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Question

What are the 4 basic guitar chords?

Nicolas Adams
Professional Guitarist
Nicolas Adams is a 5th generation musician of Serbian Gypsy descent and the lead guitarist of the band Gypsy Tribe. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Nicolas specializes in Rumba Flamenco and Gypsy jazz and playing the guitar, Bouzouki, Balalaika, and piano.

Nicolas Adams

Professional Guitarist

Expert Answer

The A minor or A major, which are literally one finger difference, and then E minor or E major, are always the best chords to start with. Then eventually, from there, you can add a D major or D minor, depending on the scale.

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Question

How can I teach myself to play guitar?

Nicolas Adams
Professional Guitarist
Nicolas Adams is a 5th generation musician of Serbian Gypsy descent and the lead guitarist of the band Gypsy Tribe. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Nicolas specializes in Rumba Flamenco and Gypsy jazz and playing the guitar, Bouzouki, Balalaika, and piano.

Nicolas Adams

Professional Guitarist

Expert Answer

It's really important to start correctly. Don't just know a chord, but learn what the chord is, lwhat that chord can do, and where you go from that chord. That's the best way to start. Once you understand what the possibilities are, from each chord, from each note, from each sound, and how they blend and move together, it will be a lot easier.

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Question

Am I too old to start learning to play guitar at 16?

Community Answer

You are never too old to begin learning guitar. Many individuals successfully start at age 16 or older, so you should feel confident in pursuing it.

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Question

I've read a lot of tutorials, but the problem is I don't know how to understand chords. What can I do?

Community Answer

A chord consists of more than one note (of varying pitches) sounding (or intended to sound) at the same time. For help playing them, try to watch a video instead of reading about them.

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Question

Should I play guitar sitting or standing?

Community Answer

It is beneficial to practice in both positions. Initially, you should focus on sitting to master technique and comfort. As you progress, incorporate standing practice to simulate performance conditions.

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Question

What if I'm a kid and I have trouble reaching the chords?

Living Concrete

Top Answerer

Just keep practicing. You'll eventually grow into the guitar and you'll be able to stretch further and further each time you try. Once you get used to it, it'll stop hurting!

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Question

It is so hard learning how to play guitar but I just want to play it because it is fun! I want to learn the easier way to play this guitar, how?

Community Answer

There is no such thing as an easy way. All instruments require practice and effort and the guitar is no different. Try to motivate yourself instead, thinking of why you want to play guitar and visualizing yourself playing it around the campfire with others singing or in a band, etc.

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Question

How can I keep from accidentally muting a string?

Community Answer

Keep practicing holding different string with different fingers to get your hand and fingers more used to different positions. The more you do it, the more control you will have, and will be able to effectively mute, or keep from muting, any strings.

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Question

How can I learn to play the guitar without trying to grow fingernails and getting callus on my fingers?

Living Concrete

Top Answerer

You do not need long fingernails to play guitar. In fact, it's best to keep your fingernails short! As for the callouses, these may be unavoidable. If you would like to avoid them as much as possible, ask your guitar instructor about lowering the action of your guitar (the action is the distance between your strings and your frets) so that the frets are easier to press down on.

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Question

Which is the first fret of a guitar?

Living Concrete

Top Answerer

The first fret of the guitar is the fret that is closest to the tuners.

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Question

Is it harder for children to play the guitar?

Community Answer

It's not harder for them to learn, but their fingers may be sore for the first month or so because they're not as strong as an adult's.

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Question

How can I find easy guitar lessons online?

Community Answer

There's a wealth of guitar lessons online these days, but the most useful recent change is the explosion of online videos. If you're having trouble following written instructions, search for beginner lessons on video websites instead.

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Question

Which guitar should I buy?

Community Answer

There's no one right answer, but a beginner should look for a guitar with reliable tuning and (if electric) simple controls. Visit a guitar shop or a guitar teacher's collection and ask to try out a few.

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Question

What makes playing the guitar so great?

Community Answer

Playing the guitar offers exceptional versatility, allowing you to explore a vast array of musical genres. You can easily transition from classical pieces like Pachelbel's "Canon in D" to rock anthems such as Metallica's "Master of Puppets" or pop songs like Lukas Graham's "7 Years." This adaptability means you can master a preferred style or enjoy countless genres, catering to virtually any musical taste.

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Question

How do you play a guitar without a pick?

Community Answer

There are many techniques for strumming without a pick, but the most common makes heavy use of your nails. Keep your nails long and strong.

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Question

How do you switch from a righty guitar to a lefty?

Community Answer

There's no way around it: lots of practice. Keep in mind that you should play whichever style is easiest for you.

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Question

I only have a toy guitar. Will it sound the same?

Community Answer

It won't sound the same, but it might sound similar enough to practice on, it depends on the quality of the toy guitar.

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Question

Can you name a good guitar company that makes an inexpensive product?

Living Concrete

Top Answerer

Fender Squiers and Gibson Epiphones are cheap, and are great for starting out on!

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Question

Can I still learn to play the guitar at an older age?

Community Answer

Yes, you can certainly learn to play the guitar, as there is no age limit for acquiring new skills.

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Question

I have a guitar with only three strings. Can I play any songs with them?

Logan Reilly

Community Answer

While playing standard songs with only three strings is very limited, your best option is to replace the missing strings. Most music stores and guitar retailers sell complete sets of replacement strings.

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Question

When reading guitar tabs, how do you tell which E string to play the note on?

Community Answer

In standard tuning, the top line of the guitar tab is highest e (the thinnest string) and the bottom line is lowest E (the thickest string). Think of the notes from low to high, not the way the strings are physically located on your guitar.

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Question

Which website can I use to learn guitar effectively?

The Hacker Group

Community Answer

Chordbook.com can help you learn chords, scales, and arpeggios, and it provides tools for tuning your guitar.

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Question

How long does it take to learn how to play a guitar?

Community Answer

To learn the basics, you'll need to practice about 2 hours a day for a few months but to learn it all would take a few years.

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Question

How can I easily tune my guitar?

Community Answer

You can find online videos demonstrating guitar tuning or use a piano as a reference. The easiest method involves purchasing an automatic tuner, widely available at music stores, and tuning forks can also assist you with precise pitch.

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Question

What strategies can I use to improve my guitar playing and achieve mastery?

Jeff Bayazit

Community Answer

To improve your guitar playing and achieve mastery, set clear goals for what you want to learn. Consistent and focused practice is essential; dedicate regular time to developing your skills, as perseverance is key to progress.

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Question

How much does the Chord Buddy help me learn guitar?

Community Answer

The Chord Buddy can provide some assistance. Ultimately, your commitment to practicing and your desire to create are more important for your progress.

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Question

I'm autistic and interested in playing the guitar, but I've encountered negative stereotypes. Can I still learn and excel?

Kindness

Top Answerer

You absolutely can play the guitar. Being autistic does not inherently hinder your ability to learn or excel in music; many autistic individuals discover unique strengths and interests that can enhance their artistic and musical pursuits.

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Question

Is the method basically the same for a lefty?

Community Answer

Yes. Usually if you are using a lefty guitar, the strings are flipped so the thickest string is always at the top.

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Question

How do you attach a strap to your guitar?

Community Answer

There are pegs located at the base of the neck and the bottom of the guitar. The straps should fasten on these pegs.

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Question

How can I figure out which chords to use for a song?

Community Answer

With enough practice (and ideally a few music theory lessons) you can learn to identify the root note of the chord, and figure it out from there. If you just want a quick answer, you can find the chords to any popular guitar song with an online search.

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