Beginner Guitars?

darwinstheory

I agree with the guys above. Give it at least a year. Come up with a dedicated practice routine and DO NOT GET DISCOURAGED. The later has always been my biggest fault. Learn your first 3 chords and you'll be playing some basic songs real quick. Then pick up the next 2 or 3 and learn many more songs. If you progress past this point, then....head to a guitar store. See what they got for ya.

bbiggs

darwinstheory said:

I agree with the guys above. Give it at least a year. Come up with a dedicated practice routine and DO NOT GET DISCOURAGED. The later has always been my biggest fault. Learn your first 3 chords and you'll be playing some basic songs real quick. Then pick up the next 2 or 3 and learn many more songs. If you progress past this point, then....head to a guitar store. See what they got for ya.

Thanks pal. More good advice. I’m going to map out my practice/ lesson regimen this weekend and fully intend on staying dedicated to it until I’m playing at a competent level. I’m sure there will be times of getting discouraged, but it’s all good. I’ll embrace the challenge. The payoff will be worth it. 

darwinstheory

bbiggs said:

darwinstheory said:

I agree with the guys above. Give it at least a year. Come up with a dedicated practice routine and DO NOT GET DISCOURAGED. The later has always been my biggest fault. Learn your first 3 chords and you'll be playing some basic songs real quick. Then pick up the next 2 or 3 and learn many more songs. If you progress past this point, then....head to a guitar store. See what they got for ya.

Thanks pal. More good advice. I’m going to map out my practice/ lesson regimen this weekend and fully intend on staying dedicated to it until I’m playing at a competent level. I’m sure there will be times of getting discouraged, but it’s all good. I’ll embrace the challenge. The payoff will be worth it. 

It will be worth it for sure. You get to be food enough, you will have no problem using your newfound guitar skills to trade your wife of 10 years in for a newer younger version. Thank you anniversary gift!

bbiggs

^ Haha priceless! 

darwinstheory

Glad you could appreciate the humor. 

Jbarker

Good luck bb. Only thing I can think of worth adding...

Don't put it away! - In its case, in the closet, out of the way, to keep it safe or something.

Leave it out. By the couch, by the TV, near the kitchen. Put a hook on a central wall or a floor stand in a main area, so it can be OUT. You will pick it up much more often, and noodle even for five minutes between life moments. Progression is fast up front but then you will get plateaus. Just keep going - it will become another friend.

bbiggs

Jbarker said:

Good luck bb. Only thing I can think of worth adding...

Don't put it away! - In its case, in the closet, out of the way, to keep it safe or something.

Leave it out. By the couch, by the TV, near the kitchen. Put a hook on a central wall or a floor stand in a main area, so it can be OUT. You will pick it up much more often, and noodle even for five minutes between life moments. Progression is fast up front but then you will get plateaus. Just keep going - it will become another friend.

Thank you for the advice! I’m going to a buddy’s house tonight for my first “lesson.” He’s been playing casually for 30 years so he’ll be a good teacher. I plan to practice every day, even if only for a few minutes, so I will make sure to leave it out where it’s easily accessible to force my hand. 

darwinstheory

Tell us man, how are you progressing? 

bbiggs

darwinstheory said:

Tell us man, how are you progressing? 

It’s a slow work in progress, but I’m consistently practicing and progressing. Chord changes are becoming faster and easier. Not as much looking and searching for strings and finger placement. Had my first lesson last week and first week’s assignment is American Girl by Tom Petty. I’m not ready to hit the stage yet, but I’m having fun with it and am determined to get decent. Thanks for asking buddy. 

darwinstheory

That's great, man. The actual lessons seem like a great thing (obviously). I kind peaked and got lost after a certain point. Never progressed beyond that. I certainly own that I wasn't dedicated enough, but some actual lessons would absolutely have helped. 

No that I can afford lessons and would like some, I really cannot commit the time. Averaging 62 hour work weeks over the last 16 months. Swing shift too.

F Me In The Brain

Hit a bar chord yet?
I remember that being a nice achievement when first picking it up.  

bbiggs

F Me In The Brain said:

Hit a bar chord yet?
I remember that being a nice achievement when first picking it up.  

I tried a few times but it’s tough man. My buddy tried teaching me bad habits by using my thumb. I’ll wait to learn it the right way first.  

F Me In The Brain

Muscle memory.  One day it will pop for you....keep working.  

darwinstheory

That's pretty much where I hit a brick wall. There are variations of playing the F chord but I only wanted to learn the actual right way. 

I also never learned or understood any of the music theory. 

mickeyrat

Stepdaughters fender acoustic has been in the garage for several years now. its now in the house propped up in a chair I dont sit in often next to the computer desk I DO sit at often. Have some stuff on the way and wanted to give this a shot. My wife laughed at me.....

So after landing in this thread, is there an update? Did you stick?

bbiggs

I sure did.  Can’t believe it was 4 years ago already, but I stayed with it from the moment I started.  Playing music is one of my favorite things to do now and I can’t imagine not doing it.  I’m an average guitar player, but given the amount of time I can dedicate to it, I’m very happy with the progress I’ve made.  Looking back through this thread was very interesting and I can say there’s some fantastic advice in it.  I play electric more than acoustic, but that’s just a personal preference.  Good luck getting started and enjoy the journey. 

F Me In The Brain

Good to hear!

GlowGirl

bbiggs said:

I sure did.  Can’t believe it was 4 years ago already, but I stayed with it from the moment I started.  Playing music is one of my favorite things to do now and I can’t imagine not doing it.  I’m an average guitar player, but given the amount of time I can dedicate to it, I’m very happy with the progress I’ve made.  Looking back through this thread was very interesting and I can say there’s some fantastic advice in it.  I play electric more than acoustic, but that’s just a personal preference.  Good luck getting started and enjoy the journey. 

That is awesome that you stuck with it. I took weekly lessons for several years from a friend of mine. I am not someone with a natural talent for playing but I am adequate enough to entertain myself. I can’t play lead guitar at all though. But I’m decent enough at strumming my chords. It’s fun. 

mickeyrat

type of oil for the fret board you guys would recommend?

FiveBelow

mickeyrat said:

type of oil for the fret board you guys would recommend?

Ernie Ball Wonder Wipes are quick and easy.