Learning Guitar

Back_Pedal · June 2008

I've been trying to learn guitar for a while but I can never stick to it long. Recently I've started again and have been learning chords and what keys they go in, but I don't know what else I should be doing. I've been waiting on my only local guitar teacher to get a free space so I can learn, but in the interim I want to know some stuff before I do.

lucylespian · June 2008

Back_Pedal wrote:

I've been trying to learn guitar for a while but I can never stick to it long. Recently I've started again and have been learning chords and what keys they go in, but I don't know what else I should be doing. I've been waiting on my only local guitar teacher to get a free space so I can learn, but in the interim I want to know some stuff before I do.

One, two , three, everybody say with me............

Mods. please make this a sticky, so peeps get help, but we don't have to repeat ourselves all the time !!!

MLC2006 · June 2008

I would recommend http://www.metalmethod.com

they put out a series called "metal method basic guitar course" which is 6 parts with 4 lessons each (one lesson per week) and I think the whole series on DVD costs something like $50 or $60.

don't be fooled by the name, "metal" has little to nothing to do with it. it's basically a series on learning guitar from the ground up. he starts off with open major and minor chords. then the minor pentatonic. then barre chords. then major, minor, 7th, etc etc barre chords on 6th and 5th strings. then other scales. and he explains stuff like hammeron/pulloffs/slides/vibrato, etc. and he explains stuff like relative major/minor, which is important to know. and lightly touches on other stuff like tapping, etc. throughout, he uses a song that incorporates pretty much all of it and breaks the song down and shows you how to play it piece by piece over the course. it's money well spent, imo. I got it because there was more I wanted to know other than just learning other people's songs by tab, I wanted to know more of how everything works. so I was I guess an "intermediate" going in, so I breezed through the first four parts. but there's good stuff in there.

also, Guitar World magazine puts out a DVD about once a month and the ones on basic guitar by Andy Aledort are, imo, great. they cost about $10 each and there's a lot of good stuff in there. the good ones were released last year, so you may have to look to find them. I think the newest one is by Michael Angelo Batio, who is a major fast shredder, so it's probably more advanced than what you'd want.

I had face to face lessons for a few years that got me to the point I'm at. but the thing I didn't like was that you often end up learning what the teacher wants you to learn and not necessarily the stuff that interests you. and in my case, my teacher skipped around too much, so stuff became very convoluted whereas these DVD series kind of teach things in order and explain in more detail.

MLC2006 · June 2008

one more note about the Metal Method thing. the teacher on the video is Doug Marks. he is a pretty good dude. he has a message board on the website and he also posts videos on youtube. so if you have any problems or questions, he'll answer you. and if you post yourself on youtube and ask for his assessment, he'll view it and advise you.

sandoz · June 2008

lucylespian wrote:

One, two , three, everybody say with me............

Mods. please make this a sticky, so peeps get help, but we don't have to repeat ourselves all the time !!!

You 're right!..
they can see all the "old" post on this thread..

Sea, please, stick an "help" for the beginners..

A B C D F G .. just learn.. or NOT.

ps: personally, i'm a self-taught.. so, "démerdez-vous!"..

peace, sandoz

DeLukin · June 2008

Back_Pedal wrote:

I've been trying to learn guitar for a while but I can never stick to it long. Recently I've started again and have been learning chords and what keys they go in, but I don't know what else I should be doing. I've been waiting on my only local guitar teacher to get a free space so I can learn, but in the interim I want to know some stuff before I do.

What gets me out of ruts is learning a song that I love. Chords and theory are important, as are lessons, but nothing beats rocking out to a tune you like to listen to. I'd recommend http://www.giventowail.com for Pearl Jam tabs. You'll have fun, impress your friends and learn a lot too...

Anon · June 2008

I'm not sure how much you already know so i'm sorry if i say things that you are already aware of.

If you are just learning, then these are excellent excercises to build up strength in your fingers. They might seem hard at first, but keep practicing and it will become easier.
theres this clip to watch it might help
http://www.guitarz-for-ever.com/guit...exercises.html

If you are able to swing it, i would suggest that you take some lessons from a teacher or another player. i know you said you are waiting for lessons but try and follow through with it. they can show you things in minutes compared to hours of reading and working out on your own.

also, check http://www.giventowail.com because it's the best site available for pj tabs and if you look to the left, they have an excellent section on lessons, and it also goes through tunings. it's easy to read and not to over the top.
http://www.giventowail.com/lessons/beginners.php

this is an excellent basic cords chart. (one of the regular posters here has posted this in the past and it is very good)
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...aal/CHORDS.jpg

http://www.cyberfret.com is also an awesome online learning resource centre.

best wishes!

Anon · June 2008

edit: ian, can you maybe post up your basic chords chart again as the link i had saved has been deleted.

pearljamgirl07 · June 2008

I would help you but I can't cause It's too difficult to me do it in english .I'm learning too .:(

ianvomsaal · June 2008

Pj_Gurl wrote:

edit: ian, can you maybe post up your basic chords chart again as the link i had saved has been deleted.

Yes mam

. . . here you go: http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w83/ianvomsaal/CHORDS.jpg

Also, here is some chord theory: http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w83/ianvomsaal/ChordExplination-1.jpg

And here are some scales/modes: http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w83/ianvomsaal/Scales--Modes-Diagrams-Fingerings.jpg

Anon · June 2008

ianvomsaal wrote:

Yes mam . . . here you go: http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w83/ianvomsaal/CHORDS.jpg

Also, here is some chord theory: http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w83/ianvomsaal/ChordExplination-1.jpg

And here are some scales/modes: http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w83/ianvomsaal/Scales--Modes-Diagrams-Fingerings.jpg

thank you mr vomsaal

mods, can you please sticky this please. invaluable for anyone wishing to learn.

many thanks.

darek · June 2008

im 29,
do you think i can still learn to play a guitar..i mean be a good guitarist?

Lukin66 · June 2008

darek wrote:

im 29,
do you think i can still learn to play a guitar..i mean be a good guitarist?

you're never too old to learn new things, brother

IGotShit76 · June 2008

darek wrote:

im 29,
do you think i can still learn to play a guitar..i mean be a good guitarist?

I'm 32 and I started guitar just one year ago so it's never too late

I started with a folk guitar and I bought an electric guitar 3 weeks ago. I'm now addicted !!!
Playing guitar is fun. Of course, it's difficult at the beginning but once you are able to play basic chords songs, you'll see that you'll like it more and more and want to go for more difficult songs.
My advise is too start playing songs you like. As mentionned above http://www.giventowail.com is the site for all PJ tabs.
You need to set goals like a particular song you want to play and work little by little to achieve this goal.

ianvomsaal · June 2008

darek wrote:

im 29,
do you think i can still learn to play a guitar..i mean be a good guitarist?

Naaa, if you're just starting to play guitar at age 29 you'll never be a good guitarist, so why bother

!!!

Hopefully we all know that I'm just kidding - if you have the drive, motivation, time, and a little natural ability
(which, no matter what anyone says, IS actually needed to become a "good guitarist") . . . there is nothing
really stopping you. Just remember to have fun - if you really want it, and you put in the time, you'll get there.
Cheers . . . Ian

Anon · October 2008

Dear Kat and Sea,

Could we please have this thread stickied so that anyone wanting to learn that has questions, can just add to this thread. Might make it easier for everyone to have all the information in one thread.

Cheers

dunkman · October 2008

darek wrote:

im 29,
do you think i can still learn to play a guitar..i mean be a good guitarist?

i started very late.. i'm still shit, but its a whole lotta fun.

Pappas · November 2008

only takes about 5 years of regular playing to be a 'good' guitarist if you have some natural ability so can do it at any age really

Back_Pedal · December 2008

I don't even remember starting this thread, so it's weird seeing it stickied so many months later,

Thanks for all the advice and resources, to everyone that's posted.

lucylespian · December 2008

I just noticed that this is now a sticky, so now I'll contribute.
First thing, make sure you have a tuner. Being in tune is essential for sounding good and for developing your ear. Sure,eventually learning to tune by ear is cool, but accurate tuning is hard, and an electroinc tuner is a very valuable thing to have.
Next, get a metronome. Either buy one or download a software one.
Regular intervals is the difference between music and noise. Learning to play in time with yourself and anyone else is also tres cool and poor timing has been the ruin of many musicians. Start with a very slow tempo 40 bpm and speed up as you get the hang of stuff. Drum beginner books are very good for teaching about rhythm. Do the exercise on your guitar by turning it over and bangin on the back. They make good bongo drums.
Learn theory, techniques and songs on equal measure.
Technique should not be separated from repertoire.
Learn to read music. At least read the rhythm. Tabs are great for position, but don't note duration. Standard notation will tell you how long to playh a note for, to get phrasing right.
Get lessons. Good techers are fine, but a friend who can play can set you up to learn the basics pretty quick, and save you a heap of time and wasted effort.
Start with a soft pick, but learn to finger pick also. Both are good for beginners. Practice for short intervals often so your hands and fingers don't get too tired and sore. Put new strings on your guitar of a light gauge to make things a bit easier.
Remember, music is not a competition, so having fun is okay. It does not really matter if you are doing things "right" or learning things comprehensively. Guitar is a folk instrument, the instrument of anarchy and rebellion. Eventually your journey will take you where you want it to, if you follow your path for long enough. The path will be different for everybody.

megatron · January 2009

i had a guitar for years and could never stick with it..
i guy at work heard me listenin to ledbetter and said if u can play that u can play anything. all though not entirely true i took it as advice. i took that tab and didnt quit til i could play it..well kinda.
just sayin findin music i loved to practice made it easier and fun
now i can wail!..well kinda
also justinguitar.com is awesome for beginners

Learning Guitar

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