So, i'm learning guitar.

[Mana Fiend]

Dude, I'm learning ukulele at the moment. I know exactly how you feel. Some songs I have down to a tee (I can do the caramelldansen really easily), yet other songs I struggle on (Sweet Home Alabama had fewer chords, and is so much harder for me). I say practise. I've been told that's how to learn.

 

[Falseprophet]

Master all the open chords--major, minor and 7th. Then work on the E and A-form barre chords. With these tools, you can play or at least fake your way through most songs. When you get to the point where you can play these without thinking, power chords will seem really easy by comparison.

Even if you don't learn how to read music notation, learn the names of the different chords and notes and where they are on the neck. Music is a language and if you play with others, it helps if you can all speak it, even if you're illiterate.

What's the reasoning behind changing the strings so often anyway? I can do it but i'd rather be saving my money until December first but if the reasonings "they'll be more likely to snap" or something then i suppose i can spare some cash XD

They start to go flat after a while, and don't sound as "bright". Also, a common mistake for beginnings is to play too hard and break strings. I started playing bass without an amp and broke the E string from attacking it so hard. But you can make your strings last longer if you wipe them down with a clean cloth after you play. That wipes away the sweat that eventually corrodes them.

 

[BlackStar42]

Practice a lot, learn a few basic chords. Play music that you like- you have more incentive to learn it. Power chords are your friend. Turn it up to 11!

 

[Jedamethis]

Its really fun. I can't strum fast, i know how to play like the opening riff of seven nation army (because thats like, super hard and like, WHOA, EXTREME, EXTREEEEEME MAN) and i can read tabs.

So, do you guys have any hints, tips or whatever for starting out. And if anyone took that seven nation army thing seriously, please, turn your humour on.

Huh, I'm in pretty much the same, but I'm working on being able to play La Bamba.
I can now play the first bit quite fast ^-^

 

[no one really]

I tried learning how to play a guitar once. I practiced for like a year, but still couldn't move my fingers fast enough, so I quit. : /
Anyways, good luck!

 

[CowboyfromHell666]

Just keep practicing and playing. Learn riffs to songs, learn chords, scales etc. I have never taken one guitar lesson, ever. All I did was just, well, play. And I got amazingly good(well I'm told I am)through no lessons whatsoever. Yet I know what I'm doing. Try that

 

[kuzaro]

Try not just getting better at guitar but better at music in general by singing or playing other instruments or analysing songs and music theory. It might seem boring but it would help alot. Also gradually try learning songs without using tab.

 

[Deadlock Radium]

I found playing drop D (Dropping the fat E string to D) was really easy when I was just starting out, because you can just put your finger over the whole fret and it makes a power chord. I mostly play in open C these days though.

I'd recommend learning about 3-4 basic chords then writing your own little riff. It might sound shit, but it's a good place to start.

DROP D IS TEH SHIT!

So, do you guys have any hints, tips or whatever for starting out.

I play lots of music like Wolfmother and can recommend it for any newcomer, try playing "Joker and the Thief" by Wolfmother, you'll learn fast. And as a bonus, it's in Drop D and sounds awesome.

Spoiler: If you haven't heard the song, here it is.

<youtube=YKjV_bWnFCM>

 

[bpm195]

This is coming from the perspective of a drummer.

1. Practice with a metronome! You want to be able to keep time on your own, and more importantly when you're playing with others you want to be able to stay in time with everybody. You don't even have to buy one, just google metronome.

2. Learn about time signatures. It's okay to stay in 4/4 and 3/4 99% of the time, but learn to count!

Honestly, the single most frustrating thing to ever happen to me while jamming with strangers was having a guitarist that's been playing for 30+ years and avoided the beat like it was ET the game.

Also, the most important thing about playing with a metronome; IF IT'S THROWING YOU OFF YOU'RE DOING IT WRONG. That just means practice with it more, don't stop using it out of frustration.

 

[child of lileth]

I've been a classically trained guitarist for 6 years now. My advice:

Learn to read sheet music. You have no idea how important that will be to you. Learn theory also. Like, learn why things work, what makes them work, and why you can't just throw random things together.

 

[Lionsfan]

I don't believe Guitar can be played by normal humans. I think it's a gypsy weapon and you must all be gypsies!

All joking aside though, good for you about learning. That's always something I wanted to do but just never tried. I probably could though, I'm a pretty good drummer (I can actually keep a beat and not just hit random stuff) and a decent pianist so I guess some talent is there

 

[ThatHybridGuy]

Give up six-string, play bass. worked for me.

High-fucking-five! I started Bass in February!

I've been playing bass since december! right now i can play feel good inc, seven nation army and the main riff from feel good hit of the summer. i don't get a lot of time to practice, though...

 

[Dogstile]

]Give up and try not to pick up another pretentious hobby.

Or keep at it until your fingerprints are gone.

Ok, first, seriously, the hell are you doing in this thread?

Being rich enough to afford guitar lessons, and actually studying at the "conversatorium" (a very high music school after high school) I got a few tips:

1. TABS ISNT ENOUGH. Try to learn the g-clef. If you really want to go pro with guitar instead of a hobby, learn the c- and f-clef also.

2. Learn the right fingerplacements. Doing this will help you greatly, as all songs basicly use chords, or part of chords (like some song only use D and F# from the standard D-chord), having the right fingerplacement can help you with alot of songs, so that way you won't get your fingers in a knot when you get to higher level

3. Learn the basics of music, and making music. Knowing what a crescendo is might not seem important, but everybody that ever touched a musical instrument probably knows this kind of stuff. Basic knowledge and understanding of music can help you get better and make sweet music.

But it is up to you how much you want to do with music. If you want to go pro, you really need to get a teacher, or buy books about the mechanics of music. If you just want to dot his as a hobby, you must see for yourself how casual you want to keep it.

Edit: But most of all, have fun with it, because that is what music is about

Well damn, that is a lot of things to do. Its definitely helpful though, and its further reinforcing the "hurry up and get a damn teacher" that's going through my mind. I do ask one thing though, what are the basic things a guitar teacher expects you to have when you go? I know a guitar and that are likely obvious but i may be missing something.

So, do you guys have any hints, tips or whatever for starting out.

I've played the guitar for about 8 years now, self taught. The best advice I can give you is get yourself a teacher!!!

snip the rest

Wow, dude, that's a really, really long post. This post is really what got me to decide to get a teacher dude

I see what you mean about the playing something and practising though. Lately i've been just trying to learn parts from songs, but that might possibly be because i'm trying to improve my switching of chords.

1. Learn to read music. Yeah you might think it is boring, but it will help you out to no end later on.

2. Learn at least some basic theory and harmonic practice. You don't have to go into too much intense detail unless you want to start ripping into some jazz (which I wholeheartedly recommend), but it will still give you one up on other guitarists.

3. Don't neglect scales. All starter musicians hate scales. I was no different. However as you start to play more music and learn more about your instrument, you will realize how much having a working knowledge of the many different scales can help you.

Seriously, even if you want to just shred, and get into metal, all this stuff will put you up over other guitarists and get you work, as well as making you into an awesome guitarist.

Scales, ugh Those things. I suppose i have been ignoring them lately. And i suppose i'll have to go down to the library and pick up some music theory books. Got any suggestions, my college should have some.

Get a band, or at least a drummer. Nothing keeps you honest like having someone sitting there judging you.

I played drums and took lessons, but didn't get any good until I started jamming with a guitarist.
I played guitar alone for a while, but again, was completely useless until I started just playing with a band. It's incentive to practice for one, and it teaches you how to play with people, not just the instrument.

The only person who can mildly play drums around here is my brother, and he's not exactly the nicest dude in the world. I suppose i can look around at college though. I could be part of some shitty garage band but of course, it doesn't matter. It'd be a good time XD

Cheers for everyone i didn't get around to responding too. I love you all. Except you, zonking great.

 

[Flig]

Give up six-string, play bass. worked for me.

This. So much this.

Also, starting out on tabs is great, but eventually your gonna want to learn how to read music and understand all that music theory mumbo-jumbo. It'll be worth it, and it'll help you understand what your actually playing instead of just "E string 3rd fret."

Good luck and have fun.

Edit: Also, if your just browsing around for some nice tabs, songsterr.com is probably the best I've seen so far.

 

[Sacman]

Just Play Acoustic first it makes your hands stronger...

 

[hortez the champion of the frozen wastes]

I recommend playing like you are for a few months, then trying your hand in finger-picking, sight-reading, and other classical elements. It enriched my guitar playing experience and opened brand new horizons.

 

[skywalkerlion]

Learn yer chords. To me, chords are the most fun part of guitar.

Scales are also very important. And it's likely if you want in a band you'll need to learn cleft.

Oh, and get a teacher.

I'm a guitar teacher and I'm here in a guitar thread telling you to practice a whole lot, and that's really all you need to worry about. Also, get a guitar teacher if you haven't got one - preferably me, so I can make some money.

I wish I lived in Australia

 

[skitzo van]

Get a metronome and never practice without it. No matter how frustrated you get don't quit and never stop practicing, and the most valuable of all: don't put up a pointless video of you shredding on youtube.

 

[ICanBreakTheseCuffs]

learn the ZP theme song and you'll get a cookie NO!a million cookies

 

[Samwise137]

I remember an episode of Buffy where Xander asks Oz if playing guitar is hard and Oz replies "not the way I play it." It's true. You'll get out what you put in. I play mostly rhythm parts ('cause I sing too) but honestly, who cares? The point is you're doing what you love. Just keep at it and pretty soon you'll be playing along to anything you want and writing your own riffs and solos! Welcome to the world of music, bro!