I think you did send me this before(I was looking through my history for it. I do understand how to play the scale now and have made it through it a few times. I'll probably do it 100 times tonight trying to get it right. I think the most important thing to do is learning to use the correct fingers on the frets I've been using index and middle and ring for this one, and alternating picking, I find its a challenge to do it accurately.
Oh, yeah...
Buy a string winder. You'll find a "guitar tool" that works for you. I don't recommend a specific brand. You'll want one someday. Buy one before you need it. It'll save you like 15 minutes of turning your tuning knobs by hand, every time you change the strings.
They're like five bucks, tops. It's a good excuse to introduce yourself at your local music store. Just tell 'em you want a string winder and they'll know exactly what you want.
While you're there, check out some picks and buy a few of different sizes, shapes, grips, and thicknesses.
When you find one you like, order like 1,000 of them - in bulk - online. 'Cause, as soon as you find a favorite pick style and thickness, the fuckers will stop making them. This is the saga of my life. Trust me on this. They're dirt cheap when you buy them in bulk.
And, you're gonna want to put new strings on the guitar some day. Just avoid Ernie Ball. Get some medium gauges and worry about picking something different later. Do not buy Ernie Ball. They are garbage.
Also, you can order strings in bulk, as well. You're probably not going to need to, but I'm just making you aware of it. You never know... You may end up with a collection of guitars and needing a steady supply of strings. It can happen to anyone. I've seen the sickness take over with my own two eyes - many times.
Finally, one question...
Are you happy with your guitar?
I'll have to go do that, I can afford 5 bucks. I probably should have a good excuse to do that. I can't imagine adding a few picks would be all that expensive. Got a brand recommendation on strings? I've heard you want different strings for different tunes? What is drop C? I honestly could see my self ending up with a few... Just like 2 or 3 you gotta have at least an acoustic and an electric, then there are a couple different types of electrics. Eh I'm sure I'll just get one more just an acoustic and I'll be good, gotta learn the electric first.
Final Answer, I love the guitar I really do even with the crappy amp which is more than enough for me so far, I'm still learning what all the different knobs and switches do still, there is a button that adds some kind of distortion effect on the amp if you switch the switch on the guitar up I think, and adjust the knobs you can make some epic sounds, Its also comfortable to hold. I don't know enough to know how good it is, or if its any good at all but I trust you wouldn't steer me wrong and I like it so fuck what anyone else thinks. I have a small urge to take it apart but I think that would void the warranty, so I hold off on that and maybe pick up a cheap one to dissect so I know what the guts look like.
You could, if you want, turn your computer on and play me a scale.
Later, when it's time, I'll do a much better job explaining scale shapes and the importance of the pentatonic - and I'll teach you how to use it far better than the guy you linked to a few days ago. I can do a better teaching job than that in plain fucking text.
I judge the people you link - very harshly. He's not very good. He has no business giving lessons. That people pay him for lessons is an absurdity. Man, when you finally get to learning to do the pentatonic, I can make sure you learn how to play an improvisational bitchin' solo - on command and without rehearsal - in any key. You can take that scale and walk it up the fretboard from the open position all the way to the 23rd fret.
Shit, you can fake a dozen Jimi Hendrix songs, after that. Your audience isn't full of guitarists. They don't know what the exact notes are supposed to be, and they don't remember all the details. You can get away with faking a whole lot of stuff - or what some people call "interpretive covers" or "my own rendition."
I'm still not your teacher. I already have a student and the formatting options for this site are abysmal. I will look for solutions.
For now, anything that's not Ernie Ball or cheaper - in a medium gauge strings. Any brand will do. You're eventually going to want to try new sets, but for now something consistent is best. I'm more worried about your form than I am about your ability to shred.
Sorry - forgot to mention that.
(post is archived)