sorry I just don't get it

So I go to the chords and try and play some. Everytime I do it sounds like crap. My guitar is in tune so it isn't that. I don't really understand, what I can be doing wrong. I don't really understand why there are markings that are not on the fret board and what's the deal with the little r's? I dunno I'm getting kinda frustrated

the "r" means root. when you see an "r" next to a note it means that that note is the root of the chord. make sure you are pressing your fingers just before the frets and not on them. also...the inlays [markings] on your fretboard indicate the 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th and 12th frets. most guitars have those same 'markings' on the top of the fret board.

Try using the very tips of your fingers to press the strings. Also, make sure that your fingers are as close to the frets that need to be played as possible.

Another thing, if your fingers aren't toughened up yet, it might be hard for you to play chords nicely at first. If you practice really hard for a couple of days in a row, then you'll get your fingers tough pretty quickly.

Do you mean the yellow circles, yellow circles with R in them, and the red X's that are off the left end of the fretboard, right beside the:

E
B
G
D
A
E

If so... a yellow circle there means that the string is played "open".. that is, you play that string without freting it.

The red X means that the string is not played at all. If the string that is not to be played occurrs either above or below any other strings you are fretting, then you try to not play it by simply missing it with your pick...

but sometimes a red X will be for a string that is in between two other strings that you are fretting. In that case, you have to "mute" the string. Do mute the string, you have to use one of the fingers that your using to fret an adjacent string and gently touch the string that is not to be played as well...so that the string doesn't ring out when strummed, and just emmitts a dull clunk sound.

This is something that you would understand in a milisecond if someone was showing you in person, but its a little hard to describe in writting.

A few basic lessons would probably get you off to a good start... failing that, try buying an introductory guitar book that has a DVD.

Good luck.

how long uve been playing?

are you placing your fingers right on the frets, when your fret the strings it should be just behind it. You might benefit from someone showing you the basics. I would look a some you tube videos, or if you have a friend who plays. if your still frustrated maybe a lesson or two might help to get you going.

I think maybe you are not placing your fingers in the right spots.
Maybe it is the chord you are trying to do, like, some chords sound really weird, play an open G chord. That is a nice sounding chord and doesn't sound crappy.

I agree with everyone else! Just one small thing. Have you got your nails nice and short on your left hand? It can make quite a difference!

I bite my nails.
Lol.
: /

lol at 13?

It's an act of boredom. I can't help it... Least they get shorter... but it can't be good for my teeth lmao

lol i guess u bite nails like i doodle, i suck at drawing but idc

lmfao

Did anyone ever notice that every topic on here gets the topic changed by someone at some point ? lmfao i think it is me most of the time : /

lol wow true. from guitars to sex or school or somthing or othr lol

Yeah. This place is weird. Least everybody is nice :)
No matter how much a fag I act like :P

true dat. on youtube u can get soo much criticism it just makes u wana quit..this place is like the oppposite

Yeah I know I agree totally... Same with UG forums like wow you get flamed so much.

I was just wondering if it is in tune and you are in the right fingering and it still sounds out it may be you intonation.

would be good if you could clear up "sounds like crap" for us. Do you mean doesn't sound clear or that is sounds like the wrong notes are being played. Cause just starting out it's tough to get a clear chord. Also are you playing through an amp? Is there a buzz? Might not be your fault if the guitar needs to be set up. Just things to think about.