12 String Tips?

[Guitars+gems]

I am interested in any and all 12 string advice anyone wants to give me, strings, capos, picks. My favorite pick is a Blue Chip TAD 60 and I've ordered a Shubb 12 string capo based on a thread someone started last week, but I'm open to all suggestions.

Any technique tips related to 12 string guitars? How about some barre chord advice? I got serious about practicing them, on 6 strings, 3 weeks ago and have improved a lot. But on 12 strings? I suppose it's just a matter of repetition again, but is there a different way you place your thumb or something, in order to get all the strings to ring?

What songs do you all like to play on your 12 strings? I like flat picking and strumming, not fingerstyle. Any suggestions?

In my NGD post some people have already offered advice and I appreciate it. I value your help and take it seriously, so thanks!

[robj144]

I really don't play my 12 string much differently than my 6 strings. I like it most for strumming though.

[Rpt50]

Tune it down one whole step (DGCFAD). It will be easier to play.

[YamahaGuy]

As with a six string, a good setup is critical -- be aware the string clearance is from the bottom of the string to the top of the fret for all strings. This will look wrong (aesthetically) from above.

As for capo--avoid use if possible. A good setup makes the tuning issues more pronounced since most capos will push more on the lower octave strings.

I always tuned my to standard and ran Martin 12s (medium) on it with no neck problems, though many others will disagree with this.

Lastly, for barre chords, again try to avoid and stick to songs in easy open chord keys like G and A (less the F#m), and perhaps even D.

[Glennwillow]

I am not sure what to offer as advice, because everyone is different. You might learn a few things by watching some of the 12-string songs on my YouTube channel. I have recorded a bunch and have grown up with the 12-string -- I've been playing one since I was 18 years old and now that I have turned 70, that's what? 52 years?

Here is my 12-string playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3vU...cGXUrZPOWZs1p0

Best of luck to you! I love the look of your new 12-string -- just lovely!

- Glenn

[Steve DeRosa]

Another five-decade 12-string player here - my tuppence worth:

• Picks - Dunlop Nylon, .60/.67/.73 depending whether I'm doing straight rhythm, combination, or crosspicking/flatpicking (FYI my wife uses .46/.60/.67 respectively)
• Strings - Martin Monel on my Rainsong JM3000 and Martin J12-15, D'Addario EJ39 PB Mediums (12-52) on my wife's Ovation Elite and my Guild JF30-12, all at concert pitch
• Capo - I've been using Dunlop Professional toggle capos (the one with the adjustable strap) since my college days in the early-70's; if you use the "James Taylor" sweetened tuning (as I do), have a good setup, and adjust the strap correctly, you shouldn't have any problems with intonation on the lower strings with or without the capo
• Barre chords - Again, simply a matter of a good setup and a lot of practice; you'll also need to use more "thumb," both in terms of pressure and position behind the neck (approximately parallel with your middle finger) - but you've probably discovered that already
• Songs - Start with some John Denver or Gordon Lightfoot to get your rhythm chops going (FYI Gord capos extensively - it's as much a part of his signature sound as it is for ease of playing - so keep this in mind if you're trying to learn his stuff by ear), George Harrison/Roger McGuinn solos to jumpstart your lead technique; if you can sing, the Seekers had a bunch of great 12-string tunes: "I'll Never Find Another You," "A World of Our Own," "Someday, One Day," "Come the Day," among others

Best of luck with your new Taylor - use it well and often...

[DCCougar]

Originally Posted by YamahaGuy

....stick to songs in easy open chord keys like G and A (less the F#m), and perhaps even D.

Good advice. I often drop the bass E to D and then play in D.

Originally Posted by Guitars+gems

I am interested in any and all 12 string advice anyone wants to give me.... open to all suggestions.

Play what sounds good to you.

Originally Posted by Guitars+gems

What songs do you all like to play on your 12 strings?

Make 'em up! (Goes with previous comment.)

[Brucebubs]

As Steve DeRosa says above ...the Seekers had a bunch of great 12-string tunes: "I'll Never Find Another You," "A World of Our Own," "Someday, One Day," "Come the Day," among others


Denise I have a 'Best of the Seekers' CD sitting here unplayed, brand new.
PM me your address and I'll happily post it to you free.
Think of it as karma for the guitar you donated recently.

[CaptRedbeard]

I am another 5 decade player and looking to add a 12 string to my modest collection of active instruments. Active means I play them on a regular basis. Had a little collection, but never felt good that some never got played. So I took care of that....mostly. Anyway, the one that I never had for some reason was a 12 string. So I thought I would take care of that this year and am as interested in the great advice always found on this forum as the OP.

[Mark L]

The "secret" to the 12 string is no secret at all, but simply this:

Play every day.

Best wishes, Mark.

PS, Four Strong Winds (Neil Young's version is my model).

[JeffreyAK]

I guess I do play 12-string a little differently than a 6-string, if I think about it. I tend not to play barre chords as much, and I use more open strings, usually in non-standard tunings. I don't do bends much, and only slight bends. And I guess I play less melodically, and more orchestral, filling up the sound space with all those wonderful vibrating strings. But mostly it's not that different.

I love 12-string guitar, and it's been my main acoustic instrument for a lot of years.

[jaybones]

Wish You Were Here is a great 12 string song, as is most of the Byrds catalogue and even a little Tom Petty.

And technically no different than your 6’er, just a little harder possibly to press down to get clean notes when building a chord.

Properly setup a good new 12 shouldn’t be a whole lot harder than a 6.

[rmoretti49]

Originally Posted by Rpt50

Tune it down one whole step (DGCFAD). It will be easier to play.

I strongly recommend this as well. You will often hear this discussed in terms of reducing long term damage to the guitar. More important to me is that it makes playing the instrument considerably easier. I have been playing 12 strings for 30 years, but would probably have given up long ago if I hadn't learned from others to tune down. You might also find that you like the sound better too.

[musicman1951]

I have not noticed more difficulty in playing barre chords on the 12 string. Does yours need a set-up?

[Doranged]

I tune my 12's 1/2 step down which helps with my vocals. I find that strumming with a twelve can get jangly so I use a hybrid picking technique holding the pick and plucking with the other three fingers. It takes a while to learn but is well worth the results.
Some good songs are Hotel California, Carolina, . Sweet Baby James, Knee Deep From the Beginning, Stairway to Heaven.
Good luck with the twelve!