Learning Guitar

PJ-Cubs · September 2011

This is a great thread. I am really happy that I found it. I just got an acoustic guitar and a few lessons for my birthday.

For someone who is completely new to guitar (or any other instrument), does it make sense to use the lessons right at the start or teach myself a few "basics" before going to a lesson? I don't want to waste a lesson learning things that I could teach myself but I also don't want to start with bad technique.

Geert · September 2011

Just a tip:

http://www.justinguitar.com/

i shit and i stink · September 2011

Geert wrote:

Just a tip:

http://www.justinguitar.com/

I'd seen a couple of Justin's lessons on youtube before but had never checked out his site. Wow, it's all free and he is a great teacher. I ended up spending a couple of hours last night and today learning some scales he teaches and I already feel like a better player!

Thanks for the link.

Elzar · October 2011

i shit and i stink wrote:

http://img18.imageshack.us/i/dsc01121cx.jpg/

Start early if you can!

We had the annual attempt to break the record for the most people simultaneously playing guitar here in Wroclaw, Poland today. There were 5600 guitarists of all ages and abilities playing 'Hey Joe' together. Didn't break our own record but it is always a lot of fun.

More on: heyjoe.pl

do you have pics / video of this? It sounds like amazing fun!

brianlux wrote:

Best advice I've ever been given (many years ago by David Blossom, guitarist for The Fifty Foot Hose):

"Learn as many different styles as you can, develope your own style from all of these and practice with as many different players as possible."

just like MMA! - one of the first things students are taught

i shit and i stink · October 2011

Elzar wrote:

i shit and i stink wrote:

http://img18.imageshack.us/i/dsc01121cx.jpg/

Start early if you can!

We had the annual attempt to break the record for the most people simultaneously playing guitar here in Wroclaw, Poland today. There were 5600 guitarists of all ages and abilities playing 'Hey Joe' together. Didn't break our own record but it is always a lot of fun.

More on: heyjoe.pl

do you have pics / video of this? It sounds like amazing fun!

Sure, I have my own pics but I don't know how to post them here. Here is their myspace page with loads of pictures.

http://www.myspace.com/thanksjimifest/photos/30396149#%7B%22ImageId%22%3A30396149%7D

Elzar · October 2011

i shit and i stink wrote:

Elzar wrote:

i shit and i stink wrote:

http://img18.imageshack.us/i/dsc01121cx.jpg/

Start early if you can!

We had the annual attempt to break the record for the most people simultaneously playing guitar here in Wroclaw, Poland today. There were 5600 guitarists of all ages and abilities playing 'Hey Joe' together. Didn't break our own record but it is always a lot of fun.

More on: heyjoe.pl

do you have pics / video of this? It sounds like amazing fun!

Sure, I have my own pics but I don't know how to post them here. Here is their myspace page with loads of pictures.

http://www.myspace.com/thanksjimifest/photos/30396149#%7B%22ImageId%22%3A30396149%7D

that is one of the most spectacular things ive seen!

....now if we can get the whole world to do it......maybe someday

mikesbri · December 2011

Just picked up a Yamaha FG700s at my local guitar shop. My first ever guitar. Its been about a week and i've just started learning just the basic chords A, E and D. Ive been trying to do 30 minutes a day but my fingers cant handle it right now. How long does it usually take before the pain goes away?
I find it very hard to go from one chord to the next, but i guess in time it will get better.

Any suggestions on what are good ways for a beginner to learn besides taking lessons. I've been trying that justin site that was recommended.

i shit and i stink · December 2011

mikesbri wrote:

Just picked up a Yamaha FG700s at my local guitar shop. My first ever guitar. Its been about a week and i've just started learning just the basic chords A, E and D. Ive been trying to do 30 minutes a day but my fingers cant handle it right now. How long does it usually take before the pain goes away?
I find it very hard to go from one chord to the next, but i guess in time it will get better.

Any suggestions on what are good ways for a beginner to learn besides taking lessons. I've been trying that justin site that was recommended.

I'm still not a good guitar player but I can say that I made progress playing thirty mins a day like yourself... until I got lazy over the recent months. If you have a good regime, stick to it. And don't be shy abobut asking friends who can play to jam with you, even when you are a beginner. I learn the same in an hour with friends that I would have in a week at home doing it alone. Plus, most friends are psyched to help someone else learn a little, as they have been beginners themselves. You can do this right from the beginning, you don't have to fall into the "I'm not ready" trap.

Also, pick some simle songs you like and try and find them on ultimateguitar.com
There are chord diagrams when you hover the mouse over the name of the chord. Just play until it sounds right.

If you can play A, E & D then 'Evangelin' by The Band is about the simplest song around and you already know all the chords:

http://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/t/the_band/evangeline_crd.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-rTkqn-4qg

Jon Chorba · January 2012

mikesbri wrote:

Just picked up a Yamaha FG700s at my local guitar shop. My first ever guitar. Its been about a week and i've just started learning just the basic chords A, E and D. Ive been trying to do 30 minutes a day but my fingers cant handle it right now. How long does it usually take before the pain goes away?
I find it very hard to go from one chord to the next, but i guess in time it will get better.

Any suggestions on what are good ways for a beginner to learn besides taking lessons. I've been trying that justin site that was recommended.

Get the G chord down and with the chords you already know, you've got the chorus to "Alive!" (E-G-D-A)

In my experience with beginner guitar players, the pain and stiffness subsides greatly in about 4-6 weeks with 30min, 5 day a week practicing. But it could be shorter or longer depending on the quality of your practices. 4-6 weeks is about average.

cmalisze · January 2012

I was given guitar lessons for XMas ! I have never even played guitar and I am very excited to learn. I was hoping the music studio rented guitars but, they do not. So, I went in the store today and the was the model that was recommended as a starter set. I was hoping for some help. The salesman also recommended a few others but I feel comfortable spending this to get started. Any help?.....

http://www.westmusic.com/1002403-guitars-folk/g7000-guitars/g7000a-acoustic/g7000a14-packages/fender-r-dg-8s-solid-top-guitar-value-package.htm

Jon Chorba · January 2012

cmalisze wrote:

I was given guitar lessons for XMas ! I have never even played guitar and I am very excited to learn. I was hoping the music studio rented guitars but, they do not. So, I went in the store today and the was the model that was recommended as a starter set. I was hoping for some help. The salesman also recommended a few others but I feel comfortable spending this to get started. Any help?.....

http://www.westmusic.com/1002403-guitars-folk/g7000-guitars/g7000a-acoustic/g7000a14-packages/fender-r-dg-8s-solid-top-guitar-value-package.htm

That's not a bad starter guitar. A few of my students have the same one. I would recommend taking it to a guitar luthier to have it properly adjusted after you purchase it.

cmalisze · January 2012

Jon Chorba wrote:

cmalisze wrote:

I was given guitar lessons for XMas ! I have never even played guitar and I am very excited to learn. I was hoping the music studio rented guitars but, they do not. So, I went in the store today and the was the model that was recommended as a starter set. I was hoping for some help. The salesman also recommended a few others but I feel comfortable spending this to get started. Any help?.....

http://www.westmusic.com/1002403-guitars-folk/g7000-guitars/g7000a-acoustic/g7000a14-packages/fender-r-dg-8s-solid-top-guitar-value-package.htm

That's not a bad starter guitar. A few of my students have the same one. I would recommend taking it to a guitar luthier to have it properly adjusted after you purchase it.

Awesome! Thanks...I am thinking of going and purchasing it today and having my first lesson Saturday! I am really excited.

Jon Chorba · January 2012

cmalisze wrote:

Jon Chorba wrote:

cmalisze wrote:

I was given guitar lessons for XMas ! I have never even played guitar and I am very excited to learn. I was hoping the music studio rented guitars but, they do not. So, I went in the store today and the was the model that was recommended as a starter set. I was hoping for some help. The salesman also recommended a few others but I feel comfortable spending this to get started. Any help?.....

http://www.westmusic.com/1002403-guitars-folk/g7000-guitars/g7000a-acoustic/g7000a14-packages/fender-r-dg-8s-solid-top-guitar-value-package.htm

That's not a bad starter guitar. A few of my students have the same one. I would recommend taking it to a guitar luthier to have it properly adjusted after you purchase it.

Awesome! Thanks...I am thinking of going and purchasing it today and having my first lesson Saturday! I am really excited.

How'd your lesson go?!

BinFrog · January 2012

Jon Chorba wrote:

How'd your lesson go?!

He can't type...his fingers hurt too much

RedMosquito22 · February 2012

BinFrog wrote:

Jon Chorba wrote:

How'd your lesson go?!

He can't type...his fingers hurt too much

Hahahahahaha. Those days before calluses suck. hahahahahaha

cmalisze · February 2012

RedMosquito22 wrote:

BinFrog wrote:

Jon Chorba wrote:

How'd your lesson go?!

He can't type...his fingers hurt too much

Hahahahahaha. Those days before calluses suck. hahahahahaha

My fingers are sore!!! haha but it is going ok. I hope I can find the patience to become good....

Jon Chorba · February 2012

cmalisze wrote:

My fingers are sore!!! haha but it is going ok. I hope I can find the patience to become good....

You will inevitably reach a point where you get very frustrated, maybe even to the point of wanting to quit. It has happened to every guitar player, myself included. In my experience, both in learning and in teaching others, the biggest breakthroughs happen RIGHT AFTER you get to that big point of frustration.

i shit and i stink · February 2012

Jon Chorba wrote:

cmalisze wrote:

My fingers are sore!!! haha but it is going ok. I hope I can find the patience to become good....

You will inevitably reach a point where you get very frustrated, maybe even to the point of wanting to quit. It has happened to every guitar player, myself included. In my experience, both in learning and in teaching others, the biggest breakthroughs happen RIGHT AFTER you get to that big point of frustration.

Absolutely right. Last week I almost smashed up my gutar I was so entaged with not being able to do something. Then the next day I wrote a song which is probably the best thing I've managed. You are totally right. I wanted it too much so it wouldn't come but when I relaxed the next day it just came easily.

cmalisze · February 2012

I hope so! I am so excited to keep learning but, I lack in the gift of patience.....

megatron · February 2012

i'm going on about 4 years of seriously trying to get better at guitar. i think i spent the first 2 not wanting to quit. i started with basic open chords then moved onto barre chords then scales.

heres the basic chords. they get harder as you scroll down.

http://justinguitar.com/en/CH-000-Chords.php

this is real good to learn once you get the basics down. called the CAGED system. has all the different shaped chords and helps understand chord structure and which notes create chords where.

http://justinguitar.com/en/TB-030-CAGEDsystemVid.php

Learning Guitar

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