Want to start playing guitar.

[aeonblue11]

For the longest time I've wanted to start playing guitar, but I've never found the time. But I also don't really know where to begin. I'd rather teach myself to play than get lessons. Just would like to hear any suggestions about some good beginner tabs and other general tips and whatnot.

[Breukelen advocaat]

For the longest time I've wanted to start playing guitar, but I've never found the time. But I also don't really know where to begin. I'd rather teach myself to play than get lessons. Just would like to hear any suggestions about some good beginner tabs and other general tips and whatnot.

If you can't get lessons from a teacher, then try to hang out with somebody that can show you the basics.

I'd recommend finding a teacher - it's easier to learn correct technique in the beginning than it is to unlearn bad technique later. Even many of the top pros take lessons to learn new things.

Guitar for Dummies is supposed to be a good book. I haven't seen it, since it came out long after I learned, but I do have Bass Guitar for Dummies.

Good luck.

[Kryzco]

if you know music, then try guitarpro

it works wonders

[dopesmoker]

teachers are great, mine only teaches me the kinds of music i like (that means i didnt learn row row row your boat and all that crap) which kept me interested in tough times and allows me to advance quickly

[Mr.Jesus]

ive been playing for a year and a half my teacher teaches me the times a music i like. i bring in a cd and he teaches me any song i want. it's cool.

[dejayou30]

i'd say try to teach yourself and get some basic knowledge before taking lessons otherwise you'll likely get bored. you could also develop bad habits too, though. just remember to use all your fingers and playing along with songs help so you can develop a sense of timing. just learn to play songs you like, work on timing, fingering, etc, and then get some lessons and learn some theory and stuff like that. the main thing is that the more you play the better you will become.

[Shrooms]

i taught myself to play with a behringer guitar. now i have an epi les paul custom ($600) and a shitty amp, but im getting a nice VOX soon. i love playing, you should definitely do it. ive been playing for 2 years, second year on and off

[NextLineIsMine]

You get out of it what you put in. If you only make the effort to strum around with it for a minute or two each day or just forget about it for a week you'll likely find its not going anywhere and give up.

When you work hard and see yourself getting better it excites you alot and inspires you to play much more

[james420]

no. this is all wrong. fuck teachers, books, and freindds. go buy a new les paul, amp, several effects pedals, quit your job, and teach yourself. play nevermind by nirvana continuesly and without end. learn every song. then learn every song on zosa - by the ZEP. VOILA. guitar master.

this was my technique, and many are envious.

[james420]

ive been playing for a year and a half my teacher teaches me the times a music i like. i bring in a cd and he teaches me any song i want. it's cool.

youve got a fuckin cool teacher. where you at?


--edit: sorry fpr the double post...---

[dryst]

learn scales and drills and practice em till ur finger break off, then practice soemmore.... itll help finger flexibilty and eye and hand cordination, which helps alot when reading through music or tab and u come across trick finger placements

[somethingfunny]

One thing you want to do, is learn alternate (up and down) picking from the start. Most people start with only down picking, and it's a very tough habit to break (as I unfortunately learned :( ). You'll want to play pretty much everything alternate picked, unless it's heavy metal such as metallica or megadeth (hetfield never alt picked, afaik). Learn how all the scales and modes go together- major, dorian, phrygian, lydian, myxolidian, aeolian (minor), and locrian

I am sure there are websites out there that teach you all about that, once you learn basic theory you will be able to construct any chord you want without looking at a chart, and it will help x1000 with improvising.. it's also good to understand what you're playing.

I can get you started over email or aim, let me know if you want help :thumbsup:

[birdgirl73]

I'm hoping our much-loved friend Daima, who is a professional musician/guitarist, will chime in here with some pearls of wisdom for you. Daima's the one whose advice I'd be eager to hear.

[dryst]

One thing you want to do, is learn alternate (up and down) picking from the start. Most people start with only down picking, and it's a very tough habit to break (as I unfortunately learned :( ). You'll want to play pretty much everything alternate picked, unless it's heavy metal such as metallica or megadeth (hetfield never alt picked, afaik). Learn how all the scales and modes go together- major, dorian, phrygian, lydian, myxolidian, aeolian (minor), and locrian

I am sure there are websites out there that teach you all about that, once you learn basic theory you will be able to construct any chord you want without looking at a chart, and it will help x1000 with improvising.. it's also good to understand what you're playing.

I can get you started over email or aim, let me know if you want help :thumbsup:

picking downward to learn is fine...once u catch onto it then u slowly use alternating, besides alot of songs u can use only down picking if u want to, just make a routine for ur self everyday and follow it

[somethingfunny]

picking downward to learn is fine...once u catch onto it then u slowly use alternating, besides alot of songs u can use only down picking if u want to, just make a routine for ur self everyday and follow it

I'm just saying, I had a hell of a time coordinating myself after doing only downpicking for 6 months

[dryst]

I'm just saying, I had a hell of a time coordinating myself after doing only downpicking for 6 months

thats weird...it came kinda natural to me once i started playing more difficult music...

heres a good routine to start with...
depending on time u have, i usually play for about 45 minutes - 2 hours a day (unless i have band pracice or a show that day)

10 minutes warming up
15-30 practicing scales
10 minutes playing songs u already learned
another 15 minutes on fingering drills and scales
15-20 minutes learning a piece or all of a new song
after that its up to you, u can bull shit around if u want

[Fabolous]

alright, i was in your same position about 6 years ago. at first i thought i was WAY over my head.

one thing i learned i didn't like teachers. i thought my self because i found that books and Cd's work best. but what ever you think you learn best at go for it.

Frist thing to keep in mind while trying to play.
you don't get good over night. it can take Day's, weeks, month's and years. just to learn just a hand full of songs.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/
the site above has great guides that you can buy to practices.

[420purplehaze420]

For the longest time I've wanted to start playing guitar, but I've never found the time. But I also don't really know where to begin. I'd rather teach myself to play than get lessons. Just would like to hear any suggestions about some good beginner tabs and other general tips and whatnot.

Ok buy an electric guitar and amp package, they usually come with a tuner, some picks and an extra set of strings, plus the guitar and amp, lots of good sites on the net

learn smoke on the water and then get some tabs off the net and practice till your fingers hurt