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

[Galindo62]

How do you play build a proper scale on a guitar?

Been learning music theory on the piano. I know how to build any scale, but how do you apply it to a certain section of the neck on a guitar? Is that what you guys where talking about before about box patters.

Like let's say I wanna play an a Minor scale, I start at the bottom e string, at what point of the scale do I move up to the second string and so forth?

[iTzDevo]

How do you play build a proper scale on a guitar?

Been learning music theory on the piano. I know how to build any scale, but how do you apply it to a certain section of the neck on a guitar? Is that what you guys where talking about before about box patters.

Like let's say I wanna play an a Minor scale, I start at the bottom e string, at what point of the scale do I move up to the second string and so forth?

The BB Box scale pattern is just a movable pattern that works for any position on the fretboard. The notes involved are indicative of blues with the lowered third. You can read more about it here, it's a fun tool to have http://www.premierguitar.com/article...he-bb-king-box

As for every other scale, it's dependent on the register of notes you need to play (A on the open 5th string is a different register than an A on the 15th fret of the E string, despite being the same tonal pitch)

Fingering is important when building scales on the guitar, something that pianists don't need to worry as much about. On the guitar, all scales can be fingered to become totally movable, like the BB Box above. The same notes repeat several times on various locations of the fretboard, which makes this possible. Here's a good link to explain a bit better http://www.theguitarsource.co.uk/fin...able_major.htm

From that article, you can see that the fingering patterns changed when your root moved from 6th to 5th string. That's when it gets complicated. You can find roots for all scales on all strings. Start with this for now and experiment with it. To start my warm up I like doing a 6 string major scale from the C on the 8th fret and continue upwards until about the G on the 15th fret.

[Monty522]

Always get mega over-whelmed with what to do whilst practicing. Is there a website that has practicing setup like a basic progression scheme? Like learn this then this? Feel like if I can get practicing like weightlifting(as in I know what to do when) I'll be set.

Keep in mind, I don't mean planning all my playing for one day. This is just to make sure I am practicing everyday. Definitely gonna play for fun separately.

[Galindo62]

Why not just pick a song to learn?

And then analyze the music sheet for it.

[Monty522]

Why not just pick a song to learn?

And then analyze the music sheet for it.

I know a lot, but I don't really know how it's connected if that makes sense. Like muscle memory for entire scales without knowing the context, certain chords, etc. I'd rather learn how everything flows together for greater understanding. I'll probably get back into the swing today by trying out a simple Modest Mouse track.

[Galindo62]

Well if they all followed the same pattern that be pretty boring...there's a lot of different stuff out there. Yeah sure the there's a lot of basic stuff that's used a ton and sounds great...but there's still some variances

That's why I said get the music sheet and analyze it and see how it progresses etc etc.

I assume you know how to find the key of a song and the the scale degrees of a key?
Any good modest mouse songs? I only like a few

[Rolling]

Need some help

I've currently in the process of learning all of the chords and different voicings all over the neck.

Right now I can play all of the Major and Minor chords anywhere on the neck, inversions, triads etc. (Really helped with memorizing the fretboard)

Now I want to learn about the other chord types:

Minor 7ths
Major 7ths
Dom 7ths
Sus 2
Sus 4
9ths
11ths
Slash

The problem is, I'm not sure what kind of situations for using these chords, I'm not familiar with them. What particular type of chord progressions are used with them? What style of music? How do I use them to create tension ?

My plan is to learn them all and also be able to play them all over the fretboard

[iTzDevo]

Always get mega over-whelmed with what to do whilst practicing. Is there a website that has practicing setup like a basic progression scheme? Like learn this then this? Feel like if I can get practicing like weightlifting(as in I know what to do when) I'll be set.

Keep in mind, I don't mean planning all my playing for one day. This is just to make sure I am practicing everyday. Definitely gonna play for fun separately.

This is why a lot of people hire a guitar teacher or lifting coach. There are tons of mindless exercises online that will improve your chops if you practice them every single day, but they aren't necessarily fun... unless you're of the personality to enjoy that kind of mindless grind. Galindo's advice is good, pick a song that you like and then try to learn it either by ear, sheet music, or tab. I've done thousands of songs this way and it kept me interested while I was without a professional teacher. I've also done the exercise grind and it's less fun, but really improves your technical skill.

Need some help

I've currently in the process of learning all of the chords and different voicings all over the neck.

Right now I can play all of the Major and Minor chords anywhere on the neck, inversions, triads etc. (Really helped with memorizing the fretboard)

Now I want to learn about the other chord types:

Minor 7ths
Major 7ths
Dom 7ths
Sus 2
Sus 4
9ths
11ths
Slash

The problem is, I'm not sure what kind of situations for using these chords, I'm not familiar with them. What particular type of chord progressions are used with them? What style of music? How do I use them to create tension ?

My plan is to learn them all and also be able to play them all over the fretboard

Learning all of the chords and voicings is no small task... let me know when you do that. I've played for 17 years and am nowhere near all 2000+ chords. Ask for your question, I will give you some generalizations: 7ths are used always in jazz and you'll find them in ii V I progressions. 9th and 11th chords are also very jazzy, although not limited to jazz. Think of these chords as adding a different flavour to a regular seventh chord. Suspended and slash chords are common to folk music and players such as James Taylor and William Fitzsimmons use them extensively.

[Rayaarito]

Picked up the guitar last week. Learning how to switch from chord to chord really fast and efficiently. But i can only do it fast and efficiently when I'm looking at the strings. How long did it take til you guys were able to start playing without looking at the strings. Should I work on that now while I'm learning?

I'm learning off of Justin Guitar's beginner course right now.
http://www.justinguitar.com/en/BC-00...nersCourse.php

Also, this is around my end goal

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCcjlD2LcQw
What do I have to learn for that? Arpeggios anddd idk what else

[StatutoryApe213]

Picked up the guitar last week. Learning how to switch from chord to chord really fast and efficiently. But i can only do it fast and efficiently when I'm looking at the strings. How long did it take til you guys were able to start playing without looking at the strings. Should I work on that now while I'm learning?

I'm learning off of Justin Guitar's beginner course right now.
http://www.justinguitar.com/en/BC-00...nersCourse.php

Also, this is around my end goal

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCcjlD2LcQw
What do I have to learn for that? Arpeggios anddd idk what else

It'll take about a month. It's basically training your muscle memory so well you could go to any chord of your choice without even looking.

[iTzDevo]

Picked up the guitar last week. Learning how to switch from chord to chord really fast and efficiently. But i can only do it fast and efficiently when I'm looking at the strings. How long did it take til you guys were able to start playing without looking at the strings. Should I work on that now while I'm learning?

I'm learning off of Justin Guitar's beginner course right now.
http://www.justinguitar.com/en/BC-00...nersCourse.php

Also, this is around my end goal
[youtube]cCcjlD2LcQw[youtube]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCcjlD2LcQw
What do I have to learn for that? Arpeggios anddd idk what else

Not much arpeggiation happening in that solo, sounds like a lot of repeated pentatonic scale and he chooses to use the diagonal fingering. I'm confident I could teach that to a beginner student within a half hour lesson time. The ending with that repetitive wanking is also on the same pentatonic scale, but in a blues manner where he bends the third... the cool sounds you're hearing are from his pedalboard effects.

If you can read tab, give this a shot. It's the diagonal pentatonic pattern he's using. The pattern is transferable to any position on the fretboard, not just what's written in this diagram:



If you can't read tab, start.

As per your first question about chords, don't stress it. Look at them until you get to a point where you can feel them. All instruments are sensory and if you're not looking and listening, you're physically (and emotionally) feeling. Of course, you should also always be listening. Good ears make a good player.

[Galindo62]

I always forget to thank this thread but I have to say with the guidance of this thread I went from 0 music knowledge to almost being able to sight read on the piano, and analyzing music sheets.

Not just devo(especially devo though) but reading through many old posts.

[iTzDevo]

I always forget to thank this thread but I have to say with the guidance of this thread I went from 0 music knowledge to almost being able to sight read on the piano, and analyzing music sheets.

Not just devo(especially devo though) but reading through many old posts.

No worries brother. Don't discount all the work you've put in, though. Talent is 100% learned and developed, musical or otherwise

[LiamR]

Hey guys, I'm just finishing up some research for a project at uni and I need a few more responses for my survey, it's short and on the link between music theory and guitar improv, just opinions needed, if you've got a moment I'd really appreciate it!
www.surveymonkey.com/s/RTQM3T9

[ctgblue]

^^^^^
done

called you a big fairy and used a lot of bad language....

[ratt1ehead]

Picked up the guitar last week. Learning how to switch from chord to chord really fast and efficiently. But i can only do it fast and efficiently when I'm looking at the strings. How long did it take til you guys were able to start playing without looking at the strings. Should I work on that now while I'm learning?

I'm learning off of Justin Guitar's beginner course right now.
http://www.justinguitar.com/en/BC-00...nersCourse.php

Also, this is around my end goal

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCcjlD2LcQw
What do I have to learn for that? Arpeggios anddd idk what else

Once you've practiced the diatonic scale and are able to play all of its modes flawlessly with decent speed, you'll look back on this vid and realize how easy that solo is. Much of it is effects also.

[ratt1ehead]

A mnemonic I use for the modes is

I
Don't
Play
Like
Metallica (or any band that starts with "M")
At
Least

Ionian (Major scale)
Dorian
Phrygian
Lydian
Mixolydian
Aeolian (Natural minor scale)
Locrian

Knowing these modes and lots of practice to gain finger dexterity will turn anyone into a shredder in no time.

[CherryPopinski]

Halp?

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...post1369632771

[ShoryuBrah]

Metallica (or any band that starts with "M")

STRONG user name to wrong M band ratio

[ShoryuBrah]

If you want to run that low, get a 7 string or a baritone 6 string, much better all the way around

You can definitely do Drop B on a 6. I played Drop A for a long ass time on a 6. Admittedly, I didn't like the feel that much compared to playing with a 7. That being said, if the strings are still floppy in Drop B, you just need thicker strings. Try Ernie Ball Not Even Slinky strings. If you don't want a 7, look for an extended scale 6 string too. The neck will be a bit longer but you will be able to tune lower with thinner strings, and still retain good string tension.

[ctgblue]

Sir Christopher Lee, Legendary Actor and Heavy Metal Performer, Dead at 93

http://www.guitarworld.com/sir-chris...singer-dead-93





https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN7...AjQ0UjBZ4an6Eg

[ratt1ehead]

STRONG user name to wrong M band ratio

Wut?

Rattlehead is by Megadeth and the mnemonic says I DON'T play like Metallica.

[Galindo62]

I need help with accompying bass notes. I feel i should kinda now this by understanding scale degrees and progressjon but I haven't really put it into practice yet.

I'm trying to transpose from guitar to piano.


Specifically I'm trying to add more flare to the beautiful la catedral piece (the third part) (the first two parts already sound nice enough). Again from guitar to piano.

Here is the music sheet. https://www.jellynote.com/en/sheet-m...235a7374cd89ee

If anybody could at least point me in the right direction it would be greatly appreciated. Or any tips is good.

[ShoryuBrah]

Wut?

Rattlehead is by Megadeth and the mnemonic says I DON'T play like Metallica.

Oh, good point. Wasn't really looking at the phrase, just the band name :P

[tucci420]

Just started playing 6 months go. Enjoying my time playing and having fun learning more.

[iTzDevo]

I need help with accompying bass notes. I feel i should kinda now this by understanding scale degrees and progressjon but I haven't really put it into practice yet.

I'm trying to transpose from guitar to piano.


Specifically I'm trying to add more flare to the beautiful la catedral piece (the third part) (the first two parts already sound nice enough). Again from guitar to piano.

Here is the music sheet. https://www.jellynote.com/en/sheet-m...235a7374cd89ee

If anybody could at least point me in the right direction it would be greatly appreciated. Or any tips is good.

Hmm that's a tough call. I see what you mean about it being pretty bare, just having the melody line there. If I were in a hurry, I would arrange it so every grouping of sixteenth notes had a root bassline. By that I mean, find the root of each chord (essentially what is being played, although broken up instead of in usual block-chord form) and hold that bass note while you play the upper line. It may require you to change the fingerings of some parts, which can be difficult for beginner players, but if you have a lot of time and motivation for this piece it's totally do-able.

[Galindo62]

Thanks a ton devo. That something I need to get better at anyways, reading which chord is been played ( when its not so straightforwardly laid out). It gets tricky when you're dealing outside of the basic major and minors lul.
It helped a ton though! Still keeping it simple but i feel I'm on the right path.
Thanks a ton.

[iTzDevo]

Thanks a ton devo. That something I need to get better at anyways, reading which chord is been played ( when its not so straightforwardly laid out). It gets tricky when you're dealing outside of the basic major and minors lul.
It helped a ton though! Still keeping it simple but i feel I'm on the right path.
Thanks a ton.

No prob. A lot of lower university level music theory is analyzing broken and block chords. Practice it and you'll start to see it

[CherryPopinski]

Is it worth taking lessons or should I just tab everything. I made a thread about this earlier.

Also I went to my local guitar center. I really want an actual Fender strat I currently have a Squire Affinity strat. I honestly couldn't tell the difference in tone between a Fender Standard, Squire Classic Vibe, and my Affinity. Since my budget is limited right now I'd be better off just modding my current strat, changing pick-ups and all that stuff. Getting a better amp also.

Kinda frustrated cause I start learning a song then jump to another. Trying to get myself to focus on one thing at a time, it's mind numbing playing the same thing over and over again though.

[iTzDevo]

Is it worth taking lessons or should I just tab everything. I made a thread about this earlier.

Also I went to my local guitar center. I really want an actual Fender strat I currently have a Squire Affinity strat. I honestly couldn't tell the difference in tone between a Fender Standard, Squire Classic Vibe, and my Affinity. Since my budget is limited right now I'd be better off just modding my current strat, changing pick-ups and all that stuff. Getting a better amp also.

Kinda frustrated cause I start learning a song then jump to another. Trying to get myself to focus on one thing at a time, it's mind numbing playing the same thing over and over again though.

Learning tab is an invaluable skill in the early stages. It essentially removes the memorization of notation and converts visual music to a numeric pattern. There is a lot of argument against tab but as long as you understand rhythm and note values (quarter note, eighth note, sixteenth note, and so on) you will be able to read the music properly if the rhythms are marked.

That said, it's very worthwhile to take lessons from an established teacher. Don't hire the local high school kid who started a band and thinks he's a professional. Find someone with a music degree or even working on their music degree and you will progress much faster.

Can't help you with your guitar choice, it will come down to budget and feel. Generally a higher end Strat will feel smoother and better than a low end Squier. That tends to be the rule of thumb for most guitars, hence why there is a market for low and high end.

Practising doesn't have to be mindless drilling, find ways to make it fun. If you can't make it fun, that's another job of your teacher's. I turn all of my kids technical exercises into games and challenges, which rewards them when they beat me at my own game.