A Krystal fanpage I follow on Facebook posted this and I figured you might appreciate it.
it kind of makes me want to dust off my guitars and try to learn again.
I dig it! I’m curious though, did the fanpage have any details to go along with the photo? The guitar appears to be made by a company called Carvin, whose specialty was custom-ordered guitars, and I’m wondering if that Krystal scratchplate was done in-house, or if it was added on after-the-fact by its owner.
It seems not, the page only posted the image itself without comment
I’m not positive, but I’m pretty sure that it came with that scratchplate as part of the custom order.
Modern scratchplates are typically made out of three layers of material. You can see the layering on the side, as the middle layer is typically a different color. If you look at this one, you can see the black middle layer, as well as the fact that the bottom layer matches the top layer. The design is part of it, rather than being painted on or otherwise added after-the-fact.
That alone doesn’t necessarily mean it wasn’t added by the owner. Like I said before, aftermarket scratchplates are a common modification. Most websites I can find that do custom scratchplates don’t seem to offer the option of putting your own personal graphic on it though, so I’d bet on it being part of the custom order since Carvin made their own parts, so they could potentially have made that to-order along with the rest of the guitar. Then again, there’s another custom scratchplate behind it in the photo, and it looks like it might be hanging in a shop, so maybe the photo is from a store that makes custom scratchplates, and they’re showing off one of their more complex orders?
If anyone knows where there might be more details, let me know. I’m really curious about this thing now.
By the way, since you said you were considering picking guitar back up, definitely go for it! It can be a pain to shake the rust off, but it’s definitely worth the effort in my book.
My issue is that I had a really sub-par teacher that never taught me proper stumming techniques so I all can do is randomly pick out notes and cords no pattern.
It’s a huge hurdle I’m having trouble with.
Could you give an example of what you mean? Like a song that highlights the thing you’re having trouble with? I’ve never been a guitar teacher before, but I like to think I’m reasonably knowledgeable so I’d like to help if I can.
Let’s just say strum in general.
I can’t even get it right just trying to get the pattern of strumming properly down running my hand up and down the open strings.
I used to be able get the timing pretty okay finger picking basic patterns like a country/bluegrass player but never got actual strumming for cords down.
If you mean what I think you mean, basic strumming for chords is just hitting all six strings at the same time. It can get a little more complicated like that if you want to addd fingerpicking and start muting certain strings, but for starting out, just strumming the strings with a pick in a single motion is fine.
Wait, so I don’t need to be aiming for only hitting certain strings like I’ve been taught for years?
My biggest issues is getting an actual pattern that’s doesn’t just sound like disjointed banging on the strings.
To answer the first question: It depends on the chord. So, for example, with a basic E chord:
On this chord, you can hit all six strings without any problem. The top string and the bottom string are both tuned to E, so playing two more E notes on top of an E chord is fine. An E chord also contains a B note, so hitting the B string open is fine too since that’s just repeating a note that’s already in the chord.
Compare that to a D chord, where you wouldn’t want to hit either of the bottom two strings:
Without getting into a bunch of music theory that would overcomplicate things at this point, if you hit the lowest string while playing a D chord, it would cause it to sound awkward and dissonant because of the relationship between E and D. So, on this chord, you don’t want to hit the lowest string or the second lowest string. Technically, you can get away with hitting the second-lowest string and letting an A ring out, because the chord already has an A in it, but it’s good practice to only hit the top four strings, for reasons that will make sense later.
To answer the second question: Eventually you want to start learning strumming patterns and different rhythms that’ll fit different styles of music, but when you’re starting out, trying to learn those is putting the cart before the horse. First things first, worry about memorizing some basic chord shapes, building up callouses and finger strength, and getting used to the physical action of strumming the guitar. Once you start to get those down, then it’s time to start working on patterns and rhythms.
Let me know if any of this is incoherent or hard to understand. Like I said, I’ve never taught anyone stuff like this before, so I don’t know whether I’m doing a decent job or not, and if I’m not, all the feedback I can get is appreciated!
What i really need is some exercises to get any kind of pattern down because I feel like I’m just tapping out cords with no proper technique for strumming past slashing at the stings.
Have a look at justinguitar.com
I’ve recently started learning guitar, and I’ve been using the lessons he has there. Maybe some of the techniques has the may be of help to you
