New Player Needing Help

[4004]

hey,
i just started playing guitar n i cant get the chords right at all!! I can't strum the strings all at once and get the right sound. I strum the pick across but the sound jusst wont come out? If you know what it is I'm doing wrong, please help!! :lol:

[Jon Carter]

Here are a few pointers that might be helpful to you initially;

- decide which style of guitar playing/music calls you.

- if it is steel string acoustic or electric, you are in the wrong forum.

- if it is nylon string classical/flamenco guitar music, you are definitely in the right place.

- if you answered yes to the above, make sure you have a nylon string classical/flamenco guitar.

- grow your finger nails on your picking/strumming hand. As a rough guide to the length of your nails - if you hold your palm up in front of you, you should see a protrudence of about 1mm over your tips. Conversely keep the fingernails of your fretting hand short.

- throw away the plectrum, it’s useless on nylon strings and besides you (potentially) have 5 already.

- if you are into strumming, learn some flamenco rasgueado (strumming) techniques. You can get a far more powerful effect using your fingernails and greater nuance of tone due to the fact that you are literally in touch with the strings. Your fingers are more tactile than a pick.

- to achieve a good tone and avoid unnecessary tension in your hand, make sure you touch the string to the fretboard just behind the fret wire. It is important to use as little pressure as is necessary to create a good tone and yet avoid fretbuzz. You will feel it.

- find a good beginners book (see post Book for a Beginner), or even better a good teacher

- keep up with topics in this forum

good luck 4004
choose wisely

JC

[Jonny Hotnuts]

“Eugene, you were allowed to leave secondary school early to pursue classical studies….the word “prodigy” was actually used on occasion. The discipline of the classical guitar is very exacting, if you peruse the other you will squander you talents."
"What if the other is my talent?"
"Excellence in primitive music is cultural; you must be born to it. I suggest you reexamine your priorities.”

Crossroads (1986)
Colombia Tri-Star Entertainment
Quote used by permission


Playing requires dedication, pain and love. It is something you do or not do. If you decide you are going to play then finger those cords and play each string one at a time working out why each note does not play clearly and fix it. Do this thousands of times until your fingers can grab the cord without a thought, with every note ringing true when played arpeggio or strummed.

Listen to JC, he's dead right!
-JH