The Musicians Thread

[Starbreaker]

Stuff to ask to make actual guitarists feel smug:

a) Easy songs to learn/play along to etc
b) Downtuning - how do you do it exactly? I vaguely remember something about making the string you're downtuning sound the same as the next one up by however much you're changing it (e.g if you're downtuning by half a step then make it sound like the next string up with the 1st fret down) but I'm not too clear on it...

[SEP]

Stuff to ask to make actual guitarists feel smug:

a) Easy songs to learn/play along to etc
b) Downtuning - how do you do it exactly? I vaguely remember something about making the string you're downtuning sound the same as the next one up by however much you're changing it (e.g if you're downtuning by half a step then make it sound like the next string up with the 1st fret down) but I'm not too clear on it...

As far as downtuning goes, I have a tuner that I can set to different tunings. They don't cost much at all, and they're much more accurate than using your ear.

As far as easy songs go, it depends on whether you're better at chords or plucked notes. Chords-wise, you can't go wrong with standards like Knockin' On Heaven's Door, or something like Summer Of 69.

[Red Yoshi]

What do we think, musicians thread?

Why not, it would keep this more active, encourage more discussion.

[Ario]

Stuff to ask to make actual guitarists feel smug:

a) Easy songs to learn/play along to etc
b) Downtuning - how do you do it exactly? I vaguely remember something about making the string you're downtuning sound the same as the next one up by however much you're changing it (e.g if you're downtuning by half a step then make it sound like the next string up with the 1st fret down) but I'm not too clear on it...

If you're going to change tunings alot, just buy a tuner, the only tuning I ever do by ear is changing from Drop D to Standard E because you ony change one string and I can do it by ear now.

This is the tuner I use, you can tune by plugging into the input or by microphone for acoustic tuning, there are others which will clip onto the headstock and detect the frequency by vibration, but I'd highly reccomend this one.

As for songs to learn, just take songs you like and work on them, download loads of tabs and watch videos of them being played to guage how difficult a song is, and just learn gradually harder songs. Even if there's something too difficult for you, learn it at half speed and you'll slowly develop the technique to do it at full speed.
The first I learned was Enter Sandman, good for learning basic techniques. It's got slides, palm muting, power chords etc.

[Starbreaker]

As far as downtuning goes, I have a tuner that I can set to different tunings. They don't cost much at all, and they're much more accurate than using your ear.

I actually picked something similar up. The mate who came with me to pick a guitar asked to borrow it seeing as how I hadn't finished exams at the time. He told me the other day that he's got the English instructions. He lives in Greece and has now gone home.

[smurphy]

A tuner is essential. Your guitar will go out of tune over time and from hitting the pegs accidentally. Unless you have a very good ear you won't be able to get it back without a tuner.

[Starbreaker]

I know how to tune it normally, but not downtuning which is a bit annoying. Ah well.

[smurphy]

The 5th fret of the top string is the same note as open on the second (from top) string, so when played together it'll sound in tune. Say you want to go to drop D, you'd play the 7th fret on the top string and tune down until it matches the open on the next string. For drop C do it with the 9th fret etc.

It can be hard to match them though. The way I learn was from hearing this sort of 'wobbling' sound under the note, and as you get closer to the note it'll stop wobbling so quickly until it stops when you're in tune. That technique I find easier on bass, but it should still help you.

I hope that makes sense.

Edit: If you're downtuning all the strings, say to D standard, then once the top string is in D, play the 5th on that string and open on the second, this time down tuning the second string until they sound the same. Keep doing this until all the strings are done.

[Starbreaker]

Ah that's what I must've been thinking of. I think I've worked out how to do it on the tuner thingy now (it sounds right when I play alongside the song which is good enough for me at the mo). Cheers Ario + Smurphy.

Last set of incessant questions for today I swear:

1) Tabs - I've downloaded PowerTab, any other good ones I should be aware of/any recommended tab websites?
2) Lessons and shiz - I'm not exactly going to get into guitaring too seriously, but are the free online lessons I keep seeing advertised worth it? I've had a browse of some just to understand the basic stuff like how to read a tab and hold a pick etc but then I just started playing along to songs.

[Zellery]

Thanks for changing the thread to accommodate the guys who don't know chords!

I'll post a few pics of my kit as soon as I dig them out.

I play a maple 4 shell DW Custom kit complete with DW 500 bass pedal, Zildjian K Series symbals and a Hammered Bronze Ludwig snare.

[SEP]

1) Tabs - I've downloaded PowerTab, any other good ones I should be aware of/any recommended tab websites?

Guitar Pro 5. Get it, and I can sort you out with about 15,000 tabs.

[Mr Thropwimp]

@starbreaker:

There are plenty of videos on Youtube showing you how to play different chords.

Learn the most basic open chords first - A, C, D, E and G - and learn the different fingerings for the minor version. Then just practice switching between them until you can do it comfortably and smoothly. It won't happen overnight so just tackle the chords one at a time, memorising the fingerings before you try switching to a new one.

Doing this can get your fingers into better shape for playing; it can sort your other hand out for strumming; and it can give you an idea of what notes sound good together if you arpeggiate the chords. It's a good starting point if you want to do something other than play existing songs.

And just use Ultimate Guitar for tab. It's not perfect but there's no point using extra software when you can read it in your browser.

[Ario]

For me tab software is 100000x better than often poorly laid out text tabs, you can gear the song and place individual notes, match the tempo and see hear how it should sound.

I don't know how effective online lessons are, the best thing I can reccomend is learning songs, using videos to help out if necassary. However, I don't think this is any substitute for being taught, either in a group or one to one.

[LewisD]

1) Tabs - I've downloaded PowerTab, any other good ones I should be aware of/any recommended tab websites?

Guitar Pro 5. Get it, and I can sort you out with about 15,000 tabs.

I've got GP5, but lack 15k tabs.
Any chance of hooking a brother up?

[frogg]

Yeah, I highly recommend getting Guitar Pro 5. Having this version will also let you view tabs which were created on earlier versions of GP.

I can't stand reading normal tabs, i find it so much easier using GP5.


Also MCN, any chance you have the vocal melody tabbed for Just Like Heaven by the Cure??

I can't find it anywhere and can't be arsed tabbing it myself.

[Orbital]

www.ultimate-guitar.com for tabs. and dont detune or change tuning unless you go too DADGAD and your playing folk/country, otherwise it just sounds like nu metal ghey.

[Mr Thropwimp]

http://www.ultimate-guitar.com for tabs. and dont detune or change tuning unless you go too DADGAD and your playing folk/country, otherwise it just sounds like nu metal ghey.

lol no.

There's a lot of stuff done in drop D that isn't folk/country or metal.

As for tab, I just have the MP3 on or a Youtube video of the song on while I play, reading the tab off another page. It's not perfect but not every song I like to play has a power tab.

[Orbital]

sorry, i ment dont bother tuning down a tone or a semi tone as there is no point. also there isnt a great deal you can do in drop D that you cant do in standard tuning, infact theres nothing you cant do, but it makes it easier too play some stuff.

edit: try and learn some music by ear, you will be suprised how much you advance as a musician when you dont need tab.

double edit: your mates and chicks dig it when they play you there favourite song and you start playing along.

[Orbital]

and after you can do that, you can double win and tune by harmonics so 5th harmonic on the string you know is in tune which is also the string ABOve the string you want to tune (so lets say you wanna tune A as you already done what brer did and tuned the low E), then play the 7th harmonic on the string you want too tune very quickly after the initial harmonic, and make the 7th harmonic sound absolutly perfect too the 5th one.

EDIT: dont laugh at me, but im going to see this guy on my birthday in augast in brighton:


grcadians should consider coming.

[Mr Thropwimp]

sorry, i ment dont bother tuning down a tone or a semi tone as there is no point. also there isnt a great deal you can do in drop D that you cant do in standard tuning, infact theres nothing you cant do, but it makes it easier too play some stuff.

It's not about what you can and can't do in different tunings; it's about the different tones you can achieve by making subtle changes.

Surely it goes without saying that if you're a guitarist you've got to have a pretentious wank or two over tonality. But my band does use drop D occasionally, and on the one song we use it properly it just wouldn't sound right if it was in standard tuning.