Guitaristing for beginners
Discussion
Short version, I'm having a few problems with my memory and concentration at the moment. I'm normally an avid book reader (usually have at least 3 or 4 on the go at the same time) but I just can't retain anything at the moment. A friend suggested having a go at learning the guitar for something to do in the evenings, rather than just staring blankly at rubbish on the TV.
By sheer luck, today I acquired an acoustic guitar. I've no idea whether or not it's any good, but it was free so it'll do for now. It's an "Ozark 3342" if that means anything. My mate bought it a good few years ago from a music shop in Yeovil and paid about £100 or so. To my untutored ear, it at least sounds "guitary". I've downloaded a free tuning app to my iPhone and iPad.
I can read (treble clef) music. What next? Any recommendations for sites or YouTube tutorials? Any good books I should pick up? In short, what's the easiest way to teach myself to play the guitar?
By sheer luck, today I acquired an acoustic guitar. I've no idea whether or not it's any good, but it was free so it'll do for now. It's an "Ozark 3342" if that means anything. My mate bought it a good few years ago from a music shop in Yeovil and paid about £100 or so. To my untutored ear, it at least sounds "guitary". I've downloaded a free tuning app to my iPhone and iPad.
I can read (treble clef) music. What next? Any recommendations for sites or YouTube tutorials? Any good books I should pick up? In short, what's the easiest way to teach myself to play the guitar?
Judging by the new price (north of £200) it won't be terrible, so will be a perfectly decent guitar for learning on.
First things first, pop to a local guitar shop and get it set up properly, If it's been a bit neglected it will need new strings for sure, and it's best to get everything else checked because a guitar that's difficult to play is no fun at all. Last time I paid for a setup it was around £25 on an acoustic, plus the cost of the strings, but that was a fair few years ago.
In terms of learning, it's best to throw any idea of musical notation out of the window for the moment. Many (most?) guitar players can't read music (I only have a vague idea), so most of the material for learning is based around not knowing what a regular score means.
On youtube, there's a very good set of lessons by a bloke called Justin. Here's a link to his channel.
https://www.youtube.com/user/JustinSandercoe
First things first, pop to a local guitar shop and get it set up properly, If it's been a bit neglected it will need new strings for sure, and it's best to get everything else checked because a guitar that's difficult to play is no fun at all. Last time I paid for a setup it was around £25 on an acoustic, plus the cost of the strings, but that was a fair few years ago.
In terms of learning, it's best to throw any idea of musical notation out of the window for the moment. Many (most?) guitar players can't read music (I only have a vague idea), so most of the material for learning is based around not knowing what a regular score means.
On youtube, there's a very good set of lessons by a bloke called Justin. Here's a link to his channel.
https://www.youtube.com/user/JustinSandercoe
Not a bad guitar, especially as its free. It won't feel so bad when it gets knocked about, why will it get knocked about?
Because the best advice I give anyone starting out on guitar is leave it out of the case/bag. Leave it where you habitat, leave it by the toilet, leave in the hallway what ever, the reason is this, if you can't resist but touch, stroke look at and strum it, then you will start to love it. I began in 1979, my mom tells me that she would on occasion take the guitar off my face as I'd fallen asleep with it,I was pushing my ear to the back of the strat to hear the tones, before I had an amp.
So whether you're sat with the laptop or TV on, make sure your new partner is next to you, even if you can't form chords yet, get to know it and don't worry about chipping it, when you're ready get a new one.
You'll never learn if you put it away under the stairs.
I never had utube when I started but that's where I would go now, I use it to learn new covers for the band . Good luck.
Because the best advice I give anyone starting out on guitar is leave it out of the case/bag. Leave it where you habitat, leave it by the toilet, leave in the hallway what ever, the reason is this, if you can't resist but touch, stroke look at and strum it, then you will start to love it. I began in 1979, my mom tells me that she would on occasion take the guitar off my face as I'd fallen asleep with it,I was pushing my ear to the back of the strat to hear the tones, before I had an amp.
So whether you're sat with the laptop or TV on, make sure your new partner is next to you, even if you can't form chords yet, get to know it and don't worry about chipping it, when you're ready get a new one.
You'll never learn if you put it away under the stairs.
I never had utube when I started but that's where I would go now, I use it to learn new covers for the band . Good luck.
Edited by Bebee on Monday 28th October 18:46
I'd say get if its just for fun learn a couple of basic chords, to start with, along with some simple scales, then start learning some simple songs. I you post up your favourite bands I'm sure we can direct you to easy sheet music/tabs.
Although to be honest, if your doing this just to kill time rather than because you want to you wont progress very quickly through the early stages, nor will you enjoy it. If you can read music I am guessing you play another instrument though?
Heres some chords,
http://guitar.about.com/od/specificlessons/ss/pent...
There ^ is a scale, although if you already play an instrument you should understand the theory quickly.
Google is your friend as is youtube for scales and chords, but most people find that if they prefer to learn simple songs to start with rather than a collection of scales and chords in isolation. I'd advise getting a tutor if serious though, most of my students who were self taught tended to be rather patchy both in terms of their technique and their basic theory, plus you find a tutor pushes you to improve, and you will have an incentive to practice so you don't look silly in front of your tutor each week!
Although to be honest, if your doing this just to kill time rather than because you want to you wont progress very quickly through the early stages, nor will you enjoy it. If you can read music I am guessing you play another instrument though?
Heres some chords,
http://guitar.about.com/od/specificlessons/ss/pent...
There ^ is a scale, although if you already play an instrument you should understand the theory quickly.
Google is your friend as is youtube for scales and chords, but most people find that if they prefer to learn simple songs to start with rather than a collection of scales and chords in isolation. I'd advise getting a tutor if serious though, most of my students who were self taught tended to be rather patchy both in terms of their technique and their basic theory, plus you find a tutor pushes you to improve, and you will have an incentive to practice so you don't look silly in front of your tutor each week!
Cheers for the additional advice. I'm not doing it just to fill time, I would like to learn to play, just for my own entertainment. I've no wish to be in a band or anything like that. I used to play the piano and the saxophone/clarinet (grade 4) but it's about 30 years ago now so I'm effectively starting from scratch - or even further back as stuff is easier the younger you are I think.
Dibble said:
Cheers for the additional advice. I'm not doing it just to fill time, I would like to learn to play, just for my own entertainment. I've no wish to be in a band or anything like that.
If you actually want to play, this is the mindset you need. Your chances of getting into guitar would be minimal if you were just doing it for the sake of it. As Fantuzzi rightly pointed out, and you can probably remember from the Sax many years back, the first stages are not easy, or particularly fun. When you can't get your fingers to make anything that resembles fluent music, it's frustrating and can be joyless. One day, probably a few years from now, you'll look back and struggle to remember what it was like to not be able to do it.As you say, you are effectively starting from scratch, but don't be so sure. Your neural pathways and muscle memory for individual finger and hand coordination may be incredibly rusty, but they will still be there. 30 years is a long time, but you've made your hands work musically before and you can do it again.
Fantuzzi said:
What sort of music are you into/want to play?
Ill post up some simple stuff to get you started.
I like Foo Fighters, Red Hot Chili Pepperes, Bruce Springsteen, Barenaked Ladies... Remember, I've absolutely NO IDEA how to play! I did watch a few of the YouTube intros last night though... Including the "Axis of Awesome" 4 chords one!Ill post up some simple stuff to get you started.
You sound like you're into the same sort of music as me. I got a guitar a year or so ago, and managed to make some nice sounds fairly quicky, but just haven't picked it up enough to progress.
Hopefully seeing this thread will encourage me to pick it up again (it sits on a stand in the corner of the living room, so quick to hand, but needs tuning before you play it, especially if weeks have gone by between attempts!!)
Good luck,
Rich
Hopefully seeing this thread will encourage me to pick it up again (it sits on a stand in the corner of the living room, so quick to hand, but needs tuning before you play it, especially if weeks have gone by between attempts!!)
Good luck,
Rich
dern said:
Lessons helped me improve more quickly and in a more focused way than teaching myself either from books or the net.
It won't help your concentration or memory though. Sleep or addressing what ever is bothering you will though. That in turn will certainly help the guitar playing.
Mark
I've probably not made myself clear - I'm trying to find something to occupy my time rather than "mend" my memory/concentration (that bit is also - hopefully - getting sorted with regular visits to the psychologist). I'll consider some lessons if I don't get anywhere, but the self teach method is at least free!It won't help your concentration or memory though. Sleep or addressing what ever is bothering you will though. That in turn will certainly help the guitar playing.
Mark
As stated, make sure the instrument is playable and that the neck is comfortable for the size of your hands and fingers. A high action is not conducive to learning barre chords. You'll also want to decide on a gauge of strings. Light gauge are easier for fretting, picking and bending but can sound thin. Heavy gauge are better for rhythm strumming. Will you be using a plectrum or fingers.
There is no short cut. It's all about muscle memory and you can only achieve that with practise. It has been established that you need to practise an activity for for 1,000 hours before can become really proficient.at it.
Start with small steps. Learn three major chords (C,D,G). Practice fingering them them until the changes become seamless. Then practice strumming a rhythm against a metronome.
When you can play a three-chord sequence in time without thinking about chord changes, learn three minor chords.
You will then be able to strum along to just about any song you can think of.
At that point you'll decide whether you want to continue to finger-picking and leaning the rest of the fretboard so you can play anything in any key.
You can then start playing around with the dynamics of playing (hammer-ons, string bending, muting, harmonics etc). All the things that will give you your own style.
Then the hard work really begins!
You never stop learning or improving.
There is no short cut. It's all about muscle memory and you can only achieve that with practise. It has been established that you need to practise an activity for for 1,000 hours before can become really proficient.at it.
Start with small steps. Learn three major chords (C,D,G). Practice fingering them them until the changes become seamless. Then practice strumming a rhythm against a metronome.
When you can play a three-chord sequence in time without thinking about chord changes, learn three minor chords.
You will then be able to strum along to just about any song you can think of.
At that point you'll decide whether you want to continue to finger-picking and leaning the rest of the fretboard so you can play anything in any key.
You can then start playing around with the dynamics of playing (hammer-ons, string bending, muting, harmonics etc). All the things that will give you your own style.
Then the hard work really begins!
You never stop learning or improving.
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