easy GL songs to play on guitar...

[Peter Bro10]

Greetings all,
I've been "away" a great deal lately.. in large part due to my learning to play guitar (finally!).

Anyhow, I thought I'd take this opportunity to say hello to everyone, and to ask for some input as to what tunes might be "easiest" for a beginner guitarist to play... any helpful suggestions will be appreciated since playing Lightfoot's music is a big part of why I'm learning guitar in the first place!

My apologies if this is repeat topic... but some things bear repeating.

[joveski]

you can find the guitar chords for every song here:

http://www.lightfoot.ca/lyrics.htm

take your pick for what you'll find easy!

[jj]

twotef...long tune and repetitive accompaniment (i didn't say monotonous...no, i didn't say it)...a few times through and it'll be like you've been playing it all your life

are you looking for something to pick or strum....are you singing or looking to do instr arrangements? key determinants in where to steer you...i am actually not the one who should be steering anyone

congrats and enjoy the calluses (do not swim or bath for a year or so)....no pain no gain

don't worry about the notes too much, keep good time and have the same

[Peter Bro10]

Thanks JJ.
I've been working on nailing down a couple of basic strum patterns... keeping rhythm and clean chord changes are my current challenges...
I practice daily and my regimen consists of various excersises to keep things from getting too stale or frustrating. I have finger picking style in my sites, but I'm working on the fundementals right now... and I feel pretty good about my progress. For those interested, I'm taking instruction from Next Level Guitar, mainly David Taub at www.nextlevelguitar.com
yeah, the calluses are coming, though I'm still showering and bathing regularly!! ha ha!
Thanks for the suggestion, the chords are all familiar.. not difficult, but not sure on what kind of strum pattern. ah, a work in progress....

[fezo]

Use that list and try Alberta Bound. Lots of bang for the buck on that one. Three chords and it sounds great.

[jj]

good stuff....yeah, AB and Triangle and High & Dry (a bit more pushing required) a lot of fun

(Dansm) Dan Smith site always good to peek about for tips and such

http://www.scenicnewengland.net/guitar/acoustic/

here are some strum patterns and real audio so you can hear how it's supposed to sound...I'm not good with that up down notation but if you play along with records then it will probably all just fall into place

http://www.scenicnewengland.net/guitar/acoustic/info/strumming.htm

[Peter Bro10]

Ok, I've got my sites set on Seven Island Suite! (an awesome song lyrically) This should be doable for me if I can figure out the strum pattern. Towards the end there is heavy use of the F chord which I can swap out with an Fmaj7... I think.
Any advice or input will be much appreciated...
this is what I'm using... http://www.lightfoot.ca/7islands.htm

[jj]

you could try play along with the strumming pattern and chords that these guys are having fun with here:YouTube- clips including Seven Island Suite jam (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoInhVZ4dC4&feature=channel) (for 7IS, jump to the 4 minute mark if you wish)

it looks like the vamp section is basically Em A, with the capo up a few frets

Fmaj7 may be easier than the non-barred version of F but not sure if the vibe of a maj7 chord will suite (pun?;) ) the latter section...have fun regardless...the fine folks who were on the radio show last eve are the ones who could give you the best tips, just thought you might dig the video clip if hadn't seen that particular jam

cheers