Guitar Megathread - learn-share-talk-lessons-tips-fun

[freewait]

Thought I'd post some thoughts on harmonics meant for those trying to get this for the first time:

HARMONICS
Harmonics are played every time you pluck a note. Most of the time, however, you do not hear them. What you hear is the fundamental (sometimes called the first harmonic). The fundamental is the loudest sound produced, but it is accompanied by several harmonics.
"Playing harmonics" on guitar is actually playing "artificial harmonics." Basically, it is a way of eliminating the fundamental and the other overtones. It produces a nice effect that many guitarists like to use. There are several ways to play these.

Open-String Harmonics
Open-string harmonics are sometimes referred to as natural harmonics. To play open-string harmonics, you can place your finger lightly on the string in the places shown in the diagram below. Do not press the string down. It should not touch anything but your finger. By doing this, you will play the note shown in the diagram over the given area.


Fretted Harmonics
Playing fretted harmonics can be hard at times. This requires the fretting of a note, plus a "soft touch" on a string which is exactly 12 frets above the note you are fretting. In addition to this you must still pluck the string. To do all three of these tasks at once, you must combine the tasks of the "soft touch" and the plucking of the string. There are 2 techniques of doing this.

Technique 1: Artificial Harmonics
Although all harmonics that you play are actually artificial harmonics, this technique is commonly referred to as playing an artificial harmonic. This technique requires that you "soft touch" with your index finger and then pluck with your pinky finger or a pick held in the other fingers. The other technique is playing a pinched harmonic which is more difficult to learn but will allow you to play fretted harmonics more quickly once it is mastered.

Technique 2: Pinched Harmonics
This is a difficult technique to master. Consistent playing of pinched harmonics require that you use a modified picking technique along with a steady and accurate picking hand. The first thing that you must master is how to hold the pick and pluck the string. You hold the pick by having the pick barely clear the bottom of your thumb. The key is to pluck the string with the pick but have the thumb immediately hit it to produce the harmonic. This pick and thumb should hit the string almost simultaneously.
You must also know where to pluck the string. If you do not hit the "sweet spot" on the string it will sound like a muffled note. The ideal place to pluck depends on where your thumb produces the harmonic. Your thumb should hit the string half way between the bridge and the the fret that you are playing on. So when you play on different frets, you must also pluck in different places. This makes it a little harder to play.
Note: There are other sweet spots as well. The sweet spots are proportional to the length of the string. When you play open-string harmonics, there are several places that produce harmonics. These are the "sweet spots" for a full length string (open string). When you fret a note, all the "sweet spots" stay in proportion to the string length, which is the length from the fret you are playing to the bridge. Therefore, several "sweet spots" exist for both open-string and fretted harmonics. The one thing to remember is that they are not all one octave higher so hitting alternate "sweet spots" will play a different note.

The Physics of Harmonics
It is a matter of string length. When you use your finger to produce a harmonic, you modify how the string vibrates. When playing open string harmonics, you split the string into halves, thirds, fourths, fifths, and sixths. So playing the harmonics at the 12th fret split the string in half. Playing at the 7th or 19th fret split the string into thirds, and so on. You will also notice that playing harmonics at the 7th or 19th fret are exactly the same notes. You can also split the guitar into fourths at the 5th fret or the 24th fret (or where the 24th fret would be if you don't have that many frets). Once again, harmonics at the 5th and 24th frets produce the exact same notes. Notice that the 12th fret isn't included because that splits the string into halves (larger subsections of the string).

So how does it work? Your finger acts as a pivot point for the string by forcing the string to vibrate in halves, thirds, fourths, etc. This cuts the wavelength in half, thirds, fourths, etc. Wavelength determines what the frequency of a note is, and frequency determines what note you are playing. Did you ever hear someone say to tune to A at 440? The 440 represents the frequency of the A note at the 1st string at the 5th fret. If you double that frequency, you will play an A that is an octave higher. This also cuts the wavelength in half. You might be able to see the relationship between frequency and wavelength. Frequency is inversely proportional to wavelength. This basically means that wavelength = 1 / frequency. In other words cutting wavelength in half with double the frequency, and cutting the wavelength into 1/3 will triple the frequency.

So why do all my strings make different sounds even though they are the same length? This occurs due to the tension on the string. Basically the tension of the string modifies how the string vibrates so that it has a different frequency. When you adjust the tension, you also change the diameter of the string. Stretching or tightening the string makes the diameter smaller.

Hope that helps and if there are errors, please point that out. cheers.

[lovemyar15]

You can't really have a discussion about harmonics without mentioning the Dimebag Darrel technique:-) Dump the bar with the G string flapping, tap any point on the string where there is a harmonic(there are also some really nice ones between the 2nd and 3rd fret that you will have to play around with to find them)then pull the bar back up. It helps to use alot of gain so you will also need to keep all the other strings muted or it's crap.

Here is the man himself showing his trade mark technique:

[freewait]

You can't really have a discussion about harmonics without mentioning the Dimebag Darrel technique:-) Dump the bar with the G string flapping, tap any point on the string where there is a harmonic(there are also some really nice ones between the 2nd and 3rd fret that you will have to play around with to find them)then pull the bar back up. It helps to use alot of gain so you will also need to keep all the other strings muted or it's crap.

Here is the man himself showing his trade mark technique:

"that one gonna cost ya right there!". Now that's a lesson!

[DravidianNinja]

basics of scales:

The C major scale - should be the first scale you ever learn
1st Position (Lydian)
|------------------------------1-3-5------------------|
|--------------------------3-5------------------------|
|--------------------2-4-5----------------------------|
|--------------2-3-5----------------------------------|
|--------2-3-5----------------------------------------|
|--1-3-5----------------------------------------------|

2nd Position (Mixolydian)
|------------------------------3-5-7------------------|
|--------------------------5-6------------------------|
|--------------------4-5-7----------------------------|
|--------------3-5-7----------------------------------|
|--------3-5-7----------------------------------------|
|--3-5-7----------------------------------------------|

3rd Position (Aeolian)
|------------------------------5-7-8------------------|
|------------------------5-6-8------------------------|
|--------------------5-7------------------------------|
|--------------5-7-9----------------------------------|
|--------5-7-8----------------------------------------|
|--5-7-8----------------------------------------------|

4th Position (Locrian)
|-----------------------------------7-8-10------------|
|------------------------------8-10-------------------|
|-----------------------7-9-10------------------------|
|----------------7-9-10-------------------------------|
|---------7-8-10--------------------------------------|
|--7-8-10---------------------------------------------|

5th Position (Ionian)
|---------------------------------------8-10-12-------|
|----------------------------------8-10---------------|
|--------------------------9-10-12--------------------|
|------------------9-10-12----------------------------|
|----------8-10-12------------------------------------|
|--8-10-12--------------------------------------------|

scales have various names - so learn the theory behind this - which is essentially why one scale sounds different from the other

1: A Natural Minor (Two Octaves)
e|------------------------------5------------------------------|
B|------------------------5-6-8---8-6-5------------------------|
G|------------------4-5-7---------------7-5-4------------------|
D|--------------5-7---------------------------7-5--------------|
A|--------5-7-8-----------------------------------8-7-5--------|
E|--5-7-8-----------------------------------------------8-7-5--|
    R             R             R             R             R
    1 3 4 1 3 4 1 3 1 2 4 1 2 4 1 4 2 1 4 2 1 3 1 4 3 1 4 3 1


2: A Harmonic Minor (Two Octaves)
e|----------------------------4-5-4----------------------------|
B|------------------------5-6-------6-5------------------------|
G|--------------------5-7---------------7-5--------------------|
D|--------------6-7-9-----------------------9-7-6--------------|
A|--------5-7-8-----------------------------------8-7-5--------|
E|--5-7-8-----------------------------------------------8-7-5--|
    R             R             R             R             R
    1 3 4 1 3 4 2 3 4 1 3 2 3 1 2 1 3 2 3 1 4 3 2 4 3 1 4 3 1


3: A Major (Two Octaves)
e|----------------------------4-5-4----------------------------|
B|------------------------5-7-------7-5------------------------|
G|------------------4-6-7---------------7-6-4------------------|
D|------------4-6-7---------------------------7-6-4------------|
A|------4-5-7---------------------------------------7-5-4------|
E|--5-7---------------------------------------------------7-5--|
    R             R             R             R             R
    1 4 1 2 4 1 3 4 1 3 4 2 4 1 2 1 4 2 4 3 1 4 3 1 4 2 1 4 1


Note: when the pentatonic scales are played, an additional note is often added in at the end of the scale. Its perfectly fine not to play this note at all. I have put the note in brackets. This applies to Scale 4 and 5.

4: A Pentatonic Minor (Two Octaves)
e|----------------------5-(8)-5----------------------|
B|------------------5-8---------8-5------------------|
G|--------------5-7-----------------7-5--------------|
D|----------5-7-------------------------7-5----------|
A|------5-7---------------------------------7-5------|
E|--5-8-----------------------------------------8-5--|
    R         R         R     R         R         R
    1 4 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 4 1  4  1 4 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 4 1


5: A Pentatonic Major (Two Octaves)
e|----------------------5-(7)-5----------------------|
B|------------------5-7---------7-5------------------|
G|--------------4-6-----------------6-4--------------|
D|----------4-7-------------------------7-4----------|
A|------4-7---------------------------------7-4------|
E|--5-7-----------------------------------------7-5--|
    R         R         R     R         R         R
    1 4 1 4 1 4 1 3 2 4 2  4  2 4 2 3 1 4 1 4 1 4 1

G minor Ascending and descending scale runs
 Here we are ascending and descending in the G minor scale:

     G  A  Bb C  D  Eb F  G  F  Eb D  C  Bb A  G
E|---------------------------------------------------|
B|---------------------------------------------------|
G|---------------------------------------------------|
D|---------------------------------------------------|
A|---------------------------------------------------|
E|---3--5--6--8--10-11-13-15-13-11-10-8--6--5--3-----|

Now here's an easier way to play it, using several strings:

     G  A  Bb C  D  Eb F  G  F  Eb D  C  Bb A  G
E|---------------------------------------------------|
B|---------------------------------------------------|
G|---------------------------------------------------|
D|---------------------3--5--3-----------------------|
A|------------3--5--6-----------6--5--3--------------|
E|---3--5--6-----------------------------6--5--3-----|

Finally, here's a simple G minor lick:

     G  D  G   A Bb  D Bb  A       G  D  G   A Bb  D Bb  A
E|-----10-----------10---------|-----10-----------10---------|
B|---8-----8--10-11----11-10---|---8-----8--10-11----11-10---|
G|-----------------------------|-----------------------------|
D|-----------------------------|-----------------------------|
A|-----------------------------|-----------------------------|
E|-----------------------------|-----------------------------|

good luck - you should be shredding in no time!

shred that ****e up!

[An hero]

You can't really have a discussion about harmonics without mentioning the Dimebag Darrel technique:-)

you mean the Joe Satriani technique

[jeightseven]

After 10 years of playing a piece of crap Schecter C1 bolt on guitar, I am finally buying a new one next week.

Going to grab the PRS Tremonti SE and upgrade the pickups to the Tremonti Treble and Bass. I'm not a huge Creed or Mark Tremonti fan, but I love how his stuff sounds and have always been interested in the Tremonti SE. The bird inlays in the 2011 version sealed the deal. $622 shipped for the guitar and both pickups.

How much do you guys think it would cost to get 2 pickups installed?

[forcefedfreak]

Spent about 40 minutes today working on this:



Had trouble making the transition smooth from the 10th to the 14th fret on the 4th string.

[Tacomaster]

In on thread (I know I'm late) but I've been trying to learn how to play electric guitar, although acoustic is surely enticing. I've been playing drums for 4 years and guitar has always been appealing to me, I'm to the point I can do simple hammer-ons and offs and I can tap like Eddie Van Halen but I'm having a hard time doing chords. Good luck guys with your goals.

[lovemyar15]

you mean the Joe Satriani technique

I was wondering where you've been...lol...I'm not going to argue who invented the technique because I have no idea. If you have ever listened to Dimebag's playing he clearly has a "voice" on the instrument and a huge part of his style involves the technique in the video I posted. I'm not saying he invented it or anything just that when I think of the technique I immediately think of Dimebag.

Satriani and Dimebag are a great example of guitar legends on complete different sides of the spectrum. Satriani obviously has been a teacher of guitar and has a huge influence on the world of guitar. Dimebag on the other hand didn't have much music theory knowledge and half of his legacy is from his playing, but half of it is from his performance/personality yet he still influenced a ton of guitar players.

[PhrygianLydian]

This kid is going to be the next Shawn Lane

[An hero]

you say that like it's a good thing

[PhrygianLydian]

you say that like it's a good thing

[bossmangreg]

Any of you fellas feel sometimes like everything you play sounds like crap. If you do how the hell do you get out of that funk?

[bappz08]

[An hero]

Any of you fellas feel sometimes like everything you play sounds like crap. If you do how the hell do you get out of that funk?

Everyone does. Find something that inspires you.

[freewait]

Any of you fellas feel sometimes like everything you play sounds like crap. If you do how the hell do you get out of that funk?

Get with some new people and play with them and watch and learn something new. Nothing challenges me more than hearing something new and trying to figure it out.

[foskeh]

wellp.. heres a question for yall. I've noticed lately (and have been told as well) that some of my strumming looks really weird and i want to fix it, like to where there is absolutely zero wrist movement..



any suggestions or techniques I can practice?

[Ceol]

wellp.. heres a question for yall. I've noticed lately (and have been told as well) that some of my strumming looks really weird and i want to fix it, like to where there is absolutely zero wrist movement..



any suggestions or techniques I can practice?

You wanting to mainly focus on meal and rock ? Learn Angel Of Death, Should put your picking to the test,
But for the best advice look no further than

[An hero]

wellp.. Heres a question for yall. I've noticed lately (and have been told as well) that some of my strumming looks really weird and i want to fix it, like to where there is absolutely zero wrist movement..

wat

[lovemyar15]

wat

lol...got to be careful who you take advice on technique from don't you.

[andthenithitme]

Been playing for 6-12 months off and on, mainly just messed around learning chords and random riffs at first but just started learning scales. I play a Les paul studio 300 a seagull s6 and sometimes my brothers taylor
Looking to learn some 2-4 chords songs that you can sing to and also some beginner songs to learn, I like alternative metal hard rock pretty much anything. So far im learning or can play these songs which are easy songs for the most part.
metallica-enter sandman, nothing else matters and some other ones
jack johnson-banana pancakes, sitting waiting wishing and parts of other songs
nirvana-polly, smells like teen spirit other songs that are 2-4 chord rhythm guitar songs
some white stripe songs
some red hot chili peppers
Johnny cash-folsom prison blues and walk the line
oasis- wonderwall
some tom petty songs
some sublime songs
and some other random songs

Some randoms ?'s
What do you guys usually sit on when you play, I hate playing in a computer chair. I usually sit on my bed and rest my right leg on a couch in front of it or on stairs
Is it common to use a metronome when learning a song?
I barely ever see any good tabs, and i feel kind of lost with chords its hard for me to figure out strumming patterns on my own. Any hints?

[An hero]

What do you guys usually sit on when you play

I usually stand.

Is it common to use a metronome when learning a song?

Probably not. I use a metronome for various things every day though. If there's something you can't play, a metronome is great for slowing it down and gradually building up speed.

I barely ever see any good tabs, and i feel kind of lost with chords its hard for me to figure out strumming patterns on my own. Any hints?

Hint: use your ears.

[AntoineDufour]

this is so cool!



and he is so good!

[penance3]

been learning the solo from hells bells, hardest part of improving for me is to just put the guitar in my hands and play

[An hero]

been learning the solo from hells bells, hardest part of improving for me is to just put the guitar in my hands and play

If you don't enjoy doing it then find another hobby

[BobDaNob]

you mean the Joe Satriani technique

While essentially the same technique, they're approached differently. Thus, the result is unique to each.

The Dime Squeal and Satch Scream are awesome, btw. Never been able to make it sound right, though. Especially Satch's version.

[AntoineDufour]

Do you guys know of Neil Zaza? what do you think of him? He is like a Satriani / Petrucci type of mix but slightly different.

[An hero]

pretty good. pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty...pretty good

[lovemyar15]

Well since it's been pretty quite in here lately I figured I'd post a few vids of my recent playing. I've been back on the instrument about 4 1/2 months now.

[freewait]

Well since it's been pretty quite in here lately I figured I'd post a few vids of my recent playing. I've been back on the instrument about 4 1/2 months now.

Sounding good bro! First Sat nite in a long time where I'm at home and taking it easy!