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Permalink Reply by BenBob on May 3, 2012 at 1:08am

"I don't know anything about music. In my line, you don't have to." - Elvis Presley

 

Don't worry about theory, just get some sweet low-down sounds out of that box of yours. Starting off playing guitar by learning theory is like learning to throw a baseball by studying anatomy and physics. Just play. Watch the videos here from Knotlenny and Shane Speal, and check out Snowden's videos, they're pretty good:

http://www.youtube.com/user/SnowdenGuitars

 

Assuming a "5th" tuning like GDG or DAD, count out the frets and use these positions for melodies and chords:

High string: 0-2-4-5-7-9-11-12

Middle string: 0-2-4

 

For blues or other more mournful songs, use these:

High string: 0-3-5-7-9-12

Middle string: 0-3

 

For Ghost Riders in the Sky, use the "mournful songs" frets and sound out the melody using the 2nd fret too. Most of the song can play open strings with just the melody on the high string. Play your chords (slide) all the way across the 3rd fret when it sounds right, and toward the end of the verse and for the "ghost riders in the.." part, play all across the 8th fret (a departure from the "norm"). You might play across the 9th for "yippi yay oh" part.

 

Listen and play until it sounds good. That's all that matters.

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Permalink Reply by Clock The Wolf on May 3, 2012 at 2:18am

http://www.cigarboxnation.com/video/video/listForContributor?screen...

&

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNO28Nl0tFE&feature=results_vide...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXMz_dgX26g&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnpxA5I5eVk&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eOJmz0qhww&feature=related

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Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on May 3, 2012 at 4:41am

Fozz ( love the name, BTW),

You may be a visual learner. All the vid suggestions already given are excellent places to start. You may also want to explore the Tiny bites lessons series currently appearing here on CBN; these are 1-minute lessons on particular aspects of playing. Check the vids portion of the CBN Home page; one appears every few days.

And of course, you can contact Keni Lee Burgess for his video CD series, excerpts of which are also here on CBN. Keni can give you a great theory background.

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Permalink Reply by Bad Finger (Eric) on May 3, 2012 at 9:19am

As already suggested, check out Tiny Bites Lessons.  They are just the right scope for a new beginner that doesn't have much experience with music or guitar playing.  Not too much to be overwhelming at the start and just enough you can get playing by the end of the lesson.

http://www.cigarboxnation.com/profile/Tinybiteslessons

As you progress you will want more details from longer lessons and there are loads of resources here and elsewhere on the web.  Google "CBG lesson" or "Cigar Box Guitar Lesson" and see what pops up.  Some are great and some are OK, but everyone is teaching their own style and method.

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Permalink Reply by Rouxdy Blues on May 3, 2012 at 10:48am

Thanks for the Tiny Bites heads up... Good stuff!

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Permalink Reply by Keni Lee Burgess on May 4, 2012 at 12:35pm

I understand your frustration Fat Toe. Everyone starts there. There are a lot of good videos here and try youtube also. Here is one of my lessons, that I think you should find very straight forward:http://youtu.be/KMdRMFN_5Ck

If you enjoyed the lesson, consider the CD. It is all about that speed.

I teach theory too, but it is far from rocket science. LOL

Many times, students (including myself) start with this easy learn attitude. If then they desire to become better players, they get even more frustrated because they feel they are not getting any better.

There really is a method behind all this madness that progressively helps the student to learn. LOL

Regardless, feel free to write me and ask questions.

Good teachers make the lessons, fit the student. It never should be forced or only one way.

Enjoy your practice, Keni Lee

 

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Permalink Reply by The Phrygian Kid on May 4, 2012 at 7:07pm

Scales. Practice scales. And listen. And it'll all come together

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Permalink Reply by Swamp Dawg Primal Music on May 5, 2012 at 7:45am

I'm following Keni Lee's videos, he also backs up his lessons with personal communication via email. I highly recommend him and his videos. Take your time, practice regularly and have fun!

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