N-lightMike
Forum Replies Created
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Hey @Sheryl14 ;
I have never tried to print the tabs since moving to this new platform. I just went to this past Friday’s lesson and opened the tab and hit print to see what it would do in the “print preview”. It cut off the whole right side of the tab. I tried to scale it down, but it wasn’t getting there very quickly, so my printer software allows me to do a custom “fit to printable area”. When I did that I got a much smaller scale,
I also have an option for “custom”, where I can scale the file down by one percentage point at a time. The “fit to printable area” looked like it was about 62% of the original, “default” resolution. My guess is the resolution that worked on the other platform doesn’t work here, or the resolution has been changed by the platform migration. Whatever, it looks like you’ll have to scale the tab down to print it correctly. At least, that’s what I saw on my system.
I hope this helps.
MG 😀
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I totally agree, @Dom_T , this is very relaxing and yet you captured the sense of longing at the same time. Great job.
MG 😀
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Yeah, I, too, wanted to congratulate you @Greebosolo on changing your strings for the first time. I have now changed strings more times than I could possibly count over a number of years, but I still remember the early days of changing my own strings in stead of taking it to the guitar shop. It took a surprisingly long time before I was really comfortable. Good for you for starting the process. Each time, from now on, will seem easier and you will approach each string change with the assurance that you can do it because you have done it. 😎
MG 😀
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Hello @CaptainFuture , @Loraine has given you some great advice. I would add that good strumming also includes how you hold the pick and the angle at which it strikes the strings. But Tony covers all the basics that you need to get a good start in the Strumming Jumpstart Course.
MG 😀
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About the only thing I agree with in the comments you’ve gotten so far, @OC. is that it is personal preference. The 4 finger chord doesn’t sound fuller, it doesn’t sound better, it’s not easier in any situation. It simply sounds different. If you are trying to play a song where the original guitarists used the 4 finger G, you won’t get the “right” sound any other way. The Eagles, for instance, used that form of the G major chord a lot. And they used other chord forms that are easier to move to from the 4 finger chord. For instance, the G9. Start with the 4 finger G and move the index and middle down (toward the floor) 2 strings. Try making that chord from the 3 finger G.
The 3 finger G using the middle, ring and pinky is “the best” for being able to make a G7 or a Gmaj7 and going to the C chord or the version of the C chord where you move the index and middle down (toward the floor) one string but leave the pinky and ring where they are.
Obviously, you are going to have to learn several different ways to make a G chord to be a fully rounded guitar player.
MG 😀
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Hi @LisaH , and I will include @Akabbbb in this comment.
The best way to learn to transition to a new chord is slowly. No, I’m not kidding, but let me explain.
So, start by making a chord that you will play just before the chord you are learning. Turns out, to make a Bm moving from a D is different than making a Bm moving from an A7.
Now, move slowly to the chord you are trying to learn. Do not try to do this in any kind of rhythm, but do try to do it as smoothly as you can. Really pay attention to the position of your arm, wrist and fingers and how they have to change to make the next chord. Then practice over and over again moving slowly and smoothly to the new chord trying to get all the necessary changes in fingers, arm and wrist to happen in one motion.
Do this for just a few minutes or you will over work your muscles and risk straining your hands. But, do this for a few minutes everyday for a few weeks. After several days, you should notice some improvement. After a couple of weeks, you should be able to play this chord cleanly at a slow rhythm. Now, I must say again, do this slowly and smoothly and cleanly. The most important thing is to make the motion from one chord to the other “perfect”, not fast. Because if you will do that, then you will get the results. Resist the urge to “try out” your skill for at least a week. You will be practicing doing the wrong motion. That’s why new chords seem to take so long, because we keep practicing sloppy motions.
I know, sometimes it’s just too much to ask. But the more years that pass and I’m still struggling with some of the same issues the more I’m willing to GO SLOW and STOP practicing bad movement.
MG 😀
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Hello @ironpat , and welcome to TAC, the best learning site on the web (in my not so humble opinion 😁).
So, I totally respect where you are coming from. In spite of the fact that much of the fairly minor differences between guitars is “personal preference” and that for the most part we don’t get guitars “fitted to us” but we adjust to the guitar, I completely understand and agree with your basic premise here.
“There must be distinct, generally agreed-upon pros and cons to going with one nut width & scale length versus the other… Any constructive thoughts?”
Absolutely, I have some “constructive thoughts”. First, I would like to say you got some very good input from @Akabbbb . He started with the standard “go play a bunch” but then shared some of his personal experience, which is what you are actually asking for. And he brought up a very good point. He likes the 1 3/4″ nut width because that’s what he started with. I like the standard 1 11/16″ because that’s what I have always played… until recently. So here is my experience which I’m sure will help you in your decision making process.
One of our TAC members who comes to the VOMs frequently and really is at the “pro” level, @RealKurt , has owned and played a number of guitars with different nut widths, and I asked him about that. After playing the different guitars he finds himself leaning toward one size (that’s the important part, I’m not for sure I remember which size he said, but I think it was the 1 3/4″).
I bought a nylon string guitar with a 1 13/16″ nut which is wider than the 1 3/4 but narrower than the typical 2″ classical guitar or the 1 7/8″ classical, which has become fairly common. It is my opinion, and dare I say experience?, that the 1 3/4 or the 1 13/16 gives enough extra width that picking, as opposed to strumming, becomes easier, and yet you can still play your chord shapes just about as easily. And by picking, I mean either finger picking or flat picking. So it does depend on the type of music you wish to play and where you are leaning as to the style you would like to develop. True rhythm playing, yes, it can include some specific string picking, chords are all important and the standard 1 11/16″ gives you the best “fit” for making chords.
That having been said, there is a whole other factor about the neck: the shape and thickness. I have little to no experience with the different neck shapes. I have played the “normal” neck, which I’m not even sure what it is. I think it is the C style neck. That’s another topic that @RealKurt could address if he comes by and shares his experience.
<font face=”inherit”>Now, moving on to the scale length. Be careful here. It’s not simply the length of the scale, but also the length and shape of the body that determines how a guitar fits into your lap. If you stand up with a strap, this makes almost no difference. The parlor guitar has the most comfortable feel for me. The scale length isn’t that much different. What is really different is that the neck meets the body at the 12th fret instead of the 14th fret. This makes the neck seem closer to you when you play open chords (well, actually, it is). Now, one parlor has a 24″ scale length and a 1 3/4″ nut and a “standard” parlor body shape, and it is the most comfortable guitar for me. The other parlor that I own has a 24 3/4″ scale length and the standard 1 11/16″ nut and a classic “concert” shaped body though it is a little smaller. I love this guitar but it’s </font>noticeably<font face=”inherit”> less comfortable and more challenging for finger picking. Now both of these “parlor” </font>guitars<font face=”inherit”> have a 12 fret neck.</font>
<font face=”inherit”>I recently got my nylon string with the 1 13/16″ nut. I love this guitar. Though the body is a little bigger, it is a thin line body and actually fits differently but just as comfortably as the little Alvarez parlor. The nut width and the nylon strings makes this ideal for finger picking, which is my primary choice and stylistic direction. However, just to show you how difficult this can be, the scale length is the full 25 1/2″ which gives you the maximum fret width and ease of making barre chords. So in spite of the scale length and nut width, the narrow body (I’m taking under 3″, it’s 2 7/8″ at the widest) makes up for these factors and it fits wonderfully and is perfect for finger picking (in my opinion). However, I can finger pick just fine on some of my other steel string guitars. </font>
<font face=”inherit”>The one guitar I would never own is a dreadnaught. I owned one once and sold it not long after. The body is just too big and the sound is just too loud for me. I don’t want to bring the house down every time I pick up my guitar to noodle around. </font>
<font face=”inherit”>Those are my thoughts. I hope they help you Pat. I hope that Kurt comes by and shares some of his experience. The more insights you get the better prepared you will be to make a decision that works for you. Good luck and let us know when you do make a decision. But the way, a Martin with a small-ish body would be a pretty safe bet. </font>
<font face=”inherit”>MG 😀</font>
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Wow, what a great video, performance and example of the automatic thumb. Thanks for posting @Guy_H .
This is a real inspiration for me because the hardest thing she’s doing is the alternating thumb. I’ve been working on that. The pattern on the treble strings is mostly here middle finger, especially when she’s singing. And since she’s in open tuning, the fretting patterns are greatly simplified. And yet, she’s making this song sound so beautiful and varied and complicated. Like I said, this is a real inspiration for me to just keep working on that alternating thumb. No, I may never play like Tommy, but I might, one day, do something like this. (Maybe!)
I guess what has excited me about this is that I actually understand what she’s doing and I can see a clear path for me to get there. Wow, thank you so much TAC and Tony and all the TAC members and VOM attenders who have helped me to this point.
MG 😀
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Thank you so much @stevieblues . You are spot on in telling me to remember to have fun. Boy, do I struggle with trying to “master” guitar instead of having fun making beautiful noise with my guitar.
As far as inspiring, I notice that you are one of the few very regular people here on the new forum. That’s how we inspire each other, is by participating in the forum and taking the time to read and respond to the comments and threads of others. I love to inspire and to be inspired, and I thank you for what you are doing to be a part of that.
I’d love to see you at one of the VOMs Steve. Come on over to justmusicgeeks.com and check out the forum. You will find the schedules and the links to all the VOMs. Also, you will find an awful lot of interesting and inspiring conversations about music and guitars.
MG 😀
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Progress comes slowly, @LisaH , but it also comes steadily. You will improve.
Now, one thing that might help is to do finger independence exercises. Lay your hand on a flat surface palm down with you fingers splayed. Then try lifting the index finger only. Then the middle, then the ring, and finally the pinky. You will find this surprisingly difficult and it will cause your hand to literally ache in a very short period of time. Therefore, don’t do much at first. Be careful and make sure you use the stretching exercises that Tony teaches in the Stretching Course and you will be able to do this everyday at least once. You will be surprised how quickly this will build finger independence and strength which will contribute to your being able to make chords.
I hope this helps Lisa.
MG 😀
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I really appreciated hearing you play the new guitar, @Dirk_R . I am so glad you like it and how it sounds. It’s much more difficult finding guitars that we really like than one might think. Martin makes a great product, but that doesn’t mean you will enjoy every guitar they make. You have to get the right one. One thing about the Dread Jr, though, is they have tried to make a guitar that is as close as possible to universal so that it will work for pretty much any beginner. But it is a quality guitar, so you could play it and enjoy it for years. Again, congratulations.
MG 😀
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My goodness, @jumpinjeff , I have been stretching for years and have learned the hard way how careful one must be and that slow and mild stretching is better than aggressive stretching. But you have covered this so clearly and precisely that it even helps me understand better how to recognize how to make sure I get the maximum benefit.
@MTJack I was going to add that you needed to be careful when stretching and that you could even stretch during your guitar playing, but then I read jumpinjeff’s comment. You have gotten wonderful advice. From my own experience with stretching, all I can say is you can stretch before you play, during your play, and after your play. As long as you are as careful as jumpinjeff spelled out, you can stretch several times a day as well. You may be surprised how much benefit you will get if you stretch repeatedly throughout the day as long, again, as long as you are not being too aggressive, which is easy to do when you stretching multiple times a day.
MG 😀
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You said: “Not being very advanced yet, I wonder if I will notice much of a difference, or have a preference”.
I agree @ironpat . I have bought and sold a number of guitars since joining TAC 2 1/2 years ago. And I don’t have much money. The Alvarez parlor (AP66) I was talking about lists for $399 and I bought an open box for $300 from zzounds. I currently have 10 guitars, a ukulele and a guitarlele (tenor ukulele body with shortened guitar neck). I have sold 6 guitars, 5 of them on Reverb. When I joined TAC I had one guitar. So I bought 15 guitars and sold 6 of them. That’s why I have some insight into your question and some resonance with your desire to get it right from the beginning.
The more experience you have playing guitar, the more you will notice the differences in guitars and the more you will know what direction you want to go in. However, I believe that there is a certain amount of trial and error you’re going to have to go through. Sitting in a guitar shop playing a guitar isn’t going to tell you much until you already know what kind of guitar you want. It took me playing a guitar for weeks or even months before I had a definite opinion about it’s strengths and weaknesses and how much I did or didn’t like the guitar.
Because you own one guitar and it’s a dreadnaught, my suggestion is to buy at least one lesser expensive guitar to take you farther down your guitar path. Ibanez makes very good guitars at an unbelievable price and they copy a lot of more expensive, popular guitars. Ditto for Alvarez and some others.
I hope this is helpful.
MG 😀