Beginner's Guide to Guitar http://beginnersguide.com/guitar/ Guitar en Copyright 2007 Wed, 26 Jul 2006 19:51:41 +0000 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/?v=3.35 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Where and how to buy Guitar Effects? The easiest place to buy the guitar effects is your local guitar store. They are going to have a couple different effects made by different companies. They may have a wah, a reverb, and a filter pedals…or perhaps a couple more kinds of guitar effects. These are usually going to be the ones that you want more than others. But don’t simply pick up your first effects pedal based on that it is the kind that you want and a good price. Grab a guitar off the wall and plug in the effects pedal to an amp and try it out. Try out a guitar that is most like yours and play the kind of music that you would normally play and check the effects pedal for usability and for sound. One may sound really good, but extremely hard to use that it would be impossible to use in a live show.

After you have purchased your first couple pedals you may see that you like certain brands or certain things in a guitar effects pedal. This knowledge will help you with your future purchases. At that point, if you want to buy additional effects pedals online, you can safely purchase them, knowing the quality that you are getting. One of the most important things about buying guitar effects is to buy pedals that enhance your sound, not completely change it.

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/guitar/guitar-effects/where-and-how-to-buy-guitar-effects.php http://beginnersguide.com/guitar/guitar-effects/where-and-how-to-buy-guitar-effects.php Guitar Effects Wed, 12 Apr 2006 20:23:08 +0000 Mandolins Overview As you sit back and listen to your favorite music compact disc, you are aware of a high-pitched sound that you just can’t place. There is no way that the sound is coming from a regular guitar, especially with the speed and clarity of pitch of all the notes. You scramble for the CD case to see what could be making that noise. It’s extremely exotic, yet at the same time the pitch is so high that it is almost a toy instrument. The one we are talking about is the mandolin. A mandolin was originally formed through Indian music to give a counter-melody to many of the deeper percussion and woodwind instruments that were played. The mandolin has moved on to many different kinds of music to give different songs throughout the CD or show a little bit of a different edge.

A mandolin has a very similar shape to the guitar or banjo, but with some distinct differences – even besides the size. That is probably one of the first questions that a person has about the mandolin. What makes it have the high-pitched sound? The second thing that usually comes to mind is what musical genres can the mandolin be used with. This question is going to open up a plethora of opportunities to play a wide variety of music for the mandolin instrumentalist. To get to that point you have to learn how to play some basic methods of the mandolin and that is the third question, where can you learn to play the mandolin or how can you learn the mandolin on your own? But the final question may be the most important for those just learning about the mandolin, and that is, where can you go to buy a good quality mandolin.

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/guitar/mandolins/mandolins-overview.php http://beginnersguide.com/guitar/mandolins/mandolins-overview.php Mandolins Wed, 12 Apr 2006 20:23:57 +0000 What makes up a mandolin? The first thing that you are going to think about the mandolin is how similar it looks to the banjo. But the sound and some of the physical components differs greatly between these two instruments. The first thing that may catch your idea is the odd tear-dropped shape of the body of the mandolin. This is rarely not made of mood, and size provides the high-pitched resonance that is needed for the mandolin. The second characteristic of the mandolin is the number of strings. There are eight strings on the mandolin that are sorted into pairs. The strings are tuned to G, D, A, and E, which is just, like a violin. Surprisingly these two instruments have a lot in common with sound, but not playability. Some of the mandolins that are from the original Indian sound music will be tuned slightly differently.

Some of the other characteristics of the mandolin are just like the guitar or banjo. The neck is skinny and fretted so that you can change the notes and chords of the strings. There are usually tuning pegs located on the head, the end opposite of the bass, of the mandolin and these control the pitch of the eight strings. Also on most models there is a hole, literally called a sound hole that is located on the base of the mandolin.

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/guitar/mandolins/what-makes-up-a-mandolin.php http://beginnersguide.com/guitar/mandolins/what-makes-up-a-mandolin.php Mandolins Wed, 12 Apr 2006 20:25:04 +0000 What styles of music can a mandolin be played? Like we said earlier one of the most noted styles of music that a mandolin can be played with is Indian music. The tuning doesn’t actually make a whole lot of difference in Indian classical music because there is no pitch sound in that genre of music. Another style of music that has used the instrument for quite a while is minstrel, renaissance, or folk music. The reason for the variety of names for the music is because the names have switched over the years since this came about, and also have taken on different connotations. Folk music has actually distanced itself from the former two in the reason years. The mandolin is played in this kind of music to support a different sound as opposed to the true bass guitar or the drums. Many groups used to use violins, but because of costs and portability sometimes the mandolin is used more frequently for traveling groups.

Mandolins have recently been used in country, bluegrass, and old-time music to increase the depth of the sound. Like we have said earlier this instrument is connected closely to the banjo, but gives a little bit less of a “twang” sound, and allows the music to take on a different twist. Also the mandolin has been branching into other styles of music. Hip-Hop has used the mandolin to give a new rhythmic sound to some of their cuts, and alternative music has added the mandolin on a track or two of their studio projects. Because of the ease of play and similar cost the mandolin has been used in almost every different style of music.

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/guitar/mandolins/what-styles-of-music-can-a-mandolin-be-played.php http://beginnersguide.com/guitar/mandolins/what-styles-of-music-can-a-mandolin-be-played.php Mandolins Wed, 12 Apr 2006 20:25:42 +0000 How do I learn how to play my mandolin? One of the first things to know about learning how to play the mandolin is the lack of resonance that the instrument is going to have. You are usually not going to be able to strike, or pluck, a string and that sound keeps going forever. Some bass guitars can hold a low-note for minutes naturally. To achieve this sound with a mandolin, you must continue to strike the note to achieve a perception of a continuous note. Many people will teach themselves the mandolin, because they will tend to pick it up as an addition to their guitar. Many of the principles of guitar playing are active when learning the mandolin. If you have the notes and a proper chord-chart to teach your fingers where to go, a person can simply teach themselves the mandolin by just playing around with their mandolin.

Another track to take is to invest in some private lessons. Like was said earlier in this section, the mandolin has been used in renaissance and classical music for years. Because of this many orchestras linked with colleges will have people that are proficient in teaching the basics and advance skills of the mandolin. In fact there are entire groups that are devoted to the play of the mandolin. Teachers like this will allow you to learn how to play the mandolin like a mandolin should be played. Mandolins were designed as a specific instrument, not just as a shoot off of guitars. Therefore if someone is just picking up the mandolin in addition to their guitar, and continue using all of the principles of guitar playing and not adjust their play for the instrument then they will lose some of the advantages that are given by buying a mandolin.

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/guitar/mandolins/how-do-i-learn-how-to-play-my-mandolin.php http://beginnersguide.com/guitar/mandolins/how-do-i-learn-how-to-play-my-mandolin.php Mandolins Wed, 12 Apr 2006 20:26:20 +0000 Where can I buy a mandolin? The easiest place to buy your basic mandolin is a larger than average music instrument shop. These will have at least 3 to 4 different kinds of mandolins, and possibly different brands. Try them out in the store. Make sure they are what you want. Just like guitars, some mandolins have pickups to amplify the sound when performing; others need to be micro phoned. Know how you are going to use this instrument before you walk into the store. Being prepared with they most accurate information is one of the most important things to know. Also buying a mandolin from the store may also present an opportunity for lessons or instructional material. A guitar store may sell 15 guitars a day, but only sell 1 mandolin a week. They know the rarity, and may suggest certain products or a member of their staff to help with learning how to play the instrument.

Two other arenas that you can go to possibly purchase a mandolin are both located on the Internet. The first is EBay or another other online auction program. They are going to have a plethora of choices for you to pick used or even new mandolins for sale prices. Another place to look for an advance or customized mandolin is a website called mandolincafe.com. This website is usually the number one on search engines when you type in “mandolin” and has a large number of sales pages, and links to other mandolin centered websites.

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/guitar/mandolins/where-can-i-buy-a-mandolin.php http://beginnersguide.com/guitar/mandolins/where-can-i-buy-a-mandolin.php Mandolins Wed, 12 Apr 2006 20:26:59 +0000 Ukuleles Overview What do you think of when you hear the word, “luau?” Do you think of the girls in the grass skirts that shake their hips in ways that you never thought they could move? Do you think of a large pig on a spit and the meal that accompanies this Hawaiian meal? Or do you think of the large Polynesian with the tiny guitar? That tiny guitar is called a ukulele. This string instrument is extremely small, and has a name that is mispronounced and misspelled throughout the entire world. This miniature sized guitar that literally means “jumping flea” has been connected with Hawaii and that culture, almost as much as the bright-flowered necklaces that they give out at the airport – we’ve all seen the movies.

Is the ukulele just a small guitar or is it something more? Actually the ukulele does have a lot in common with its larger cousin the acoustic guitar but there are some differences that make this instrument completely unique. There are a few things that physically make the ukulele what it is. The second question you may be wondering is where did the ukulele come from musically and what different styles of music can it be played with. The third question out there might be how you can learn how to play the ukulele. This question may include some of the simple techniques that are used by most ukulele players, as well as hints on where you can go to get additional instruction. The last question that may be asked out there is for those that want to actually pick up an ukulele is where you can go to buy one and what simple guidelines need to be taken when purchasing one.

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/guitar/ukuleles/ukuleles-overview.php http://beginnersguide.com/guitar/ukuleles/ukuleles-overview.php Ukuleles Wed, 12 Apr 2006 20:27:58 +0000 What makes up a ukulele? The ukulele is essentially a smaller version of the guitar. It has a body, a neck, frets, a head with tuning pegs and a sound hole. These are pretty much basic things about every guitar. The difference can come with the number of strings that are used by the ukulele. Most ukuleles only have four strings. Depending on something we will talk about later in this question is how those strings are tuned. There are also some variations in which the ukulele may have six strings, in which the first and the third strings are doubled, and some ukuleles may have eight strings, which causes every string on the instrument to be paired and doubled.

There are three different sizes to the ukuleles. The smallest size of ukulele is called the soprano ukulele. It is given this name because of the size of the instrument. The smaller the ukulele the higher the pitch of music that will come out of it. The next ukulele is the concert or the tenor ukulele. This is the most common instrument in the ukulele family and was introduced in the 1920’s. The third ukulele is the baritone ukulele, which has the deepest sound out of the three. These three different types of ukuleles will tune their strings differently because of the different styles of music that are more commonly played on them. There is also a different variation of the ukulele called the Tahitian ukulele. The Tahitian is simple a ukulele without the sound box or body of the ukulele. The head and the neck are carved out of one piece of wood and has a hole carved into the middle.
]]> http://beginnersguide.com/guitar/ukuleles/what-makes-up-a-ukulele.php http://beginnersguide.com/guitar/ukuleles/what-makes-up-a-ukulele.php Ukuleles Wed, 12 Apr 2006 20:29:13 +0000 What styles of music have a ukulele created in history and is played now? The ukulele is historically a cross between Portuguese and Madeira stringed instruments. These two instruments were used widely from 1600 to late 1800’s in Brazil and Portugal. Three men then traveled from Portugal to Hawaii in the late 1800’s and suddenly came up with the idea. Ever since then, the ukulele has been used as the cultural musical piece throughout most of the Hawaiian Islands, and throughout different parts of the Pacific region. The ukulele, since it was conceived as a cross between two instruments, continues to be adapted by individual musicians to suit them a little better. But the instrument tends to keep its mystique through the small size and sound that is so unique to the ukulele.

In the early 1900’s the ukulele made its way to the mainland of the United States and the unique sound coupled with the cultural flair of the Hawaiian Islands made it a promising instrument to be used to play new music for dinner parties and art showings. The ukulele was expanded to play folk, classical, and many other different kinds of Island music from the Asia-Pacific region. George Harrison of the Beatles brought the ukulele into the public eye by trying to incorporate it into as many songs as possible, as well as always have two with him when he traveled across the world so that he could play with a friend. Jack Johnson, a modern day alternative-rock star, has also caught the ukulele bug and you can see it played at his concerts as well.
]]> http://beginnersguide.com/guitar/ukuleles/what-styles-of-music-have-a-ukulele-created-in-history-and-is-played-now.php http://beginnersguide.com/guitar/ukuleles/what-styles-of-music-have-a-ukulele-created-in-history-and-is-played-now.php Ukuleles Wed, 12 Apr 2006 20:29:55 +0000 How do I learn how to play my ukulele? The ukulele, since it is a miniature guitar, can be picked up the same way that a guitar can be. Those who play the guitar more by ear, and less by musical theory, may be able to play the ukulele a little quicker than those that stick to the theory of the ukulele. But do not let that discourage. Because of the high-sound of the ukulele and the use of only four strings (on most models), the instruments allows for a new user to hear exactly what is being played. On some guitars because the resonance is so slow they may be playing the wrong notes and not realize it. The ukulele will let you know what note you are playing, whether that is a good thing or a bad thing is left up to you.

In many music shops there are also ukulele books that can be picked up to learn at a little bit different angle. DVDs and CDs that allow you to see and hear how to play your new instrument will accompany some of these. Probably the most fun way and easiest for those that have guitar experience to pick up the ukulele is to play with a friend. While one of you plays a chord melody progression on the guitar, the other picks out a counter-melody on the ukulele. This will allow being creative with your practice time and work on improvisation skills at the same time. If you are both willing on learning how to play, then you may want to switch and play the same chords and see what they come up with. The ukulele is truly a companionship instrument – while it sounds beautiful on its own, the true music comes out when it is countered against another musical instrument or a voice.

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/guitar/ukuleles/how-do-i-learn-how-to-play-my-ukulele.php http://beginnersguide.com/guitar/ukuleles/how-do-i-learn-how-to-play-my-ukulele.php Ukuleles Wed, 12 Apr 2006 20:30:41 +0000 Where can I buy a ukulele? You are probably not going to be able to find a ukulele at most music stores located within the continental United States. They just do not have the inventory space, money-wise not physical space, to keep an instrument that is not normally bought on a weekly basis in their store. You may have to go to a special shop, such as Guitar World or other huge guitar stores located in major cities. Sometimes even these stores will be unable to keep this instrument in stock.

The best place, and the most dangerous place, to look for a new ukulele is the Internet. Online sales auctions have become the buzz around the Internet and you are able to buy anything on these – like a ukulele. Be warned though that there are a lot of ukuleles out there that are not worth the wood that they were made from. These instruments are simply for show, or someone has ignorantly supposed a child’s 4-string guitar for a ukulele. You can laugh at this statement but its true. The best thing to do is do some major research on what are the major brands of ukuleles and then finds that one. Also make sure anything you have purchased on the Internet that you are able to return in case you get something that you weren’t expecting at all.

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/guitar/ukuleles/where-can-i-buy-a-ukulele.php http://beginnersguide.com/guitar/ukuleles/where-can-i-buy-a-ukulele.php Ukuleles Wed, 12 Apr 2006 20:31:19 +0000 Acoustic Guitars acoustguit.jpg

Acoustic Guitars Overview

Can I get a good acoustic guitar for under $150?

What are some of the best kinds of Acoustic Guitars?

Should I buy an electric or acoustic guitar?

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/guitar/newbies-picks/acoustic-guitars.php http://beginnersguide.com/guitar/newbies-picks/acoustic-guitars.php Newbie's Picks Wed, 26 Jul 2006 19:41:59 +0000 Electric Guitars elecguit.jpg

Electric Guitar Overview

Should I buy an Acoustic or Electric Guitar?

How much can I expect to spend on an electric guitar?

How much of a difference does an expensive amp make as opposed to cheaper one?

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/guitar/newbies-picks/electric-guitars.php http://beginnersguide.com/guitar/newbies-picks/electric-guitars.php Newbie's Picks Wed, 26 Jul 2006 19:44:15 +0000 Bass Guitars bassguit.jpg

Bass Guitars Overview

What are the basics about the bass guitar?

How do you buy a bass guitar?

How do you learn how to play the bass guitar?

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/guitar/newbies-picks/bass-guitars.php http://beginnersguide.com/guitar/newbies-picks/bass-guitars.php Newbie's Picks Wed, 26 Jul 2006 19:48:49 +0000 Guitar Effects guiteff.jpg

Guitar Effects Overview

Who should buy Guitar Effects?

What are some of the different kinds of Guitar Effects?

What if you want different effects at the same time?

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/guitar/newbies-picks/guitar-effects.php http://beginnersguide.com/guitar/newbies-picks/guitar-effects.php Newbie's Picks Wed, 26 Jul 2006 19:51:41 +0000