Guitar players

[Tiller]

Thanks for the advice mate, I'll make an effort to learn them then. I seem to be wanting to place my fingers one by one on the strings at the moment, i'm guessing that's pretty normal for a beginner but I probbably want to be trying to hit all the notes on a chord at the same time?

I'm trying to practice a wee bit every night right now but it's gonna take me some time, slow is smooth and smooth is fast and all that. At least with the guitar I can practice in the evenings after work and it won't bother the neibours as much as my kit!!

Yes that's normal no worries, you'll get it! You don't even have to strum if you're just chilling out watching tv or something. You can practice just putting your fingers down over and over again.

Find a song you like with some easy chords. It helps motivate you to learn.

But most importantly, have fun

 

[Steve5D]

Come on, we’re not talking about Eddie Van Halen tap solos here. Some techniques are just too fundamental to ignore. I “couldn’t physically play” barre chords at first either, but anybody who is serious enough about the instrument to invest the time and effort can learn.

I know more than a few guitarists who suffer from arthritis. I also know more than a few with very small hands. In each case, playing barre chords is, at best, very difficult...

Think about this: a guitarist who dismisses barre chords has to sit out on any song that is played in standard tuning and includes the chords B or F.

That's not even close to being true...

And then there’s all the other sharp/flat-rooted chords that don’t translate at all to open fingerings, so they can’t play songs that use those either. Sounds extremely limited and half-assed to me.

Hardly:

You won't ever hear me say that learning barre chords is a bad thing. But the things you've said regarding not knowing them are simply untrue...

 

[Joeywhat]

Of the several guitarists that I know, most seem to prefer using a capo instead of using barre chords, all things considered. They still do barre chords obviously...just they prefer the capo as it's easier 9 times out of ten.

Having only played a little guitar myself, I imagine it's a lot easier doing barre chords on an electric then an acoustic.

 

[Tiller]

I know more than a few guitarists who suffer from arthritis. I also know more than a few with very small hands. In each case, playing barre chords is, at best, very difficult...

That's not even close to being true...

Hardly:

You won't ever hear me say that learning barre chords is a bad thing. But the things you've said regarding not knowing them are simply untrue...

I agree they're not necessary in the very basics of guitar playing. But they make your life SO much easier in the long run that it's worth the pain/discomfort at first.

As for capos, they are good for playing in a different key, but can in no way, shape or form take the place of barre chords when it comes to versatility.

Again, for people with arthritis and such, I get it. But if you are physically capable of learning, then you need to!

 

[Steve5D]

Having only played a little guitar myself, I imagine it's a lot easier doing barre chords on an electric then an acoustic.

Meh, I don't think it's any different than playing open chords. You need to use a bit more pressure on an acoustic, whether you're playing open chords or barre chords...

 

[Steve5D]

Again, for people with arthritis and such, I get it. But if you are physically capable of learning, then you need to!

No, you really don't. What's easier for you may not be easier for someone else. No two players are the same...

 

[cynicaster]

Come on, we’re not talking about Eddie Van Halen tap solos here. Some techniques are just too fundamental to ignore. I “couldn’t physically play” barre chords at first either, but anybody who is serious enough about the instrument to invest the time and effort can learn.

I know more than a few guitarists who suffer from arthritis. I also know more than a few with very small hands. In each case, playing barre chords is, at best, very difficult...

I bet all those old dudes with arthritis who don't play barre chords a) know how to play them but choose not to because of their ailment; and b) wish that they could still play them. So, I'm not sure what point you're trying to make.

Think about this: a guitarist who dismisses barre chords has to sit out on any song that is played in standard tuning and includes the chords B or F.

That's not even close to being true...

Care to show me how to fret B- and F-major in standard tuning without using a barre chord? You have me curious.

And then there’s all the other sharp/flat-rooted chords that don’t translate at all to open fingerings, so they can’t play songs that use those either. Sounds extremely limited and half-assed to me.

Hardly:

You won't ever hear me say that learning barre chords is a bad thing. But the things you've said regarding not knowing them are simply untrue...

Yeah, yeah, I saw that coming. I use a capo in over 50% of my acoustic playing. It's a great tool but as a substitute it's half-assed, plain and simple. I'm not going to explain why, because you already know.

Modulation (music) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Frankly, I can't believe I'm being told by another guitar player that barre chords are not a necessary skill. Never thought I'd see the day.

 

[Steve5D]

I bet all those old dudes with arthritis who don't play barre chords a) know how to play them but choose not to because of their ailment; and b) wish that they could still play them. So, I'm not sure what point you're trying to make.

My point is that you don't "need" to play barre chords to play guitar. The assertion has been made that, if you don't play barre chords, you have to "sit out" any song that has an F or a B chord in it. That's beyond silly, as it's completely untrue...

Care to show me how to fret B and F-major in standard tuning without using a barre chord? You have me curious.

Sure.

Your fingers are numbered, from index finger to pink, 1 through 4.

For an F chord, use "1" to cover the E and B strings at the first fret. Put "2" on the G string at the second fret, "4" on the D string at the fourth fret, and "3" on the A string on the fourth fret. Voila. An "F" chord. You can either mute the low E with your thumb, or wrap around and fret the low E string at the first fret. It's really quite simple to do.

I could do the same type of explanation for a B chord, but I think you get my point...

Yeah, yeah, I saw that coming. I use a capo in over 50% of my acoustic playing. It's a great tool but as a substitute it's half-assed, plain and simple. I'm not going to explain why, because you already know.

I was simply addressing the point being made that, without barre chords, certain chords, and songs, simply cannot be played.

That is an absolutely untrue statement...

Frankly, I can't believe I'm being told by another guitar player that barre chords are not a necessary skill. Never thought I'd see the day.

Um, well... Surprise, I guess.

I use barre chords all the time. Every day, in fact, But the fact of the matter is that a person can successfully play guitar, and play it well, without playing barre chords. I see people do that all the time, too...

 

[cynicaster]

Care to show me how to fret B and F-major in standard tuning without using a barre chord? You have me curious.

Sure.

Your fingers are numbered, from index finger to pink, 1 through 4.

For an F chord, use "1" to cover the E and B strings at the first fret. Put "2" on the G string at the second fret, "4" on the D string at the fourth fret, and "3" on the A string on the fourth fret. Voila. An "F" chord. You can either mute the low E with your thumb, or wrap around and fret the low E string at the first fret. It's really quite simple to do.

I could do the same type of explanation for a B chord, but I think you get my point...

Exactly! What you just described is a barre chord--a moveable shape the player can slide up and down the neck, as it has no open strings, i.e., it is not an "open chord".

Yeah, yeah, I saw that coming. I use a capo in over 50% of my acoustic playing. It's a great tool but as a substitute it's half-assed, plain and simple. I'm not going to explain why, because you already know.

I was simply addressing the point being made that, without barre chords, certain chords, and songs, simply cannot be played.

That is an absolutely untrue statement...

Frankly, I can't believe I'm being told by another guitar player that barre chords are not a necessary skill. Never thought I'd see the day.

Um, well... Surprise, I guess.

I use barre chords all the time. Every day, in fact, But the fact of the matter is that a person can successfully play guitar, and play it well, without playing barre chords. I see people do that all the time, too...

Yes, and if they do so, it is in spite of their inability to play barre chords, not because of it. This is the whole point. I never said barre chords have to be used, only that the skill should be learned by anybody the least bit serious about playing guitar.

 

[Devinhullphoto]

Of the several guitarists that I know, most seem to prefer using a capo instead of using barre chords, all things considered. They still do barre chords obviously...just they prefer the capo as it's easier 9 times out of ten.

Having only played a little guitar myself, I imagine it's a lot easier doing barre chords on an electric then an acoustic.

That's one reason I barely play acoustic

 

[Devinhullphoto]

I bet all those old dudes with arthritis who don't play barre chords a) know how to play them but choose not to because of their ailment; and b) wish that they could still play them. So, I'm not sure what point you're trying to make.

Care to show me how to fret B- and F-major in standard tuning without using a barre chord? You have me curious.

Yeah, yeah, I saw that coming. I use a capo in over 50% of my acoustic playing. It's a great tool but as a substitute it's half-assed, plain and simple. I'm not going to explain why, because you already know.

Modulation (music) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Frankly, I can't believe I'm being told by another guitar player that barre chords are not a necessary skill. Never thought I'd see the day.

Eddie Van Halen has arthritis( I believe) and has had hand surgery. Look what he can do!

Also it's kinda like using a pinky. A lot of people do need it and some don't use it a lot. I think slash is one who doesn't use it that much.

 

[Steve5D]

Exactly! What you just described is a barre chord--a moveable shape the player can slide up and down the neck, as it has no open strings, i.e., it is not an "open chord".

No, it's not a barre chord.

Note that the index finger is depressing all of the strings at the first fret:

Using your description, I could play a D chord on the G, B and E strings, and that would be a barre chord because I can slide it up the fretboard...

I never said barre chords have to be used, only that the skill should be learned by anybody the least bit serious about playing guitar.

The statement was made in an earlier post that, without knowing barre chords, a guitarist would have to sit out any song with B or F chords. That's absolutely false. Anybody who's the least bit serious about playing guitar would never believe such nonsense, yet the comment was made; I believe by Tiller...

 

[cynicaster]

Exactly! What you just described is a barre chord--a moveable shape the player can slide up and down the neck, as it has no open strings, i.e., it is not an "open chord".

No, it's not a barre chord.

Note that the index finger is depressing all of the strings at the first fret:

Using your description, I could play a D chord on the G, B and E strings, and that would be a barre chord because I can slide it up the fretboard...

I never said barre chords have to be used, only that the skill should be learned by anybody the least bit serious about playing guitar.

The statement was made in an earlier post that, without knowing barre chords, a guitarist would have to sit out any song with B or F chords. That's absolutely false. Anybody who's the least bit serious about playing guitar would never believe such nonsense, yet the comment was made; I believe by Tiller...

Smushing one finger over the E and B strings when forming an F chord is to "bar" them. If you insist on playing petty semantics, then I'll call the chords "moveable" instead. There is nothing special about the act of laying your index finger across all the strings, the point is that a guitar player needs to know how to stray away from the constraints of open chords and move chord shapes up and down the neck. Not only so they can play in all the keys, but so they can use the characteristic sound of non-open chords when it is needed. If you can't agree with that, then I'm sorry, you're the only one talking nonsense here.

 

[Steve5D]

If you can't agree with that, then I'm sorry, you're the only one talking nonsense here.

Sorry, but when someone (such as yourself) tries to come across as though they know what they're talking about, but fails in such spectacular fashion, I just have to laugh.

I can play a G chord, using fingers 1,2 and three, and leave the D, G and B strings open, and it will sound quite nice. I can then slide that up the fretboard to the eighth fret, and that's a C chord. So, while you want to insist it's "semantics", consider the fact that I just "moved" ("move" being the root word of "moveable") an open chord. Ergo, to you, based on the fact that I moved it, it becomes a barre chord.

That, my friend, is nonsense...

 

[Skillet007]

I used to play electric, but I fell out of it once I got my first high end acoustic. I play fingerstyle mostly.

Martin OMC-16RE Aura

I dot touch my acoustics as much as I should. However there is one guy who every time I listen to him I always get inspired to do so. His name is Andy McKee. If you haven't heard of him, check out "Rylynn" on YouTube. There should be loads o videos of him playing it. Great song.

Andy McKee is a beast. Love his stuff. I have a '47 Gibson J.45 and also play the upright bass and banjo.

Sorry for the bad pic, it was taken with a flip phone. This is just me goofing off at a gig.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2