Guitar ‘Tabs’

[MattA777]

Anyone here have good musical knowledge and familiarity with tabs...?
I have a young nephew who has been and continues to attend paid lessons.
My issue with that is that despite spending over a years worth of tuition, the boy knows nothing of ‘note names’ on the guitar fretboard.
What do you think....?

[SparklyKid]

I rarely strum, bit like playing a piano by banging your forearms on the keyboard.
My style evolved by closely watching Ralph McTell and others.

I use a thumb pick for the bottom three strings, and a finger for each of the top three. The only finger I don't use is the little finger on my right hand. As you get better you can use different fingers for the top three strings.

The thumb is most important for keeping a base rhythm going.

I enjoy my guitar, you feel it rather than concentrating on the mechanics of the music.

[SparklyKid]

This is inspirational, worth a watch for any budding guitarist.

[SparklyKid]

Another one to inspire.

[tamborine]

xmas has me cutting my left hand nails for carol soirees but right hand long nails are better than a pick.

I advise gut strings for kids & learners - till finger tips calous up.

[SparklyKid]

One of the best ways to learn the guitar is to get a good one, low action, curved fretboard, light gauge strings.

I have a Yahama FG180 about 50 years old, great guitar, almost plays itself.

[SparklyKid]

Hi Tambo, yes I have long nails on my picking hand. I use a thumb pick , used to use my thumb nail but the angle seemed wrong.

[SparklyKid]

My left hand finger tips are like concrete, lol. Very sore years ago but they do harden up.

[SparklyKid]

All right, I know, seen it all before, but. This is a great starter.

[EdmundD]

I don't strum much either. I tried using picks but couldn't get on with them. So I just finger pick without them. I like the feel of the guitar strings.

My favourite is my Yamaha acoustic 12 string. Years ago I had the octave strings reversed to give a deeper tone. Byrds/Roger McGuinn was a big influence and I heard that's how he got his sound.

My other go-to is my Eko Ranger 6.

[pixie374]

To return to the OP, I think you could become a "competent" guitarist, with tabs and YouTube... but, if he wants to be a good or great one, or ever try a different instrument... he is always going to be better off understanding it. Not necessarily the theory, but at least the basics of actual music.

[tamborine]

Thanx Sparkly I like that.

I find the advantage of the guitar against the piano is playing sevenths & nineth chords.

[SparklyKid]

My other go-to is my Eko Ranger 6.

Wow , my first guitar. £37 from Mameloks in Manchester.

Bit heavy but a great guitar. I did have a 12 string Echo Ranger, could never quite get the hang of it. Bit tricky for finger picking. It was suggested to put the octave strings the other way round,lol.

[SparklyKid]

Bottom line, a great hobby and keeps arthritis at bay.

[SparklyKid]

Eko Ranger Six. Big block of wood inside. Very strong, you could use it to hammer fence posts in.

[tamborine]

Gotchya sparkly I remember Streets played by an aber - is it you.

[EdmundD]

"Bottom line, a great hobby and keeps arthritis at bay."

Yes it is - I used to feel that it was my version of Yoga. Get home from work and spend an hour or two practising - great way to wind down from the day.

[SparklyKid]

Avatar Image tamborineGotchya sparkly I remember Streets played by an aber - is it you.14:21 Mon 14th Dec 202

Certainly is, lol.

[tamborine]

Good to know ur well sparkly & best wishes to her indoors