Lance Posted February 8, 2006 Share Posted February 8, 2006 My brother finally wants me to give him guitar lessons. :guitarist: I've been playing guitar for about eight years now. I see a lot of threads about wanting to learn an easy Coldplay song, but everything seems so intimidating to beginners. I've created this thread specifically for those who have just picked up the guitar. I will post the lessons that I teach my brother in this forum. Don't be afraid to ask any questions. This will only help me teach him anything he might not be comfortable asking. Here we go... First I covered standard guitar tuning- Tuning (High string to low string) high e - the really skinny string b g d a Low E - The bottom string that you strum on a right-handed guitar. I gave him an assignment to memorize four chord shapes. The "G" chord - (a power chord I will discuss later) e|x-x-3-x-x third fret with your pinkie b|x-x-3-x-x third " " " ring finger g|open string - strum, but do not fret d|open string - strum, but do not fret a|mute this string with your middle finger E|x-x-3-x-x middle finger on the third fret The "E minor" chord e|open string - strum, but do not fret b|open string - strum, but do not fret g|open string - strum, but do not fret d|x-2-x-x-x second fret with your ring finger a|x-2-x-x-x second fret with your middle finger E|open string - strum, but do not fret The "C" chord e|open string - strum, but do not fret b|1-x-x-x-x first fret with your index finger g|open string - strum, but do not fret d|x-2-x-x-x second fret with your middle finger a|x-x-3-x-x third fret with your ring finger E|Do not strum The "D" chord e|x-2-x-x-x second fret with your middle finger b|x-x-3-x-x third fret with your ring finger g|x-2-x-x-x second fret with your index finger d|open string - strum, but do not fret a|Do not strum E|Do not strum All of these chords are used in "In My Place" Alright, the free guitar lessons are now in session. What would you like to learn? There are no dumb questions here! Lance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybananie Posted February 8, 2006 Share Posted February 8, 2006 this is pretty pointless Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lunar1126 Posted February 8, 2006 Share Posted February 8, 2006 this is pretty pointless And you're pretty rude. After all that work that Lance went thru to type that all up, without being asked, JUST to help people out, that's all you can say?? If you aren't interested, you don't have to post a reply. Geesh. :rolleyes: Some people! Thanks Lance for the lessons. :nice: I do really want to learn how to play the guitar.....but I think my first lesson would be to learn how to save up enough money to buy a guitar! :lol: I'm sure there are other people here who will find this useful. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twistedlogic149 Posted February 8, 2006 Share Posted February 8, 2006 this is pretty pointless *Sneezes*. Ah I'm sorry. I'm allergic to douche bags. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lunar1126 Posted February 8, 2006 Share Posted February 8, 2006 ^ :lol: *high five* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kapone Posted February 9, 2006 Share Posted February 9, 2006 this is like something out of saved by the bell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted February 10, 2006 Share Posted February 10, 2006 ^ :lol: so true Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chlorofit Posted February 10, 2006 Share Posted February 10, 2006 thank you so much Lance..i've been learnin to play guitar for about 2-3 weeks now and i really want to learn don't panic but it's not working... :cry: now a bit to bragg about-i've learned till kingdom comes melody line. :smug: :embarrased: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lance Posted February 11, 2006 Author Share Posted February 11, 2006 dajrekshn, I've come up with an easy way to play don't panic on the guitar using sheet music found here. http://rapidshare.de/files/2337768/dontpanic.pdf.html The arrangement includes some difficult chord shapes that Johnny uses. I came up with a simple arrangement to play along with the song. The intro starts off with an F major 7th chord. e | open string b | 1-x-x-x-x index finger on the first fret g | x-2-x-x-x middle finger on the second fret d | x-x-3-x-x ring finger on the third fret a | Don't strum E | Don't strum Strum this chord a few times then take your index and ring finger off of the frets. You'll have to do what called a "hammer-on". Strum the guitar with this chord e | open string b | open string g | open string d | x-x-3-x-x ring finger on the third fret a | Don't strum E | Don't strum You play that chord and then perform the hammer-on. Strum, then press down on the frets using your index and middle finger to make the first chord ring out again. After 4 measures the verse starts. The first chord played is an A minor chord. It is very similar to the F major seventh chord. All you really do is slide your ring finger down one fret. e | open string b | 1-x-x-x-x index finger on the first fret g | x-2-x-x-x middle finger on the second fret d | x-2-x-x-x ring finger on the second fret a | open string E | Don't strum You can switch the middle and ring finger placement if it feels more comfortable. The next measure the chord switches to C major. e | open string b | 1-x-x-x-x index finger on the first fret g | open string d | x-2-x-x-x middle finger on the second fret a | x-x-3-x-x ring finger on the third fret E | Don't strum Now you play the F major 7th chord again for a measure. Then perform the hammer-ons again for one measure. So here are the first twelve measures intro - F major 7th (with hammer-ons) 4 measures verse - A minor - 1 measure C major - 1 measure F major 7th (with hammer-ons) - 2 measures then repeat the verse. I'll finish the rest later. Good luck! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chlorofit Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 :kiss: :kiss: :kiss: thank you so much... it's not that hard when you put it so simple..but the ryhtm is the thing that bugs me, also like the sound of the cords... :confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miriam Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 this is good idea, i think. I have been playing guitar for four months and i can play several songs and i love it and i can do things like hammer on and slide and pull of and so on and i can play F and H chords. But i need an advice: are there any tips how to learn rhytm? I mean i can change chords and i know what to do with my left hand but I dont know what to do with my right hand! I cant even strum the guitar with different finger than my thumb. if i strum it with other finger it doesnt sound good. I dont have the right feeling in my hand like how hard should i strum it. and i cant use my finger nails to sound strings. have you got any tips for me? And how exactly should i use metronome? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lance Posted February 13, 2006 Author Share Posted February 13, 2006 But i need an advice: are there any tips how to learn rhytm? I mean i can change chords and i know what to do with my left hand but I dont know what to do with my right hand! I cant even strum the guitar with different finger than my thumb. if i strum it with other finger it doesnt sound good. I dont have the right feeling in my hand like how hard should i strum it. and i cant use my finger nails to sound strings. have you got any tips for me? And how exactly should i use metronome? miriam, I recommend using a guitar pick (plectrum). Learn how to strum up and down as well. What helped me was to play open string chords while strumming up and down. Start really slow and eventually the coordination comes naturally. The metronome is a good tool for learning a song slowly and then working it up to it's actual speed. Here's an example using "Don't Panic". "Don't Panic (acoustic- live)" original performance tempo aproximately 122 beats per minute. http://www.megaupload.com/?d=NCXPGDKV practice version slowed to 110 beats per minute. http://www.megaupload.com/?d=583CI3OM This practice version should help you play along until you can master the performance tempo. The metronome will just be clicks, but that should keep you from speeding up or slowing down. I prefer using software to slow down a performance and playing along until it is regular speed. Good Luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twistedlogic149 Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 Thanks, Lance!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chlorofit Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 i don't have a metronom, and i don't get how to strum chords on DP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miriam Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 thank you but i have one more question. When i will start to play with guitar pick, it could happen that i will be able to play only with guitar pick not with fingers, no? I am afraid this will happen, thats why i wanted to learn with fingers. But anyway, thanks a lot, i think i will buy pick. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmedesign Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 way to go lance...now alls i need is a friggin guitar to play with. i guess i could always mooch off my friends. or i'll actually go out an buy one....well, i'll stick to moochin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikowhy Posted February 14, 2006 Share Posted February 14, 2006 gave us some harder songs :D i just don't know how to play GPASUYF... u know it? if yes, please submit it here :D I'll be very pleased :P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lance Posted February 14, 2006 Author Share Posted February 14, 2006 Mikowhy, GPASUYF has been posted in the "Kapone's Tabs" thread http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=18423&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=120 GPASUYF has a very unusual tuning. I had to tune everything down a half step and put a capo on the first fret. This is something I couldn't have figured out when I first started playing guitar. I created this thread to help beginners with playing the guitar. Kapone's thread better suits those who have been playing guitar for a while. miriam, Don't worry too much. I know that classical guitarists are trained a certain way to play using only the fingers. Most rock guitarist usually use a pick. dajrekshn, A metronome isn't necessary. Simply play the practice version of this song. Notice that your foot is tapping. Don't worry about the hammer-on's for now. Just play down strums on every other foot tap. If you listen closely, you hear Johnny playing just that (between his solos). There are only a couple of more chords used in the song. I will finish the rest of "Dont Panic" very soon. I promise! :cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coldplay_steph Posted February 14, 2006 Share Posted February 14, 2006 Lance, this is great babe!!! :) I cant afford guitar lessons, and im determined to teac myself, so this is fantastic!!! Especially the chords, which i'm working on right now!!! Thanks hun :kiss: :kiss: :kiss: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chlorofit Posted February 14, 2006 Share Posted February 14, 2006 :kiss: :kiss: :kiss: i'll try...but i don't get the rhytm, going to pratice.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmedesign Posted February 14, 2006 Share Posted February 14, 2006 dajrekshn, you kinda look like a ninja. Just thought I'd let you know. Although, I don't know of any ninjas that came from Croatia. There's a first time for everything I guess. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lance Posted February 14, 2006 Author Share Posted February 14, 2006 Alright, here is the rest of "Don't Panic". The sheet music has some more difficult chords. Here are some substitutes that sound alright. When Chris starts to sing, "We live in a beautiful world", play an open string D power chord for two measures. D power chord (also notated as D5) e | don't strum b | x-x-3-x-x pinkie finger on the third fret g | x-2-x-x-x middle finger in the second fret d | open string a | don't strum E | don't strum Occasionally, I play the high e string very lightly when I strum the D power chord. It fits alright with the song. You can play the chord with whatever fingering feels alright too. After two measures of playing the D power chord, switch to the open string A minor chord in the previous lesson, for one measure. The next chord will be a "G6" chord. I emphasize the G power chord part of it, which is the bottom four strings. G6 chord e | open string b | open string g | open string d | open string a | mute string with middle finger E | x-x-3-x-x middle finger on third fret So the chorus goes... D power chord for two measures A minor for one measure G6 for one measure D power chord for two measures F maj7 chord for two measures (with hammer-ons) I've noticed that when I making the chord changes that I strum open strings while switching chord shapes. Most popular music includes this method. Good Luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leeds113 Posted February 15, 2006 Share Posted February 15, 2006 thanks for doing this Lance.. keep up the good work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coldplay_steph Posted February 15, 2006 Share Posted February 15, 2006 Thanks so much Lance, im teaching myself these chords, trying to memorise them, and its going really well thanks to you! *goes to practice more* :D :kiss: :kiss: :kiss: :kiss: :kiss: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chlorofit Posted February 15, 2006 Share Posted February 15, 2006 thank you Lance :kiss: tmedesign, :lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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