Guitar help/advice/lessons

[XGrave]

I got my guitar and my amp, and i know little and I'm confused about much. And of the things i do know, i only know half of it.

I can: Tune, vibrato, and move my fingers around the guitar...

Confusion:

How do i hold a pick, i either end up holding it between my first finger and my thumb or my middle finger and my thumb, but is there a correct way or does either work?

When i strum is it across the entire pick up area or only in the middle of them?

And in some songs like stair way to heaven, it shows split strings, how would i play that?

and when i strum is it my wrist or my entire arm?

And what are some exercises strum up and down?

I'm attempting hammer-ons and pull-offs but how do i know if i'm doing it correctly?

Where do i start learning? Strumming, chords/notes, etc?

Should i learn tabs or notes or both?

Thanks guys! (If you're wondering why i'm asking you guys, I've watched youtube videos, read a lot of things, and this is the only forum i'm active on)

[XGrave]

Raiyne probably has better answers than me, I've been to college for guitar and I still think I cant hold a pick right. I was never formally taught how to do certain things but I've learned just from watching when it comes to postures and positions and self experimentation.

My suggestion is, as for holding a pick, move your fingers around till their comfortable, look at the images on google or a get a teacher.

Strumming for me is weird I tend to strum in the middle but towards the bridge pickup more because I feel I have more precision when it comes to hitting more than one string and it's smoother when I pick. But not too much towards the bridge pick up because then it affects my ability to palm mute.

Strumming with wrist, make sure it's not tensed or locked though. Some people will say wrist and forearm.

Exercises for alternate picking... Ultimate-Guitar has MANY, usually pentatonic exercises.

Hammer ons and pull offs - use your amp and your ear. Other than that, need more detail on what you think you're doing wrong (hard for me to explain this, easier when you're seeing people play).

When I felt lost on where to start learning chords and stuff. Either get an E-book or Physical copy of Mel Bay's Modern Guitar Method Grade 1: Expanded Edition. First page has how you should hold the guitar with posture, hand formation on the neck, and how to hold a pick. It's good for learning notation and the basics of music (treble clef quarter notes, time signatures). Has scales and chords in it and such. I wouldnt suggest solely practice with that book, keep guitar fun and play what you wanna play though.

What you can also do is practice with Tuxguitar, download some easy songs and read up on a how to use a metronome and USE the metronome. Buy one or download a metronome app to your phone or use an E-Metronome.

Ultimate-Guitar is there for a reason, the forums have many stickied topics and the mainsite has many guides on how to do just about everything. If you feel like you're getting no where, I'd suggest a teacher, one that plays your style of music maybe.

Just suggestions, I was self-taught at first, had no knowledge of scales or anything till I met my teacher and that's where I felt I was getting better quicker. Some people it's easier for them to self-teach.

Keep it fun dude.

Thanks, Answered a ton +rep (attempted to and then said i need to spread more around before giving it to you T.T)

[immabrit]

Well, i am in the process of teaching myself. i recommend that you learn to read music, and the notes. i didn't and i cant play as well as some, but better than others. you hold the wide end of the pick, between your thumb and index finger. If you can i would recommend taking lessons, it really helps being tought one on one. but other than that i think other people can help more than that.

[zipykido]

There are a couple of ways to hold a pick, I like holding it between my thumb and second third of my pointer finger. Just find something that works for you. Also for strumming the trick is to maintain constant distance from the strings and use a fluid motion. Your guitar will sound a little different depending on where you strum it.

[Darc]

I suggest you do your own picking. Develop your own picking style.

I couldn't use a pick for my life about 3 months ago, it felt so weird since I learnt my stuff by fingerstyling. When I got my electric I started using a pick more often since people would say Oh no, you should use a pick with an electric because blah blah blah blah (Absolutely bogus, it's about how you personally like your sound. Mark Knopfler for example doesn't use picks, rather his fingers. I based my style LOADS on him, similiar weird hybrid fingerpicking technique).

Using it like others would will feel weird on you. Just develop your very own picking. I'm crazy into blues so I don't know any metal guitarrists who would hybrid pick though don't follow my lead.

Hammer ons and pull offs can be extremely confusing at first but with time you hear them and do them right. It's all about being comfortable with the fretboard and the guitar, it all comes together when you are.

You'll learn to play by ear what you want with time. I still can't do it after one year and a couple months like I would but during solos and playing I know where notes are most of the time and what they sound like. I suggest you take the time to learn some scales apart from chords and general idea where notes are on the fretboard.

Anyway you're learning stairway to heaven? That's a song you DON'T play with a pick atleast part of it. You only pick up a pick for the solo, I do personally. Just keep it between your finger knuckles or in your mouth, I do that lol.

[immabrit]

I used to only use a pick, but i am now developing my fingerstyle, and i like it more. getting into folk. it depends on you, you could play metal fingerstyle, if you wanted too.

[drawnzer54]

I used to only use a pick, but i am now developing my fingerstyle, and i like it more. getting into folk. it depends on you, you could play metal fingerstyle, if you wanted too.

You're extremely limited if you play metal using finger picking..

[immabrit]

it's why i said if you wanted to.

[Darc]

Kinda hard if not impossible to do sweeps without a pick i'd reckon. I wouldn't know, it's a technique I learned half arsed-ly on my own anyway.

[Raiyne]

You're extremely limited if you play metal using finger picking..

Kinda hard if not impossible to do sweeps without a pick i'd reckon. I wouldn't know, it's a technique I learned half arsed-ly on my own anyway.

Seems like you could use the back of a finger with a nail for that sweeping motion.

[Hizumi]

The intro to Nothing Else Matters is fingerstyled.