i feel it would be upseting to my parents who bought the electric for me for most likely an expensive price
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# 15
hammetthead13
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hammetthead13
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01/15/2005 7:55 pm
depending on where you are, the price may vary. i got an acoustic guitar when i strated for £5 but a reasonable price wud be sumthing like
£20-30 seeing as you are jus starting off. and don't worry bout not using the electric to begin with, as with a little practice, you'll soon be jamming away on it. as i said in an earlier post, it is not impossible to learn on an electric guitar, it jus takes a little more time and effort, that's why i reccomended the nylon string acoustic
My amp is a weapon of mas DISTORTION!!!!
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# 16
An.Kn
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An.Kn
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01/15/2005 8:01 pm
£5 sounds right up my street, but ebays cheapest is 40 quid and its still got over a day to go. Is there any online shops that u suggest might have cheap ones, or am i going to need to scour the carboot sales for something cheaper

thanks again for the support
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# 17
hammetthead13
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hammetthead13
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01/15/2005 8:05 pm
don't worry bout the help, thats what we're here for!!

the carboot sales sounds a good place to search for one, as they usually do go cheap. i'm not to sure about places online to look for but if any of your friends have one, or if there is anyone u kno that has a guitar teacher, ask them. even if it is only to borrow it.
My amp is a weapon of mas DISTORTION!!!!
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# 18
An.Kn
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An.Kn
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01/15/2005 8:15 pm
how long would you expect i would need an acoustic before i move on to my electric. also is there no way i could put nylon strings onto my electric, or would that be way to complex or impossible
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# 19
hammetthead13
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hammetthead13
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01/15/2005 10:43 pm
putting nylon strings on an electric guitar is a nice idea, but it is impossible. a nylon string acoustic has a bigger neck which makes chord changes easier for begginers.

and i would say once your are comfortable playing and changing chords on an acoustic, then try them on your electric.
My amp is a weapon of mas DISTORTION!!!!
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# 20

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