Help playing the guitar?

Question

I just got a guitar today and a book for it. It tells me to play a scale that goes: E E E F F F G G G F F E E, on the first string. It says to rest my thumb on a lower base note to keep my hand steady. It says to alternate the notes using 2nd and 3rd finger. Should I be plucking the string upward or strumming downward?

Answer 1

Pluck the strings downward as you begin. I recommend a slight change in your developing habits. Instead of using the third finger to catch the G in the third fret I recommend using the little finger instead. The same holds true in the exercises on the second string. The stretch is easier for you when the little finger is used.

This method can increase your speed, help you attack quickly the notes needed, and train your little finger for its all-important mission of snagging notes. Save that second finger in places that would match a chord you'd form, such as the F chord that will come up.

Answer 2

what do you mean by resting your thumb in a lower base note?

the term "...It says to alternate the notes using 2nd and 3rd finger..." is to pluck the with your pointing finger and your dirty finger (hehehe) in a bass playing motion (meaning, like how a bass player plucks his notes) (and disregarding what to pluck)

another thing is that if your playin in the bass string (that is the E,A,D) you might want to use your thumb too

but if your playing (arpeggiating a chord) you might want to use all your fingers except for the pinky one (must be well practice to do this)

another tip is

try looking on how acoustic guitar players pluck and strums

Answer 3

Pluck the individual string downward.

Answer 4

downward