Q. I've taken lessons before (I also play a little violin and piano) but my lessons have always been reading sheet music and plucking along to cheesy old folk songs. I've been looking at tab websites that give the lyrics and the chords, but I don't really understand how to know how to strum the song. What am I listening for in the songs that tell me how to strum the chords?
A. Hello there,
We all had to learn sometime. It is a lot easier to learn now than when I learned (back just after the dark ages) because there is a lot of great instructional material available on-line.
First here is a link to a video lesson at Youtube. This guy has a series of 12 lessons there. He covers the basics very well. You can learn a lot from him. You can find the other lessons in the related videos section. He uses an electric guitar in these lessons, but most of the material translates well to the acoustic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxhxIV0I5T8&feature=related
Here is a link to an article about how to read tabs. You are going to need to learn how to read tabs. Tabs is like a shorthand way of writing guitar music. This is a pretty easy to understand article. Tabs is a shorthand method of writing guitar music. Generally, the tabs do not include the strumming pattern. The rhythm and duration of the notes are also not given in tabs. Those you have to pick up by listening to the song.
http://www.jazzguitar.be/how_to_read_guitar_tablature.html
Here is a link to a chord chart. It is several pages long and is in a PDF file. Down load the PDF to your computer. This is handy if you need to look up how to finger a chord.
http://www.guitarnotes.com/guitar/notes2/ultimate11.shtml
Here is the video on holding the pick. Sounds simple. And it is, once you know the correct way. Holding the pick incorrectly can cause problems. Might as well start off right.
http://revver.com/video/1260266/guitar-picking-patterns-how-to-hold-a-guitar-pick/
Here is a pretty good video on strumming.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-64AbUS-ws8&feature=related
When you are ready to tackle some songs. First look for the tabs. You can google search the name of the song and the word tabs. You will find sites with the guitar tabs for that song. Common tab sites are 911 Tabs, Ultimate Guitar Tabs and T Tabs. Also, you can use the search feature at Youtube to find lessons on particular songs. There are a lot of good ones available. Search the song name and the word lesson or the words how to play.
Later,
How do you play Em on the Ukulele?
Q. Like I try and it just ends up muting it....any tips?
A. Taylor L,
Here's a few great free chord charts. http://www.kunisan.jp/ukulele/eindex.html
http://www.meleukulele.com/PDFs/UkeChart.pdf
http://www.alligatorboogaloo.com/uke/chords/index.html
If it sounds muted it's because your fingers or plam is touching where it shouldn't. Take your chording hand and make it into a claw. Now take your ukulele and slip it into your claw, making sure your thumb is on the back of the neck and your fingertips are on the strings. Your palm shouldn't be touching the ukulele at all. I remember my typing and piano teacher telling me not to slouch my wrists b/c typing and playing the piano is done with the fingertips. Same with the ukulele. Watch youtube and other sites and you'll see playing a string instrument is done with the fingertips.
http://www.ukulelejames.com/
Well, actually, I think all instruments are played with the fingertips.
Have fun,
CowUkeA
What are the chords on ukulele for the song You're Beautiful by Phil Wickham?
Q. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNx7ZIoS-qI&feature=share&list=UU5PPQpquumGmlNP3bT01FZQI can't figure out what the chords are! HELP PLEASE!
A. Chords for "You're Beautiful - Phil Wickham":
http://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/p/phil_wickham/youre_beautiful_crd.htm
Chord symbols have nothing to do only with ukulele, they are also good for piano or guitar.
"Student Ukulele Chord Charts":
http://www.ukalady.com/Images/UkeChart.pdf
Cheers ebs
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Title : How do I teach myself guitar?
Description : Q. I've taken lessons before (I also play a little violin and piano) but my lessons have always been reading sheet music and plucking a...