I can finally play the guitar! (sort of)

[yoda313]

Yep I am nearly there.

Here's the background.

A few years ago I bought a cheap no name acoustic guitar on ebay. I tried for awhile teaching myself with a book and I did get a video but didn't stick with it.

I actually got far enough along to play single note melodies. So I had some experience.

But then I went back to guitar hero and gave up on it.

Until this summer.

I picked it up again in late July/early August. I went back to a guitar for dummies book and an absolute beginners guide instructional dvd.

I stuck with basic chords for a short time every other day or so. Building up calluses and getting used to the guitar, that sort of thing.

Then I went to musicnotes and got the guitar tabs for SUMMER OF 69 by Bryan Adams. I can play part of it now!

I can do the main riff without the proper strumming sequence (all down strokes) - at least part of the main riff as now I look at it more closely the main riff shifts from one spot to another but I think the sequence is the same.

But the main reason I'm actually posting is I am now a step or two away from finally playing a U2 song which is what I've wanted to do since I picked up the guitar again. I picked up the BEST OF U2 guitar tab book on ebay for 5.00.

This has Where the Streets Have No Name and BAD. BAD is the song that really inspired me to pickup the guitar again. I was watching guitar covers of it on youtube and really wanted to do that myself.

So I got to going on STREETS the other night and now I'm to the point where I can play just about every section of the song, more or less. What I need to do know is get proficient and faster at each section so I can piece it all together.

I tell you there is nothing more satisfying then actually hearing music that your playing and have it sound like its supposed to, well mostly since its an acoustic and no delay effects and I'm not up to speed on it.

Once I get used to reading the music layout on the repeat sections and where to go to play the whole song in order I'll finally have played a song all the way through, and not just something like a campfire song, which I skipped over in the dummies book (just did basic chords section to develop a familiarity with the guitar again).

I'll be watching one of the guitar covers on youtube to get the strumming pattern down for STREETS so I can really nail it.

I did finally buy an electric guitar. However since I'm still just beginning and this is a hobby for me and I don't know how long I'll stick with it I bought a really cheap one used at guitar center (only 30.00 plus s+h for a no namer).

But it has the two pickups on the bridges and has multiple control knobs and looks to have a whammy bar too.

I don't have an amp but I have a speaker system that has an input jack and outputs to separate speakers so I will be able to make noise with it.

One thing I do want to do once I get the electric guitar is to buy a delay device so I can get it to sound more like the actual U2 sound. I know it wont' be close without a real electric guitar (Ie something like a real fender or les paul and an actual full on amp) but I want to get the feel for it on the cheap.

Someday if I stick with it and can actually start playing lots of songs than I look into investing in better equipment.

For now its just fun to be able to say I can actually play the guitar, sort of.

Maybe this will inspire me to get back to studying Japanese as I mentioned in that other thread. I've got the books and some mp3 tracks but I haven't gotten back into it.

Edit - oh and if the electric guitar sounds half way decent and I get fast enough I may actually record myself and post it on youtube, - can you block comment posting to avoid harsh criticism I'd likely get for being such a self taught beginner????

Edit - and by the way I won't get the electric guitar until Friday probably - ordered it yesterday and they say they do shipping on business days - hence monday and 4-6 day shipping so most likely friday.

Edit - and the main reason I got the electric is because the acoustic only has 10 frets that I can get to easily. The 11th and 12th frets are on the part of the neck that meets up with the body of the guitar. That part has a huge connecting bulge on the back that is a pain to get around so I can fret the strings. It is really hard to do any songs that use the 10-12 frets and I can't access any higher frets as they are on the body itself.

[Brad]

Vids or it didn't happen.

Yes you can turn off comments and you can also make it Unlisted so only people with the link (us) can view it.

[yoda313]

Vids or it didn't happen.

Yes you can turn off comments and you can also make it Unlisted so only people with the link (us) can view it.

Thanks. I'm glad that you can privatize it

Tell you what I think i just might do the video when the electric comes in assuming its ok and works.

[TreeTops]

Come on Yoda, don't be ashamed, just post it on youtube for all of us to see and hear.

[yoda313]

Come on Yoda, don't be ashamed, just post it on youtube for all of us to see and hear.

Ok I'll do it after I get it hooked up and running. though I may wait until I pick up a delay pedal. I can't wait to hear myself sounding like the Edge of U2 fame (ok any infinitely small fraction of that talent, just to hear it mimick the sound would be great).

[ranchhand]

Hey, man, remember that music is to be enjoyed. Don't start competing or comparing with others, just enjoy your ability to create beauty. More power to you!! I think it's great that you took it up again and are enjoying it. In the end, that is all any of us have in life.

[yoda313]

Hey, man, remember that music is to be enjoyed. Don't start competing or comparing with others, just enjoy your ability to create beauty. More power to you!! I think it's great that you took it up again and are enjoying it. In the end, that is all any of us have in life.

Thanks

I'm not planning on joining any band or making a living out of it so I'm not really going to berate myself for not gaining perfection. Especially since I won't be devoting my every waking moment to it as professionals must have to in order to reach the top ranks.

Just making it sound anywhere close to the real deal is a thrill to me I plan on keeping up with it and see how far I can take.

[OllieTSB]

I'll second RanchHand's enthusiasm and add something else: there is NOTHING like playing with another friend, or two or three. Find some. Join in.

The Jerks will be easily identified because they sneer. Just like jerks everywhere. But the good folks will welcome a learner, and learning is made so much easier with others around.

There are simply too many variations and possibilities that set-in-concrete books and videos cannot possibly cover. Music has been great for my soul, and so's making friends. Especially around music-making.

[yoda313]

I do appreciate the positive comments people

I will try to work on a video this weekend and post it. It will be short though.

It'll be the main rythym part of summer of 69 and the main riff melody. Plus where the streets have no name by u2 but part of it.

I'm obviously not fast yet but its too cool to actually hear it sound like something I recognize.

----------------------

I did get the guitar the other day. It's an "excel" model thats an imitation of a fender stratocaster.

Unfortunately when I got it and started tuning it the high e string popped off the tuning peg. I had to look up what to do. Turns out it has a floyd rose bridge (which I had to learn about as I never knew about that).

The saddle or bracket that holds the string down was loose and wobbly and wouldn't let me wind up the string to the tension it needed. So I got a metric allen wrench set because I read online it needed 2mm wrench. Unfortunately that didn't work. But it was only 5.00 at home depot so I'm keeping it because I may need that set for something else down the road.

What I ended up doing was unhooking the string and pulling the bracket out and manually manipulated the set screws that clamp it down to the bridge. I was able to just get it finger tight so it was taught enough to tune the string. ----All this stuff I never knew about electrics, but learning is part of the fun and challenge - and occasional frustration considering I thought I broke the thing the first night I owned it

Oh and for those in the know its not in the floating position. I don't know if all floyd rose types can float but mine is currently flush with the body.

I'll be going to guitar center this weekend for a couple of things. It doesn't have the peg on the tip of the body for the guitar strap so my left wrist and forearm are a bit sore from holding the guitar and playing the frets without any extra support (while resting the body on my lap while sitting on a stool that is - not standing up - can't do that without a strap, not comfortably that is).

And I'll need to get a whammy bar BAR as it didn't come with one. I'll also ask if they have a tool kit for torqing down the brackets on the bridge so I don't have to do the finger tightening.

Last but not least I want a delay device. I want the U2 sound with the repeating notes so I get the right feel while I'm playing.

I did remember I had picked up a used graphic equalizer many years ago at a garage sale or something. I just dug it up so I will be able to use it. IT's a TEAC 10 band graphic equalizer. So I have a bunch of sliders I can play around with to make the sound richer and fuller.

I will also look into getting strings. I don't know if the ones that came with my guitar are new or not. I also don't know anything about brands or pricing but I did look up how to string a stratocaster type guitar on youtube so I should be able to do it on my own.

This has been a lot of fun and a real learning experience.

Just this morning I learned you can pick the guitar with the pick on its edge not just the point. That will make it sound different too (part of the U2 sound). It's all these settle things that I'll have to pick up to get that much better.

I'll definitely work on posting a video. It might not be right away but I'll put something up. \\

Thanks everyone

[vhelp]

i have 2 acoustics and 1 electric (Mark II) guitars, and developed early arthritis.

developing calluses is important, gives you the stamina you need to play, play, play w/out as many sores let alone giving up.

if the guitar is brusing your fingers, just get it adjusted. this is what prevents most people from learning, because of the pain it causes.

i prefer acoustics myself. eletric, if you wana show off fancy stuff. but i'm not very good myself.

as for showing on youtube, you could shoot video of your hand playing while PiP of a live performance, while in sync with it.

[yoda313]

as for showing on youtube, you could shoot video of your hand playing while PiP of a live performance, while in sync with it.

In a couple of months if I get fast enough maybe

Anyway got back from a shopping spree at guitar center.

Got a tool kit for the brackets for the rose bridge. Got a whammy bar. Got the peg for the guitar strap. Got a guitar cable (a real one not a headphone cable with a jack adapter). Got new strings.

And more importantly:

I GOT A DELAY!!

I will finally sound more like U2.

It'll now just be a matter of mastering the fingering of the chords and the strumming patterns.

This will be a lot of fun.

@vhelp - I think I've got some good calluses built up already.

[bendixG15]

Good Luck to you .... and stay with it

[yoda313]

Good Luck to you .... and stay with it

Thanks