Confusing ?'s from someone just startin out!

[Chickwithapick]

Hey guys!I'm a pretty new beginner and don't know much about music so maybe ya'll can help. Ok, these questions are kinda confusing and I'm not really sure how to word them, so hopefully you guys can understand them! If not, I'm looking for a guitar teacher anyway. Ok, here goes:

1)Ok, so I know what chords go where and where to switch but I don't how many times to strum. Do you get what I'm saying? Like, how many times do you strum per measure? Is it the number of notes per measure or what? Ok, I know...that was confusing, but I don't know how else to word it.
2)Now that I'm starting to write songs, I need some help. I've noticed that alot of songs kinda stick in the same 2 chords, but the tune is different (i.e. A Little More by Jennifer Knapp. It's basically the same chords through the whole verse, but each line of the verse is a different tune, in what notes she sings and everything). So how do you know which notes go with which chords? Like, when you sing a note, how do you know what chord to play for it? Or when you play a chord, how do you know what notes you can sing with it? Yeah, another confusing question but I didn't know how else to word it.

Thanks for your help you guys! I just starting guitar, and it's my first real instrument so I don't know much about music, beyond what each note is on the staff. So, my questions are a little weird, but I thought maybe someone on here could answer them. I'm looking for a guitar teacher and I'm sure that they can help me out alot better, because we can actually talk in person, but I thought that until I find one, maybe you guys could give me some insight! :D

[fatstrat]

Listen to the song and it wont be hard to figure out the strum pattern. I dont think you are ready to write songs. But go for it if you want to.

-fatstrat

[slaughteredsoul]

i didnt understand your second question,sorry:confused: but for the strumming,it depends on the song,doesnt it? You have to listen to the song to figure out how many strums for each note...does that answer your question? i hope it does, good luck anyway.:)

[Andrew]

1) It really depends on the song. If the song has a guitar strumming in it, and you can hear it, try to figure out the pattern. If not go here -

www.cyberfret.com/techniques/strumming/101/index.htm

2)You can write simple songs at your level, it will be a little harder. To put chords to a melody is really difficult. It is much easier to write a tune to chords. Some people actually just make up a chord sequence, and make up a melody, from what they think sounds right. Try this and if it works, great. To do it the 'proper' way, go here first -

http://www.cyberfret.com/theory/index.php

Work through the lessons. Now, just take the notes of the chords, and make a melody out of them. Use passing notes as well - notes that are not in the chords, to move from one chord tone to another. Make up your own rhythm.

[Chickwithapick]

Thanks alot! Over the last week, I've been starting to understand the strumming alot more!! I just found that I have trouble singing along if I'm not strumming once or once per every beat, but that'll come with practice. And I think taking music theory next year will help bunches with writing songs, but I hate to leave lyrics sitting around for the rest of this year, and all next year, so thanks for the info to at least help me start! :D

[Jasper_e]

Originally posted by Chickwithapick
I don't how many times to strum. Do you get what I'm saying? Like, how many times do you strum per measure? Is it the number of notes per measure or what? Ok, I know...that was confusing, but I don't know how else to word it.


You should strum as many times as the tab says. Or as many times as you hear in the original song.

I never "count" how many times I should strum, I just remember the rithym and I play that. Sounds easy and is easy

[Coffee]

This is where standard notation shines. If you look at the beginning of standard notation, it will state how many beats per measure. For example 4/4 means four quarter notes per measure. The measure is determined by the vertical lines in standard notation (the first few notes may notes played to the first measure line are often not four complete quarter notes, to stick with our example). Just strum once for each quarter note. 4/4 you would strum 4 times per measure. If the measure shows two chords it is most likely two strums per chord. A 3/4 indication means 3 strums or beats per measure. That is not to say that all they're looking for is a straight rhythm like this but it's a good place to start.

As for chords in songs and what notes can be played over them, simple songs will be fairly static within their key. That is in the key of C major the notes will most likely be naturals without altering sharps or flats. The chords used in the key of C are C Dm Em F G Am Bmb5 (don't bother with it for now.) For more variation you can use Cmaj7 Dm7 Em7 Fmaj7 G7 Am7 and Bm7b5.

If you're not sure what a Maj7 is, just play a C or F chord and it will work out.

Your questions are miles apart. The first question is a good one for a beginner and I hope I've explained it for you okay. If not, post for any clarification you need. Your second question is a good one for an intermediate or advanced student and will take you to the depth of music theory. Later. In the mean time fool around with it. Incidentally, all chords in a major key will follow the Major major minor minor major dom7 min minb5 as noted above. So that pattern can be used in any key.

The most common chord progressions are 1, 5 and 4 chord or 1, 4 and 5 chord. That would be (using our chords above with C being 1, F being 4 and G7 being 5. Play around with them. Write some melodies to fit the progressions to start and just keep plugging.

[kungfu chickens]

If you can find it...try to get a book called movable chords. I am a beginner and the fret board diagram towards the back of the book has helped me out alot and it also helps out to learn the alternate chord fingerings.