Begginer tips....

[tcent]

Well Dave pretty much inspired me to go out and buy a guitar. I have a lot of friends who take lessons and say Dave stuff is way too hard to play let alone begin with. I don't really want to take lessons but I want to play his music real bad. So do you guys think that Dave stuff is good or bad to begin on? If not what is some easy stuff that I can learn with? Thanks.

:confused

[The-Last-Stop]

My advice is learn the basics before u learn any dmb. Learn the chords, some scales and some progressions. If you dont wanna take lessons buy a book. After you get the basics down learn a few simple dmb songs such as proudest monkey, big eyed fish, #41 and so on. Learn the basics first though i cant stress that enough.

[chr35919]

i would pick one(and only one) dmb song you want to master.

if you start playing the whole catalog pretty soon you may see the guitar in terms of dave...not a good thing.

basic open chords are essential to playing obviously.

finger exercises are also essential...in the beginning if you practice for an hour let's say, you should probably be exercising you fingers for a half an hour at least.


and about lessons: if you don't want lessons but don't have any idea about technique(i.e. the right way to hold the guitar) go to one lesson. the teacher will help you get comfortable and plant some very basic ideas in your head...a friend who plays could do this for you two. if you start playing the 'wrong' way you'll regret it later when your left hand can't make the stretches you want because you aren't holding the neck correctly, etc.

[whiteysax]

along the lines of beginners... i'm looking at getting my first "new" guitar... I've been eyeing up Ibanez. They seem to be affordable and good quality. any advice, suggestions?

[TSilk]

I'd grab a Washburn D10S, for the money they can't be beat.

[lalkb48]

When you learn chords and stuff, Dave songs arent hard at all. All of them become easy

[jammer]

If you do decide to start with some DMB stuff, go to www.dmbtabs.com

[iancarlson_33]

If you do decide to start with some DMB stuff, go to www.dmbtabs.com

word:multi

[gmmmotors]

i would definitely say learn some scales and progressions, i am self taught but i'll learn some scales and progressions eventually

in relation to dave's music once you get used to the fingering the songs are not very difficult at all

[VanHorneDog]

two words: christmas song

cant get much easier, although loving wings is. lol

[VanHorneDog]

along the lines of beginners... i'm looking at getting my first "new" guitar... I've been eyeing up Ibanez. They seem to be affordable and good quality. any advice, suggestions?

just buy a martin. that way you say to yourself, man i spent 1200 bucks on this. i better fucking play it. you will become very good that way. :thumbsup

[bubba40]

IGNORE DMB stuff for right now. Learn the five indispensible scales (Major, minor pentatonic, blues, major pentatonic, minor). Learn your appregios. Learn all open chords and bar chords. Learn Maj7, 7, min7 chords.
Then start learning songs.

[iancarlson_33]

when you're playing the scales, where do you position your hands to start playing them (what frets should your fingers start on?)

[bubba40]

when you're playing the scales, where do you position your hands to start playing them (what frets should your fingers start on?)

A good place to start is usually the fifth fret. For this example, let's say you're playing an A Major scale.
Your middle finger will be on the fifth fret; this will be the first note played. The next note played will be on the seventh fret (B), played with your pinky.
I highly suggest this webpage: http://www.cyberfret.com/scales/basic/page2.php
The numbers on the fretboard here correspond to which finger is being used to play. 1 for index, 2 for middle, etc.
Good luck! :)

[lewdawg99]

first song i ever taught myself to play was crash

[JTR&PIG]

start on the christmas song, or grey street, or recently there all pretty easy and i can do it, anyone can

[spoot388]

start on the christmas song, or grey street, or recently there all pretty easy and i can do it, anyone can


What??? Why the hell would you tell a beginner to START on those? I tried playing but never really got anywhere, but I can assure you that a song like Recently is not the best place to start. I guess Christmas Song would be ok, but Proudest Monkey is the easiest. BEF would probably be another good one, after PM.

[JTR&PIG]

What??? Why the hell would you tell a beginner to START on those? I tried playing but never really got anywhere, but I can assure you that a song like Recently is not the best place to start. I guess Christmas Song would be ok, but Proudest Monkey is the easiest. BEF would probably be another good one, after PM.

christmas song is what i learned first, then recently, then crash, anything to help learn the spread of the neck

[pkpro1]

don't learn with dave songs in the start. the beatles are much better to start with. once you learn some open chords, and develop strenght, their stuff could be a lot of fun to play. besides, everyone likes the beatles.

[Kevin Radzinski]

Well Dave pretty much inspired me to go out and buy a guitar. I have a lot of friends who take lessons and say Dave stuff is way too hard to play let alone begin with. I don't really want to take lessons but I want to play his music real bad. So do you guys think that Dave stuff is good or bad to begin on? If not what is some easy stuff that I can learn with? Thanks.

:confused

Go for it... If you are inspired, let that drive you. I learned how to play the guitar playing Dave songs... I was in your same situation less than 5 years ago... Peace, -Kevin

By the way, if you learn to keep your hand moving and not worry so much about playing the song you will be able to play them quicker than you think... Except for the big stretches, they will take time no matter what (to build up the coordination and muscle...)

[Kevin Radzinski]

i would pick one(and only one) dmb song you want to master.

if you start playing the whole catalog pretty soon you may see the guitar in terms of dave...not a good thing.

basic open chords are essential to playing obviously.

finger exercises are also essential...in the beginning if you practice for an hour let's say, you should probably be exercising you fingers for a half an hour at least.


and about lessons: if you don't want lessons but don't have any idea about technique(i.e. the right way to hold the guitar) go to one lesson. the teacher will help you get comfortable and plant some very basic ideas in your head...a friend who plays could do this for you two. if you start playing the 'wrong' way you'll regret it later when your left hand can't make the stretches you want because you aren't holding the neck correctly, etc.

good post

[Kevin Radzinski]

along the lines of beginners... i'm looking at getting my first "new" guitar... I've been eyeing up Ibanez. They seem to be affordable and good quality. any advice, suggestions?

seagull makes a great hand made guitar with LR Baggs pick-up - with case $400... This guitar will compete with anything Martin/Taylor in the $1200-$1500 range... But... All wooden guitars buzz eventually...

If money is not a consideration and you want a guitar with Excellent sound, electronics, Perfect Intonation-Always, And Never Needing to be set up, EVER... And one you can leave in your car in sub-degree weather than put it on a 180 degree heater and still not worry about setting it up or ruining it...

Composite Acoustics... (compositeacoustics.com)

[Kevin Radzinski]

when you're playing the scales, where do you position your hands to start playing them (what frets should your fingers start on?)

If you want to hear your self mimic sounds that you hear on the c.d. right away... Learn Brown Eyed Girl (gcgd) Sweet Home Alabama (dcg) If you really want to learn an abbreviated Dave song... Ants (dg)

Or, do what that guy said...

[Dan-O]

Dave stuff is bad to learn with - too hard. John Mayer is also tough because its all riff based.

Try Neil Young, Stones, Springsteen, Hendrix. The straight rock stuff is easy - three chords and the truth ; )

[scholarbri84]

Dave worked for me. My first song was #41 (not one of the easier ones). Play what you love. Even if it's a little difficult, it will keep you passionate about guitar.

[chr35919]

Dave worked for me. My first song was #41 (not one of the easier ones). Play what you love. Even if it's a little difficult, it will keep you passionate about guitar.
if all else fails, just play the open chords to songs like #41...for a beginner, it'll make you feel great.

[canadianbacon]

If you want to hear your self mimic sounds that you hear on the c.d. right away... Learn Brown Eyed Girl (gcgd) Sweet Home Alabama (dcg) If you really want to learn an abbreviated Dave song... Ants (dg)

Or, do what that guy said...

bought the seagull S6 to start learning today. I must say i am very pleased. Although i may have just started guitar i have a long background in music, and i absolutly love the tone it makes.

[Dan-O]

bought the seagull S6 to start learning today. I must say i am very pleased. Although i may have just started guitar i have a long background in music, and i absolutly love the tone it makes.

Yeah, I think Seagull is the best low end guitar...