12-String Tips You Must Know

Summary

Join Mark from 8 Minute Axe as he delves into the mystique and majesty of the 12-string guitar. This video offers a treasure trove of tips that elevate your playing skills, such as using the right pick, learning classic riffs, and experimenting with tuning. Along with practical advice, Mark emphasizes the 12-string's role in popular classics and its potential to enhance your skills on a 6-string. From perfecting technique to getting your guitar professionally set up, these tips promise to enrich your musical journey and make playing the 12-string an exhilarating experience!

Highlights

• Use a thin pick for better strumming on all 12 strings. 🎸
• Learn classic 12-string riffs to enhance your skills. 🎶
• Focus on the octave strings, especially 3, 4, and 5. 🎯
• Experiment with alternate tunings like open C and G. 🔄
• Treat the 12-string as a unique instrument for better practice. 🏋️
• Ensure proper setup for optimal performance. 🔧
• Master tuning with the right tools and mindset. 🎯
• Playing 6-string feels easier after using a 12-string. 🌬️

Key Takeaways

• Thin pick for the win! 🎸
• Classic riffs are a must-learn! 🎶
• Target those octave strings! 🎯
• Try alternate tunings for a twist! 🔄
• Practice like it’s a new instrument! 🏋️
• Proper setup is crucial! 🔧
• Tuning is a skill to master! 🎯
• Switching to 6-string feels like a breeze afterward! 🌬️

Overview

Buckle up as Mark from 8 Minute Axe takes you on a melodic journey with the 12-string guitar. Known for its intricate sound, the 12-string isn't just another guitar—it's an experience. By following Mark's insightful tips, you’ll discover how to wield this instrument to its fullest potential and why legendary bands like The Beatles and Led Zeppelin used it to craft timeless hits.

One of the simplest yet most powerful tips from Mark is to use a thin pick. This small change can dramatically improve your sound. Mark also suggests diving into classic riffs that famous 12-string songs utilize, giving you a deeper understanding and appreciation of the instrument's capabilities. Exploring different tunings like open C or G can open new sonic doors and add fresh dimensions to your music.

For those aiming to master the 12-string, Mark emphasizes the importance of proper setup and tuning. A professional setup ensures that your guitar is in top form. Meanwhile, viewing tuning not as a chore but a skill to hone will improve your musicianship. After practicing on a 12-string, switching back to a 6-string will feel like a breeze, boosting your confidence and versatility.

Chapters

• 00:00 - 01:00: Introduction The introduction begins with a series of music and applause cues, setting a welcoming and energetic tone. The host, Mark, from 8 Minute Acts introduces himself and the purpose of the video, which is to share simple yet highly effective tips designed to help viewers unlock their full potential.
• 01:00 - 02:00: Tip 1: Use a Thin Pick This chapter discusses the proper techniques and benefits of playing a 12-string guitar. It explains that many players use it only for basic chord playing, possibly because they don't understand how to approach the instrument effectively. The chapter highlights how playing a 12-string can enhance your skills on a 6-string guitar. It also mentions that legendary bands such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Tom Petty, The Byrds, and Led Zeppelin have extensively used 12-string guitars, emphasizing its value and versatility.
• 02:00 - 03:30: Tip 2: Learn Classic 12 String Riffs This chapter emphasizes the significance of the 12-string guitar in rock music. It highlights that many of the top 100 rock songs, such as 'Stairway to Heaven,' 'Hotel California,' and 'Wish You Were Here,' prominently feature 12-string guitars, implying the instrument's critical role in creating iconic music. The chapter promises tips to make playing the 12-string guitar easier, more enjoyable, and improve overall guitar skills. The first tip mentioned is the use of a thin pick, which is suggested as a simple yet impactful way to enhance 12-string guitar playing.
• 03:30 - 04:00: Tip 3: Target the Octave Strings The chapter emphasizes the importance of playing all 12 strings on a 12-string guitar to fully utilize its sound. It notes that missing strings during picking or strumming defeats the purpose of playing a 12-string, essentially reducing it to a 6-string performance. To resolve this issue, the chapter suggests using a thin pick, as its flexibility aids in achieving even string strikes. It assures that using a thin pick can make a noticeable difference in the sound output of the guitar.
• 04:00 - 05:30: Tip 4: Experiment with Tunings The chapter provides advice on experimenting with different guitar tunings, specifically focusing on classic 12-string riffs. It suggests that there are many riffs to choose from, many of which are easy to play. The chapter offers some examples of the author's favorite classic 12-string riffs, presumably with a musical demonstration included.
• 05:30 - 07:00: Tip 5: Practice The chapter titled 'Tip 5: Practice' emphasizes the importance of regular practice in achieving mastery in any field. While the transcription includes music notes, the key takeaway is the underlying message about consistency and repetition as vital components for success.
• 07:00 - 08:00: Tip 6: Set Up for Success This chapter delves into the strategies and principles necessary to set up for success. It emphasizes preparation, mindset, and the importance of laying a solid foundation before embarking on any project or endeavor. Key takeaways include planning, resource allocation, and adopting a proactive approach to overcoming potential challenges.
• 08:00 - 09:30: Tip 7: Tuning This chapter focuses on the concept of tuning when playing 12-string guitar riffs. It emphasizes the importance of targeting specific strings, mainly the third, fourth, and fifth, which are considered crucial or 'money' strings. The chapter advises against simply strumming open chords and suggests arpeggiating them instead for better effect. Overall, it encourages learning the riffs and understanding the techniques behind them.
• 09:30 - 10:30: Tip 8: Use the 12 String as a Donut Tip 8 discusses the creative concept of using a 12-string guitar like a donut, though the details aren't fully explained in the provided text. The chapter opens with applause and music, and then briefly mentions experimenting with alternate and open tunings, highlighting open C, open G, and drop D tunings as personal favorites. The remainder of the chapter's content is not provided, leaving a gap in understanding the full scope of the 'donut' concept.
• 10:30 - 14:00: Conclusion and Giveaway The chapter titled 'Conclusion and Giveaway' begins with music and applause, setting an engaging tone.

12-String Tips You Must Know Transcription

• 00:00 - 00:30 [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] hey everybody Mark here from 8 Minute acts in this video I'm going to share a few simple yet highly effective tips on how to unlock the full po potential and
• 00:30 - 01:00 magic of the 12 string including how and what to practice proper technique tuning and how playing a 12 string can profoundly improve your six string playing as well sadly most 12 string guitars are used exclusively to play Cowboy chords I think it's because too many players don't understand how to properly approach the instrument and don't recognize what it does best now there's a reason that it was used extensively by The Beetles the stones Tom Petty the birds and of course Leed Zeppelin just to name a few and the fact
• 01:00 - 01:30 that if you look at any list of the top 100 rock songs of all time it's remarkable how many of them employed a 12 string Stairway to Heaven Hotel California All Along the Watchtower More Than A Feeling wish you were here the list is long there must be something to it right these tips will make playing the 12 string easier more enjoyable and make you a better allaround player let's start with a tip that's the easiest to implement and will probably have the most dramatic effect tip number one is use a thin pick one of the hardest
• 01:30 - 02:00 things to do when playing the 12 string is to play all 12 strings getting an even strike on the string sets is crucial to bringing the 12 string to life if you're constantly missing one of the strings when you pick or even when you strum you might as well just play a six string it's kind of what you're doing anyway and if you're having this problem the best and easiest way to fix it is to use a thin pick the flexibility of a thin pick is ideal for following through and I promise you'll immediately hear the difference [Music] [Applause] [Music]
• 02:00 - 02:30 tip number two learn classic 12 string riffs there are tons to choose from and many are easy to play here are a couple of my favorite classic 12 string riffs [Music]
• 02:30 - 03:00 [Music] [Music]
• 03:00 - 03:30 [Music] [Music] [Music]
• 03:30 - 04:00 you should not only learn these riffs but you should learn from them as well there's one thing that most of the famous 12 string riffs have in common the third fourth and fifth strings and that brings me to tip number three Target the octave strings especially three four and five these are the money strings instead of strumming open chords arpeggiate them [Applause] [Music]
• 04:00 - 04:30 [Applause] [Music] [Applause] tip number four experiment with alternate and open tunings my personal favorites are open C open G and drop d [Music]
• 04:30 - 05:00 [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] oh
• 05:00 - 05:30 [Music] if you're not that courageous just tune the guitar down a half step you'll be surprised at how much the character of The Sound changes tuning down also alleviates neck tension making the guitar easier to play and potentially extending its life I have my other tailor tuned down and through the magic of video see if we can do this [Music]
• 05:30 - 06:00 [Music] tip number five practice now this may seem obvious but if you treat the 12 string like a unique instrument that demands learning certain skills you're going to sound sound much better and get
• 06:00 - 06:30 way more out of it than if you pick it up with the attitude that it's just like a six string the 12 string requires stronger hands more precise fretting and more accurate and consistent picking most of us start off learning great technique until we've reached enough proficiency to be lazy just go back to basics there shouldn't be any buzzing or choked out notes a good way to check your cord accuracy is to fret the cord and then play each string set making sure they all ring true you want to have good hand position with your wrist down
• 06:30 - 07:00 I know I'm stating the obvious but you do have to be more precise here because you're fretting two notes with each finger so just practice switching between the chords one string set at a [Music] time if you made it this far in the video and you haven't already please consider subscribing to the channel a small gesture on your part makes a big difference on my end and I sincerely appreciate it tip number six set yourself up for success I mean this literally having your 12 strings set up
• 07:00 - 07:30 properly is a must this includes proper neck relief action and intonation I recommend getting a professional for a 12 string setup if hiring a pro isn't an option make sure you educate yourself on what to do before jumping into it I used to have a bad habit of the ready fire aim method it's time for everybody's favorite tip tip number seven is tuning tuning a 12 string can be accomplished quickly and painlessly if you have the right mindset and take the right approach first and foremost make sure you use use a good tuner if you're still
• 07:30 - 08:00 using a pitch pipe it's time to upgrade so my go-to is the Peterson strobo clip but there are plenty of good tuners available at a reasonable price now if you view tuning as a nuisance thing that you hate doing and you just want to get it over with then that's what it always will be but if you approach it as a fundamental skill that you should be proficient at then each time you tune it's an opportunity to improve I tune my 12 string in two stages I get each note close to pitch starting with the low string sets and working my way up next I
• 08:00 - 08:30 go back and fine tune starting again from the lowest string set always tightening the note up to [Music] pitch and now I'm going to fine-tune [Music] it tip number eight use the 12 string as a donut one of the cool byproducts of a 12 string is how much easier a six
• 08:30 - 09:00 string is to play when you make the switch it's like taking the weighted dnut off a baseball bat before you step up to the plate you'll find that your accuracy hand strength and dexterity are all much improved sometimes when I pick up a six string after playing the 12 string for a couple hours it feels like I'm cheating if you enjoyed the video please give it a like and leave me a comment and if you have any tips to add make sure you share them with the community don't forget to enter this month's van Goa 12 string guitar giveaway details on how to enter this month's contest are in the description
• 09:00 - 09:30 most importantly have a great day I'll see you in the next video the a camera died so all I've got is this [Music] camera and we're out