Road Goes on Forever is just D, G, and A. That's my Texags suggestion.

You'll have more fun once you learn C and can play it along with those other chords. Worry about playing all of those main chords and getting them down pat before trying songs, in my opinion. As long as you're struggling with C you probably won't be quick enough to strum through a song between G, A, and D reliably and you'll get frustrated.
Probably more thank you asked for, YMMV.

Chipotlemonger said:

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You'll have more fun once you learn C and can play it along with those other chords. Worry about playing all of those main chords and getting them down pat before trying songs, in my opinion. As long as you're struggling with C you probably won't be quick enough to strum through a song between G, A, and D reliably and you'll get frustrated.
Probably more thank you asked for, YMMV.

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Sounds like sage advice.

Look guys... said:

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Any songs you recommend I try to tackle? I'm tired of hearing me writing music going from chord to chord.

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Hey Joe by Hendrix is a good one to learn for beginners. It's a slow tempo w/ C G D A E repeating progression. There's a single note walking line on the 6th and 5th strings that will get you some picking practice as well.

Either my hand isn't big enough or I just can't stretch it yet as I really can't stretch 3 frets.

One other note is to make sure you aren't just training one hand the whole time. Learning the chords is most important, but learning how to strum different rhythms and getting practiced enough to deliberately pluck individual strings is going to be what you want to work on too. I would just make sure at this stage you are comfortable playing only strumming down, only strumming up, and strumming up and down together. Really listen to the differences, as it will help you pick out strumming rhythm's in songs once you get to the point where you are learning new songs.

Oh and your hands should get more flexible and build up enough strength eventually to get the C's and F's.

This is why you should learn to not only strum the chords, but work on arpeggios.

Learn a G chord, ignore the rest, and you'll be a Texas Country superstar in no time.

Two Gun Corcoran said:

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Learn a G chord, ignore the rest, and you'll be a Texas Country superstar in no time.

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I know G major!

Try Sangria wine by Jerry Jeff. C F G C. Work on the c shape similar to the F shape. Great song for working that transition from G shape to F shape. Plus everyone loves that song.

Also suggest learning both finger style and picking.

I was self taught in the days before YouTube. I had music knowledge but with guitar it's all about numbers. Tabs are your friend.

Any advice in how to get your damn fingers to stretch 3 frets?

I feel like this:

time and practice.

ruddyduck said:

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time and practice.

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No easy way. I couldn't get C at all last week. Now I get it half the the time.

i played a little bit in junior high and high school (mostly bass) and just picked it up again during covid. no substitute for repetition.

ruddyduck said:

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i played a little bit in junior high and high school (mostly bass) and just picked it up again during covid. no substitute for repetition.

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I tried to learn in college but it was mostly single frets and plucking. I didn't have the best book.

Other than that, I played the recorder in 4th grade. I can still play hot cross buns and Mary had a little lamb. So as far as music knowledge, I got that going for me.

As you start getting a better feel for these chords and are getting a handle on learning songs, start practicing pentatonic scales.

Learning and mastering pentatonic scales will help you learn the geography of the fret board and how these notes fit into the structure of the music. This is key to taking the steps to mastery.


You can sit around and play chords for simple songs for years, but if you really want to improve it's important to take those 'next steps'. This is important to making your own music instead of just parroting the music of others.

BTW, Mel Bay has some very good books to help you take those next steps. Modern Guitar series.

rwtxag83 said:

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As you start getting a better feel for these chords and are getting a handle on learning songs, start practicing pentatonic scales.

Learning and mastering pentatonic scales will help you learn the geography of the fret board and how these notes fit into the structure of the music. This is key to taking the steps to mastery.


You can sit around and play chords for simple songs for years, but if you really want to improve it's important to take those 'next steps'. This is important to making your own music instead of just parroting the music of others.

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I appreciate the advice. You're speaking greek to me.

You're telling me to run a marathon and I'm still crawling here.

Any advice for complete beginners on bass? My son already plays keys and drums, and he bought a Stingray SUB 5 string because he thought he'd like to learn bass too. But he decided to refocus on drums and recording. So now there's a really nice bass in the corner gathering dust and calling to me.

Followed by



Getting your fingers to work a fret will be slightly painful
In the beginning. They've more than likely never been used in the manner. After that it's Chord placement. Focus on getting that "doh" strum to a clean stream. You'll know what I mean.
Start off with 3 chords songs like Willie and Waylon.

Can't stress this enough as mentioned above. Practice. At Anytime you get. You will not learn over night so take advantage even if it's for 10-20 min a day.

They're upside down.

Just kidding.

How do you play the chords that have more frets than fingers?

Look guys... said:

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They're upside down.

Just kidding.

How do you play the chords that have more frets than fingers?

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Barre Chord. Lay your 1 finger across the frets. That's where a lower quality acoustic requires some decent hand strength.

On the B chord, you lay your 3 finger across those three.

One of the things you will learn to do is purposefully muting certain strings with your fingers, or not muting strings with your fingers.

This one shows it better, though I never play an A chord like that. I just barre those strings with one finger:



Also, learn to play the Minor variants of each chord. Simply drop the 3rd of the chord a single note lower.

Look guys... said:

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It seems like every song has a C or F which I can't do yet. I'm working on them, but would like to play a song with what I know.

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If you can do a G, you can do a C.. well a Csus2 anyway.

Just move your middle and pointer up one string. Keep same position.
G:
3
3
0
0
2
3


C:
3
3
0
2
3
x

Work on the proper C later.

Nice material there. For a regular A I have enough pressure and big enough fingers I can get the 3 strings down with 2 fingers, no bar action. Too hard to do that chord like in the picture

Look guys... said:

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They're upside down.

Just kidding.

How do you play the chords that have more frets than fingers?

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Bar chords suck at first, especially on an acoustic with high action. Practice just laying your index finger across the entire fretboard in the first fret and pick each string separately to see if they ring cleanly. The chord won't sound right (because it's not one). Once you get the index finger doing its job, then try to add the other fingers in the right spot while still keeping everything ringing clearly.

Early on, easy chords are E, Em, C, D, and G that don't require barring the index finger.

DallasTeleAg said:

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This one shows it better, though I never play an A chord like that. I just barre those strings with one finger:

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Iif you're playing power chords to rock with distortion, that's fine for an A. But strumming acoustic, learn to play the chords to maximize string ringing.

Putting 3 fingers on second fret allows the top E to ring in the A chord, which is all but necessary for an acoustic song. Or to do an Asus2, Amaj7, A7, etc.. Having strings ring out makes you sound better really. Of course, if you barre the A, you can always throw your pinky on the high E string, 5th fret, for the high A (or 4th fret for Amaj7, 3rd for A7, etc).

I should say, I generally use a barre. Depends one what I am trying to do.

The best chord in all of music is missing from the list: E7#9

Do like I did and learn the "House of the rising sun" first. Great song with all those chords you love to play!

Am-c-f-d E

You think it'd work with an FMajor 7

I've tried and failed to teach myself guitar more than once, maybe I'll try again. I struggle with the D chord, it's supposed to be a fundamental chord and I always mute the high E string with my ring finger. I've put some time into it and it still just clunks every time. That pisses me off and I stop.
Any tips?

Can someone explain to me what all this means?