Learning to play the guitar

[MisterGobbles]

Tabs and Guitar Pro.
Acquire a piece of software called Guitar Pro [http://www.guitar-pro.com/en/index.php]. Current version is 6, but most songs on the internet can be listened with Guitar Pro 3 and higher.
Guitar Pro plays the tabs back for you, removing the above-mentioned problem of tabs not having timing. GP has shitloads of extremely useful features that I could go on about forever. I can't stress getting this program enough.

If you are too cheap for Guitar Pro, get a freeware program called TuxGuitar. It reads Guitar Pro files up to version 5 (and I think the new version will support 6), and although it's not nearly as good, it gets the job done. You should get some form of tab reading software though because it makes reading tabs SO much easier it's not even funny (you can slow down the song, which helps immensely), and a lot of tabs on the internet are only in Guitar Pro format.

Klepa also mentioned a tuner, which is also extremely important. I have a digital amp with a built in tuner, but since you have an acoustic you should get one ASAP. They are generally pretty cheap.

 

[Glamorgan]

So I've made it a personal (quest) objective to learn how to play the guitar this summer, after finals.

I've got a used training guitar, and no clue as to how to begin. I'm not sure if I have "musical hearing" or whatever, or whether it's even important for learning. I don't know how to begin.

When I ask my friends they say "look online" so, uh, there, I'm looking online.

How does a lazy 26 year old computer science undergrad learns to play the guitar without paying a tutor.

The plan is once I figure out the general direction I need to take, I'll start there, and just train as much as I can. But, again, where to begin?

Thanks!

I started playing the guitar pretty recently (a few months ago), and I'm entirely self taught. And I'm not that bad, surprisingly.

The way I first started was by finding an article online, which taught me the basic chords. The one I started off with was http://www.mahalo.com/how-to-play-guitar-chords/, which has a description of how to play each of the chords, along with a video.

The first chords you want to learn would be C, G, A, D, E, Em and Am. These chords are all very simple, compared to some, and don't require any barring of frets. Once you learn these chords, simply practice strumming them, and switching between them, making your transitions as fast and smooth as possible. You want to be able to transition between them easily, quickly, and without having to look at the fret board.
This honestly wont be very interesting, but you just need to practice it until you have a reasonable understanding of the chords.

There are actually a huge number of songs you can easily play with just these chords. One of my favourite songs, <a=http://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/c/counting_crows/accidentally_in_love_crd.htm>Accidentally in Love, is one of them. It's quite easy, but at the same time, sounds great. This website, Ultimate Guitar.com is actually a great site for chords, and tabs. It also has a pretty snazzy system of, if you mouse over a chord name, it will show a diagram of how to play it, which can be very useful.

After all that, all you can really do is practice. You will eventually need to learn more chords, like B and F, which are both barre chords, but you probably wont need those until you want to learn some relatively harder songs. If you want me to recommend you some other easy songs, or any other help in general, just give me a shout, but good luck with learning guitar~

EDIT: Just realised that someone has already said pretty much everything I had. Damn ninjas...

 

[Mazza35]

All the above tips are good, stick with them!

But the most important thing to remember is. Never give up! If you can't play that tricky riff, don't give up, keep trying and you will get it and it will improve your skill.

 

[Snake Plissken]

1. Learn how to tune your guitar very well. Most beginners have a terrible ear for tuning, so their guitar is always slightly out of tune. Always tune it before playing, and spend time trying to make it close to perfect as you can. It makes a huge difference.

2. Watch a shitload of Phil X videos on youtube. [link]http://www.youtube.com/user/frettedamericana[/link] Everything he does is awesome, but he's a very sloppy player sometimes. He'll teach you that even professionals can suck sometimes. It'll keep you from getting discouraged. He also demonstrates about a billion different vintage guitars, so you can learn the differences between guitars and gain an appreciation for sweet vintage stuff.

3. Learn all of the basic chords, and learn different forms of them. The basic cowboy chords translate very well into power chords and barre chords. Practice switching them as smoothly as possible.

4. Don't immediately try to play fast. You can't, period. It takes lots of practice, so if you want to play fast licks, use a metronome and start slowly. Speed it up as you become comfortable.

5. Learn classic rock songs. Ignore everything else for the time being. Classic rock is pretty basic. It'll help with your rhythm playing and lead playing all at the same time. Learn to play AC/DC, Boston, Bad Company, The Who, Black Sabbath, etc. (guitar-heavy classic rock). Even if it isn't your favorite genre, you'll probably learn more from playing classic rock than anything else. You'll learn blues licks, the basic chords, power chords, pedal tones, filler licks, blues soloing, and all sorts of other stuff.

6. Don't buy super fancy equipment yet. You don't need it, and it won't make you sound any better yet. Don't spend more than a couple hundred dollars on a practice amp, and don't spend more than $350 on a guitar yet. Line 6 makes decent practice amps for beginners that can be played at bedroom volumes. They aren't by any means great professional rigs (I will ignore all posts from other users who think they're great because so-and-so uses Line 6 products...I know that SOME people play them professionally, but they are FAAAAAAAR from the same rigs that amateur guitarists can buy on the market), but they are great practice amps with all sorts of neat settings for you to mess with. Fenders line of Mexican guitars are good for beginners, and a lot of used Epiphones are great, too (the Korean ones, not the recently built Chinese ones.) Also, ALWAYS play the exact guitar you want to buy before buying it. Don't order something online...go to a store or browse around on craigslist, play some guitars, and find the RIGHT ONE.

7. Alternate pick EVERYTHING. There are some cases in which alternate picking is not necessary, but if you learn to do it now, EVERYTHING will be easier later.

8. Play every day. Set a practice regimen for yourself, and follow it.

9. Find other people to play with, preferably at least a drummer. It'll help a lot.

10. Treat your guitar with respect. Clean it regularly, change the strings as frequently as necessary (depending on how often you play), and don't do stupid shit like guitar flips.

For the record, I've been playing guitar for twelve years. These practices helped ME, so the may not be perfect for everybody. To each their own.

 

[fenderstrat]

So I've made it a personal (quest) objective to learn how to play the guitar this summer, after finals.

I've got a used training guitar, and no clue as to how to begin. I'm not sure if I have "musical hearing" or whatever, or whether it's even important for learning. I don't know how to begin.

When I ask my friends they say "look online" so, uh, there, I'm looking online.

How does a lazy 26 year old computer science undergrad learns to play the guitar without paying a tutor.

The plan is once I figure out the general direction I need to take, I'll start there, and just train as much as I can. But, again, where to begin?

Thanks!

www.actiontab.com

thats how i first learned. now i'm studying jazz at uni

 

[Snake Plissken]

snip

Disregard my previous post. I just re-read your original post, and it seems that you've described yourself as "lazy". If that's the case, you can't learn. Like, ever. It just won't happen. Lazy people can't learn to play the guitar because it takes a lot of time, focus, and practice. Fix the lazy part first, and then check out my original post.

 

[The Rockerfly]

Well if you want to learn how to write music ever

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.198377-Music-Theory-The-basics-updated-V7?page=1

Plus learn some really basic stuff first

1. Learn how to tune your guitar. Ever guitarist needs to know how to do it, lefty loosy, righty tighty

2. Use videos online. Seriously there is so much useful free stuff. like my thread (shameless advertising)

3. Learn how to strum and alternate pick. You don't even have to learn to play anything at the time but pick technique is so very important.

4. Learn how to play basic chords. C major, D major, E major, E minor, G major, A minor, A major. Basic but they are the most useful

5. Don't spend too much on equipment right away and if you want a different sound, change the amp settings.

6. Old rock songs, learn as many as you can, they sound great and they are easy. Try Smoke on the Water as it is the best song to learn ever. Just don't try the solo yet, I found it hard to learn after 6 years of playing

7. Power chords. Thank me later

8. Feel free to message me if you want some help. I've taught before and I remember very well how it feels to learn so yeah message me on the escapist and I will help when I come on

Good luck and practise everyday

 

[sam42ification]

So I've made it a personal (quest) objective to learn how to play the guitar this summer, after finals.

I've got a used training guitar, and no clue as to how to begin. I'm not sure if I have "musical hearing" or whatever, or whether it's even important for learning. I don't know how to begin.

When I ask my friends they say "look online" so, uh, there, I'm looking online.

How does a lazy 26 year old computer science undergrad learns to play the guitar without paying a tutor.

The plan is once I figure out the general direction I need to take, I'll start there, and just train as much as I can. But, again, where to begin?

Thanks!

First go onto the net and look up how to play some easy chords. A few that you will need to being are C,D,Em (E minor), G, A, Am (A minor). Those are a few good chords to learn because almost every pop song use these chords. Just learn these chords by heart and be able to go from one chord to another extreamly quickly. Then go on youtube and learn a simple song like Time of your life or somthing you know is really simple. Just type how to play.......... on guitar. After you learn a few chords and a few simple songs with a few simple chords go onto a tab site (the best one is ultimate guitar tab) and learn to read tab if you can't figure it out just type in how to read tab. Learn some riffs.

But having a personal tutor really helps. even if you get one your freinds to teach you a few things it's much easier than learning it off the internet.

 

[sam42ification]

snip

Disregard my previous post. I just re-read your original post, and it seems that you've described yourself as "lazy". If that's the case, you can't learn. Like, ever. It just won't happen. Lazy people can't learn to play the guitar because it takes a lot of time, focus, and practice. Fix the lazy part first, and then check out my original post.

This isn't true. In three years i've learned drums, bass, guitar and keyboard. I'm pretty good at guitar and drum. I busk every weekend and my band just recorded two songs. I'm extreamly lazy. It does take a lot of practice but being lazy isn't going to stop him from play guitar.

 

[MisterGobbles]

It also might be a good idea to learn how to change your guitar stings. It's a relatively simple process, but you absolutely need to learn how to do it. Get someone to help you the first time to do it, because guitar strings aren't the cheapest things in the world and you don't wanna go around busting all your strings.

Everything about guitar gets easier over time.

snip

Disregard my previous post. I just re-read your original post, and it seems that you've described yourself as "lazy". If that's the case, you can't learn. Like, ever. It just won't happen. Lazy people can't learn to play the guitar because it takes a lot of time, focus, and practice. Fix the lazy part first, and then check out my original post.

This guy brings up a good point. We're all kind of lazy, but if you seriously wanna learn the guitar, it takes tons of practice and effort. There isn't a shortcut to learning guitar - you're gonna have to burn through some serious shit to learn to play it, including blistered fingers.

Also, I said this in my original post, but GET A TEACHER. They will teach you to pick correctly. You will probably start with a lot of bad habits, which a teacher can identify and help you work on so that in the future you won't be used to playing wrong (you're gonna have to learn to do it the right way eventually; might as well do it now). I cannot stress how important getting a teacher is. Most of guitar you can pick up quite well on your own, but learning that basic technique is EXTREMELY important.

 

[Snake Plissken]

snip

Disregard my previous post. I just re-read your original post, and it seems that you've described yourself as "lazy". If that's the case, you can't learn. Like, ever. It just won't happen. Lazy people can't learn to play the guitar because it takes a lot of time, focus, and practice. Fix the lazy part first, and then check out my original post.

This isn't true. In three years i've learned drums, bass, guitar and keyboard. I'm pretty good at guitar and drum. I busk every weekend and my band just recorded two songs. I'm extreamly lazy. It does take a lot of practice but being lazy isn't going to stop him from play guitar.

Really? I've been playing consistently for twelve years and have yet to master the instrument, but you think you're "pretty good" after lazily trying to figure 4 different instruments? Shit, what have I been doing all of this time. OP, please disregard ALL of my posts, since this guy has obviously got it figured out. Apparently, you'll be a master in no time simply by half assing everything. Who knew?!

 

[Treefingers]

How does a lazy 26 year old computer science undergrad learns to play the guitar without paying a tutor.

My first piece of advice is to not be lazy.

Learning an instrument takes a lot of work. Hella worth it though, but you need to be prepared to put in the effort. You ought to be practising everyday. I'm not exaggerating. Even if it's only for a half hour or so. You're much better off practising a small amount everyday than one massive chunk once a week. You also have to understand how to practice. There's a huge difference between actual practice/learning to just playing/jamming/whatever.

My second piece of advice is to suck it up and get a tutor.

Your learning will be much more efficient if you do so. Of course it's possible to learn without... but if you do you're handicapping your learning from the start. You want to start off learning correctly, otherwise you risk developing a bad technique that'll be hard to fix later on. A tutor will give you more motivation as well. If you're short on cash, perhaps try to get a short series of lessons to get you kick started at the least. If you've got mates who are into guitar it's good to meet up and trade tips and tricks and stuff too.

Failing that, books are better than most of the stuff you'll find online. Online resources can be great, but the problem is that there's a lot of shit in between the good stuff. Plus you'll likely be picking and choosing things without knowing what you really need to learn, whereas books are often more prescribed and progressive. Go into a music store and buy a beginners book, perhaps ask the store guy to recommend something. Try find something with a decent bit of theory work too. A solid theory knowledge is the key to awesomeness. If you're up to it, standard notation > tablature, no contest. Some guitar magazines are good too. Guitar Techniques often has some great lessons with articles and guides to compliment them. I wouldn't rely solely on magazines, but they're a nice supplement at times.

(For validities' sake, I'm an undergrad Bachelor of Music student studying performance for Guitar)

(EDIT: And I tutor guitar for cash on the side)

 

[sam42ification]

snip

Disregard my previous post. I just re-read your original post, and it seems that you've described yourself as "lazy". If that's the case, you can't learn. Like, ever. It just won't happen. Lazy people can't learn to play the guitar because it takes a lot of time, focus, and practice. Fix the lazy part first, and then check out my original post.

This isn't true. In three years i've learned drums, bass, guitar and keyboard. I'm pretty good at guitar and drum. I busk every weekend and my band just recorded two songs. I'm extreamly lazy. It does take a lot of practice but being lazy isn't going to stop him from play guitar.

Really? I've been playing consistently for twelve years and have yet to master the instrument, but you think you're "pretty good" after lazily trying to figure 4 different instruments? Shit, what have I been doing all of this time. OP, please disregard ALL of my posts, since this guy has obviously got it figured out. Apparently, you'll be a master in no time simply by half assing everything. Who knew?!

Ok i didn't mean to boast but all im saying is that you can still play guitar without being completely devoted to it. " you've described yourself as "lazy". If that's the case, you can't learn." I said what i said because you told someone they have absolutly no hope of learning guitar unless they adjust there attitude. You proberly know what your talking about but telling someone they can't play is a good way to put somone off guitar. He/she asked for a way to get started and you told them they couldn't play because they said they were lazy. Sure the very best practice 3 hours a day but some people don't want to be the very best. Don't tell people if they can or can't do somthing.

 

[BlackStar42]

So I've made it a personal (quest) objective to learn how to play the guitar this summer, after finals.

I've got a used training guitar, and no clue as to how to begin. I'm not sure if I have "musical hearing" or whatever, or whether it's even important for learning. I don't know how to begin.

When I ask my friends they say "look online" so, uh, there, I'm looking online.

How does a lazy 26 year old computer science undergrad learns to play the guitar without paying a tutor.

The plan is once I figure out the general direction I need to take, I'll start there, and just train as much as I can. But, again, where to begin?

Thanks!

I'd still recommend a teacher, but...

Start by looking on Youtube for lessons. Learn to do basic chords and scales first, and make sure you don't pick up any bad habits (They're a ***** to unlearn). If you can read tab, I'd recommend http://www.songsterr.com. To me, its much easier than using Ultimate Guitar.

 

[AoGenius]

Thanks for all the replies.

I read every post and bookmarked this post for future reference (after finals), and skimmed a few of the links.

I think I'll start with chords using the above websites, cause the majority of people offered.

As I said I have a cheap used guitar, so no need to worry about buying one. I've got a tuner as well, I completely forgot about it but once I read the suggestions to get one I found it, so thanks! I'll get the rest of the stuff when I figure out the basic beginning...

I'm not sure about getting a tutor at this stage. I know it might be better, learning something new is always easier when there's someone to direct. But honestly, I'm a poor student without a permanent job (my degree is very time consuming), and good tutors cost a lot where I live. I did speak to a friend of mine, however, and he agreed to help me where he can, and he's been playing for about 6 years now. So, yeah.

As for the lazy part. Ugh, can't write anything without expecting an argument to start over it. What I meant by that is that I'm too lazy to go look for the websites which teach, which is why I wrote it here. I'm by no means lazy (I'm sort of a frustrated perfectionist, even). Sure I get the occasional day when I don't feel like doing anything, but learning to play is one of those things I've been waiting and prepping up for all year. I need a change from my regular interests and routines. Something a bit more creative and fulfilling than programming and playing computer games all day...

I very much intend to go along with it.

 

[Chunga the Great]

I have a few tips. 1. Learn to read chords instead of just memorizing them. 2. Get a teacher and learn theory. I've only been playing for 18 months, but i'm almost done learning jazz and music theory, and it has helped exponentially. 3. When you get to pick-picking work on playing up and down with a metronome. 4. this goes along with an earlier post about Guitar Pro. If you can get it, get it, but there is a program called TuxGuitar that can play GP and Powertab files and its free. 5. Dont give up early

 

[MisterGobbles]

I'm not sure about getting a tutor at this stage. I know it might be better, learning something new is always easier when there's someone to direct. But honestly, I'm a poor student without a permanent job (my degree is very time consuming), and good tutors cost a lot where I live. I did speak to a friend of mine, however, and he agreed to help me where he can, and he's been playing for about 6 years now. So, yeah.

Honestly, as long as you have SOMEONE there who knows how to play to correct any bad habits you might develop early on and to teach you correct picking and fretting technique, you'll be ok. That's really the important part, because yeah, teachers are usually not the cheapest (I was lucky on mine, paid only 20 bucks an hour), and just about everything else (chords, scales, warmup techniques, tab-reading, etc) you can pick up on your own.

Some more tips: If you just find it too hard to fret the chords on that acoustic guitar (some of the cheaper ones have pretty high actions, which is harder to work with when just starting out), spring for one of those electric starter packs they sell at Target, Wal-Mart, or a slightly better package at Guitar World. You'll probably find that a lot easier to work with, as the action on those guitars is generally much lower, and the strings are of lighter gauge. But as you said you were short on money, do that only if you absolutely cannot work with what you have.