Learning to play a guitar
Tuesday, September 26th, 2006 - 3:01pm
So hey, I'm looking for a good resource or two to start teaching myself how to play the guitar (electric to begin with, though I don't know whether it makes a large difference which). Any of the musicians here (I know there's a few of you!) have any recommendations on books/videos/whatever? A computer resource would be least useful since I don't have a laptop to sit in front of my comfy guitar-playing folding chair. 
"We are at our best when we work together. We are at our worst when we expend valuable and finite energy and resources destroying one another." - Paleocon, regarding humanity.
wholenote.com has a huge library of lessons for different skill levels, different playing styles. It can teach you to do everything from string the guitar to Yngwie Malmstein level playing. Guitar Pro is an interesting tool. It shows you tablature for songs and can play along with it with some rudimentary notes. It helps figure out the pace of the tab more than anything else, that's the trickiest part of reading tabs. Its been tough finding the songs I want for that program though.
ThePolypusher | Polypusher
Ah, yes, another Guitar Hero convert.
I started about a month ago.
If you 're actually kinda serious about it(and pretend to someday play for someone other than yourself) find a teacher, even a class per week is supposed to be better than no classes at all. Personally I've learned by myself, but I think I play like crap so far.
Guitar Pro is awesome.
On Google Video, there's a link to John Petrucci's Rock Discipline, but I forget where. It has a few great exercises. Just do a search.
Get an electronic tuner and always tune the guitar before playing. Mine doesn't seem to last more than a day without going out of tune in the strings I use the most. After a month, I kinda recognize when a string is out of tune, but I can't tune it by myself. I guess it comes with practice. They tell you to do relative tuning (tune the strings by the sound of the first string, and then the next, and so on), but it's a frickin pain in the ass, and I just want to ROCK OUT NOW.
There's a metronome over at metronomeonline.com , and supposedly you have to use it every time you practice (at first), but I find that guitar pro helps a lot with that. They also sell fancy Metronomes that help you tune your guitar and all that.
Don't get discouraged =(
At first I was about to give up, because I played some lame scales (1 2 3 4 first fret, 1234 2nd fret, and so on) and I could only play at 20 about bpm (which is really, abysmally slow), and here I'm watching Petrucci rock out at 200 bpm. But after a month I'm up to a solid 60 or 70, and the progress is pretty steady. A friend says it usually takes about 3 to 5 years to be "good".
* An important part of the rockin' soundz is the goddamn amps and pedals with effects. So if you're playing a tab and you're thinking "why the hell doesn't this sound like Audioslave?", well, it's because most rock bands use some tricked out amps and pedals and so on. The only ones I can recognize that play "clean" are AC/DC. Then again, if you want to play the blues, they use clean sounds.
Have you chosen your guitar?
IMPORTANT NOTE: This all comes from a guitar n00b who has only been playing for a short time. Someone with m4d skills (like Podunk) get on this thread and confirm/deny.
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Wow! Thanks for the info and encouragement, Mex!
And yes, I'm a Guitar Hero convert. 
Both Fyedaddy and my girlfriend told me that I really should give the real thing a try since I love rhythm games so much, and this one in particular. I have a good ear for music/tune/rhythm (I'm a fairly good whistler, in particular), but where I suck is in actual playing skill. So I'm sure it'll be a while before I'm even remotely decent with a real guitar.
That program that you mention sounds really interesting, Polypusher. I'll have to check that out too.
I don't have a lot of hobbies, so to find one I really like will actually be good since I've got room to fit it in and stick with it.
"We are at our best when we work together. We are at our worst when we expend valuable and finite energy and resources destroying one another." - Paleocon, regarding humanity.
Two words: bar chords. Add distortion. Commence to rock.
Quote:
— SpacePPoliceman, on Joe Paterno and responsibilityCongrats on starting the long and rewarding process of learning an instrument. Savor it. It's good stuff.
I'm not posting to recommend guitar instructional material. Others will know better than I. I'd just like to comment that I think it's really cool that Guitar Hero has introduced so many people to the actual instrument.
I think that in order to raise banjo enthusiasm a "Banjo Hero" game should be made. I know what you're thinking: banjos aren't sexy.
I'm here to tell you that you're ... um .... absolutely correct.
Are you gettin' there Rabbit, are you gettin' there now?
Yes Lord, Lord, I'm gettin' there now.
I bet Guitar Hero is actually a viral app that was designed and marketed by an ailing guitar industry leader! Yeah, that's it...
I have no illusions of ever being some kind of rock god anywhere except in the video game. However, getting decent at playing the real thing for my personal satisfaction would be most excellent.
"We are at our best when we work together. We are at our worst when we expend valuable and finite energy and resources destroying one another." - Paleocon, regarding humanity.
I recently got remotivated to learn to play my guitar.
Check out Tommy Emmanuel.
-ing insane.
Steam: duckilama
T.Rex is more impressive than a cockroach, but that doesn't mean it aged better. - CheezePavillion
Although this might go without saying, learn your scales. Learn every variation in every key. They will come up time and time again in about everything you play. Doubly important if you ever want to play improvisationally, or rock guitar solos, or blues or jazz.
Learning the standard rock and blues chord progressions too, you'll be able to pick out lots of songs that follow these standard forms.
I used to play, and found it a great way to kill some time. I've had to put the guitar down lately because of my carpal tunnel issues - it was getting too painful to play regularly.
Good luck, and be sure to post some pictures of your sweet axe.
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Holy ?$@%!
Thanks. That made my day.
Steam: [GWJ] Mr.Green | Xbox Live: MrGreen | PSN: MrGreenPSN | Wii: 4859 2... oh f*ck it.
If you want a "cheap" alternative to a bunch of amps and sh*t, try the GuitarPort. I love mine.
Cue Podunk in 3... 2... 1...
"THE HELL ASS BALLS." - Prederick, expressing frustration in the time-honored way.
coldforged.org :: Stay fit, Dad!
see, i personally think learning to read music and scales is really kind of boring. i'm more in the camp of 'let's-make-this-fun-otherwise-i'll-never-stick-with-it.'
i'd say go find some chord books and learn all of your basic open chords and like HP said, learn some bar chords (distortion optional). learn basic strumming techniques and string them chords together. basically, learn to play simple songs. you'd be surprised how many songs (pop/rock songs, even classic Beatles tunes) are made of 3 or 4 chords. I also recommend Tom Petty songs (for learning purpose only. i think his music kind of sucks)
the bottom line is you gotta be able to keep yourself entertained. the scales, music reading and sweep-picking with alternate two-hand tapping all can come later.
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I'm going to go ahead and suggest lessons, if for no other reason than this:
Even if you're not interested in learning to play scales, lessons will provide you with invaluable instruction on posture, hand and wrist position and fingering that can save you from tendonitis or carpal tunnel a few years down the road. That's the main reason I wish I'd taken lessons.
Call your local music store or the music department at your local university and ask for a recommendation. Even a couple of lessons will go a long way to set you on the proper path toward developing healthy technique.
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Whoa; very good point there, Podunk. Lessons definitely sound like a necessity for me given that I have arthritis and could easily have trouble if I'm not careful then.
Keep the rest of the info & tips coming guys. Maybe there are others like me wanting to get started and they'll be encouraged too.
I'll have to find a way to get a picture online of me with the guitar when I get it. Then we can all laugh and point at the computer nerd who thinks he can learn to thrash.
"We are at our best when we work together. We are at our worst when we expend valuable and finite energy and resources destroying one another." - Paleocon, regarding humanity.
How to play the guitar: A primer by Demi J. Urge
Step 1: Rock out.
Step 2: Smash the guitar on the stage.
Step 3: Wait for manager to pay for damages.
I hope this primer has been informative and helpful. Good luck with your career as a rockstar and/or has-been radio DJ.
"$10 - Exclusive Sean-cam where he just shakes his head, over and over." From Pyro's Kickstarter, "Endless Pit of Human Misery Livestream"
I have taken piano and voice lessons and have "taught myself" to play guitar. I consider myself alright at guitar and piano and still a novice singer. I think it's important when teaching yourself to play an instrument, that you know your learning habits. Know where you will sit on the spectrum of "hardcore practicer" to "strummer of some chords to my favorite songs?" I suggest trying to figure that out, then setting your approach accordingly. As implied, there's no reason why someone can't do both.
Some other things I have learned for myself that may help you are that it's better to push yourself less and keep your interest, than to push too hard and burn out. Be smart with your practice time - don't waste it away trying to play something too fast; slow down and do it right. I still struggle with this because I get so excited at hearing something that's starting to sound good and I play faster than I can handle, then I have to force myself to slow down and play it at a pace that feels comfortable. After just a couple times at a slower speed, I'm able to bring that comfort level to something faster.
Having an instructor or being in a class is much easier than trying to discipline myself to practice or learn new songs, and their guidance makes the learning happen faster. Definitely consider this. If you don't know where to find an instructor, look into a local community college. The one near me offers good, cheap lessons for about $150 a semester. I think the most important thing to remember about learning to play a new instrument, especially if it's your first, is to keep forcing yourself to learn, but it should always make you happy.
Ppth. POWER CORDS are where it's at. That and some Pentatonic scale action. Good enough for Angus, good enough for you.
Blog: justinmwhitaker
Twitter: justinmwhitaker
virtuosos, trembalos, and arpeggios
ThePolypusher | Polypusher
Simply awesome!
"The pen is mightier than the flaming bag of poop" - Bart Simpson
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[quote=Mex]A
[quote]
Get an electronic tuner and always tune the guitar before playing. Mine doesn't seem to last more than a day without going out of tune in the strings I use the most. After a month, I kinda recognize when a string is out of tune, but I can't tune it by myself. I guess it comes with practice. They tell you to do relative tuning (tune the strings by the sound of the first string, and then the next, and so on), but it's a frickin pain in the ass, and I just want to ROCK OUT NOW. [/quote]
...What kind of strings do you use? They shouldn't get out of tune that quickly, mine take about a week or so of 1-2 hour playing each day to get out of tune, and not badly at that. I also play the bass..so any questions on that I might be able to answer.....For the record, Ernie Ball are pretty decent strings starting out, so pick some up and rock out.
I could never be a filthy rich and adored celebrity.. I'm just not interested in Scientology. -- Irongut
Well I was using the standard ones that came with the Guitar (it was an Ibanez starter pack), but I do have a set of Ernie's that I'm replacing as they go.
--
Come Play Team Fortress 2 with the cool kids! GWJ's Stan's Lounge Pub: 63.209.34.11:27015
7-8pm central time, every day. It's free! =D
Well, I would suggest grabbing a new pack of ernies and unstringing the whole thing and restringing it. Would make it a bit easier on ya
I could never be a filthy rich and adored celebrity.. I'm just not interested in Scientology. -- Irongut
There's a fair bit more TE on youtube. Check out his "instructional" on playing Lady Madonna/Daytripper - he does, solo, what it took two Beatles to do. I have all of his stuff on Youtube favorited. Simply stunning. More inspirational than an iPod full of Clapton, Santana, King, and Vai.
Steam: duckilama
T.Rex is more impressive than a cockroach, but that doesn't mean it aged better. - CheezePavillion
Speaking of Ibanez guitars, they are the best bang for the buck that I know of. And I really suck at guitar, so I should know!
Diablo 3: Fedaykin98#1575
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The even LITTLER fremen!
"THE HELL ASS BALLS." - Prederick, expressing frustration in the time-honored way.
coldforged.org :: Stay fit, Dad!
Oh, and I forgot to mention Mesa/boogie amps and D'Addario strings while I'm at it.
Diablo 3: Fedaykin98#1575
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The even LITTLER fremen!
I dig Ibanez guitars (got 3), but my Les Paul Studio is my baby. I'm self-taught and I really should have taken lessons back when I started. As it stands, I have to read tab as I can't read music. I do know where the notes are on the fretboard, for the most part, but some basic music theory probably would have gone a long way for me.
I found that when I started the driving factor was that "one" song you wanted to play because you liked it. I was big into Metallica back in high school and that's what got me to play. If you tend to like music that's rather difficult to play, this can be a discouragement.
Edit - forgot the Ibanez steel string acoustic, 3 Ibanez guitars for me.
LobsterMobster wrote:
Sure, if you like comparing apples and oranges. Clapton, King, and Vai are all good at what they do, and Santana...well, I don't know what exactly he's good at, but I'm told he's inspiring. So whatev.
Tommy Emmanuel is great, but depending on what you're into there are tons of other inspiring players out there. For instance:
Martin Taylor
Doyle Dykes
Steve Morse
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Here is some inspiration for you. Chet Atkins playing his signature pumpkin-top Gretsch. It's incredible to think that it's only one guy playing. Remarkable in his taste, and control.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=_RjkurIdMkY&mode=related&search=
Are you gettin' there Rabbit, are you gettin' there now?
Yes Lord, Lord, I'm gettin' there now.
Chet Atkins is the bomb, yo.
Xbox Live: CrankyBaby
Steam: Podunk
Notice how he used his thumbpick as a flatipick occassionally? Man. Gorgeous playing.
Are you gettin' there Rabbit, are you gettin' there now?
Yes Lord, Lord, I'm gettin' there now.