KORNAloneiBreak_11870 asked:
i just got a Washburn Lyon 6-String Acoustic Guitar for my 15th b-day, and i have a few questions. k first of all, i want to teach myself, and i understand that i will prolly need a few pointers, but i dont wanna go to some person every day for an hour learning how to hold a guitar and the finger variations, i wanna learn myself. My first question is: Are my fingertips (left pointer and middle) suppossed to be this sore/tender? i have been playing for 3 days, almost non-stop. Am i playing right? Too often? Should i play for only 1-2 hrs a day or something? My second question is: Should i start out with easy tabs then work my up? im teaching myself “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”. Third: Can i play 7-String tabs? do i need to tune differently or should i just ignore the last chord or something? And last but not least: Do i have to use the pick? id rather pluck w/ my thumb.
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4 responses so far ↓
1 x.x.x.Separated from Society.x.x // Sep 23, 2008 at 3:56 am
im a beginner too and yea you’ll have to use a pick. your middle finger and index will most probably have cuts or they’ll hurt and become sore. there is no limit to learning the guitar and the more time and effort put in, the much sooner you’ll learn. besides im 14 wat do i know? lol
2 timmywear // Sep 24, 2008 at 4:30 am
Yes your fingers will be very sore especially on steel string acoustics. Don’t practice too much at least 2 hrs. a day though. Unless you want to be a guitar virstuoso(a). But since you’re just starting 1-2 hrs. is just fine. Look at chord charts,tabs, exercises,scales. keep yourself busy with new things. No don’t worry about 7 string tabs right now. With 6 strings you should have a lifetime of fun. No don’t use your thumb.Please. If you want to use your finger use the index kind of like flamenco strumming. But also learn to use a pick. Be versatile and learn diff. techniques to pluck and strum.
3 MDB // Sep 24, 2008 at 6:50 am
Thumb or pick doesn’t matter, I would suggest using a guitar method book, and learn the notes not just the tabs. And to start out with, your going to be a little tender. Teachers generally suggest about a half hour a day to start, this will give your finger time to recover from the tenderness, and build up the callouses needed over time. Be patient with yourself….and Good Luck.
By the way 7 string tabs are for a 7 string guitar, so just ignore the bottom string.
4 jimmyj405 // Sep 25, 2008 at 12:37 am
Go at your own pace. Play as much as you can. I taught myself from the age of 13. I played until I couldn’t play anymore. Did it hurt? Yes. Who cares. It was well worth it. I’m 45 yrs.old & I teach now. Check out some videos on playing the guitar on Utube. There’s alot,enjoy yourself. Remember,you’re supposed to be having fun,right?