I just don't understand what the metronome will do at this point. I can only switch between a couple of chords right now without pausing.

Like G to Eminor or EMinor to Asus2.

I'm treating this like eating an elephant. One bite at a time.

The metronome gives you a beat and timing. It will help in developing your strumming patterns and switching chords, at a bare minimum. Going from G to E Minor is more impressive if there is a sense of rhythm.

colonialag said:

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The metronome gives you a beat. It will help in your strumming patterns and switching chords, at a bare minimum.

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If I'm trying to learn a song, how do I know what beat?

"The metronome tip is probably secondary to playing along with a track/song as a beginner until you've gotten the basics down. As you advance and begin to practice more and more, there's a tendency to "noodle" which without staying in time may not be very productive. Hence the need for something to help you stay in time and play with a beat. I just wanted to second the point that no matter how advanced you are, practicing in time is important."

I went back and edited earlier posts while you were asking your questions. Hopefully they are helpful as you start out. Play along with the songs as you learn them. With technology today you can slow things down or speed them up as you like. The metronome is set to the song's tempo which is usually stated in a chord chart or tab in beats per minute. The more beats per minute, the faster the song's tempo.

Hey Look Guys, just strum each chord 4 times over at a constant beat. Then switch to ONE other chord and strum it the next 4 beats without hesitation. I'm talking slow. Then to BACK to the original chord and keep going and going and going. Start it slow, like no more than 60 bpm, and keep doing this.

For example, G G G G E E E E G G G G E E E E G G G G E E E E etc.

Your hands and rhythm will get better if you do this.

Base off of what questions you are asking, you don't seem to have a musical background. I would also suggest learning some basic theory at a minimum. Memorizing how to play open chords is cool...but you need to know what is actually going on when you strum and finger the chords.

GREAT way of putting it.

Yes, you're right. I've never played an instrument nor had any musical education beyond elementary school 40 years ago.

I'm so ignorant I don't know what this means.

Quote:

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I would also suggest learning some basic theory at a minimum.

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I think you guys are just confusing him more and more. He's obviously a beginner with barely any musical background whatsoever. He still trying to learn basic chords and some of y'all keep bringing up music theory. He asking for help with the C and F chords!

Learn the C chord first, then learn you can the abbreviated F Chord, which is very similar

I will dumb this down as much as possible. There are no shortcuts when learning chords. Just takes lots of practice

So for the C chord, you need your pointer, middle, and ring fingers only. Pointer finger on 2nd string 1st fret. Middle finger on 4th string 2nd fret, and ring finger 5th sting 3rd fret. Do one finger at a time if need be starting from the index finger. Repeat repeat repeat repeat!!!! Then try to put all three fingers down simultaneously. Repeat repeat repeat!!!!

Once you master the C, now you can go to an abbreviated F Chord which only requires the bottom 4 strings and is very similar to the C chord. The F chord is index finger on the 1st fret of the 1st and 2nd string. You'll have to flatten your index finger to press both strings. Middle finger on 3rd string 2nd fret, then ring finger 4th string 3rd fret. Notice the similarity with the C chord. You may be asking how can I press the 1st and 2nd strings at same time. You'll have to turn your hand some and bring your wrist closer to the back of the neck of the guitar


Now once you know the C and F chords, it's relatively easy to go from C to F. You only have move the middle and ring fingers only. You never have to lift the index finger. Start with the C chord, then bring your middle and ring fingers down one string. Then turn you wrist towards the neck and press your index finger on the first 2 strings.



Now regarding the metronome, set it to like 100 beats per minute (bpm) and strum the same chord with every beat. Do one note 10 times. Then switch to a different chord. Do that 10 times. Go back and forth between the 2 chords only. Start at a slower bpm if need be. Once you get more comfortable, increase the speed. As you get more comfortable, add a 3rd chord

Learn to switch between C and F. Then C and G. Then all 3


Hope this all helps. Practice practice practice!!!

Look guys... said:

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Yes, you're right. I've never played an instrument nor had any musical education beyond elementary school 40 years ago.

I'm so ignorant I don't know what this means.

Quote:

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I would also suggest learning some basic theory at a minimum.

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You can pick up a basic music theory book.

I disagree with needing to learn theory in order to enjoy playing something. However, you will hit a wall very soon unless you start digging into music theory.

Basic theory would be Learning what a key is, a triad, scales, the circle of 5ths, what is a major chord, what is a minor chord, how do they relate, what is a 7th chord, etc.

Start with the Key of C or G major. Learn all 8 notes in each key. Each note is the root note of a triad (3 note chord) in that key. This is the basics of chord progression. Learning this will help you understand what you are playing.

Example. You learn Simple man. Simple man is played in the key of C and uses arpeggios as the main riff. The riff goes

C - G - Am

That is the Tonic C (or I chord, or root), then to the V chord, then to the VI chord. the VI chord in the major scale also happens to be the relative minor. Why is that important? Because when you first learn to solo in a song, you will probably start with learning the Minor Pentatonic scales. Therefore, to solo to the chord progression C - G - Am, you can solo in the Am pentatonic scale.

So, you can learn the song easily by learning to play the chord shapes of C, G, and Am. Then you learn how to move to each one from the other, smoothly. Finally, you learn how to pick arpeggios. If this is all you did, then you would learn how to play Simple Man. However, learning the theory allows you to understand what it is you are doing, and then transpose that across the fretboard, or apply it in other ways in the future.

He didn't even know what a metronome is and why it would help, hence the suggestion to learn some VERY basic music theory. I gave the same advice you did as well, maybe I made it too complicated though. Just switch between chords over, and over, and over, and over. Doesn't matter what 2 you start with, take C and F. The throw in G when ready. Then do switches between all 3 of them. And so on.

Chipotlemonger said:

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He didn't even know what a metronome is and why it would help, hence the suggestion to learn some VERY basic music theory. I gave the same advice you did as well, maybe I made it too complicated though. Just switch between chords over, and over, and over, and over. Doesn't matter what 2 you start with, take C and F. The throw in G when ready. Then do switches between all 3 of them. And so on.

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I know what a metronome is. I just don't understand how it will help until I learn to play songs.

Do you understand eighth notes, quarter notes, half notes, and whole notes? This is where the metronome comes into play

digging tunnels said:

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Do you understand eighth notes, quarter notes, half notes, and whole notes? This is where the metronome comes into play

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Nope. Not at all.

Like I said, I'm trying to learn like eating an elephant. One step at a time. I think learning these things won't make sense if I can't even form a chord.

Thanks. Since posting, I can now play all the major chords except B. The F is modified, but my tuner registers it as an F.

Playing on time is one of the most important things you can learn to do. Being able to play with a metronome is EXTREMELY important.

Music without proper timing just sounds like a mess. It's almost as bad as playing out of tune. I'm sure some would say it's worse than being out of tune.

DallasTeleAg said:

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Playing on time is one of the most important things you can learn to do. Being able to play with a metronome is EXTREMELY important.

Music without proper timing just sounds like a mess. It's almost as bad as playing out of tune. I'm sure some would say it's worse than being out of tune.

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Yeah...that makes perfect sense. For someone with no musical background, I knew this was going to be difficult. I just want to be able to play a few songs I love.

The funny part is since I started even trying to learn on Dec 28th, I can actually for the first time hear the different guitars in the music I listen to.

I may never get it or I may never become good. I'm ok with that.

But yesterday I played a chord I wouldn't have been able to play 2 days prior.

I'm able to find the strings for the E chord half the time I try and put them down together.

I can see progress every time I pick up the guitar.

Asking people who have never taught for advice is tricky. They don't understand what you don't understand and why you can't understand it.

My son has never played the guitar but plays the Tuba. I guarantee if he were to pick up a guitar he'd be ahead of me in a couple of days. He knows 1000 times more about music than I do.

Oh well.....rant over.

Than you to everyone that has given suggestions.

Yea the early stages are fun! I think most of the advice on here are from people (me being one of them) who are trying to give advice that is going to keep you invested in it and actually continuing to have more fun. We've all started where you are, and know/remember what it was like.

I'm a novice, straight up novice, who doesn't play much anymore. But once you get the basic theory down (rhythm, beats, chords, basic scales), you can come back and pick it up almost like riding a bike. You get muscle memory over time.

Chipotlemonger said:

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Yea the early stages are fun! I think most of the advice on here are from people (me being one of them) who are trying to give advice that is going to keep you invested in it and actually continuing to have more fun. We've all started where you are, and know/remember what it was like.

I'm a novice, straight up novice, who doesn't play much anymore. But once you get the basic theory down (rhythm, beats, chords, basic scales), you can come back and pick it up almost like riding a bike. You get muscle memory over time.

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How many started at 49 with no musical experience ever?

Honestly, I'm doing better than I thought I would. At least now after 3 weeks, my fingers don't hurt from fretting.

Here's how green I was. I had a tuner I attached the the head. I was trying to tune the high E string, and no matter how much i turned the tuning key, it didn't change the tune. Well, the G string broke and I realized I was turning the wrong tuning key. This was Christmas day and I got the guitar from my wife for Christmas.

Ordered strings from Amazon and got them on the 28th. Had to learn how to change strings.

At least I know how to do that now.

I'm beginning to think "Guitar Lessons via Message Board Text" isn't a winning business idea.

Hang in there and feel free to reach out via PM. The more you practice, seek out information, and take in on your own then I think what folks are saying on the thread will make more sense. Everybody is trying to provide a guide or roadmap on how to approach learning the guitar rather than these are the 3 things to do and then you will know guitar.

colonialag said:

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I'm beginning to think "Guitar Lessons via Message Board Text" isn't a winning business idea.

Hang in there and feel free to reach out via PM. The more you practice, seek out information, and take in on your own then I think what folks are saying on the thread will make more sense. Everybody is trying to provide a guide or roadmap on how to approach learning the guitar rather than these are the 3 things to do and then you will know guitar.

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Oh, I don't disagree at all. I really appreciate everyone that has given advice.

While learning guitar is new to me, learning to do new things is not. I understand that there are things that I don't understand now that I will later. I do know that there are things I don't need to learn now that I will need to learn later. And I'll soon learn that everything I think I know is wrong.

And of course, me being me, deciding that I had to play left handed make things harder too. There's a reason why right handed players play the way they do.

But, if Paul McCartney and Kurt Cobain can do it, why can't I?

It's time to introduce you to an excellent youtube guitar teacher, Marty Schwartz. This guy is awesome. I think these are a very good start for where you are at

go through these lessons to learn the chords:

strumming patterns:

digging tunnels said:

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It's time to introduce you to an excellent youtube guitar teacher, Marty Schwartz. This guy is awesome. I think these are a very good start for where you are at

go through these lessons to learn the chords:

strumming patterns:

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I'm up to lesson 7 with Marty. I've watched a ton of videos, and he's really good.

I posted in the Aggieland forum almost a year ago asking for a local guitar instructor and someone referred me to a guy named Tubie at the String and Horns Shop in downtown Bryan.

He's been a great teacher and as cool as they come. But as many have said, it's all about practice. I fail in this area and get flustered that it doesn't come easy to me and then just want to quit and think I have no musical talent at all even though I have a great ear for it.

Been trying to practice more this week just 30 minutes a day and can notice getting slightly better just barely above the level of terrible.

Look guys... said:

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colonialag said:

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The metronome gives you a beat. It will help in your strumming patterns and switching chords, at a bare minimum.

---

If I'm trying to learn a song, how do I know what beat?

---

keep the metronome off if you're trying to learn specific songs, and just play along with the song.

It's either or (metronome or song), don't do both.

I don't practice with a metronome, and never did, but I played a whole lot along with songs as a teenager. Then in 20s was in a band for many years, so my sense of timing was developed pretty well, and since then have never practiced with a metronome.

But oh my god, a buddy in college I used to 'jam' with two acoustic guitars, it was a huge struggle. His timing was awful. So definitely figure out timing, however you do it.



You know E and G, play along to About A Girl - Nirvana unplugged. Get that strumming pattern down playing along with song. each chord is just half the measure, so it's quick to change.

Then there is a slight change in there with C#,G#,F#. Then an A and C.

Good all around mix of chord positions, and a good tempo to work towards.

Look guys... said:

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Chipotlemonger said:

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Yea the early stages are fun! I think most of the advice on here are from people (me being one of them) who are trying to give advice that is going to keep you invested in it and actually continuing to have more fun. We've all started where you are, and know/remember what it was like.

I'm a novice, straight up novice, who doesn't play much anymore. But once you get the basic theory down (rhythm, beats, chords, basic scales), you can come back and pick it up almost like riding a bike. You get muscle memory over time.

---

How many started at 49 with no musical experience ever?

Honestly, I'm doing better than I thought I would. At least now after 3 weeks, my fingers don't hurt from fretting.

Here's how green I was. I had a tuner I attached the the head. I was trying to tune the high E string, and no matter how much i turned the tuning key, it didn't change the tune. Well, the G string broke and I realized I was turning the wrong tuning key. This was Christmas day and I got the guitar from my wife for Christmas.

Ordered strings from Amazon and got them on the 28th. Had to learn how to change strings.

At least I know how to do that now.

---

I played trombone up through college and didn't pick up guitar until I was close to 30. Sure, music theory helps, but trombone is in bass clef and guitar is in treble, which I still can't read quickly. I use tabs and have learned to play by ear.

I really like the app from Ultimate Guitar (its like 10 bucks) where you can have the app play back the tabs for you and you can dial in the speed, or loop parts of it. Granted, some tabs can flat out be wrong, but thats becoming less of an issue. Rocksmith could be an option for you later on and is likely cheap nowadays since the game is a handful of years old.

I put in with some website for online guitar lessons. They matched me with these two.

https://www.tunelark.com/lessons/lucy

https://www.tunelark.com/lessons/roy

Now I know the best teachers aren't always the best players and the best teachers are the ones that it comes hardest to.

Thoughts?

I played trombone in junior high and high school and now I am learning guitar through fender play. I no longer play trombone but the chord charts and tabs are way easier than treble clef for me.

Fender play covers all the things you all suggested above. Plus it was something like $29 for the first year.

I would highly recommend trial of it.

Wheatables02 said:

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I played trombone in junior high and high school and now I am learning guitar through fender play. I no longer play trombone but the chord charts and tabs are way easier than treble clef for me.

Fender play covers all the things you all suggested above. Plus it was something like $29 for the first year.

I would highly recommend trial of it.

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We should meet at the park and play.

62strat said:

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Look guys... said:

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colonialag said:

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The metronome gives you a beat. It will help in your strumming patterns and switching chords, at a bare minimum.

---

If I'm trying to learn a song, how do I know what beat?

---

keep the metronome off if you're trying to learn specific songs, and just play along with the song.

It's either or (metronome or song), don't do both.

I don't practice with a metronome, and never did, but I played a whole lot along with songs as a teenager. Then in 20s was in a band for many years, so my sense of timing was developed pretty well, and since then have never practiced with a metronome.

But oh my god, a buddy in college I used to 'jam' with two acoustic guitars, it was a huge struggle. His timing was awful. So definitely figure out timing, however you do it.



You know E and G, play along to About A Girl - Nirvana unplugged. Get that strumming pattern down playing along with song. each chord is just half the measure, so it's quick to change.

Then there is a slight change in there with C#,G#,F#. Then an A and C.

Good all around mix of chord positions, and a good tempo to work towards.

---

A lot of Nirvana's songs are pretty easy to play, if you don't mess around with the solos. Even then, they are pretty simple.

Champ Bailey said:

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62strat said:

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Look guys... said:

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colonialag said:

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The metronome gives you a beat. It will help in your strumming patterns and switching chords, at a bare minimum.

---

If I'm trying to learn a song, how do I know what beat?

---

keep the metronome off if you're trying to learn specific songs, and just play along with the song.

It's either or (metronome or song), don't do both.

I don't practice with a metronome, and never did, but I played a whole lot along with songs as a teenager. Then in 20s was in a band for many years, so my sense of timing was developed pretty well, and since then have never practiced with a metronome.

But oh my god, a buddy in college I used to 'jam' with two acoustic guitars, it was a huge struggle. His timing was awful. So definitely figure out timing, however you do it.



You know E and G, play along to About A Girl - Nirvana unplugged. Get that strumming pattern down playing along with song. each chord is just half the measure, so it's quick to change.

Then there is a slight change in there with C#,G#,F#. Then an A and C.

Good all around mix of chord positions, and a good tempo to work towards.

---

A lot of Nirvana's songs are pretty easy to play, if you don't mess around with the solos. Even then, they are pretty simple.

---

yeh, of the grunge era, they were the simplest. Rarely does a nirvana song venture away from just power chords, owing to their punk rock roots. Good for beginners.

AIC or soundgarden were much more complex. PJ was half and half.

And then there was Days of the New which had some awesome sounds due to strange tunings.

Is my guitar playing as bad as my dog thinks it is? It scares him half to death.

Look guys... said:

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I put in with some website for online guitar lessons. They matched me with these two.

https://www.tunelark.com/lessons/lucy

https://www.tunelark.com/lessons/roy

Now I know the best teachers aren't always the best players and the best teachers are the ones that it comes hardest to.

Thoughts?

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Steve Stine is wonderful in his teaching, in reference to you statement. He can and has played in bands, but also taught music at North Dakota State University. GZ has every level of playing, and makes it simple to understand. His key in teaching is to enjoy, there is no right way to learn. There is beginner guitar lesson that will suite your needs. Hope this helps.

Guitar Zoom

JoeAggie1010 said:

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Look guys... said:

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I put in with some website for online guitar lessons. They matched me with these two.

https://www.tunelark.com/lessons/lucy

https://www.tunelark.com/lessons/roy

Now I know the best teachers aren't always the best players and the best teachers are the ones that it comes hardest to.

Thoughts?

---

Steve Stine is wonderful in his teaching, in reference to you statement. He can and has played in bands, but also taught music at North Dakota State University. GZ has every level of playing, and makes it simple to understand. His key in teaching is to enjoy, there is no right way to learn. There is beginner guitar lesson that will suite your needs. Hope this helps.

Guitar Zoom

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Thanks... it looks like a program? I'm looking for someone to correct me and guide me, a la live.

Fair enough. Hopefully you find that person.