Learning how to play guitar - Any tips?

[hotsoda]

A friend of mine was interested in production a while back. He got an MPC a few weeks ago, so I offered to trade my headphones (Audio Technica ATH-A900) for his electric guitar, an ESP LTD EX-50 with a cheap 10 watt amp (he threw in his tuner, picks, and case). The trade doesn't have to be permanent (he's fine with just going out and buying a pair of $40 headphones), so I'm not losing anything now as it is.

Does anyone happen to have and resources to learn how to play? I started looking at About.com's lessons and JustinGuitar.com for the videos. I'm still practicing chords right now, but I'm having some trouble changing strings and getting the chords perfect as I go. I'm on my second day with it. I can't ask my friend for help because he gave up on trying to learn, and he doesn't know much more than I do.

The guitar does need some work though. There are a few dents and scrapes on the body, some of which I'm sure could be buffed out, but I have no idea how much it would cost. If it's more than what it's worth, I could just buy it new and get an amp (the Line 6 Spider II was something I just picked out).

So, for any guitarists reading:

• Are there any tips you would recommend? I don't have any musical background.

• What resources (online or otherwise) should I look at?

• Are lessons a must? I looked into getting some at a local music school, but I couldn't find any mention about cost. I'll call or head over sometime when I get the chance.

• Should I worry about upgrading to a better amp? I don't particularly like the sound coming out of it, but I can't say I know what to listen for.

Thanks! I'm open to any suggestions.

 

[VanTheMan]

If you don't have any musical ability, take some lessons from somewhere. Even if they're just cheap lessons from some guy at a local college or some crap. Don't spend money on an amp or anything until you've played for awhile and know you're going to stick with it. I don't have any resources to refer you to, but just look up some chords and beginner guitar exercises online. Practice as much as you can if you want to be good. Good luck!

 

[JJChicken]

yeah seriously man get a tutor. i learned nothing until i got one. it helps so much!

 

[mrrman]

get Guitar Pro 5 ( and Powertabs), grab tons of tabs and learn to use those if you cant read music( like me) Start of with the basics and just get the feel of your guitar and the placement of your fingers. I took a few lessons but honestly with so many free sites on the net and the above programs, I am not sure if a teacher is needed unless you need motivation. I play almost everyday because I like it and have been working on about 12 songs, its patience thats for sure.

Here are some sites that may help;

http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/
http://chordfind.com/
http://www.jguitar.com/
http://www.guitarsite.com/tuning.htm#how
http://www.wholenote.com/
http://www.911tabs.com/
http://www.nextlevelguitar.com/
http://www.guitarbt.com/index.php?page=dl_list

have fun

 

[Cerpin Taxt]

• Are there any tips you would recommend? I don't have any musical background.

Learn to read tablature. You won't need musical background as long as you can read tabs and have some rhythm.

• What resources (online or otherwise) should I look at?

See the links given earlier in the thread. Those were some good ones.

• Are lessons a must? I looked into getting some at a local music school, but I couldn't find any mention about cost. I'll call or head over sometime when I get the chance.

Start by just learning chords and practicing your transitions between them. The most important thing is to practice as much as you can. Especially in the early part. Later on you can learn some solos and more intricate pieces.

Find the songs that you like that are easy to play and learn to play them first. Lots of classic rock songs are good for this.

• Should I worry about upgrading to a better amp? I don't particularly like the sound coming out of it, but I can't say I know what to listen for.

Don't invest any more money until you're sure you want to keep going with it. Just tune the guitar you have as best as you can, and then play chords mostly. IMO, you'd even be better off trading in the guitar and amp for an acoustic.

 

[paulxcook]

If you want a jumpstart on guitar, just take 2 months of lessons and really work at it. Once you build a skill base, you can learn more intricate things as you go on your own. If I were just starting out I would probably find online lessons frustrating and difficult to commit to, as you can't ask a video instructor questions. If you do take lessons, be respectful but firm with your teacher, as many teachers (especially when I was younger) would try to teach me things I wasn't at all interested in learning. They are the teacher and to a certain extent should guide the direction lessons go, but you are still the one paying for them, so if they're trying to teach you some bluegrass licks and you have zero interest in it, tell them.

 

[George P Burdell]

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...id=62&threadid=2069991

 

[vi edit]

Don't invest any more money until you're sure you want to keep going with it. Just tune the guitar you have as best as you can, and then play chords mostly. IMO, you'd even be better off trading in the guitar and amp for an acoustic.

I don't know about that. When you get bored there's just some things can't really do with an acoustic. If you really like rock/metal you can't do a drop D tune and crank up the "metal" channel and just bang out that metal sound with an acoustic.

Even playing as simple of a lick like the intro to "Smoke on the water" doesn't have the same affect with an acoustic. If you need to mix some things up now and then you just don't have ways to keep if fresh like you would with an electric guitar and little modeling amp.

That being said, I've only been "using" an electric guitar for about 6 months now. I say using because playing probably isn't the right verb.

I think an acoustic would be a good compliment to my electric. I think that for things like learning chords and chord transitions an acoustic is better. Plus there are just some songs where even the "clean" channels aren't the same as a real acoustic. But for just pure playing and goofing around applying those skills an electric keeps your attention longer.

The websites linked above are great. I really love "The Next Level". Dave is great. Combining his lessons with the tabs from Ultimate Guitar really make putting some parts of songs together very simple.

 

[vi edit]

Heh. And in my limited experience the hardest thing for me so far is rhythm. It's like one of those magical illusion images. You spend forever to see it, but can't. Then just all of the sudden it hits you and you can see it. And then you look away and can't see it again.

That's how rhythm is for me. I can try and get it down forever then one day I just sit down and figure it out. Come back the next day and can't get it again to save my life. Then another day or two it comes back and I have it down.

Patience is the key.

 

[Fritzo]

OK, first get some lessons. www.workshoplive.com is probably the best place to get lessons on the Internet if you can't find a teacher around you, and the prices are very reasonable.

If you can't do any of the above, learn the following in order:

1) Notes on the fretboard (there's a pattern, it's easy)
2) Open Chords (C, G, D and F are good starters)
3) Barre chords
4) Major Scale
5) Minor Blues Scale
6) Start attacking songs from tab

I HATE the idea of just diving into guitar tabs first. Without learning how the guitar works, you usually just end up playing something that sounds like the song instead of actually belting it out. Let me know if you have any questions.

I'm almost done with my studio BTW, so I can start posting Youtube videos again

 

[trigun500]

Find your favorite band and learn their songs. Make it fun.

If you are going to take lessons make sure they will make it fun.

There are two types of teachers:

The "theory" teachers - Work all on theory and have you play songs that you never heard before. This is your typical music teacher.

The "music" teachers - They come up and ask what songs you want to play. They teach it to you and give you a lesson along the way.

Get the music teacher.

Lessons are not a must. But they do help. Get a song book from your fav band and play for a bit. Then later on take a few lessons. They really help when you want to get into soloing.

The Line 6 amps are great for practice. That was a good choice. Although if you really get into guitar I would recommend something louder.

I also own an ESP guitar and I will always highly recommend them to people. Great guitars. I am looking for a new ESP now.


www.harmonycentral.com <-- Reall great forums. I learn something new about guitar everyday.



I've been playing for six years now and that's how I started.

If you have any questions about equipment or anything along that line. I know too much about guitar pedals, amps and guitars. If there is a sound you want. I'll help you find it.


Have fun.

 

[imported_Imp]

Get a teacher. They can point out little things that really matter, and more importantly, incentive to keep at it. With the 'fear' of a teacher b!tching at you for not practicing, you will get pretty far.

 

[Mikey]

I learned how to play a guitar by myself. It really isn't necessary to get a teacher since you have all these resources online to help you out. All you need to do is do some research online about guitars and what parts mean what. Then, go to youtube and get some lessons on there. Next, go to www.ultimate-guitar.com to find the tabs or chords for what you want to learn to play. If you really wanna learn to play, just message me, and I'll teach you how to learn. From then on, it just takes practice on learning what you wanna learn. Knowing the basic chords is the easiest way to start. Just get your fingers familiar with them and you will be able to play a LOT of different songs just with the basics.

 

[hotsoda]

Thanks for all the responses. I have to admit I didn't bother searching before hand, but the thread George linked to does seem pretty useful.

Local lessons would cost $35 for a half-hour session, or $60 for an hour session. Rental costs seem more reasonable, at $45.50 over three months. I took a look at Next Level Guitar and I liked what I saw, but I was annoyed that there was no mention of needing a paid membership (and David did seem like he was a little smug at times - but he made sense). The $29 a month membership is a lot cheaper, but I wish I could view a few more of the beginner lessons.

There are at least two other places nearby I could try (both are smaller, family owned businesses) so I'll see where that goes.

Side note: anyone have any idea what the ballpark range would be to get these repaired?
http://bayimg.com/KAELKAaBF
http://bayimg.com/KaeLPAaBF
Let's just say I hope I don't get my headphones back like this. :Q

I'm not sure I like the Explorer shape to be honest. The neck seems really heavy, but then again, I haven't really used any other guitars. I'm sure it's something I can learn to live with.

 

[Kirby]

When you practice, use a metronome of some sort. This will help you a ton down the road, especially you ever play with anyone else.

I've heard that if you soak your fingers in vinegar after you play, it helps build callouses. I already had callouses by the time I heard that, so I'm not guaranteeing anything.

I encourage everyone to learn how to read music. It's a great skill that I think every musician should master.

Play with some friends! You have a lot more fun and you get better at the same time.

I like John Mayer and DMB, and these are probaly the best sites if you like em too. Most of their music isn't too hard, and it's pretty popular. The ladies like it too.
http://jmtabs.com/
http://www.dmbtabs.com/




Good luck!

 

[nakedfrog]

Short answer: practice every day.