Guitar Help for Common Issues (Page 1.6)

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.

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?"

Any Means Necessary

Dime asked "Hi Dennis, you and the other teachers from jamplay kill em all.The only thing i would like to ask you is if you could please,make a lesson on shredding that would be awesome and a lesson on the song 'Any Means Necessary' by hammerfall. thanks dennis."

Playing Bends

Cmp1969 asked "I just watched Matt's lesson on bends along with DMAC's. The one thing I am having trouble with is bending the string when you are fretting the one above it. Especially if it is on the same fret. For example: 14th fret on the 2nd and 3rd string and bending the 2nd string. Frank Hannon of Tesla does that alot on the song "Song and Emotion". Can you please explain or demonstrate it? Thanks"

Fret Board Memorization

Hendoe30 asked "Hey guys, I was wondering if you could do a quick video regarding tips for memorizing the fretboard. I watched Mark Brennan's video about left had technique. In it he said to go through each string and find all the A's, then move on to the B's, etc . . . I thought I would try a different approach and started with B & C and E & F. I thought that since there was no half note in between them that this might speed up the process for me. Am I looking at this the right way or should I use Mark's way. Or maybe you could suggest something else? Thanks and ROCK ON!"

Learning Scales

Miccgil88 asked "Hello, I started playing about 2 or 3 months ago, and, I believe have come a long way (thank you very much for the awesome learning tools). Now I'm looking at getting into improvisation on both electric and acoustic. Every time I look into it, I always hear to learn scales. As I look through the scales, I notice there's a whole lot of them. Is there an order or a way you would recommend learning scales? Thank you, Craig"

Using Poly Rhythms

Opus asked "I would like to start incorporating poly rhythms into my playing but don't know where to start? Any advice would Be great!"

Nylon Strings on a Steel String Guitar

Dallendouglas asked "Thank You for taking my question! I would like to know if there is any problem with changing from Metal Strings to Nylon Strings on one of my Guitars. I have a Older "Harmony Seoverign"(1960) and have used it over the years as my practice Guitar and recently purchased a new Acoustic Electric. I have taken an Interest in Classical and would like to use Nylon strings on the Harmony. Is that a Problem?can I just change them over?? Thank You. Dennis Douglas."

Transcribing

Kroza asked "I was wonderin' will there be some transcribing lessons here at jamplay, if not i was hopin' to get some tips from you guys. thanks in advance."

Hooks for a Strap

Hcso asked "I bought an acoustic guitar that has a hook for a guitar strap on the bottom of the guitar but not on the top. I know there is a way to add this but I'm afraid I'll chip and crack the wood on it. Any suggestions?? Believe it or not I liked the guitar so much that I never notice until later. Any answer from any instructor is fine. Thanks."

Upstroke Without a Pick

Dmitry asked "Hi guys! Question from a beginner about playing without a pick. I'm trying to figure out how to do down and upstrokes by hand (mostly for the chorus parts of songs / bridges where the usual strumming pattern gets boring). The downstrokes, where the nails of my fingers strike the strings, come pretty naturally. But on the way up, some of my fingers (pinky and ring finger mostly) get caught on the High-E and B strings. Are there any (1) hand positions/movements, and (2) exercises that you guys can recommend to fix the problem? Many thanks!"

Pick Slipping SIdeways

Sylvia asked "I've had this ongoing problem with my pick slipping sideways when I try to double and triple pick. I've heard about this stuff called Gorilla snot.... but I'm broke and don't have a gorilla. Do you think my own boogers would work? Also... will it make me sound like Buckethead?"

Steel or Nylon Strings

Capo asked "Hi, Jim. I am always (really coveting I think) wanting to buy a nylon stringed guitar to play alternating finger style guitar on. I don't know, of course, but I imagine this to be obviously easier on the fingernails but it must have a downside which I surmise is in the compromised sound or timbre of the notes and chords. And, others such as yourself, Jim, do not use the nylon string guitar and that makes me suspicious. Although I did see a vid of Buster Jones (is that his name) playing what appeared to be a nylon stringed acoustic electric and doing all right with it I might add. Another point I argue with my mind over is that I will never be a professional guitarist, this is not my goal, so I seem to justify my lame argument with that fact and my heart says well, therefore, go ahead and buy one (nylon stringed). Well, enough said. What do you think of these thoughts. You must have some opinions and I would love to hear them so I won't waste my money unnecessarily. All the best, Capo."

Playing Eruption

Deathxrocker asked "What is the easiest way to play Eruption by Eddie Van Halen."

Exercises that Sound like Metal

Deathxrocker asked "Hi guys i was wondering if there are any left hand exercises that sound like rock or metal riffs?"

Suitable Picking Pattern

Nick Johnston asked "Could you advise on a suitable picking pattern for this lovely song, i am playing basically in G G,Em,C,Am D, D7,C,G I am told it is in 3/4 time ,but i just can't settle on a fluent pick Any help welcome Regards Nick."

Pod XT Live with Marshall Amp

Fourwheeler asked "I watched Brad's video of effects and his Marshall,that was a great lesson,but I'm still confused about setting up my Marshall Mg 100 HDFX and my Pod XT Live.I want to use my Marshall's built-in effects(they are the perfect sound for me).I want to use my POD for the pedal,tuner,and maybe a handful of presets.When I plugged my POD in the front of the amp it was killing my Marshall's sound.Do you have any advise for me . Thanks, Fourwheeler."

A Minor Pentatonic Scale Positions

Hcso asked "My question is for Brad Henecke. I have memorized and have been practicing the 4 positions of the A minor pentatonic scale. I am trying to get to a point where I can go to any position and just play solos out of a box or position. I'm having a hard time with this. Does it matter if you start out on the 6 th string going up the position or should I start on the first string and work down the position trying to pick notes. I watch you and it looks like you do both and I imagine your suppose too. I find a pattern of my own that I like and then I'm stuck because I try to jump into another position and it don't sound right at all lol. Hope this makes sense. I really enjoyed the lessons, however haven't learned the 5th position yet. Josh."

Setting Neck Without a Truss Rod

Niandra asked "Hi guys...i'm not sure whether a question similar to this one has been already asked. I have a '51 Martin 0-15. All in all the guitar is in a nice condition but im not sure whether it would be the right time for a new neck setting. What is an indicator for that? As far as i am informed martins from this age didn't yet have theese/those TrussRods (or how it is spelled-sorry for my english it's beschissen ;-) so in case IF i have to bring it to a professional luthier. Actually i think the playing is very very nice and the spaces between fretboard and strings up to the 12th fret seem normal but im not sure and what do you think would be the "average" price? And bye the way--- can you tell what's up with mr . fishmann's lessons???? Thanks."

Soloing and Open Strings

Keithlasko asked "Whenever I am soloing and I hit an open string, the note seems to drag on and make the next few notes sound awful. what can I do about that?"

Drum Beats and BPM

Bryanwb4402 asked "Thanks to all of you guys....This site is so awesome and i tell all my friends about this site...Keep up the good work.... Question: I have a drum looper with a whole host of beats from country to metal and any BPM I need. I am having a tough time trying to figure out what drum beat and speed I should use for certain songs. One of them I learning to play right now is "Always with me Always with you by Satriani". What drum beat should I use to play with this song. Is there like a list that states "Use this BPM for this song" I hope this makes sense... thx so much."

Flats and Sharps

Dank asked "I have a hard time remember which way to go for flats and sharps, example b flat?"

Problems With the Crybaby Pedal

Jaron asked "Dear Dave, I'm thinking about getting a Dunlop Crybaby Wah. One day I went to Guitar center and I tried the pedal. It was difficult for me to move the footpad. It was very loose. Is it possible to adjust the foot pad to make it tighter so it could be easier for me to move the footpad. Could it also be possible if you can show me how to to adjust the footpad? Thanks.From, Jaron."

Full Guitar Setup

JZCode45 asked "Could one of the instructor with guitar setup experience do a lesson on this subject? I would like to see how to setup my Fender strat including neck adjustment, pickup adjustments, string heights settings and setting the intonation. Thanks JZcode45."

Strumming Patterns and Timing

Lucasholland asked "Hello, I'm following Steve's lessons and am practicing 2 chord progressions (G, Em, C, D7, and G, Em, Am, D7) using the 5 strumming patterns he teaches with my metronome. This works fine for all the strumming patterns except pattern D (d, d, u, pause, up, down, up / d, d, u, u, pause, u,d,u). The problem is (I think) that I only have beats per measure. So I start the first down-strum on the first beat. The up-strum should be before the second beat, right? So... what I think is confusing me is that I also have strum on the offbeat... Could you show me how to practice the 2 variations on the strumming pattern (variation 1: d, d, u, pause, up, down, up; variation 2: d, d, u, u, pause, u,d,u)) with a metronome (e.g. on which beat to strum etc.)? Thanks! Lucas."

Different types of pickups

Jaron asked "Hello everybody, I keep on seeing different types of pickups. Can you tell me the difference between Alnico, Ceramic, Active, Low Output, Hot output and active pickups? Do they sound different from each other? I can't really tell. I appreciate the help. From your favorite 14 year old, Jaron."

Notes and Strumming Chords

Thomas Hale asked "For Steve, I am looking at Leaning on the Everlasting Arms in my church hymnal. I can read the music. What is the easiest way to transpose the notes to strumming chords?"

Muting Strings Like the RHCP

Markok asked "Hi: I am trying to learn the RHCP song "Can't Stop". I have the main riff down ok picking the strings individually, but I would like to learn how to mute the other strings to get that nice percussive, chucking effect. Any guidance/tips you can provide are much appreciated! Thx in advance..."

Fingers and Picking

Dewayne asked "Jim will it hurt to use only the thumb and index finger and the finger next to it or should use all four fingers."

Changing Scale Boxes

Hendoe30 asked "Hey Brad and DMAC, love the site it has really helped me out. I watched the video Q&A from 7/10/08 from john873 regarding mode changes and I was wondering if you could clear this up for me. I am definitely a beginner and I am currently learning the minor pent. scale and I was wondering this. . . In A minor pent. scale when you change from first position to second position do you leave on the root note in first position and start the second position on the root note in order to stay in key, or can you start on any part of the second position. I posted this in the forums but after 77 views and no responses I thought I would give this a shot. I know you guys have lives and can't read all the forums but can you give me some insight. You guys rock!!!"

Slack Key Lessons

Coopercanuck asked "What an awesome style! I have just begun but find myself walking back to my room all day and picking up my guitar just to play it "one more time". Thanks for making this style available it is a really chilled out style and is a lot of fun. My question is: Can you post some more songs in Slack key for us to learn? And if not where can I find some! Thanks Jason."

AC/DC Song Questions

Roccafamilia23 asked "Hi, my question is about the acdc song lesson with Dave Mackenzie. Okay after the three chords are played and after the two notes and the string bend, I'm having trouble seeing what he's doing on the fret board. It looks like he's hitting the fifth string first fret and then the sixth string fourth fifth sixth and seventh sliding his fingers back to the fourth, but I can't tell for sure. Could you please explain in detail this third part of the song to me. Thank you so much. fellow guitarist, Daniel."