A few questions about guitar?

Question

1) How do you read tabs?

2) how do you play chords where the frets are maybe 2 frets apart and your fingers are 2 short?

3) How do you make that "no-sound" sound where you can't hear only strings being hit like in the beginning of "smells like teen spirit" or "Stadium Arcadium"?

4) How do you play chords where you have to skip a string in the middle? How do you play the chord without playing say the g-string?

Answer 1

An instructor would be your best solution to these problems, but I'll try to explain by word.

1. Tablature is read by the use of six lateral lines; each line representing a string of the guitar. The bottom line is the sixth, or heaviest, string. The top line represents the first string. Numbers or zeros placed upon any of those strings represent the fret you place your finger within for that particular string. A zero represents that the string is to be played openly, without touching it with the left fingers.

2. If a chord becomes too difficult to play because your fingers aren't quite long enough, attempt to duplicate the unattainable notes within a fret you can reach. For example, a C and an E note can be found in the fifth fret on the third and second string. You can play the identical notes with C found on the second string, first fret, and the E note found as playing the open first string.

3. I think you're referring to muting notes or chords with a "no-sound" effect. Simply rest lightly the heel of your right hand atop the strings you wish to mute. As you pluck or strum those strings, it will produce a dampening, or muted sound. I'm unfamiliar with the two songs you mention, so I'm guessing you're meaning the mute action.

4. One method used to skip a string while playing is to capture the uppermost strings with your thumb and the bottommost strings with your forefinger--either playing downward or upward. This method takes a lot of practice to gain smoothness.

Answer 2

1)they already explained you
2) you have to start doing stretch exercises. i used some elastic band in my hand and try separating one finger from another by one fret. don't overstretch or you can get tendinitis or something
3)(if you are right handed)lie your left hand on the strings without pressing any fret.
if you do it with your right hand that would be palm muting, and the note will sound anyway.
if you need to skip one string just try to mute it with one of your fingers.
another advise: go to a teacher so you learn the basis

Answer 3

Play for four hours a day.