Video Question: Learning to Read Tabs

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Date: May 13th, 2008 | Length: 5.4 | Instructor: Steve Eulberg

Rudydog asked "So I finished phase one @ phase 2. Was great but then I got to phase 3 (learning music). I was so excited but soon found out that its not as easy as phase 1,2. Were do I learn to read tab and when to strum up and down????Did I miss something????" Another benefit of being a member of JamPlay is the video response section. Our expert staff fields questions from our members and provides video responses each week.

Other Video Responses:

Sweep Picking - February 20th, 2008 (3 minutes, 60 seconds)

Matt11 asks, "In his lesson, Brad demonstrates sweep picking, but I'm confused about the use of it. When mastered, is it quicker than alternate picking? I also thought about the kind of a ,,continuous" sound/feel you get when you play in this technique, but the change is not so drastic. So? :-)" View Response

Frett Buzz - March 10th, 2008 (2 minutes, 20 seconds)

Vulg4r asks, "I purchased an Acoustic guitar on November 5th 2007. For the first few months, I had no problems. Now lately the 12th fret, every string buzzes, very noticeably. I've tried changing the strings, and adjusting the truss rod. Is there any other advice you can give me before I bring it to my local, overpriced guitar shop?" View Response

Major and Minor Barre Chords - August 2nd, 2007 (1 minutes, 57 seconds)

Kris Weller asks, "I was taught to use the aminor shape on major and minor barre chords the only difference was the majors root is on the 6th and the minor on the 5th and barring the the remaining i saw an example in the chord library using the amajor shape and muting the 1st string how is that done and which is correct?" View Response

Callus - July 17th, 2008 (2 minutes, 16 seconds)

Jdemail78 asks, "I've been taking Steve's lessons for the past month and during the first week, my finger tips hurt each day I played but I kept on playing because I knew that eventually I'd build up callus on the ends of my fingers and the pain would go away. Sure enough, that happened for the most part but recently they've been starting to hurt again. Not as much when I'm done playing, more when I start playing. After I play for a little while, the pain goes away (like a numb sorta feeling) and then by the time I'm done, they are hurting again. I guess what I'm wondering is how long does this go on for? I can tell that I have callus on my fingers but some of the pain is still there. Does it ever go away completely or do you eventually just get used to it? Thanks." View Response

- August 7th, 2008 (8 minutes, 32 seconds)

Onlythehunter asks, "Hi. I took acoustic lessons as a kid but never completed them, then as a teen and early twenties I self taught well enough to strum and write my own songs, which is my passion. I just bought a couple electrics (one with a temolo, one without) to try to learn to play it and also work on home recording with a newly purchased home studio system. I have two quick questions. First, I know some basics, although I am in the "learning scales is scary" stage. Do you suggest I start strumming my familiar chords on the electric to get comfortable, or to learn lead should I study power chords and scales, which I've never done? What's the best option? Second, one of my favorite songs is Springsteen's Tunnel Of Love. The sheet music has a chord notation of G5 with a slach through a 3. I assume it means a G5 omitting the third, but I can not get it to sound right or figure out what the chord is. Any ideas? Thank you very much, I am recommeding you guys to everyone I know." View Response