How to Play Cigar Box Guitar - The very BEGINNING lesson!

Shane goes back to the basics, from holding the pick to slide placement. Support this channel by having fun:
1. Get a badass cigar box guitar t-shirt at cigarboxguitars...
2. Shop at stubbyslide.com, where you can find cool guitar slides and cigar box guitars handmade by Shane Speal
3. Get an autographed copy of my book, "Making Poor Man's Guitars." Link-o: shanespeal.big...
4. Visit cigarboxguitars..., the Encyclopedia of the Cigar Box Guitar
5. LIKE this video and SUBSCRIBE to my channel for a whole bunch of DIY music instrument stuff.
6. Visit the Cigar Box Guitar Museum inside Speal's Tavern in New Alexandria, PA if you're in the area. spealstavern.com
Shane's music is at shanespeal.com
Shane's blog and magazine: poormansguitar.com
Instagram: @ cigarboxguitar
Facebook: / cigarboxguitar
Known as the King of the Cigar Box Guitar, Shane Speal is universally recognized as the prime mover of the Cigar Box Guitar cult, a man who has made it his life’s crusade to spread the word and promote the popularity of CBGs. - Premier Guitar Magazine

[@belapea1313]

My husband was making cigar box guitars in the last year before he died. I've recently, on Valentine's day, found two of them that I hadn't even known he made and they're finished and ready to play. I know nothing about music but my new commitment is to learn to play one of them in his honor. This was a great first step video. Also, I believe we may have seen you play??? maybe at the cigar box guitar festival at the York Emporium three years ago?

[@bluedusteyes]

This comment makes me so sad and so happy all at once.

[@kristyncooper3619]

Good luck learning to play my friend. What a wonderful way to honor your husband. Sending good vibes your way ;)

[@thebeststooge]

12 years ago my late wife, and I, tried to play guitar and I found I couldn't do it due to my hand structure. Some said a bass would be better for me (one of my fingers is not straight from birth) as I need more spacing between the strings. I wonder if a three string/four string would help?

[@johnnymarinara3797]

You live in York PA?

[@fokker313]

@@thebeststooge Hello, I saw your comment on you tube recently. I am a builder myself located in Ohio. I also am a retired Chiropractor with similar finger and hand issues from over use in my medical profession. I have built several guitars, mainly 3 strings for many customers with finger and hand deformity issues. I have kept in contact with several of them and they are still playing and enjoying blues and rock. Cbg's are easier to play than a 6 string. If you would like to contact me my email is [e-mail] name is John Thanks for the opportunity to work with you.

[@ali37]

Great vid for old guys like me who take time learn anything new to them

[@ali37]

@@TomPetty73 Up yours you utter and complete WANKER

[@TahtahmesDiary]

Thanks for the lesson! I tried playing the bit that you taught at the end for my husband and he left the room laughing in tears when I eventually had to sing it for him. 😂😂😂 I got a looooong way to go! 🤦🏾‍♀️

[@ShaneSpeal]

If you keep at it, you’ll eventually go from trying to force your hands to work together...to eventually where you start to FEEL the playing. You got this. Tell hubby to be patient. Go Tahtahme! Go!

[@rickymyers3103]

Wow! That EXPLAINS so freakn much!! I don't know how to play anything but I'm hooked on cigar box guitars! I made a diddly bow out of a cane and a cigar box. Everyone went nuts for it. I'm hooked!!! Thank you!!! That was awesome!!!

[@RichardChelson]

I just got my first CBG today, thank you Shane. You and C B Gitty convinced me to get one to learn how to play. I've tried to dabble with a 6 string before and never had any luck. I watched your video and I learned a new lick in just a few minutes. Thank you again. Do some more beginner videos I'm having fun...lol

[@phoarey]

Thanks Shane great. I've been slamming down the slide on Bad to the Bone.

[@elizabethbrown8833]

Jus bought a toy 4 string guitar to practise blues on. Teeny steps. The frets seem so intimidating, but am prayng i can overcone that. 🙄🙏👣🎵🎵🎶💙

[@coopv2]

Much better learner lesson, thank you

[@joebazooka1]

About to purchase a sweet CBG, 3 string in GDG. Gonna build one soon too but wanted to thank you. Your lessons don't make me feel like an idiot. Can't wait to go!!

[@dirkmaxschwaertzel6938]

Hi Shane, really like your channel. And I like these guitars too. Over the years I `ve seen hundreds of how-to-play videos. There ´s one thing I ´ve noticed with all videos where somebody explainns how a slide is working. What I thilnk is the most important thing about the slide is that it TOTALLY replaces the frets ! Nobody ever told this in a video. The slide replaces the frets and so they become shiftable frets. I think this helps a lot to better understand what a slide is doing and to understand whtat a guitar playwe is actually doing when he ´s moving this lovely little thing along the string. Thanks Shane for sharing your knowlege. A humble fan from Germany, learning how to play.... :-)

[@Alan-mi1lp]

Thanks Shane, this is great. Im a bit older and take time to pick up new skills. Wil there be any more in this very basic series?

[@marcd1981]

Thanks for the video, Shane. I noticed the link for Shane Speal and the Snakes was just a white square in the top right corner at the end of the video.

[@davel3118]

Thank you Shane !! I'm new at the cbg scene and trying to learn.

[@sbooko]

Love seeing where/how the fingers actually go and not just the backs of the fingers.

[@drunio1504]

Perfect timing, just got my tinny / junky CBG. Learning this first blues riff until the better guitar arrives. Good job Shane.

[@jampakbluesngrassneighborh4325]

I love my stubby slide-cobalt blue-all the felt needed but it fits perfectly.

[@mewzishun]

Thank you! I've just started making CBGs and I've gotta transition between 6 strings and 3!

[@bugoutprepperjohnsmith3712]

Thanks for this that was so cool Andy in UK England

[@Numocron]

Wow man this is a really interesting cigar box guitar lesson I love it.😃👍❤️🎸

[@SoulSoundEnergy]

That was cool and easy for a newbie. Cheers mate 👍😁

[@dv5486]

Love the binford tool shirt!!!

[@ShaneSpeal]

6dollarshirts.com

[@toddcunningham5024]

Great video Shane! would love to pick your brain about building and selling.. Live in mount pleasant and go to the tavern as much as possible great place!

[@sircharlesanthony352]

This is great brother !

[@albertmendoza6390]

so funny when he shows you what not to do it sounds pretty good!

[@robertmcpheron8489]

Hey Shannon, I was just wondering how you’re doing I was looking at your KZbin channel and on one of your shorts. You had a pretty awesome sounding guitar made out of a Mountain Dew bottle. I really like the tone on that. I was wondering if you may do a video on how you made it. I don’t know if I have the ability to make it myself, but just wanted to let you know that was one of the coolest things I’ve seen, thank you very much for all your videos. Have a great day.

[@Ratocola]

great lesson, thanks so much!

[@H3xx99]

Nice Home Improvement shirt. Didn't know they sold those!

[@ShaneSpeal]

6dollarshirts.com

[@therockinghousewife4241]

thank you shane.

[@mictadlo]

Hi, Could you please do any kids nursery, you are my sunshine and Jingle Bell Rock lessons?

[@AvidEric]

Looking forward to more "beginning" lessons.

[@stephenmcmillan1026]

Eric M. Cigar box guitar strings

[@garystrohl1870]

Doo some more Shane I'm old and slow .gs

[@michaelcaffery5038]

Hi Shane or anyone else who reads this, dying to get cbg since finding lessons (damn lockdown!) But don't know whether to get fretless or fretted. Besides not knocking frets with slide is there any other advantage to fretless? Can a good tone be got by pressing on fret marker if you want to play without slide? Just started to try practicing on acoustic bass with a string tuned down to g and ignoring low e string using bit of copper pipe as slide. Only high g string has good ring (0.045 inch brass wound) what gauge and type best for slide?

[@glassmaninboulder]

I bought one of each, because I kept getting different answers from everyone ... it seems as though this is an instrument with out traditional "rules" ... so I'm trying the slide on both ... there's some extra noise with the Fret Bars, but I'm told that makes it More " gritty" and Swampy ... I'll let you know

[@unserhaus684]

hi, i like your tool time binford shirt

[@cmmbsnyder55]

I own a 3-string ToneStick or Strumstick that has no fretted sharps nor flats, do you have lessons on such an instrument? I'll do a deep dive on your lessons to see what treasures I can find. I need more to chew on other then nursery tunes.

[@Jack-fs2im]

I,m following and thanx

[@sherlynn7211]

LOVE the Beer can pic guard ,, omgosh that is perfect! heehee :)

[@shaunpenn9509]

I got one of these for Xmas how easy are they to learn and how long before you can just play naturally doesn't have to be pro just nice sounding riffs and what not, I know it depends on how much I practice and effort on my part etc but i do love the sound of them

[@RHONDASTEVEN]

Hi Shane I have just purchased my first Cigar Box Guitar. I am an absolute beginner and watched your video "The Very Beginning Lesson". I thought it was very good but what is the next lesson I should be doing and the next one after that. I don't want to go into something to advanced for me. Cheers Rhonda from Australia.

[@atan7260]

I've been a bass player for the last 7 years, never been interested in learning to play the guitar but damn if the 3 string guitar sound isn't attractive

[@GestapoPussyRanch]

I'm the same way.

[@guitarfox8316]

Try to make a pair of bongos from cigar boxes I did and they are very effective

[@pa_maj.MARTINI-van-MAN]

I need to build one. Not sure whether to go fret-less or not 😆

[@raymeador2243]

Can you possibly show how to play when rainbows never die by the steeldrivers

[@chrisnicoleofficial]

Does anybody know what would cause the guitar not to b rich in sound when I put the slid on it. I don’t press down hard or anything but it just sounds so lackluster n kinda terrible. I just got my guitar today so idk much about it

[@TahtahmesDiary]

The only thing I can think of is he said to be right on the metal not in between for a better sound.

[@jaimiec2404]

Helpful. Thank you.

[@MrNikibilly]

Hi Shane have you ever tried V-Picks ? if not please look them up never drop your pick again sticks with out the glue .Vinny who owns the shop in Nashville also makes a great slide please go to Vpicks.com tell him Alice send ya your videos helped me so very much Thank you .

[@robertmeredith1846]

Now that's better, a bit slower, for us slower people. Cheers mate.

[@larrydelk4867]

I'm about to buy my 1st cigar box guitar any advice what to look for in a good quality guitar b4 I spend the 50.00

[@craigb.5902]

It depends really. mostly the only two rules for a decent one are that you want a wooden box not a cardboard one and you want a hardwood neck. other than that the other features are up to your preference. Gotta decide if you want a fretted or fretless neck, do you want a 2, 3, or 4 string, do you want it to have a pickup, are you comfortable with intonating your guitar yourself when you change strings and if not you may want to get one with a fixed bridge thats been intonated for the brand and weight strings that come on it as opposed to a floating bridge or one made from a bolt etc. so really as long as its got a wooden box and a hardwood stick itll be fine. beyond that it all down to what you do and dont want in one personally.

[@larrydelk4867]

@@craigb.5902 Thanks for ur input I greatly appreciate it its fretless & wood box I love it

[@tracymcdougal6381]

Thanks sir,very much

[@Flopthelot58]

Hi, thanks! Do you have anything about the 4-string?

[@shellydianenovascotia3914]

I have a cigar box but struggle with the slide . My frets are raised metal pieces- I am wondering if it would have been better to have gotten a fret-ess cigar box - easier to learn? Thoughts? Thanks for video.

[@theidesofmarch314]

I have always wanted to learn to play guitar but never had the time it seemed, I was hurt in the service and lost the feeling in both my hands do you think I could still learn to play with out any feelings in my hands. Thanks

[@loriosterweil982]

How do you know what chords you’re playing?

[@kluper1157]

Shane what string size should use?

[@mr.murrman3300]

Great video, thanks a lot! I have a question. What kind of camera do you use and what’s your setup for recording like?

[@ShaneSpeal]

I use an incredible Mevo camera. It syncs with my iPhone, allowing me to be a director and change camera zooms with the touch of a screen. Lights are nothing but cheap Lowe's clip on construction lights. I use my Roland MicroCube as an amp because it doesn't overload the camera microphone.

[@ursherbahjosef3331]

thanx for the videos broo. what is the use of slide. cant i play it without a slide??

[@georgeella3801]

Dear Shane, Your Qick Lick is too quick for me and I find it hard to see what your right hand is doing at the same time as the left. Also, I am puzzled by the beats. You seem to make five beats with the right hand and then pause. After this comes two more beats, another pause and then yet another two. So there is no regular beat. Meanwhile, you move your right slide finger from fret five to three. But what is the relationship here to the beats and why are the beats not regular? What happens after the 3 fret position? I have just made a cigar box guitar and do not know how to take the basic steps with a slide. Hope you can help. George

[@lifeofasandwich5721]

Do I need a fretted CBG or am I okay with a non fretted one?

[@davidrunion7]

Why is it so hard to find 4 string cigar box guitar lessons ?

[@ShaneSpeal]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nGTUgaSrjLKloLc kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZCyoJV4ebtnabM kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5TVc6togbafeJo kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIrRZZSDba59iKc kzbin.info/www/bejne/aKCleZWjjd-litE kzbin.info/www/bejne/pH6VfKapidqpaqs kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z4C6mmaYoq6bhNU

[@sandmanbeaches5438]

YEAH Alright☝️

[@TheHutchMusic]

Even this is NOT the beginner lesson!! You should start with the component parts ... headstock, tuners, string gauge, tunings, slide, not-slide, types of slide... etc. Still useful but I need more basics... like I just bought a box fresh as a daisy.

[@ecalzo]

WHHOOOAAAA thanks Shane .. i really needed that in order to statr playing better my cigar box built that you already know (goo.gl/photos/hQbcpBLf5Fv66UwP9)

[@lorremortimer2183]

👍✌️❤️

[@albinoviper2876]

I don't know who you're watching playing acoustic like that but I've never seen one play a blues riff with up and down strokes ever.

[@LordPadriac]

I have to disagree in part. I think it easily sounds way better and fuller strumming up AND down.

[@ArrogantBaSStard]

Is this played the same way as a regular 6 string guitar? I want to learn guitar and thought learning with one of these would be a good starting point and cheaper. Or should I just start with a regular guitar?

[@ArrogantBaSStard]

Should the slide be placed right on the fret on a fretted board?

[@ShaneSpeal]

Directly above the fret without touching the fret itself