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Permalink Reply by Bad Finger (Eric) on May 1, 2014 at 2:34am

Play the thing!  Practice and record yourself playing.  Sounds like you play 6 string now?

I have found it most productive to forget about notes, scales, and nearly everything (makes you happier) and noodle around on the fret board picking out different patterns of riffs that sound good.  Once you identify 2 or three patterns of note combinations you like, then go through the exercise of understanding why they sound good.  That will help you both train your ear to the tuning you are using with a particular guitar.

Do a YouTube search for Cigar Box Guitar Lessons and find an instructor (free or paid) that you virtually connect with through teaching style and musical preference.  There's tons of information here in the forums and videos as well as around the rest of the internet.

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Permalink Reply by EarthLvr71 on May 1, 2014 at 2:42am

Lol. Yes, I am a 6 stringer. Well, one that's quickly being converted to a 4 string box. Hmmm... lol. Ya ever write something and realize, oh nothing. Anyway, you were right. I have a ton of songs I love that I could like to transpose to the 4 string cbg but I'm not sure how to yet. Not sure how the notes translate. I did a you tube search but they seem kinda sparse.

Bad Finger? A Beatles fan? I so love me some Beatles, and we musn't forget Wings :) Or the new Kisses On The Bottom.

~K

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Permalink Reply by Bad Finger (Eric) on May 1, 2014 at 5:59am

Not really a Beatles fan, but I'll listen to it.  The nickname is a bit simpler than that.  I have smashed a finger a time or two.  The last time I broke the bone at the tip and lost the fingernail.  Uncle John here suggested the blues name as I couldn't play anything but slide for several weeks.  

Keni Lee Burgess is on here and YouTube.  He has several CDs with lessons for 3 and 4 string guitar along with some for open tuning 6 string guitars.  Friendly guy with good lessons.

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Permalink Reply by EarthLvr71 on May 1, 2014 at 6:05am

Well I'm concentrating on the 4 string cbg right now. Hoping it re fuels the desire to make music. Hit a rut there for a while. Trying to get back to something new. :) I'm thinking this is it. :)

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Permalink Reply by ChickenboneJohn on May 1, 2014 at 7:44am

Here's a clip from YouTube of me on 4 string..tuned GDBD. I don't often make or play 4 string so, I'm not as comfortable with it as 3 string. Some people use GDGB tuning (like Hollowbelly), with the 3rd note on the top, which can seem a bit weird at first, but it does work. And as for the neck warping..if it is bending or warping, it's not built right, simple as that...it's not that hard to make a 4 string neck that's straight & stable.

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Permalink Reply by EarthLvr71 on May 1, 2014 at 8:20am

Wow I'm jealous of your abilities. Very impressive to me anyway. I did buy a little box amp on eBay. Now I just need a pre amp. What are your thoughts on having a pre amp? Oh and what about pedals? Thanks for sharing. Everyone has been so warm, welcoming and nice. I feel right at home and that's cool too. But fyi I couldn't make one but boy am I digging learning to play one :) 

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Permalink Reply by ChickenboneJohn on May 1, 2014 at 8:57am

Why do you need a preamp? As for pedals..as Wilko Johnson said, "Pedals? I'm not a cyclist". But seriously, it's all too easy to get hung up on the equipment rather than making music.

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Permalink Reply by EarthLvr71 on May 1, 2014 at 11:29am

Well I'm not sure I do. But I understand different people have different opinions about pre amps. I was under the understanding it was hard to get a clean sound without one. ???

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Permalink Reply by John Sawyer on May 7, 2014 at 3:53pm

Awesome... Your passion for CBG's is showing!

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Permalink Reply by The Phrygian Kid on May 1, 2014 at 8:45am

I recommend gdgb. I use the lowest four from a regular guitar set, but if it's a longer scale length you might prefer the middle four from a set.

I have a little blog going about harmony and chords which features some exercises tabbed out, have a crack http://www.cigarboxnation.com/xn/detail/2592684:BlogPost:1922356?xg...
Have fun

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Permalink Reply by EarthLvr71 on May 1, 2014 at 11:30am

Great. And Thanks, I'll check it out :)

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Permalink Reply by Patrick Curley on May 1, 2014 at 11:50am

I'm not sure why G is so popular but it certainly seems to be. I prefer open D tuning DF#AD, it's the top 4 strings in Vestapol tuning from the 6 string. You can play the same configuration in in E as EG#BE. Having the toinc note on the top and the bottom is a big advantage and with the 5 and the 1 on the top you have all that cool 3 string stuff as well.

My new 4 string course will focus on open D. I don't have any sample lessons yet but here's a snippet of me playing the old tin can in open D.

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