How to Play a Cigar Box Guitar

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How to Play a Cigar Box Guitar

Playing tips and secrets. Tunings. Primal music theory.

Members: 882
Latest Activity: Feb 26

Discussion Forum

Mindbender (by Stiltwater)

Started by Charred Oct 26, 2021. 0 Replies

Chord charts for 3 string open tuning

Started by Michael Glenn. Last reply by BUGGSY Sep 25, 2021. 20 Replies

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Comment by Slow Blues Dani & Ol' Grey Bear on November 10, 2016 at 8:41pm

Sounds like the CGCD# I started using on my short scale guitar, Wayfinder? I think I remember you commenting on the video I made that you were going to try it?

I love the tuning above and also AC#EA using the middle four strings from a pack of six. Justin Johnson introduced me to it on one of his YouTube videos.

How does one find out what tuning is right for their voice, Wayfinder? I wouldn't know where to start but I'd love to know what tuning to use to sing along to my playing.

Comment by Thomas "Duck" Petry on November 10, 2016 at 9:09am

My feeling is that the folks who make comments about "real guitars" won't ever understand the draw of "home built" anyway.  It's like in my other hobby, hotrodding/drag racing...If you have to explain why they will never understand.

Comment by MadGomer on November 10, 2016 at 6:46am
Wayfinder, to your comment below about 4 strings for 4 fingers, what's your favorite 4 string tuning? I am leaning towards a 4 string for next build, trying to decide if I just do DGBe & play it like a 6 string minus two low strings, or ??
Comment by Slow Blues Dani & Ol' Grey Bear on November 10, 2016 at 6:28am

Wise words again Wayfinder. You should start charging for advice. Hopefully I'll experience the same. Looking forward to getting good enough to not feel like I'm stumbling over my own fingers and building up the confidence in my playing. Thanks again.

Comment by Slow Blues Dani & Ol' Grey Bear on November 10, 2016 at 4:31am

All very true Wayfinder. Just thinking about when I eventually play in public or with an audience. Having a six string and being able to noodle a bit on it would at least stop the chuckles and comments about not being able to play a "real" guitar. Perhaps. What you say definitely makes sense though. I'll consider taking two of the strings off for now, at least until I can play four strings. No sense confusing myself more than I'm already confused! Thanks for the help.

Oh and Thomas, I had to think about your comment for a minute before I understood it. I'm really not sharp enough for a six string me thinks. Haha. Thanks for the help. I appreciate all the help I can get.

Comment by Thomas "Duck" Petry on November 10, 2016 at 3:36am

Just remember, all of my information is probably worth at least half of what you pay for it.

Comment by Slow Blues Dani & Ol' Grey Bear on November 9, 2016 at 9:17pm

Thanks Thomas and TN Twang.

Comment by TN Twang on November 9, 2016 at 7:50pm

While I was building my first CBG, I tuned a 6-string with a hopelessly high bridge to open D (your dadf#ad) and started practicing with a slide. As I build 3-strings, I tune 'em to the top half of that (f#ad) or the bottom half (dad)

Comment by Thomas "Duck" Petry on November 9, 2016 at 7:29pm

Dani & Bear, just start out with a single string and a slide and get comfortable and then add what other strings you feel are necessary.  Personally I just stop at three to avoid getting too complex or bending the neck.

Comment by Slow Blues Dani & Ol' Grey Bear on November 9, 2016 at 5:25pm

And slide. I probably won't have the patience to learn many chords either haha.

 

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Discussion Forum

Mindbender (by Stiltwater)

Started by Charred Oct 26, 2021. 0 Replies

Chord charts for 3 string open tuning

Started by Michael Glenn. Last reply by BUGGSY Sep 25, 2021. 20 Replies

Pentatonic scale in GDG tuning

Started by BrianQ.. Last reply by BrianQ. Nov 13, 2019. 4 Replies

Confused with open E scales on a three string. Is there a lack of info for a reason?

Started by Slow Blues Dani & Ol' Grey Bear. Last reply by Slow Blues Dani & Ol' Grey Bear Apr 28, 2016. 11 Replies

The moment it starts to click.

Started by Slow Blues Dani & Ol' Grey Bear. Last reply by Slow Blues Dani & Ol' Grey Bear Mar 28, 2016. 20 Replies

Fat finger syndrome or just need to keep practicing?

Started by Slow Blues Dani & Ol' Grey Bear. Last reply by Slow Blues Dani & Ol' Grey Bear Feb 28, 2016. 13 Replies

Chord charts for 3 string gbe tuning

Started by Michael Glenn. Last reply by Wayfinder May 11, 2015. 5 Replies

Bad habits

Started by PinetreeJoe. Last reply by Tom T Dec 19, 2014. 12 Replies

hi

Started by Mal Chilvers. Last reply by Seasick Mick Aug 6, 2014. 1 Reply

free CBG lessons

Started by Rick McKeon. Last reply by Rick McKeon Jul 14, 2014. 6 Replies

Cigar Box Guitar Ideas for improving.......

Started by Joe Cribb. Last reply by Pete Turner May 22, 2014. 3 Replies

3 String Theory Charts and Tab Sheets

Started by Swamp Dawg Primal Music. Last reply by Joe Cribb Feb 4, 2014. 11 Replies

Keys please?

Started by Patrick Curley. Last reply by Joe Cribb Feb 4, 2014. 5 Replies

U2's Wild Honey

Started by Rob (Uker) Porras. Last reply by James Myers Jul 31, 2013. 1 Reply

tuning a 4 string

Started by Marcus P. Clarke. Last reply by Michael Recchione Feb 10, 2013. 1 Reply

To use....or not to use, thumb and finger picks?

Started by Keith Stanford. Last reply by Patrick Curley Jan 4, 2013. 3 Replies

songs to learn for a begginer.

Started by howling. Last reply by Patrick Curley Jan 4, 2013. 30 Replies

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