Guitar Help for Common Issues (Page 1)

View our archives of member questions. Before our introduction of Live Courses, we would field questions from our members are record video responses from our pool of teachers. This is the result! Please be aware, some of the video quality in these questions is quite poor, but the knowledge is still valuable.

Tuning Down

Perhaps one day Ill realize this question is dumb and feel like an idiot for asking but for now, as a new player, I dont really understand the purpose of tuning down. Lets be sure I have the concept correct to start off with. Tuning down one step makes an E string into a D, A becomes a G ... I presume this subsequently causes chords to tune down as well. What exactly is the advantage of this? Why not just play the chords/notes as they are ( an E when you want an E...) ? Confused but Teachable

Supplemental Content

The instructors talk about tablature that accompany their lessons. Where can I find them?

Acoustic or Electric?

Hi I'm wondering if I should be starting on an acoustic or electric guitar. I have an Ibanez electric but people have been telling me I should learn on an acoustic. Is this true?

Asking Instructors Questions Using a Webcam

This video talks about using your webcam to ask instructors a question in the live chats.

Acoustic or Electric?

Chris Liepe dives into understanding what style of guitar may be best for you to start learning on.

How to Find the Key

Hi, I would like to know how one can determine what key is the individual playing there chord progression in and if it is major or minor key. Please help I am having a hard time understanding this piece and know if any one could help me, it is you guys at JamPlay. Thanks Jose Otero. Rock On!

Which Acoustic Guitar?

I recently joined JamPlay and it has given me the satisfaction that no other guitar sites have. I have just started with Steve's basic guitar series and I have not yet bought a guitar. So, could you please recommend me a guitar to start with like an entry level guitar? Thanks.

Pinch Harmonics

Hey, I was wondering why cant I squeal my low e string and a string? I can do it on the other strings but i cant do it on those. I use Ernie Ball heavy bottom skinny top strings.

Speed and Technique

Nick Greathouse's free speed and technique lessons are why i became a JamPlay member. Since then my playing has improved dramatically. Kris Norris' metal style is extremely fast and absolutely blistering. If he would do a speed and technique series of lessons I feel I would develop the style I've dreamed of for quite a number years. Please, that would be absolutely awesome.

Ear Training

I was wondering if you guys intend to do some ear training area for guitar. I'm still with my seven 7 account. I didn't choose yet what site ill choose to pay for lessons, and my number 1 preoccupation is about ear training.

I'm Only Sleeping - Beatles

Hi guys looking for a lesson for I'm Only Sleeping by The Beatles.

Scales

I found this question on the site in the forum. Let's say I and a friend are playing together in the key of G. My friend is playing the G chord and he will play the I IV V progression. I am playing the pentatonic scale in G. When my friend changes chords, do I change the scale I am playing in or do I stay in G? I hope this question is clear. Thanks John

Playing Guitar with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

I've been diagnosed with this in both wrists, just as I was about to get back starting to learn guitar. It started after being off work and using the computer for long periods over 2 weeks. I think it's most likely affected by my thyroid, so I'm going to try a few things to get it sorted (gym, stretching, less booze :( and a powerball). I'd just like to know if I can still learn to play with CTS or not? Thanks, Luke.

Requesting Songs

Hello, I am a new member and am interested in learning many songs that are not on your lesson list. How do I go about requesting songs for future lessons?

Kompa Guitar Riff

I'm dying to know how to play this. I do not know what scale its played on. I I can find the first note but don't know how to figure out the rest of this riff. Please help. its the following link and it starts its the part 1 minute and 59 seconds into it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYID5wsduvE

Open E Tuning

You tune standard on 5th fret, is there a way to tune open e like that and if not how do I get there?

Bad Habits

Hi, Let me start by saying that I'm so glad I found this website. It has reunited me with my guitar and I have had a lot of fun learning from all of you. My question is regarding bad habits. I am an originally self-taught guitarist who had absolutely no direction form a mentor and because of this I picked up a slue of bad habits and bad technique. It has been extremely difficult to get away from some (ex. I will anchor my pinky on the high E string while playing lead and if any of you saw my left hand technique you will cringe), while some have had uses (ex. I play barre chords with the ring and pinky inverted which allows for some cool tension-building chords when I move my pinky up a fret, etc). There are many many others, but throughout the years I learned a lot of cool songs and learned them with bad technique. I don't want to sit and relearn how to fret and pick all over again because I will get bored. At the same time if I keep playing the songs I learned with bad technique I will keep reverting to my old bad habits every time I play. Any advice on how to overcome this? Thanks! -- Vase

Using a Capo

If I am playing a chord progression in the key of G and a 2nd guitar is playing a lead line using the Em pentatonic scale, what happens if a capo is put on the 7th fret of the second guitar. Does the lead guitar now play in the Am pattern? A capo on the 7th fret with a C chord pattern produces a G chord sound; so do you use a Am pattern (relative minor of C) to get the sound of Em pentatonic scale. I hope this isn't confusing.

Playing With a Thumbpick

Quick question, I've noticed that some really good guitar players will play with the thumb pick, from Nils Lofren to some of the instructors at JamPlay. I am trying to change up my style by learning how to use the thumbpick for some country and bluegrass music. Does JamPlay have any lessons on techniques for using the thumbpick such as exercises and hints? Thanks, Ron Terranova.

Amp Shopping

I'm about ready to get an amp again. Never had a rockin' head and cabinet, funds just don't allow. Anyway, have you ever gotten to use the Line 6 combo amp and whats your take on them. I was looking at the Spider IV-75 watt combo. These new amps with all the presets with 16 different amp models and 300+ hand-crafted artist-created presets and 200 dialed in song-based presets sound nice if your jammin' covers with your friends. Seems to eliminate the need for a lot of effects and I'm guessing you can always create your own anyway. So does it eliminate the need for a effects processor also? Thanks.

Slanted Bridges and String Dynamics

When a string is fretted at half of it's length, the pitch goes up one octave. I've noticed that the bridge on most guitars is set at a slight angle, making the lower pitched strings run a slightly longer distance from the nut to the bridge. That means the 12th fret (which runs parallel to the nut) can't be exactly at the halfway point of each string. Why is the bridge set at an angle - and how can the octaves (or other notes for that matter) be in tune with each other?

Thumb Position

Felipe asked "Which is the correct position for thumb finger on left hand when we are playing barre chords? Thank you very much for your support."

Using a Capo

Rwolfe asked "Hello jamplay! I just joined and am very impressed with the site. My question deals with using the capo. I play sometimes with two other guitarists and it can get boring if we are all playing the same chords open on the guitar. I have been told that 3 different guitarists can capo at different spots so that each guitar has its own voice, say in a G-D-C progression. Maybe one guitar is open, and the other two have capos. Thanks again for a great website."

Arthritis and Playing

Josmjm asked "I just rejoined . I have arthritis in my left chording hand . The fourth ( ring finger is the worst ) Genes and breaking up fights in the Bronx in the 80's has brought me to this point . I can't Barre . Any thoughts ?"

Learning Songs

Jreely08 asked "Hi Steve! I have a question about learning songs. My problem is I get excited to learn a new song and get really good at playing the beginning, then I get bored and never end up learning the rest. Do you have any advice for me? Thnx I love Jamplay! Jay."

Barre Chords and Transistions

Mcs88keys asked "I know how to construct all of the barre chords and how to find them on the fretboard. But I need help with switching cleanly, especially from an open to a barre chord. (like D to Bm or E to C#m) I never feel secure when I have to play a barre chord. I'm always hoping I nail it instead of knowing I will. Do you have any tips on what to aim for or some way to practice more effectively? Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks, Michael."

Restringing a Guitar

Vedanta asked "I am a beginner and snapped the 4th string of my Fender Strat - before I set out to re-string my guitar I have a few questions - * Should I change all the strings or just the one that is broken? * What type of strings should I use - as in, which string composition and string gauge? * What is the best way to wind a string - there are multiple techniques all over the internet, what is the best way to do it? * Should I remove all the strings at one and then string or do in one by one. It would be very nice to have a video on how to best string a electric guitar. Thank You, Vedanta."

Spider Chords

Chodypth asked "I was wondering, I can't seem to find any information on the Spider Chord Dave Mustaine does in Wake up Dead and Ride the Lightning, I think I'm doing it right but it seems to easy and people seem to say its very difficult. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-twpY_XQyg&feature=related."

How to Build Scales

Walter_Mundstock asked "Hi Guys. First of all, I have joined JamPlay a few days ago and I have to say that you guys do an AMAZING job. I wanted to stay at home to be with my recently born daughter and didn't want to quit having guitar classes... JamPlay met perfectly my needs! Thanks guys! I have been having classes about scales, have been practicing and memorizing them, but I would like to understand a little better how these scales are built. I would like to be able to think about any note and build the scale for that key by myself. An exercise I have been doing is to listen to songs, identify its notes and build the scale by applying the WWHWWWH steps. That usually get me setup with something that seems quite right... Is there a "formula" to build pentatonic and other scales just like I'm doing ? Apart of that, I don't really understand what is the difference among a chromatic scale, diatonic scale and so many others... Please help me understand the context of these scales. Thanks. Walter."

Restringing a Guitar

Vedanta asked "I am a beginner and snapped the 4th string of my Fender Strat - before I set out to re-string my guitar I have a few questions - * Should I change all the strings or just the one that is broken? * What type of strings should I use - as in, which string composition and string gauge? * What is the best way to wind a string - there are multiple techniques all over the internet, what is the best way to do it? * Should I remove all the strings at one and then string or do in one by one. It would be very nice to have a video on how to best string a electric guitar. Thank You, Vedanta."

Barre Chords and Transistions

Mcs88keys asked "I know how to construct all of the barre chords and how to find them on the fretboard. But I need help with switching cleanly, especially from an open to a barre chord. (like D to Bm or E to C#m) I never feel secure when I have to play a barre chord. I'm always hoping I nail it instead of knowing I will. Do you have any tips on what to aim for or some way to practice more effectively? Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks, Michael."

Beginner and Erik Mongrain

Anexa85 asked "I've recently fallen in love with the way Erik Mongrain plays, but as a beginner I'm not sure where to start if I want to head in that direction. I'm not ready for Erik's lessons yet, but I would love to get on the right track for doing that. So the question is, where should I begin?."

Fingerpicking Technique

Ablazich323 asked "Hey guys, I've been going through Mark's lessons for the past few months and those lessons are mostly (if not all) about rhythm guitar and using a pick. However, i do want to expand my playing and i have tried to sorta teach myself how to finger pick but it isn't working out too well. Any advice that you can give me with finger picking and also are there any specific few lessons i can look at to give me some insight? Appreciate all the help."

Last Steam Engine Train Tab

Budd asked "The tab and video doesn't match in the song Last Steam Engine Train with Jim what am i missing."

Scales and Palm Muting

Miles977 said "Wow do you play a scale with palm muting?"

Natural Harmonics on an Acoustic Guitar

Blueguitar420 asked "I have been doing Brads lesson set on an acoustic electric guitar. Most of the time I just play acoustic for his lessons. I was just wondering if natural harmonics are possible on an acoustic guitar. I skipped the lesson because I was not getting a distinct sound. Please let me know! Thanks Brandon."

Rhythm and Strumming

Drnat1 asked "I am trying to play songs & am finding it difficult to work out a suitable strumming pattern. How to I work this out when all I have is the cords & the lyrics? I try to listen to what the original is but find it hard to work out what is actually played or how to sort the timing of my strumming so it corresponds to the cords & lyrics? This seems to be holding me back!! Many thanks for any help!!"

Truss Rod Adjustment

Matej asked "How do I properly adjust the truss rod of my electric guitar? I have no bow / gap between the top of a fret and the string when I check my neck relief, so I get nasty fret buzz on the open positions of the first two strings ( string action is not the problem here ). One more thing, I have a two way truss rod :o. Not in the question: David MacKenzie could best answer my question as he has an ESP guitar like me."

Broken Finger and Dexterity

Hana14 asked "So I broke my pinkie and ring finger on my right hand and whenever I play they stiffen and its really hard to curl and spread them is it because I broke those two fingers?"

Curious About Effects Chain

Sheldon_31 asked "Dear to whoever it concerns, I have been really looking into running an effects chain, but i have no idea what stuff to use on it so far i've decided to use a boss overdrive pedal and either Kirk Hammet's signature cry baby or the Dimebag cry baby from hell. I am mainly interested in a nice melodic metal sound possibly just a really filthy textured sound nice and crisp which would be really easy to pinch harmonic on. So any suggestions on what i should use????"

Floyd Rose and Warlock System

Akilots asked "Is that true that if I have guitar with Floyd Rose system on my guitar, and if I lock-in nuts guitar will stay in tune much much longer!And what do you think about B.C. Rich Warlock classic model electric guitar, about quality of this one?"

Creating Backing Tracks

Akelley asked "Hey i was wondering how to write a backing track sort of chord progression, perhaps for the minor scale? i know that every scale requires a different sort of chord progression behind it."

Pinging While Tuning

Colton582 said "Sometimes when i tune my strat i hear a ping, however my string is not broken and my nut is fine. Also, when I go back to tune my guitar the string that pinged is perfectly tuned. Please explain this."

Questions About the F Chord

Sidewinder665 asked "Hey, any chance someone could show me/everyone how to finger an F Chord using the frets 1 on top e, 1 on B, 2 on G and 3 on D? In particular, if you are supposed to barre top e and B with one finger then an explanation of how to do a two string barre would be very useful. Thanks."

Guitar Problems

Bron1003 asked "Hi everybody, I'm a beginner and have a question about maintenance. I have an Epiphone EA 250 hollow body/electric and while was tuning my guitar the high E string went "ping". I thought the string broke but it was actually the nut. The nut split and sheared off at the corner. My question is, can I replace it myself or should I take it to the pro's? I'm learning a lot from the instructors here and am grateful for all they/you have done for my traing needs. Thanks again, Ron."

Aeolian Mode

Akelley asked "I don't know if you guys already have a lesson about this, but i am trying to learn the aeolian mode up and down the guitar. I know Brad Henecke shows it in 1 position, but can you guys do a lesson on using the aeolian mode for solos? i can rip through the scale but i cant then phrase into the Dorian or whatever scale comes next. I'm a bit confused as you can probably tell from this butchered question."

Sheet Music and Songs

Lazyeye asked "I have listened to the lessons and have not been able to get the sheet music with its chords, melody and lyrics to the guitar so that the song sounds like what is on the sheet music. Example: The song I just called to say I love you by Stevie Wonder. I have the lyrics and the chords and when I listen to some one play it, it doesn't sound at all like what I play. Need help. I need to see and learn how that process of getting the information off of the sheet music on to the guitar works."

Right Hand Technique

Lucasholland asked "Hey guys, I've got a question on right hand technique as it applies to playing with a pick. It seems that there are 2 main styles out there: The first one involved the hand looking like a fist. The other style has the fingers kind of sticking out. I hope you know what I mean. When I first started I played in the first style all the time but I read on the internet that the second style gives you more accuracy and my experimentation has so far confirmed this. I'm not as adept at that technique as I am at the fist-like technique but with practice I think I could get there. What's your take on those 2 techniques? Thanks, Lucas."

Dead/Muted Notes While Playing

Landshark asked "I just bought an Ibanez ARX320 from my local guitar shop. It played nice while I was in the store, but after a week, I am getting fret buzz along the entire neck and when I play the 9th fret on the 1st string, the note sounds dead or heavily muted. Also, on the 15th fret of the 1st string, whenever I bend the note, it immediately goes dead. What could be causing these issues? I'm about to return this thing to the store."

Irresistible Metal Riffs

Akelley asked "Hi, I have watched Dennis's metal guitar videos, but I wanted to know, how can you form an irresistible metal riff?"

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