Hibiscus' official guitar n00b thread

[hibiscus]

Hi, I'm roughly new to this whole guitar thing (I've only been playing for a couple of months) and I need some tips from more experienced musicians regarding techniques.  I'm currently using my dad's old Yamaha G-230 acoustic and want to get some techniques under my belt before purchasing an electric.
Here goes:
Rhythm guitar.  I don't fully get it.  Is it like stylized root strumming?

Rapid-fire notes (e.g. the intro from "God Knows...").  How does one pull such a thing off?  It looks virtually impossible, especially with a pick.

Vibrato.  What's the trick?  I see even my dad doing it with ease, but can't seem to grasp it.

If you want, you can post video demonstrations.  It'll be a great help.

Thanks in advance!

[SeedClock]

someone like you should stick to guitar hero

[salt]

Rhythm guitar usually provides the main chords used in the song, and keeps a steady rhythm with different strumming styles.

I'm not sure what rapid-fire notes are, but it seems like some kind of mindless guitar shredding/soloing stuff which I really hate (though correct me if I'm wrong)

By vibrato, do you mean a whammy bar? Those can be fun, especially when used on different pedals and effects. Though when soloing, you gotta use it with control, usually when you finish off a part of a solo before a pause, you can whammy a bit there on the last note. Some rhythmic chord strumming can have some whammy on it, but don't over do it, it can sound too cheesy and bad.

[hibiscus]

Rhythm guitar usually provides the main chords used in the song, and keeps a steady rhythm with different strumming styles.

I'm not sure what rapid-fire notes are, but it seems like some kind of mindless guitar shredding/soloing dingen which I really hate (though correct me if I'm wrong)

By vibrato, do you mean a whammy bar? Those can be fun, especially when used on different pedals and effects. Though when soloing, you gotta use it with control, usually when you finish off a part of a solo before a pause, you can whammy a bit there on the last note. Some rhythmic chord strumming can have some whammy on it, but don't over do it, it can sound too cheesy and bad.

What kind of strumming style do you recommend for rhythm guitar?
And yes, I think I meant "shredding" as you put it.
Also, by vibrato, I mean motion on the neck produced with the hand.

[BluezombieClock]

If you have any specific questions you can PM me, I often have clocks call me up on msn and we have an Audio/Video convo where i show them a few tricks.

[salt]

Well I really can't explain strumming styles in words other than up and down strumming which isn't too helpful.


Oh ok, so it was shredding. Sorry, I don't play guitar like that at all. I use/do more pedals, rhythmic and melodic stuff.

Oh and I guess you meant vibrating notes with your fingers. That's pretty easy. You gotta hit the note, let it ring a bit and wiggle your finger while pressed down on the fret left and right. Try it a few times and you should get used to it quick. It's a nice trick.


Yeah, you should hit BlueZombie up, he plays better than me and knows his stuff.