Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Reeds Taylor on December 29, 2012 at 10:52am

I made a 4 string and tuned it too standard tuning...and it works fine with a slide,both acoustically and electric.

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Permalink Reply by Bluesheart on December 29, 2012 at 11:12am

"But now i think understanding chord structure, progressions and voicings may be useful to me down the road." I think that is a really good point ,but, playing blues on a CBG is just such a , I don't know, natural thing. A three string CBG in an open tuning just loves to let the blues flow from it, especially with a slide. 

I don't see any reason that you can't pull a couple of strings off of a 6 string guitar and tune it open and wail away  like you can on a CBG but the neck will be kind of wide. You can also tune a 6 stringer to open tunings for slide, or play slide in regular tuning ( I have no idea how people can , but they do).

Is there any way you can have both a guitar and a CBG? I mean one can build a very playable cbg for just a few bucks if need be.

I think any learning about music, or anything else for that matter would never be a waste.  The more you know about how stringed instruments work and how music works, the more you will be able to get out of an instrument. If you were to compare say my playing to someone with tons of musical knowledge, say Keni Lee Burgess, you would hear that knowledge will unlock a whole lot more music for you than flying by the seat of your pants will. In the end though, we would both have a blast playing!

One other thing to keep in mind I guess is that CBG with 3 or 4 strings ( I prefer 3!) will be a bit limiting to the number of keys you can play in, at least comfortably, compared to a "regular" guitar. Like with  my 3 string tuned DAD, it is easy to play blues in D or, E if I capo at the second fret, but other than that I'm kinda stuck. ( unless someone else is playing the rhythm and I can just noodle around)

Hope this is helpful.

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Permalink Reply by blues newb on December 29, 2012 at 3:48pm

Bluesheart,

 If I start off acoustic, I will definitely get a CBG down the road. Like you said they are cheap for what you get and playing them open tuned is very natural for the blues. Im hoping that music theory will help me unlock chords (specifically inversions) that may help in the blues. I just wanted to make sure an open tuned 3 or 4 string acoustic for blues is possible. I know it wouldnt be ideal, but at least i could get some delta blues in while im learning.

  Which by the way is what i love most. No saxophones, no 8 piece bands..... just raw delta blues guitar pouring out through an amp.

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Permalink Reply by Dan Sleep on December 29, 2012 at 5:20pm

We did a blues album this year. If you have not heard it already, it is free to download. It may give a feeling for what a CBG can do with the blues.

http://www.cigarboxnation.com/forum/topics/2012-cigar-box-nation-bl...

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Permalink Reply by blues newb on December 29, 2012 at 6:48pm

Thanks for the info. I just downloaded it and we got some talented folks here. Even the tracks I wasnt a fan of you could hear the talent.

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Permalink Reply by ChickenboneJohn on December 29, 2012 at 7:40pm

I've taught hundreds of people to play 3 string cigar box guitar, and it's much easier teaching people with no previous musical or guitar playing experience. 20 minutes is enough to teach someone a basic 3 chord song on 3 string cigar box guitar. Unless you are an exceptionally quick learner with an excellent "ear", it will be months before you grasp the same basic 3 chords on a regular 6 string guitar. As for theory, it's useful but by no means essential, and for a beginner it's often more of a hindrance than a help, as there is a lot of physical stuff to cope with just to get a sound from the instrument...you don't really need to be worrying about flattened 3rds, diminished chords and inversions...unless you want to sit in with the local jazz hotshots within the next few months...and most blues players will look at you blankly if you ask them what inversion they are using on the 5th over the pedal bass in the bridge.

Stringing an acoustic guitar like a cigarbox guitar just isn't the same - the string spacing and width of the neck are not conducive to really easy playing like on a CBG.

You can tune a 6 string in an open tuning for slide, but most players can deal with standard tuning and a couple of alternative open tunings. It's not an easy choice..rely on listening rather than theory to get you rolling.

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Permalink Reply by blues newb on December 30, 2012 at 2:45am

Thanks chickenbone...  that is advice I will seriously consider. Ive heard too much theory can hinder blues. In the sense that they want to focus on the mechanics instead of the flow and feel.

"Unless you are an exceptionally quick learner with an excellent "ear", it will be months before you grasp the same basic 3 chords on a regular 6 string guitar."

  To be honest, i was fully prepared to put in at least 6 months of practicing chords before moving on to progressions. Time doesnt concern me since im fully committed to learning the guitar. But your point is still taken.

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Permalink Reply by Keni Lee Burgess on December 30, 2012 at 11:55am

I originally learned on 6 string. It was through my study of the reduced strings of CBGs that I discovered more ideas. If you are planning on learning 6 string, I would suggest starting there. In my mind, CBG is just a miniaturizing of your knowledge. Please feel free to write if i can be of assistance. Happy Holidays. Enjoy, Keni Lee

http://youtu.be/F89Gr_OyTwo

http://youtu.be/KSJUW1IJyEw

http://youtu.be/rLKVGw3N5cM

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Permalink Reply by blues newb on December 31, 2012 at 7:58am

No need to link to anything Kenni. Ive already watched most of your youtube videos :)

   Im leaning toward the six string. In a few months ill be able to afford a CGB and amp. For a starter amp
 I was thinking about the fender frontman 25r. I knows its solid state but cant afford the good ole tube ones right now. If anyone knows of a decent solid state im all ears. The wife assures me if I stick with this i can drop some real money on gear.  Im really looking forward to this because i already have a dozen blues songs in my head waiting to get out.

  Thanks guys. Your input is really appreciated

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