Main learning skills for surfing guitar

mummy1932

Joined: Nov 26, 2023
Posts: 1

Posted on Nov 26 2023 12:49 PM

Hello friends
I'm currently learning how to get started with guitar, and I plan to only play surf music.
May I ask what skills you need to spend a lot of time training?
What modern guitar techniques don't require training in surf music?
Do you need palm mute technique when playing?
Thank you so much

Last edited: Nov 26, 2023 13:11:29

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Samurai

Joined: Mar 14, 2006
Posts: 2231
Kiev, Ukraine
Ukraine

Posted on Nov 26 2023 01:41 PM

There are some skills that really important in surf (like palm muting and tremolo) and some less (like two hands tapping or sweep picking)
If the aim is to play limited row of classic surf tunes - then the limited row of technical skills will probably be enough.
If the aim is to bring something interesting to the surf scene - initially limiting yourself to some “surf” skills is probably a way to nowhere.

—

Waikiki Makaki surf-rock band from Ukraine

https://linktr.ee/waikikimakaki

Lost Diver

https://lostdiver.bandcamp.com
https://soundcloud.com/vitaly-yakushin

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Brian

Joined: Feb 25, 2006
Posts: 19270
Des Moines, Iowa, USA
United States

Posted on Nov 26 2023 02:54 PM

Welcome to the site! I moved this thread to the 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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Reverbenator

Joined: Jul 26, 2015
Posts: 258
San Diego, Ca
26 Security Pins

Posted on Nov 26 2023 04:46 PM

Don’t sell yourself short, by playing only Surf music. Learn to play the other stuff you listen to, as well.

Many on this forum would agree that one of the best (and most creative) Surf players around is Dave Wronski, from the band, Slacktone.

When he’s working his whole bag of tricks, there’s a lot going on.
He’ll be speed picking like Dick Dale.
He’ll be rocking the whammy bar like Dwayne Eddy.
He’ll be playing octave runs like Wes Montgomery.
He’ll also be incorporating chord work reminiscent of Brian Setzer.

And when all is said and done, he doesn’t sound like any of them. He sounds like Dave Wronski.

There’s a lot to be had, take it.

By the way, welcome to the forum!

—

-Cheers, Clark-

-Less Paul, more Reverb-

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synchro

Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4430
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
United States

Posted on Nov 26 2023 09:55 PM

My advice is to learn two octave scales and concentrate on good technique. Once you’ve done that, apply what you’ve learned to the pentatonics, and you’ll be ready for almost any musical challenge.

—

The artist formerly known as: Synchro

When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.

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jtrollmann

Joined: Jun 24, 2021
Posts: 128
South Bay, CA
United States

Posted on Nov 27 2023 06:43 PM

I learned to play surf techniques by learning the songs I wanted to play. I started with Apache (The Shadows), Pipeline (Chantays), Walk Don't Run (The Ventures), Esperanza (Dick Dale), among others. For me it was a steep learning curve, but as I became proficient on one song, I took those skills to the next song, and the next. Those songs I mentioned include techniques like palm muting, string bending, tremolo picking, etc., and playing clean notes. YouTube instruction videos helped a lot as did a few surf related instruction books. One that comes to mind is The Surf Guitar Book by Martin Schmidt. And remember to have fun!

—

-John

"...enjoy every sandwich." -Warren Zevon

Fender Stratocaster American Pro II
Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue

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Joelman

Joined: Sep 07, 2006
Posts: 1487
Redlands, CA
United States

Posted on Nov 27 2023 09:38 PM

mummy1932 wrote:

Hello friends
I'm currently learning how to get started with guitar, and I plan to only play surf music.
May I ask what skills you need to spend a lot of time training?
What modern guitar techniques don't require training in surf music?
Do you need palm mute technique when playing?
Thank you so much

First Welcome to the SG101 forums.

I wouldn’t worry so much about what technique is used to create surf music. As mentioned above. Surf music incorporates a lot of different styles.
Concentrate on learning to play very cleanly. Once you get pretty well along the path start listening to surf music only. Soon you will start to hear little bits you want to lear how to do.
Then it’s simple. Just ask here and we’ll tell or show you how it’s done.
Have fun!

Last edited: Nov 27, 2023 21:38:54

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Phrygian

Joined: May 31, 2021
Posts: 24
Chicago
United States

Posted on Nov 28 2023 07:41 AM

In addition to the suggestions already posted, I would suggest learning double stops, 3rds and 6ths, for major and minor keys.

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revmike

Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 3798
North Atlantic
Canada

Posted on Nov 28 2023 09:26 AM

Chords (open, barre, partial) and playing with a good feel (groove) are very important as well.

Rev

—

Canadian Surf

http://www.urbansurfkings.com/

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mummy1932 Joined: Nov 26, 2023 Posts: 1	Posted on Nov 26 2023 12:49 PM Hello friends I'm currently learning how to get started with guitar, and I plan to only play surf music. May I ask what skills you need to spend a lot of time training? What modern guitar techniques don't require training in surf music? Do you need palm mute technique when playing? Thank you so much Last edited: Nov 26, 2023 13:11:29 Top
Samurai Joined: Mar 14, 2006 Posts: 2231 Kiev, Ukraine	Posted on Nov 26 2023 01:41 PM There are some skills that really important in surf (like palm muting and tremolo) and some less (like two hands tapping or sweep picking) If the aim is to play limited row of classic surf tunes - then the limited row of technical skills will probably be enough. If the aim is to bring something interesting to the surf scene - initially limiting yourself to some “surf” skills is probably a way to nowhere. — Waikiki Makaki surf-rock band from Ukraine https://linktr.ee/waikikimakaki Lost Diver https://lostdiver.bandcamp.com https://soundcloud.com/vitaly-yakushin Top
Brian Joined: Feb 25, 2006 Posts: 19270 Des Moines, Iowa, USA	Posted on Nov 26 2023 02:54 PM Welcome to the site! I moved this thread to the 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 Top
Reverbenator Joined: Jul 26, 2015 Posts: 258 San Diego, Ca	Posted on Nov 26 2023 04:46 PM Don’t sell yourself short, by playing only Surf music. Learn to play the other stuff you listen to, as well. Many on this forum would agree that one of the best (and most creative) Surf players around is Dave Wronski, from the band, Slacktone. When he’s working his whole bag of tricks, there’s a lot going on. He’ll be speed picking like Dick Dale. He’ll be rocking the whammy bar like Dwayne Eddy. He’ll be playing octave runs like Wes Montgomery. He’ll also be incorporating chord work reminiscent of Brian Setzer. And when all is said and done, he doesn’t sound like any of them. He sounds like Dave Wronski. There’s a lot to be had, take it. By the way, welcome to the forum! — -Cheers, Clark- -Less Paul, more Reverb- Top
synchro Joined: Feb 02, 2008 Posts: 4430 Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.	Posted on Nov 26 2023 09:55 PM My advice is to learn two octave scales and concentrate on good technique. Once you’ve done that, apply what you’ve learned to the pentatonics, and you’ll be ready for almost any musical challenge. — The artist formerly known as: Synchro When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar. Top
jtrollmann Joined: Jun 24, 2021 Posts: 128 South Bay, CA	Posted on Nov 27 2023 06:43 PM I learned to play surf techniques by learning the songs I wanted to play. I started with Apache (The Shadows), Pipeline (Chantays), Walk Don't Run (The Ventures), Esperanza (Dick Dale), among others. For me it was a steep learning curve, but as I became proficient on one song, I took those skills to the next song, and the next. Those songs I mentioned include techniques like palm muting, string bending, tremolo picking, etc., and playing clean notes. YouTube instruction videos helped a lot as did a few surf related instruction books. One that comes to mind is The Surf Guitar Book by Martin Schmidt. And remember to have fun! — -John "...enjoy every sandwich." -Warren Zevon Fender Stratocaster American Pro II Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue Top
Joelman Joined: Sep 07, 2006 Posts: 1487 Redlands, CA	Posted on Nov 27 2023 09:38 PM mummy1932 wrote: Hello friends I'm currently learning how to get started with guitar, and I plan to only play surf music. May I ask what skills you need to spend a lot of time training? What modern guitar techniques don't require training in surf music? Do you need palm mute technique when playing? Thank you so much First Welcome to the SG101 forums. I wouldn’t worry so much about what technique is used to create surf music. As mentioned above. Surf music incorporates a lot of different styles. Concentrate on learning to play very cleanly. Once you get pretty well along the path start listening to surf music only. Soon you will start to hear little bits you want to lear how to do. Then it’s simple. Just ask here and we’ll tell or show you how it’s done. Have fun! Last edited: Nov 27, 2023 21:38:54 Top
Phrygian Joined: May 31, 2021 Posts: 24 Chicago	Posted on Nov 28 2023 07:41 AM In addition to the suggestions already posted, I would suggest learning double stops, 3rds and 6ths, for major and minor keys. Top
revmike Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 3798 North Atlantic	Posted on Nov 28 2023 09:26 AM Chords (open, barre, partial) and playing with a good feel (groove) are very important as well. Rev — Canadian Surf http://www.urbansurfkings.com/ Top

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