Want to start playing guitar.

[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