Pappa_Surf
Joined: Oct 28, 2008
Posts: 671
Winnipeg, Canada
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Posted on Nov 10 2008 01:23 PM
Hi I'm new to the site and new to guitar playing. I'd like to see a true Surf Guitar 101 thread where a new guitar player can get suggestions about learning to play not only surf, but guitar. Not looking for a gear thread, you already have that. What I'd like to see is something to help me out once I've got all my gear. Things like, sheet music or tab?, what songs to learn first, scales, practicing, rhythm and lead guitar, tuning, well, you get it, the whole enchilada.
There are lots of threads on this site and maybe some of this is already out there, but it would be nice to have it in one place. Right now Mom_Surfing has sort of taken me under her wing and given me some advice and suggestions about songs to play, etc. and I am very appreicative of that. Maybe more of this sort of mentoring would be an idea? Perhaps a thread for those who would like to share their knowledge one-on-one with someone just getting started.
— https://www.facebook.com/index.php?lh=9353f9155b5ff32e14c998495fd00da4&#!/rich.derksen.7
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Brian
Joined: Feb 25, 2006
Posts: 19265
Des Moines, Iowa, USA
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Posted on Nov 10 2008 01:44 PM
So...start a thread and start asking.
— Site dude - S3 Agent #202
Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me
"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea
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Pappa_Surf
Joined: Oct 28, 2008
Posts: 671
Winnipeg, Canada
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Posted on Nov 10 2008 01:47 PM
I'm good with that, I just don't want everyone piling on and telling me that this was covered somewhere already.
Alright, I'll give it some more thought and perhaps throw something out there tonight.
Thanks,
— https://www.facebook.com/index.php?lh=9353f9155b5ff32e14c998495fd00da4&#!/rich.derksen.7
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eddiekatcher
Joined: Mar 14, 2006
Posts: 2773
Atlanta, GA
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Posted on Nov 10 2008 01:47 PM
How's this? Consider starting out like a LOT of us did.........You go out and get the Walk Don't Run CD by the Ventures and start trying to noodle out some of the easier tunes. WoodyJ, Mitch, Wal and I all started out this way. Their arrangements are simple and straight forward. The melody lines are timeless and will remain with you forever. Just remember that the Ventures often either retuned their guitars from track to track or their producer either sped up or slowed down tracks for "feel." I found that somewhat annoying but I got over it..............Go get'em Papa.
Feel free to contact me directly if there is anything I can help you out with.
Best Reverbs
Eddie K
— Traditional........speak softly and play through a big blonde amp. Did I mention that I still like big blonde amps?
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surferXmatt
Joined: Aug 27, 2008
Posts: 1570
New York
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Posted on Nov 10 2008 01:48 PM
There is a lot to cover Pappa Surf, so I would not rely solely on message boards either. But this is the best place for surf related guitar info on the web in my opinion. I have learned a lot here since joining last summer. Good luck!
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Brian
Joined: Feb 25, 2006
Posts: 19265
Des Moines, Iowa, USA
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Posted on Nov 10 2008 02:05 PM
Pappa_Surf
I'm good with that, I just don't want everyone piling on and telling me that this was covered somewhere already.
Then please do a cursory search before posting.
— Site dude - S3 Agent #202
Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me
"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea
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Kman1
Joined: Aug 29, 2008
Posts: 694
Surf City
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Posted on Nov 10 2008 02:05 PM
eddiekatcher
How's this? Consider starting out like a LOT of us did.........You go out and get the Walk Don't Run CD by the Ventures and start trying to noodle out some of the easier tunes. WoodyJ, Mitch, Wal and I all started out this way. Their arrangements are simple and straight forward. The melody lines are timeless and will remain with you forever. Just remember that the Ventures often either retuned their guitars from track to track or their producer either sped up or slowed down tracks for "feel." I found that somewhat annoying but I got over it..............Go get'em Papa.
Feel free to contact me directly if there is anything I can help you out with.
Best Reverbs
Eddie K
Great advice, I listened to songs, and attempted them. If I couldn't, I downloaded them.
—
Sonichris
I also like to think that all early 60's fender equipment is happy to be playing surf music again. After all, its the music it was meant to play.
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Brian
Joined: Feb 25, 2006
Posts: 19265
Des Moines, Iowa, USA
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Posted on Nov 10 2008 05:48 PM
I guess what I'm thinking, Papa_Surf, is, that's great you want to learn all this stuff. I'm sure many people would love to chime in. Don't be afraid to start a newbie thread. You are, of course, encouraged to search and revive old threads as needed. Just don't expect anyone to "put everything all in one place for you" (unless anyone wants to volunteer for Wiki work). You will be expected to do your homework.  Enjoy the site.
— Site dude - S3 Agent #202
Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me
"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea
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Kman1
Joined: Aug 29, 2008
Posts: 694
Surf City
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Posted on Nov 10 2008 05:58 PM
I'll help as much, no Wiki, sorry, I'm still a bit of a newb, but know a bit about Trad Surf.
—
Sonichris
I also like to think that all early 60's fender equipment is happy to be playing surf music again. After all, its the music it was meant to play.
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DannySnyder
Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 11046
Berkeley, CA
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Posted on Nov 10 2008 08:20 PM
Yes I'm afraid this has been covered quite a lot by other threads. I'll do my part and try to find some for you. But it really comes down to doing the work. Exercises with a metronome and figuring out songs by ear. Technique can't really be explained, it has to be discovered.
— Danny Snyder
"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo
Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta
Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party
Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF
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big_papu
Joined: May 17, 2006
Posts: 657
Buenos Aires
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Posted on Nov 10 2008 09:20 PM
there is a song by the astronauts called "baja", start with that
one of the greatest songs ever, one of the easyest songs ever
use your ears , not tabs...........training your ears is the best thing that could happen to your guitar playing
and don´t forget......HAVE FUN 
— El Papu & los Fantasticos Reverberantes
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Pappa_Surf
Joined: Oct 28, 2008
Posts: 671
Winnipeg, Canada
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Posted on Nov 10 2008 10:23 PM
Big Papu, that last suggestion is a good one. I've been using tabs. I would think learning and practicing some scales would be good too? What do you think, should I spend about half my time figuring out songs and half practicing scales? Or as was mentioned earlier, justs "noodle away" and figure things out.
By the way, a big thanks for everyone's suggestions. Much appreciated.
— https://www.facebook.com/index.php?lh=9353f9155b5ff32e14c998495fd00da4&#!/rich.derksen.7
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surferXmatt
Joined: Aug 27, 2008
Posts: 1570
New York
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Posted on Nov 11 2008 07:24 AM
My advice is to always have your guitar with you, if possible. When I was starting I used to play while watching tv, screwing around on the computer and even some times on the can, haha. The trick is to play as much as you can. Start at the beginning, make sure to learn proper fingering and picking technique. Add basic scales and chords to the mix. Noodle, noodle, noodle. You will be surprised how naturally it will come if you are playing as much as you can.
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big_papu
Joined: May 17, 2006
Posts: 657
Buenos Aires
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Posted on Nov 11 2008 07:47 AM
Pappa_Surf
Big Papu, that last suggestion is a good one. I've been using tabs. I would think learning and practicing some scales would be good too? What do you think, should I spend about half my time figuring out songs and half practicing scales? Or as was mentioned earlier, justs "noodle away" and figure things out.
By the way, a big thanks for everyone's suggestions. Much appreciated.
yep, could help a lot that you learn some scales and the technical basic skills, like picking upstroke - downstroke and the right fingering thing, as matt said............but always remember that the most important things are songs, so is a good idea that spend about half of your time figuring out songs and half practicing scales and learning some harmony too...........its better to start with easy songs, learn it and play it with a clean and solid sound, then go to the next level
— El Papu & los Fantasticos Reverberantes
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Brian
Joined: Feb 25, 2006
Posts: 19265
Des Moines, Iowa, USA
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Posted on Nov 11 2008 07:58 AM
Moved to surf musician forum.
— Site dude - S3 Agent #202
Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me
"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea
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surferXmatt
Joined: Aug 27, 2008
Posts: 1570
New York
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Posted on Nov 11 2008 08:17 AM
Papu, good point. Gotta learn the basics but I think it is smart to jump in and learn actual songs. When I first started, I became slightly discouraged trying to learn all the technical aspects of playing before actually getting to play some songs. When I started teaching my wife, I showed her some basic techniques and then started her right in with some songs. She grasped it quicker than I did initially.
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big_papu
Joined: May 17, 2006
Posts: 657
Buenos Aires
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Posted on Nov 11 2008 08:21 AM
surferXmatt
Papu, good point. Gotta learn the basics but I think it is smart to jump in and learn actual songs. When I first started, I became slightly discouraged trying to learn all the technical aspects of playing before actually getting to play some songs. When I started teaching my wife, I showed her some basic techniques and then started her right in with some songs. She grasped it quicker than I did initially.
right...........if you learn technical things, but don´t play music..........you start getting bored and quit 
— El Papu & los Fantasticos Reverberantes
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surferXmatt
Joined: Aug 27, 2008
Posts: 1570
New York
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Posted on Nov 11 2008 08:54 AM
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surfer
Joined: Apr 12, 2007
Posts: 428
South Florida
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Posted on Nov 11 2008 11:10 AM
learn some basic first position chords (Em to A), then strum along, like everyone said, forget the tech stuff for now, no better feeling than when you realize that you just learned a new tune, and can play along.
— www.cutbacksurfband.com
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ccdsurf
Joined: Apr 29, 2009
Posts: 67
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Posted on Apr 29 2009 11:38 PM
eddiekatcher
How's this? Consider starting out like a LOT of us did.........You go out and get the Walk Don't Run CD by the Ventures and start trying to noodle out some of the easier tunes. WoodyJ, Mitch, Wal and I all started out this way.
I had a moment there. I just started playign 2 years ago and that exactly how I got into it!!! I collect records and got bored with same old stuff and decided to see what as out there for surf. I was hooked immediately, I always loved the sound but didn't dive in.
I bought some great LPs by the Ventures that were early attempts at tablature. The record is vocal instruction guiding you through diagrams printed in a booklet within the gatefold. Its super cheezy, almost camp, but I'll be damned if it didn't get me started. Now I can poorly play Walk Don't Run...
I too am a "I need a 101" guy. I don't know any scales, modes, or whatnot. So thanks for broaching the subject. Good luck man and if you get any good tips off the board, let me know!
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