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Post by GratefulHippie on Jul 29, 2009 12:46:07 GMT -5
i've only recently decided to finally pick up my guitar and actually learn to play it. i've tried several times, but always end up frustrated, distracted, etc. so far i only know 3 songs, and i'd like to start trying more, but i'm not familiar enough with chords and whatnot to know what songs are easier/harder than others.
so, my question is, what are some beginner songs i could work on?
Post by nitetimeritetime on Jul 29, 2009 13:10:16 GMT -5
Yeah, I'll second the Beatles. I started with them.
I think the first few other songs I learned were Pink Floyd's "Fearless" and "Wish You Were Here," and The Dead's "Bird Song" and "Friend of the Devil."
Post by GratefulHippie on Jul 29, 2009 13:13:09 GMT -5
well most of you are naming them
pink floyd, led zep, the dead, the beatles...
the songs i know right now are "collide" by howie day(lame, but it was the first song someone took the time to teach me), "wagon wheel" by old crow, and "for today" by jessica lea mayfield.
Post by nitetimeritetime on Jul 29, 2009 13:27:11 GMT -5
Check out Old Crow's "We're All in This Together" also. Once you get the picking pattern down, it is a fun song to play.
If you want to play some Dead tunes, check out this website, www.rukind.com/ then click Grateful Dead Tabs in the left menu. Almost all of the songs are there. Most of them are just the chords and not complex tabs showing what Bobby and Jerry are really doing, but you can sing over the chords and play the songs with other people that way. And it's good practice getting your left hand familiar with the fretboard.
Post by strumntheguitar on Jul 29, 2009 13:28:08 GMT -5
Norwegian Wood has always been one of my favorite songs to play, even to this day... and I think it was one of the first 10 songs I tried learning.
The best thing to do is find a friend to play with. Even if it doesn't sound good at first, getting that practice in playing with someone, seeing what they're doing and following suit will help you tenfold. I improved 20x faster when I had a close friend who I'd jam with every day a few years ago than I have at all the past 2 years when I've mostly been fiddlin around by myself.
Yeah, I'll second the Beatles. I started with them.
I think the first few other songs I learned were Pink Floyd's "Fearless" and "Wish You Were Here," and The Dead's "Bird Song" and "Friend of the Devil."
What are some of the bands you like the most?
I think I'm pretty much in the same boat as you, Hip. I can second "Friend of the Devil" and "Fearless" as two pretty solid songs to start off with.
6/18: Phish in Hartford 6/25: Phish in Camden 7/2-7/4: Nateva 7/17: God Street Wine at Irving Plaza 7/23-7/25: String Cheese at Red Rocks!! 8/17-8/18: Phish at Jones Beach 9/3: Rush at PNC
This Bonnaroo lineup is in dire need of some Rush.
Post by GratefulHippie on Jul 29, 2009 13:37:13 GMT -5
thanks everyone
i do have a friend to play with, and he's friggin' amazing. he's also really good at teaching me theory and finger exercises and whatnot, so i have a really good resource as far as all that. but, being as advanced as he is, he doesn't play a whole lot of music i'm ready for, and i'd like to be able to play more than my staple 3 songs when i'm not with him. right now i just spend a lot of time doing chord changes from c > a> g > e > d
Post by nitetimeritetime on Jul 29, 2009 13:51:00 GMT -5
You're doing the CAGED method up and down the fretboard? If so, keep it up, because you'll get good really fast that way. Best way I've seen to start learning the fretboard patterns.
Post by GratefulHippie on Jul 29, 2009 13:57:27 GMT -5
yup, that's what i've been doing. i'll zone out and do that for a while, and then play one of the songs i know when i get bored for a while, then go back to caged. it gets monotonous, but i'm determined to actually learn guitar this time around and i gotta start somewhere.
Post by strumntheguitar on Jul 29, 2009 16:12:39 GMT -5
I 2nd the repetitive practicing of the CAGED method. Once you can comfortably find a chord anywhere on the fretboard and not just 1st position your versatility as a player will become endless. It's something I still work on after years of playing.
Also, another fun one of the Beatles to learn to help get you in the fingerpickin' mindset is Blackbird. It's a very simple and basic song but ever so fun to play
Also, another fun one of the Beatles to learn to help get you in the fingerpickin' mindset is Blackbird. It's a very simple and basic song but ever so fun to play
That was the very first song I ever learned to play. Norwegian Wood was the second, and until you mentioned it, I'd forgotten I knew that one.
Post by ziggyandthemonkeys on Jul 29, 2009 16:17:39 GMT -5
I have not played guitar for a while, and never got even competent, but something I did to break the monotony of starting out was learning intro's to songs. This was also a good way to develop some speed and dexterity, as long as you don't try to cheat and play them sloppy and ruin good habits. For example I learned the intro to Stonehenge by Spinal Tap, Loser by Jerry Garcia, and some Zeppelin. Its a fun way to get away from chords and sound like you are actually playing something complex.
i've only recently decided to finally pick up my guitar and actually learn to play it. i've tried several times, but always end up frustrated, distracted, etc. so far i only know 3 songs, and i'd like to start trying more, but i'm not familiar enough with chords and whatnot to know what songs are easier/harder than others.
so, my question is, what are some beginner songs i could work on?
thanks for the help
in my life- the beatles character zero- phish 7 nation army-white stripes wish you were here parts of saint stephen are pretty easy too
i would start with something like in my life. the beatles version is actually piano, but look up the dmb version. pretty simple and sounds good. easier than playin something with full chords
Post by strumntheguitar on Aug 1, 2009 15:31:10 GMT -5
When you feel the need to move past the basic chord progressions of songs and start getting better at hammer ons and pull offs, there's no better song to learn on than Over the Hills and Far Away.
It takes some practice to get, but once you do it's entirely too much fun to play.
I know this, because I just picked up my guitar and started playing it, and realized what a good suggestion this song would be
Pixies - where is my mind Phish - Fluffhead Grateful Dead - Sugar Magnolia Steppenwolf - Magic Carpet Ride Tom Petty - American Girl Creedence Clearwater Revival - Proud Mary Lynyrd Skynyrd - Freebird ( Just not the solo)
also learn a few songs that are the same; eg. Sweet Home Alabama > Werewolves of London > Suzy Greenburg Wonderwall > Redemption Song > Driving Song (widespread panic)
start playing one, jam on an Em > G pattern for a minute, then break into the same chord progression with different lyrics
*i like coconuts, you can break them open they smell like ladies lyin in the sun** *Hell I don't even know where I am** *for now I must sit here and ponder the yonder: The herbivores did well cause their food didn't never run** *We listen, if it feels good We shake** *You made a big impression for a girl of your size, Now I can't get by without you and your big brown eyes.**
also learn a few songs that are the same; eg. Sweet Home Alabama > Werewolves of London > Suzy Greenburg Wonderwall > Redemption Song > Driving Song (widespread panic)
That's a really good idea. I'd like to see what other >>> song lists people play.
Post by AgainstNunes! on Aug 3, 2009 15:05:29 GMT -5
after you get chords down... play "Ocean" by John Butler.
Don't listen to me. I'm an idiot.
And sorry to go off on a tangent, but I finger-pick, so if there are any good songs that other guitarists would recommend, pray tell.
I'm really into A.A. Bondy's music right now. I make up my own stuff for the most part, but some songs I am playing are:
"World Without End" A.A. Bondy "American Hearts" A.A. Bondy "Be Good or Be Gone" Fionn Regan "Astair" Matt Costa "The General" Dispatch "Falling Slowly" Swell Season "Lovin Me" G. Love "If I Get Murdered in the City" Avett Brothers "If it's the Beaches" Avett Brothers
2/5- Papadosio 3/3- MUSE 3/12- John Mayer 3/19- The Werks 3/31- Passion Pit 4/18- Ben Folds 4/20- Against Me! 6/10- Bonnaroo 6/30- Eric Clapton and Roger Daltrey
And sorry to go off on a tangent, but I finger-pick, so if there are any good songs that other guitarists would recommend, pray tell.
Classical Gas, by Mason Williams. So damn fun to play! And it always draws a laugh when I'm playing it and someone goes "Dude! That Clapton song is sick!!"
Post by rpgreligion on Dec 18, 2009 23:40:59 GMT -5
Bumpity bump bump.
So, I've been trying this CAGED method out, and so far it seems to be helping a lot.
What are other good techniques for a beginner guitarist? I've been playing off and on for the past 7 years, but I still consider myself a beginner due to never really dedicating myself to it, and I'm hoping to change that with the New Year.
What are some good finger exercises? Any one have any useful links to getting better at rhythm and picking out strum patterns?
Post by sweetmelissa on Dec 19, 2009 15:45:01 GMT -5
I'm glad this thread was started! I was just about to ask similar questions that were posted here! I've been picking around and getting faster, but I get frusterated really easily. I'm off to try some of the songs listed here and try CAGED method:) Thanks.
Post by palebluedot on Dec 19, 2009 21:11:52 GMT -5
If you are willing to swallow your pride, learn Brain Stew by Green Day, it's exceptionally easy. Also try any of these... Nirvana- Polly Incubus-Make Yourself Jack Johnson-Flake The Spill Canvas- Caterpillars
Post by strumntheguitar on Dec 19, 2009 23:40:04 GMT -5
How's the guitar playin coming along, Hippie?
I'm finally branching out into more electric guitar. I just got a Boss Blues Overdrive pedal and a Crybaby Hendrix Signature wah. Well, I haven't actually gotten them yet... as they are christmas presents and my dad insisted I wait until that day to open the packages. What a pain in the ass it is to wait that long... but it will be worth it. I've been looking at getting a nice Strat here too, but I think finances are going to force me to hold off on that for a few months...