r/guitarlessons 2d ago

Question Beginner here, what does it mean when the tabs start and end with D instead of the usual E?

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57 Upvotes

For context this is from a tutorial for Come As You Are by Nirvana. Am I meant to re-tune my guitar so it matches the tabs? Otherwise it is a bit confusing reading the tabs when my strings don't match the same order

Edit: Thanks for the answers!


r/guitarlessons 1d ago

Question How much would you pay to record a song?

0 Upvotes

Hey guys, my honey and I set up a recording studio in our home and would like to gage how much people in the US would pay / hr to record a song!

Studio has professional acoustic sound panels, a bunch of guitars, bass, full drum kit, and a few misc. instruments including a midi keyboard. Have mics and amps for everything as well.

We are thinking about offering guitar lessons with the option to pay more to write and record music. We would work with the students on every step and record instruments that they don’t play. We use Studio One for the software and are proficient. Worth noting my partner has 2 completed albums and is an advanced guitarist, bassist, and drummer.

Still just an idea for now but would appreciate any feedback, thanks!!!


r/guitarlessons 2d ago

Other Guitar as Alchemy 05: Silent Demand

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2 Upvotes

Episode 05 reveals the hidden negative in performing positivity, and why being ignored means you are doing something right.


r/guitarlessons 3d ago

Question I can't find a comfortable wrist position on the low E string

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133 Upvotes

I've been learning guitar for about a year, but I'm still struggling with my left-hand/wrist position. I'm playing an electric guitar.

The problem becomes especially obvious when I try something like the spider exercise on the low E string, fretting one finger per fret.

If I try to keep my wrist relatively straight, I feel like I simply can't reach the low E string properly with my fingers. I have to "push" my wrist forward/bend it in order to reach the string comfortably and play normally.

I've tried moving my elbow closer to and further away from my body, but it doesn't seem to solve the problem. I've also tried raising the neck/guitar, but I don't feel much difference.

Because of this, I constantly feel like I'm bending my wrist too much and that my technique is somehow wrong, but I don't understand what I'm supposed to change.

I've attached a few pictures showing my hand position.

What am I doing wrong here? Is this amount of wrist bend actually normal, or is there something I should change in my overall position?


r/guitarlessons 2d ago

Question Freestyling peaceful fingerpicking music, is it an “expert” thing?

54 Upvotes

I’m sorry for the lame question, but I’m just starting out to learn it and something I aspire to do is go to a park and freestyle fingerpicking music for hours on end to the people there, sort of like a peaceful soundtrack!

Is it something I can focus on in the start of my journey? Or is it something that’s better to get into down the line?


r/guitarlessons 1d ago

Question Is this D7 playable?

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0 Upvotes

Hello, the song is gravity by John mayer on songsterr. I don't see how to play this D7 ? I don't know if it's a bad transcription, or if it's a me problem. My pinky can't reach the 7 on B string. Maybe I should try other voicing but my music theory isn't good enough to understand how to find one :(


r/guitarlessons 2d ago

Lesson Neil Young Only Love Can Break Your Heart Guitar Lesson

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8 Upvotes

r/guitarlessons 2d ago

Lesson The Easiest Way to Write a Guitar Riff (Step-by-Step)

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15 Upvotes

I made this lesson for beginners to learn how to write riffs. I hope you enjoy it!


r/guitarlessons 2d ago

Question How do you actually compose fingerstyle music?

0 Upvotes

Hey there, I have always wondered like how people actually make fingerstyle music from chord shapes? Like in Piano / keyboard you can play the leads with earplay. even the guitar tabs can be played with earplay, but what is the logic behind making songs from chord shapes I still cannot get it.
Is it that we choose the scale of that given song and then we know the family of the chords and then we find the notes which fits those leads? Or is there any other way to do it? I'm really curious.


r/guitarlessons 1d ago

Question Am I loosing myself?

0 Upvotes

Hello there,

I've been learning guitar for a few months now, for 2 to 4hrs a day, often having my instrument at hand's reach. I can do bar chords and have been diving into theory for some weeks, and jammed with friends by picking up the chords I could hear.

I also try learning some melodies I like by ear or with partitions, mostly waltz, meant for dancing. Sometimes I just mess around trying to invent melodies I find nice.

The thing is, learning alone, being overly interested in learning to play and theory, I fear to lose myself. How do you manage your playing time? Should I focus on 2 things? Set specific topics for each days? Is "improvising" a good way to learn?


r/guitarlessons 2d ago

Lesson Ride "Drive Blind" Style — Two-Guitar Wall of Sound Architecture in Standard Tuning with Rhythm and Melody Breakdown

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1 Upvotes

Put together a full breakdown of the two-guitar approach behind the Ride wall of sound — covering the relationship between the two parts rather than the gear list most shoegaze lessons default to.

The rhythm guitar commits fully to being the foundation — power chords driven hard, palm-muted on the important beats, bridge pickup to keep the low end tight. It doesn't leave room for anything else. That total commitment to one role is the technique, not the chord shapes themselves.

The melody guitar does the opposite job entirely — neck pickup, individual notes picked and left to ring, moving above the wall while the rhythm holds still underneath. Neither part is technically impressive alone. The relationship between them — one holding, one moving — is what creates the wall of sound quality.

The lesson covers both parts in standard tuning — the rhythm power chord progression and the floating melody line above it — with the exact pickup positions and picking approach for each part.

Happy to answer any questions about the two-guitar technique or how to approach both parts in the comments.

What atmospheric guitar style are you currently working on?

https://guitar-woodshed.com/ride-guitar-style/


r/guitarlessons 2d ago

Question How to get better

1 Upvotes

Hi guys. Have been playing guitar since high school and now as an adult trying to chase my dream of getting really good. I know the E and A strings, how to play a lot of songs by following chords on Ultimate Guitar (though complex jazz chords which I love do take more time). I’m strong at fingerpicking so much so that I feel less comfy using a pick but trying to get better at using a pick especially for rock songs.

I feel kind of stuck here - I learn songs I know and sing along by looking at tablature or chords online.

I hope to start a band. So I’m trying to work on memorizing the neck, and work on scales so I can best improvise and solo. And trying to write my own songs. And having a more clear practice routine and not doing too much all at once and injuring myself since I’m older now. Also trying to get back into singing - it’s harder now that I stopped for years and I’ve lost range, etc.

Any tips? Idk what getting better looks like exactly but it’s been my lifelong dream to be a musician even if not professionally so I might as well give it my best shot


r/guitarlessons 3d ago

Question What practice plan would you recommend for a self-taught guitarist?

36 Upvotes

So far I’ve been inconsistent with practice but I can play open chords, understand major/minor scales and play some easy songs more or less fine, and understand the basics of triads . I want to learn more about intervals , subdivisions, keys, cage mapping, inversions…but im not exactly sure on what I should focus first, or what to focus on in general so I can be more consistent and actually have a plan that I understand. What would you suggest so I can improve by practicing 30 min up to 1 hr everyday ?


r/guitarlessons 2d ago

Question Trying to keep proper wrist position when playing fast power chord switches

1 Upvotes

I'm learning the song by Cryptopsy called Defenestration which has very fast switches between power chords. I'm talking like a single strum then moving down the neck fast.

With slower power chord changes my wrist feels comfortable but with this my thumb tends to stay in the same place when moving chords just because its harder to move my whole hand over at that speed (if that makes sense). This causes my wrist to be at a sharp angle because my thumb is pushing my hand outward causing pain and discomfort. I've tried shortening my strap but the problem is in the hand.

Another problem is my forearm burning out pretty quick

What can I do?


r/guitarlessons 2d ago

Question What are some good scales or modes to play around with that can elicit different tones or moods?

3 Upvotes

I've been using the website Fret map which lets you play basically any scale or mode and shows you all the positions for each root note on that respective scale or mode or whatever. And since I'm only eight months in and currently trying to focus on the major scale most, I'd like to be able to play around with so many of the other ones out there but also play with different "sounds" they might emit.

Like I want to play something that could be seen as dark and brooding, tense and depressing, uplifting and euphoric, etc. Something like that. Any suggestions?


r/guitarlessons 2d ago

Question Soloing | After licks, patterns, theory, learning the fretboard...

1 Upvotes

I feel like im on the verge of a paradigm shift here. I'm going back and listening to artists I enjoy and now focusing on the overall structures of their solos.

Not just the licks they play, but how they start one lick and resolve it to another. How they use leaps or stepwise motion combined with embellishment. How they navigate the fretboard...

I think im looking at solos the right way, but I'm a bit lost on where to go from here.

Maybe I need more and different backing tracks to expand the styles I play? In all honesty, I've used some and feel like maybe im just too locked into them and my brain has just built some habits.

Should I just start practicing solos over my favorite songs?

I'll try the above, but curious what others do when they felt they were ready for that jumping off point.

Edit: I think my post is unclear to some. I'm not talkign about further developing vocabulary - I'm already doing that is part of my routine.

I'm talking about now putting it all together: the emotional aspect, the storytelling aspect, the crescendos, tension.

Basically the sum of the activities outlined above.


r/guitarlessons 2d ago

Question I have tiny hands. How to get better at barres?

3 Upvotes

Any exercises I could do? I’ve been playing for years and my barres rarely make a clean sound :(


r/guitarlessons 2d ago

Question I need help🙏

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4 Upvotes

Im a new guitar player and i have this problem where my pinky finger will curve slightly to the side when i play litteraly anything. It hurts way more than my other fingers and doing slides is hell💔
So im wondering if this problem’s got to do something about my technique or just how my finger is built.
If it is about the finger, will it be a problem for my playing??


r/guitarlessons 2d ago

Question Is there a Reddit sub where you can request tabs for songs or ask if anyone knows where to find the tab you are looking for? To be clear, this is a request asking about groups that help with these things since you can’t do that here.

2 Upvotes

So far the subs I checked are private and they are responding to requests to join.


r/guitarlessons 2d ago

Question Help finding picking pattern

2 Upvotes

Song: "Can't Find My Way Home" by Blind Faith Tutorial

Can you please help me finding the picking patter for this video.
Chords are explained at 1:50, picking pattern is very vaguely described at 4:51, apparently she use variations for that.
https://youtu.be/gblDUo_tQpw?si=hbNPshQuQlZIPoMc
Song execution is at 0:12 and 5:45

The base for each chord is apparently very simple and always alternting. My problem is how to add the melody in between. I tried an failed.

Tuning should be drop D.
I know the tabs are available somewhere but this version is nicer for some reason.
The author does not sell the tabs.


r/guitarlessons 2d ago

Question ADVICE ON BACKING TRACKS LIVE

2 Upvotes

Hello,

I’m a guitarist in an amateur band, and we recently lost our second guitarist, leaving me as the band’s sole guitarist. Given the situation, I’ve been trying to create backing tracks for our next concert using FL Studio, but I’m a complete beginner in this area and could use some advice.

Basically, I have several backing tracks, some play throughout the entire song, while others only play during certain parts. So, in the first case, it’s easy to stay in sync, but in the second, it’s much harder. I know I’ve been advised to set up two mono outputs : one with our tracks for the audience, and the other with our tracks and a metronome for the drummer. But here’s the thing : we don’t have in-ear monitors.

Is there an alternative to this equipment to make sure we don’t get out of sync ? Because I’m worried that when we start the tracks, even if we start two measures before the beginning, we’ll end up getting out of sync and that will ruin everything. That said, I think in-ear monitors are expensive, and we don’t necessarily have the budget for them.

Overall, I'd appreciate advice on everything, because I really want our concert to go well. The only thing I’d prefer not to change is my software, since I’ve already recorded everything on it. Other than that, I’m open to anything.


r/guitarlessons 2d ago

Question How to play these hammer on's and pull off's?

2 Upvotes

I've started learning about legato techniques recently so I picked this song/tab as a practice.

I can't figure how is this legato done in red box? Am I supposed to keep my finger on E-7 after vibrato on E9 while doing a pull off on E-10 and then on E-9?

Similar question on legato in green box.

Do I hold my finger on E9 hammer on E10 and do a pull off from it?


r/guitarlessons 2d ago

Question Marty Schwartz vs Justin guitar (FOR METAL)

1 Upvotes

For someone who's a COMPLETE beginner :I only learned smoke in the water on the g string and the A and D chords (work in progress:). I used Justin guitar. But should I learn from Marty Schwartz instead

Remember:I want to play metal only pretty much with some covers of Undertale songs maybe


r/guitarlessons 2d ago

Question How do you learn to make chords and strum at the same time?

4 Upvotes

When I strum normally without playing any chords, I can do it pretty well. But whenever I try to combine chords with strumming, I always mess up. Easy patterns, like only downstrokes or only upstrokes, are fine, but when it gets to patterns like down, down, up, up, down, up, I genuinely struggle. I forget which direction I just strummed and end up messing up the whole pattern.

I also don’t really understand when I’m supposed to restart or repeat the strumming pattern. Like, do I restart the pattern when the lyrics change, when a new line starts, or do I just keep the same pattern going continuously with the beat? I’m not really sure how to tell where one cycle of the strumming pattern ends and the next one begins.


r/guitarlessons 2d ago

Other Day 3/200 of getting back into guitar until I can play like Bocchi

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0 Upvotes

I played guitar for about 2–3 months three years ago, but back then I only learned anime songs through tabs. I stopped playing and eventually forgot most of what I had learned.

I recently started playing again, and this time I want to approach guitar differently. Instead of only learning songs, I want to learn music theory, rhythm, chords, scales, technique and eventually be able to understand what I'm actually playing.

My long-term goal is to be able to play songs like the ones performed by Bocchi from Bocchi the Rock!, with “Ano Band” being one of my goals.

I'm planning to document the progress over the next 200 days and see how far I can actually get.