A fretted plucked stringed instrument, usually having 6 strings.

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3
votes
3answers
194 views

What is the best way to remove a broken bridge pin?

I decided to give my guitar a well deserved clean, but when I came to remove the low E string, the bridge pin was a bit stuck so I resorted to using pliers, which turns out to have been a very bad ...
6
votes
2answers
124 views

Guitar getting out of tune quickly

I have a Procraft guitar (made in China) that gets out of tune very quickly - especially after 2-3 minutes of strumming. Specifically, the 4th and 5th strings get out of tune more than the other ...
11
votes
9answers
435 views

Is there a technique to help you memorize the notes on the guitar?

The title says it all. Is there no escaping memorizing the neck note by note, or is there a nice technique for this?
4
votes
3answers
176 views

Are there any (experimental) guitar strings whose cross-section is not a circle?

The answers to this question have led me to wonder: if you string a guitar with a differently-shaped string, would it have interestingly different sonic properties? And of course, since I can't just ...
6
votes
2answers
122 views

Can I split guitar string gauges?

I want to know if I can split guitar string gauges, ie. using 12s on the bottom and 10s on the top, both for standard and drop tunings.
9
votes
2answers
648 views

Noise while not touching guitar strings or metal parts

I get a buzzing noise from my guitar when idle. However, when I touch the strings or touch any metal parts (strings, bridge or the metal portion near the output jack), the noise goes away completely. ...
0
votes
1answer
72 views

How many drop tunings can I use with one set of strings?

I want to know how many drop tunings I can reasonably use with one set of strings. Ex. can I go from E standard to drop C on 11s? For a given size string, how many tunings will be useable, given that ...
6
votes
3answers
232 views

What is the best way to work on my fret hand finger independence?

As a beginner, I find my fingers going everywhere but the places I want them! This is especially true when I'm attempting scales/licks that use my 4th finger a lot or requires quick interchanging ...
8
votes
4answers
130 views

Is it better to practice a single lick / part exclusively until you master it, or to practice a number of things at once?

As the title states... I am currently working at least one hour a day (which is my total practice time) on a single lick, and am determined to continue doing this to the exclusion of all other ...
0
votes
2answers
201 views

Can I connect an amplifier head to the top of my existing amp?

I have a HIWATT G50MR and have thought about buying a stack, but I was wondering if I could just buy a amplifier head and connect it to the top of my existing amp. Is this possible?
3
votes
2answers
130 views

Inconsistent Right Hand Technique - Mixing economy and double picking

I am coming back to the guitar after almost 10 years away. I have been around the instrument as a jazz player for almost 25 years. The biggest challenge coming back is what, I believe, drove me ...
1
vote
1answer
86 views

What are the legal issues related to guitar tablature? [closed]

What are the legal issues surrounding free guitar tablature? I have some specific questions: How are companies such as guitar-pro selling software to read gpx(gp5, etc.) tabs - is that legal? ...
6
votes
5answers
415 views

What are the Five Most Important Things to Learn?

I'm reading "Practice Perfect" and the author recommends using the 80/20 approach in planning one's practice. For example, if 20% of "techniques" yield 80% of the results, what would be the 20% of ...
2
votes
0answers
282 views

What is the quality of the Ryoji Matsuoka M30 Classical Guitar

I am curious about Ryoji Matsuoka classical guitars, particularly the M30 model. Is this make intended for beginners, intermediate players, or professionals? Are there any known unique qualities or ...
1
vote
1answer
214 views

Comparing aspects of the Boss GT-10 and the POD HD500

Both of them are pretty stellar for an amateur like me. I don't intend on playing in large venues and probably will not record much. Both of them have pretty good effects; although, the HD500, I've ...
3
votes
3answers
381 views

Where is a natural harmonic for the note C on guitar?

Today I found I really wanted a C harmonic to end a tune nicely. So we have E, B, G, D, A notes at 12th/5th fret. Then we get G#, C#, F#, B, D# at 4th/10th fret (I just remember them as the major ...
2
votes
1answer
268 views

How to make Electric guitar sound like a saxophone

I'm not talking about midi or synthesizers. I have a Digitech Rp 500 processor. I want to know what settings I must do to make my guitar sound (atleast in a rough way) like a sax.
2
votes
2answers
101 views

Is the following non-standard fingering for an A shaped barre chord still technically sound?

Having slowly come to grips with E shape barre chords I'm now grappling with A shaped ones. The two popular fingerings I have seen involve one finger each on the 2, 3, 4 strings or alternatively ...
1
vote
3answers
271 views

On a guitar how do you play two notes simultaneously on non-adjacent strings?

For example here is a snippet from moonlight sonata. https://dl.dropbox.com/u/12337149/gap.png There are two open strings here with a pretty big gap in between them. How should this be played?
6
votes
4answers
251 views

Electric fretless bass guitar intonation

Is there a specific way to check the intonation on a fretless bass, i.e. adjusting the string lengths at the bridge, or does it simply not matter, as we're keeping in tune by ear anyhow?
3
votes
3answers
1k views

Can I connect my semi-acoustic guitar to my computer and get output from its speakers?

I know the proper thing to do is to buy an amplifier for this purpose. But can I connect to my computer and get the output from the speakers? Works fine with recording, but not direct output. Is there ...
4
votes
2answers
313 views

What's the proper right arm position for an electric guitar?

With my classical guitar arm positioning has never been an issue. I just rest my arm naturally on the body at the crook of the elbow: My wrist stays pretty flat: I feel like I could sit like ...
5
votes
3answers
208 views

What's the correct technique for strumming a guitar?

By correct I mean from a biomechanical perspective to minimize the risk of injury. I have seen some advice saying that strumming should be controlled by the big muscles such as the shoulder. My ...
7
votes
2answers
304 views

Right way of resting a guitar

While not using or after using, what is the right way of resting a guitar. If I lean it towards a wall, is it right to lean it with the strings facing the walls or otherwise? Is it fine to hang the ...
3
votes
2answers
87 views

How can I stop my left arm from fatiguing while playing guitar in the classical position?

If I let my left arm naturally hang and just reach for the fretboard by bending at the elbow, I find I can access up to the fifth fret. However for access to say the first fret, I need to lift my arm ...
1
vote
2answers
139 views

What are the correct mechanics for a guitar F barre chord

I have been having trouble with the F barre chord and have a question about mechanics. As an experiment I've tried moving the body very far to the right so that my eyes are somewhere over the seventh ...
1
vote
2answers
267 views

Determining modes in a minor Key

Speaking of Functional harmony; If a song is in key C, then we call the C major scale from E to E is a Phyrigan mode. Good, what if a song is in key Am, which is actually relative of C and also Am ...
-2
votes
1answer
145 views

Godin Multiac Nylon : how well is that guitar adapted to classical guitar players?

I would like to know if that guitar is totally replication the string length, distance and feel of a classical guitar. And also get any opinion you may have on it.
7
votes
5answers
291 views

How to go learn through a book

This is not your average "which book to learn from" question. I'll post my research and background in as much detail as possible (since this could potentially help others with similar question). I've ...
-1
votes
1answer
87 views

Which synth guitar (MIDI or not) are suited for a classical guitarist? [closed]

The goal is for a classical guitarist to feel at ease when playing the synth instrument. I know about Yamaha and Roland models, but have no idea about their respective advantages...
2
votes
2answers
131 views

Driving a Novation UltraNova synth via a Yahama synth guitar (G10 ?)

Would it be possible to play on a Yahama syntheziser guitar, and get the sounds and instruments to actually come out of the sound bank of the Novation UltraNovation synthesizer ? (please feel free to ...
3
votes
2answers
125 views

One at a time or all at once?

I'm relearning guitar after several years -- well, several decades -- away. I'm actually finding that not only is it coming back to me easily, but I'm learning more than I ever knew before due to all ...
0
votes
0answers
121 views

Song Analysis Foo Fighters - Arlandria [closed]

In the process of trying to improve my songwriting skills, I decided to do a little more "structured" transcription (see also Justin's explanation why this is helpful). I'm posting my progress here ...
3
votes
3answers
394 views

How to keep guitar strings from breaking so quickly?

I have a takamine g350 acoustic-electric guitar (not that it really matters for this quesiton), and my strings tend to break every two or three weeks. I do like to experiment with different tunings, ...
3
votes
1answer
377 views

Acoustic guitar damaged by impact. How to repair?

Introduction My acoustic guitar has suffered damage at four locations. It still sounds very good, and it is more than twenty years old. The damage done The different damage locations are pictured ...
2
votes
2answers
326 views

How can I avoid making unpleasant facial expressions when playing difficult chords?

When I'm playing (learning) difficult chords on guitar (ex: F,B7) my facial muscles (basically lips) form a weird action (I felt it and I saw it in the mirror). I feel I'll get used to it as I go and ...
2
votes
1answer
150 views

What is the effect/technique used to make the slide in 1979 by the Smashing Pumpkins?

In the song 1979 by the Smashing Pumpkins, there is a re-occurring downward slide when the guitar changes chords at the end of the first bar (from 7x9 / 2x4): $5.6.$4.x.$3.8 $5.6.$4.x.$3.8 ...
2
votes
3answers
244 views

Annoying hot humbucker pick harmonics

I have a weird "problem" I recently bought an ESP ltd les paul style guitar with a Duncan JB pickup on bridge. Yesterday while i was practising with my headphones and with full hi gain distortion i ...
2
votes
5answers
291 views

Where to start when learning guitar? [duplicate]

Possible Duplicate: Need Help in Starting to Learn Guitars? What's the best way to start learning and progress at guitar? Should I start with scales, basic chord progressions or simple ...
4
votes
4answers
386 views

Mute other side of String When Tapping (2-hand tapping style)

I couldn't seem to find this existing question, although it may be somewhere boiled into a two-hand tapping question somewhere else. I come from electric bass and the Victor Wooten style of two-hand ...
1
vote
1answer
196 views

Will changing the colour of my Stratocaster reduce its value?

I have a Highway One Fender Strat (American), which I'm told has a poor quality satin finish. This has started to "melt" on the bottom of the guitar. I paid about £800 for it in 2005/2006. It has a ...
1
vote
4answers
430 views

What are some small, lightweight, electric guitars that are ultra portable? [closed]

There's probably not a huge market for portable guitars. Despite that, I would still like one! :) What are some electric guitars which are both small and lightweight? They need to have a full-length ...
3
votes
4answers
243 views

What are some interesting ways notes and chords are spelled in cultures outside of the U.S.?

I've heard that German musicians spell the seventh note of the C major scale with an "H" where an American musician would use a "B". And, for the fourth note of the F major scale, where an American ...
4
votes
1answer
114 views

How to keep from tensing up when I click the metronome faster?

I've been trying to build up speed with my tremolo exercises, and the demon I keep fighting is a sort of negative feedback loop fed by worrying about deviations from the tempo, increasing attention on ...
7
votes
2answers
332 views

Fingertip sensitivity/pain related to nail separation

I've been playing for decades. Every now and then I do something that causes a fingertip on my fretting hand to be extremely sensitive — to the point where the slightest pressure causes pain. ...
7
votes
3answers
192 views

How to develop soloing vocabulary

Background: My first guitar teacher used to show me small licks or note patterns that had that special quality of arousing interest during a solo improvisation. They were essentially "tools" in my ...
-1
votes
1answer
154 views

How to learn scales (guitar)? [closed]

What is a good exercise? After one masters a pattern, how to connect with other patterns?
11
votes
3answers
288 views

How can I move beyond learning songs?

I can competently learn and play chord progressions and simple runs on the guitar but I do not feel like I understand the instrument. My playing progresses by memorizing songs. However, I know that ...
0
votes
1answer
401 views

How to Make Kim Thayil of Soundgarden (Outshined) Sound

Listen to this song: ...
2
votes
1answer
433 views

Scale change in “God will make a way” by Don Moen

God will make a way starts in F scale (as far as I know). So the chords are from F major scale. (F, Bb, C, Dm). This is fairly simple. But if you check the lyrics-chords from the line "By a ...

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