65
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Accepted
Why does string strummed with finger sound different from the one strummed with pick?
Per a suggestion, I am converting my comment into an answer.
WARNING: math ahead
(uh-oh, it looks like Music.SE doesn't support MathJAX -- I am going to go ahead and post the TeX code anyway and try ...
- 925
21
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Why does string strummed with finger sound different from the one strummed with pick?
The reason for the difference in sound is that the release of the string from the pick is faster than with fingers, which means that fewer of the upper harmonics are damped as the string is released. ...
- 6,560
19
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Do I have to learn chords?
Well... Obviously if you hate chords, there's no one to force you to learn them. If you play just for your enjoyment, then you're the only one who gets to decide what you play.
However, there are some ...
- 6,690
17
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Why does string strummed with finger sound different from the one strummed with pick?
The difference is caused by the different shape of the plucking implement. One easy way to verify this at home is to take your pick (same material and thickness), and pluck the strings with the back ...
- 58.6k
13
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Why does string strummed with finger sound different from the one strummed with pick?
As an addition to the other answers, here's the frequency spectrum of an open low E string of an electric guitar (a Squier strat with a bridge humbucker), strummed with the fleshy part of the finger, ...
- 3,672
10
votes
Accepted
Can I become a good guitarist by just playing other's arrangements?
Exactly what constitutes a good guitarist?
If it's someone who can play like some other guitarists, then maybe yes.
If it's someone who can play just about everything, and put his own slant on new ...
- 197k
8
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What are the uses of inverted chords?
I think you have outlined two of the uses of inversions in your questions already.
To add a bass line to the chords that are not just all roots.
To put the melody note "up on top" so it is the ...
- 7,110
7
votes
Fingerstyle for a COMPLETE beginner
Yes, it's reasonable to start with fingerstyle.
If you are completely new to the guitar then you'll have several other things to work on as well like fretting-hand technique, posture, basic theory ...
- 4,138
7
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Guitar tab symbol
Tim does surely have more expertise in this style of music, but I suppose this might be a notion of a tie. Both cases here are in place where a tie would make some sense, that is between the last 16th ...
- 23.1k
6
votes
How do I know which position to use when I'm playing by ear
It's so difficult because there is more than one way to play each note.
I would look at it from another angle: it's so easy because there is more than one way to play each note! Whenever one way to ...
- 35.8k
6
votes
Fingerpicking Barre chords: What bass string to use?
Barre chords are transpositions of open chords; the root note stays on the same string:
An open E chord has the root on the 6th string, and so does any E-shape barre chord.
An open A chord has ...
- 3,672
6
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What's the reasoning behind discouraging the use of the pinky finger by some schools of finger-style guitar?
I don't think I can pinpoint a single reason, but I can add some ideas.
I started learning classical guitar, and then moved off to other pastures. Most of the pieces I played made use of just 4 ...
- 1,317
6
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Do I have to learn chords?
There's no rule saying you have to learn or play chords! It's just that you have an instrument that can! There is a paucity of instruments on which chords can be easily played - piano, organ, harp ...
- 197k
5
votes
How to lower the key of a song WITHOUT changing chord shapes
You can make use of drop tuning. This is a very popular method used by rock and metal bands to accomodate the vocal range of the singer.
This also accomodates the guitar player. By dropping your ...
- 535
5
votes
Accepted
Fingerstyle - Alternating Bass, Pinch or Bass Alone?
Traditionally, alternating bass is played in quarter notes, as in the example in your question. So, if the melody note happens to fall on the beat, it will be played simultaneously with the bass note, ...
- 20.2k
5
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What are the uses of inverted chords?
You ask many questions in one post, so I will try to re-word them:
What are the uses of chord inversions?
Shall I learn all chord inversions?
Is it OK to find my own voicings?
And shall try to ...
- 497
5
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Finger Picking Chords - Beats per bar
If the time signature is 4/4, there are always 4 beats in every bar. But that doesn't have necessarily anything to do with how many "actions" you perform per bar, i.e. how many times you pick/finger a ...
- 28.7k
5
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Classical Guitar I and M alternation
In my opinion, if you're playing it as fast as you want and your hand does not hurt, then it's absolutely okay. (I think that when I played this piece (a couple of years ago), I actually used only one ...
- 6,690
5
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Fingerstyle: what's the angle I should use for plucking?
Both, and everything in between. Each person will develop their own angle, and will vary that depending what sound they want. And again, depending on whether it's fingers or fingernails (and the way ...
- 197k
5
votes
Do I have to learn chords?
You don't need to, but eventually, you'll do it
When I started to play guitar, I didn't learn the chord shapes. I've always been into metal and I didn't really see the point.
Also, I never cared for ...
- 754
5
votes
Accepted
Which fingering to use for this section of a song
For starters, do you know what 2/3CIII and 1/2CV mean? They're there to guide people like yourself who need help working out which fingers to use.
Let's take 2/3CIII. it represents a barre of 4 out of ...
- 197k
5
votes
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Pain in the little finger of the left hand during the playing of two notes at the same time
The only way to truly know if you’re doing something wrong would be to watch you play, either in person or a video. That may not be necessary if you take a few things into account. If you freeze frame ...
- 28.6k
4
votes
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Alice Phoebe Lou — Name of the fingerpicking technique
TL;DR
Is there any special name for this fingerpicking technique?
Yes. It is called the regular alternate thumb pattern.
It is indeed an African fingerpicking technique.
African fiddles in ...
- 260
4
votes
Accepted
Writing music on the staff in 5th position
One aspect of the guitar is that certain notes can be played in different places on the fretboard. Often, it's down to the discretion of the player. On the music, the writer can put clues, such as ...
- 197k
4
votes
Finger picking on bass vs finger picking on guitar
There are a couple of relevant things that are "easier" about playing bass:
You are usually (though not always) only trying to play one note at a time
As you also say, more precision in the plucking ...
- 46.1k
4
votes
Accepted
How big a handicap is lack of "cutaway" in guitars?
However I do wish to extend my range of playing and cover more of the fretboard for the higher notes. So, I'm wondering as to how much of a trouble, hinderance, inconvenience shall the lack of cut-...
- 58.6k
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