Any Guitarists on here? Couple of questions

[Blackie]

I have just brought one, Its only a cheapy. I had a mess about with one when i was younger and thought i would get one a do it properly, Lessons and so one. Anyone here play? Is it hard and did it take long to learn?

[simbasupra]

don't play but what type have you got?

[Blackie]

Its a Squire, Its a Fender copy. It will be fine for learning on. I hoping to see this through as i get bored easy but i have always wanted to play.

[probrox]

I've been trying to learn for the last 6 years. I give on things far too easily. I seem to play it for about two weeks then forget I've got it for 6 months. Every time I get it back out I do seem to be a little better though.

[Kopite]

Been playing for 13 years now, mixture of styles. I had lessons at school but didn't really advance that much, only had a few. I'd learn basic chords first and learn some notes, you don't have to be a know it all when it comes to the fret board as long as you know the basics. Conentrate to start with on basic major and minor chords, try and build you finger strength in your fretting hand too. At first the chords might sound duff, but they will until you get used to pressin on the strings and the ends of your fingertips stiffen up with use.

Are you wanting to learn to read music or guitar tabs? I'm more familiar with tabs these days as it's easier to write out etc. Concentrate on getting your rythm too, use your foot as a metronome to keep in time and "feel" the beat of what you're playing. Imagine a string tied to your strumming/picking hand and your foot so you give a good hit on the beats etc. Main thing is pick an easy song to learn and listen to it with the guitar in your hand, don't play anything yourself but just feel the rythym and practice chord changes.

Once you get a grip of it, you realise most songs use very similar chord progressions like G to D to C to Am etc.

Have a look on http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/lessons/ and take it from there. I taught my mate briefly 3 years ago, he's now performing etc himself and has been for a year or so.

EDIT: Just read you've got a Squire, what sort of styles are you hoping to learn? I'd still start with basic chords and scales, only the major and minors for now. After that look at the variations like the Pentatonic scales as you'll realise they're only slightly different. In terms of picking, i'd use a soft plectrum to start with for the chords etc. Use a slightly stiffer one for scales to help stability. Alternate picking helps as well but leave that for later. Just get yourself use to the feel of the guitar for now because it will feel foreign until eventually it becomes an extension of you

[Pixelfill]

ooo a timely post Blackie. I bought myself a guitar yesterday, and have been working through the net looking for help (Muffleman posted a link some time last year which has been pretty useful so far)

http://www.i-love-guitar.com/basic-guitar-system.html

http://www.i-love-guitar.com/caged-system.html

 

It was recommended to me not to get too caught up with just learning chords but to try and play some simple riffs so you might need to understand tab notation:

 

http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/lessons/for_beginners/guide_to_tab_notation.html

 

I'm loving it so far, and have already got my first blister on my pinkie

 

Mike

[Blackie]

Been playing for 13 years now, mixture of styles. I had lessons at school but didn't really advance that much, only had a few. I'd learn basic chords first and learn some notes, you don't have to be a know it all when it comes to the fret board as long as you know the basics. Conentrate to start with on basic major and minor chords, try and build you finger strength in your fretting hand too. At first the chords might sound duff, but they will until you get used to pressin on the strings and the ends of your fingertips stiffen up with use.

Are you wanting to learn to read music or guitar tabs? I'm more familiar with tabs these days as it's easier to write out etc. Concentrate on getting your rythm too, use your foot as a metronome to keep in time and "feel" the beat of what you're playing. Imagine a string tied to your strumming/picking hand and your foot so you give a good hit on the beats etc. Main thing is pick an easy song to learn and listen to it with the guitar in your hand, don't play anything yourself but just feel the rythym and practice chord changes.

Once you get a grip of it, you realise most songs use very similar chord progressions like G to D to C to Am etc.

Have a look on http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/lessons/ and take it from there. I taught my mate briefly 3 years ago, he's now performing etc himself and has been for a year or so.

EDIT: Just read you've got a Squire, what sort of styles are you hoping to learn? I'd still start with basic chords and scales, only the major and minors for now. After that look at the variations like the Pentatonic scales as you'll realise they're only slightly different. In terms of picking, i'd use a soft plectrum to start with for the chords etc. Use a slightly stiffer one for scales to help stability. Alternate picking helps as well but leave that for later. Just get yourself use to the feel of the guitar for now because it will feel foreign until eventually it becomes an extension of you

 

Thats fantastic advice, I am hoping to do tabs as it seems easyer. A mate of mine that plays said its a mechanical thing, Just like driving a car or a motorbike, at first its an effort but then it seems natutal as you said. I want to play stuff like Blink 182, Pink floyd, The clash, Carter usm, rocky stuff if you get me