Guitar players: I need help

[Dicktator]

I have had my acoustic guitar for over a year , but i just wanted to learn to play over the last few months. Is it possible to learn to really play well by myself. I have a very talented person who has offered to teach me for free, but he lives 20 miles away from me. Any help with websites or videos would be appreciated.

[distortion9]

Go see your buddy and have him show you some stuff to get you going. Lessons will be a huge help especially at the start.

[BIV]

I would definately get some intro lessons. Get some of the basics of chords and fingering out of the way.

[J D]

You can teach yourself. Look up how to properly tune the guitar. Look up how to read tabs. Then look up open chord and power chord tabs. Then get Nirvana's "Nevermind" and learn to play "Come as you are" (you won't be able to play along with the CD unless you tune the guitar down a whole step - look that info up when you look up how to tune the guitar).

[Absolutely]

I think it's possible to teach yourself, pick up some Intermediate or beginner chord books and stuff.
I took guitar lessons when I was like 13-15 and didn't really like the lessons at all, and did a lot more on my own. I bought my favorite bands guitar books and stuff, and basically just learned songs that I wanted to learn. But by doing that you'll learn all those chords and stuff and the tablature.

Or you could go to some guitar classes, and be the creepy middle aged guy learning "When the saints come marching in" with 12 year olds.

[WhiskeyWhispers]

If you want to be able to read music, lessons are a must. I taught myself and I have a pretty good ear, but I can't read a lick of music.

[BIV]

That being said, lets get you started:

Step one. This is your most important lesson, tuning. Get yourself a pitch pipe. The fancy electronic tuners work well, but it's a good idea to use a pitch pipe to get your ears used to the tones.

When tuning, always tune from below the note. What that means is downtune the string so the pitch is slightly lower than it should be then tune up to the proper note. This is not only easier for the human ear to hear (which is why bad vocalists swoop up to notes) but the string will maintain it's tune better.

Also, always Tune the "A" string first.

What is the A string you say?
http://www.start-playing-guitar.com/image-files/stringnamesonneck_w500.jpg

The ideal tuning order (as I was taught, opinions vary) is A, B, E, e, D, G. This puts even pressure across the neck. It makes the tuning more stable and reduces the long term chance of warping your neck.
Also, always tune twice. Tuning the higher strings will throw the lower ones slightly out of wack.


Now the first actual lesson:
http://www.guitar-players-toolbox.com/images/basicchordchart.png

Let me explain what you are seeing. The squares you see are a litterate representation of the fret board on the guitar neck. The extra thick line at the top is the nut, or the plastic piece which is the last line before headstock (The thing the tuners are on). Each row below that are the frets.

The dots are where you put your fingers. The numbers are which finger it is. Your index or pointer finger is number 1 and your pinky is number four.

For example, in the E Major chord your index finger is on the G string in the first fret.

Now see the X's and O's at the top? The O means you strum that string even though there is not a finger on it. An X means don't strum that string, like the E string in the C major chord.

The chords I want you to pay attention to are the C major, G major and E major chords.

Part 1: I want you to play each chord ten times in a row and then switch to the next one. You want a clear ringing sound with no buzzing and without touching any other strings. Play each of the three chords ten times, twice. (10C, 10G, 10E, 10C, 10G, 10E)

Part 2: Now play the three chords in a row, C-G-E. Do that ten times. Go back to part 1.

Do both part 1 and 2 three times each. Your fingers will be hamburger at this point so stop. I want you to do this every day for a week. Each day add one more part 1 and one more part 2. Really concentrate on making those chords ring clearly. Do that for a week and then come back here to tell me your progress.

As you get more comfortable with the chords, don't be afraid to play around with the chords. Make little songs for yourself. You can even play around with the E minor and D major chords. But whatever you do, make sure your playing around does not interfere with the regiment. Keeping the regiment is key to learning guitar.

You are gonna suck and your fingers are going to hurt like bloody Hell. Fight through the pain and the shitty sounding chords. Remember, we all went through it.

Good luck!!

[CM Mark]

Everything BIV said, then work on 12 bar blues progressions. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelve_bar_blues

I have been playing for a little over a year now, and I find my practices work best now a days by doing what BIV said, then doing some 12 bar blues progressions.

The only thing I disagree with in BIV's post, is that on A Major, I finger it 213 instead of 123. I find it easier that way, plus, that way it is easier to switch between A Major, E Major, and D Major.


EDIT: Also know that I am fully self taught, and I really haven't worked much on learning whole songs, just solos, intros, and outros to some of my favourite songs

[BIV]

Everything BIV said, then work on 12 bar blues progressions. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelve_bar_blues

I have been playing for a little over a year now, and I find my practices work best now a days by doing what BIV said, then doing some 12 bar blues progressions.

The only thing I disagree with in BIV's post, is that on A Major, I finger it 213 instead of 123. I find it easier that way, plus, that way it is easier to switch between A Major, E Major, and D Major.


EDIT: Also know that I am fully self taught, and I really haven't worked much on learning whole songs, just solos, intros, and outros to some of my favourite songs

I didn't make the chart, I stole it. :)
But I do my A's 1-2-3 like the chart does. I don't think I could do 2-1-3, how small are your fingers?

[mikeybot]

What fingers you use for an AMaj don't really matter too much as long as you can get it to ring out properly and the next chord isn't too difficult to jump to from that fingering.
Though if you're primarily playing with distortion like do most of the time, fuck that and just use your first finger.
(though I do go with the 123 myself).

[CM Mark]

I didn't make the chart, I stole it. :)
But I do my A's 1-2-3 like the chart does. I don't think I could do 2-1-3, how small are your fingers?


Size 13 ring. I have huge fingers, I just learned A that way, and can't get my fingers to do it the 123 way. I can't do B Major either way. I need to do it barring both strings, and just not playing the high E string.

I know you didn't make the damn chart, I was just commenting on it. The other thing is, for me, I can't do that 4 string version of F Major. I have to do the barre version.

On a side note, for my 12 bar blues progression, I usually play 37 total bars

E E E E
A A E E
D A E E

A A A A
D D A A
E D A A

D D D D
E E D D
A E D D

G

Lately I have been doing it with my capo on the third fret. Se technically just those chords in shape, not the actual chord.

[Legion of Six]

you should've started with a bass.

[J D]

you should've started with a bass.

Why? the bass is the same thing as a guitar only like 2 octaves deeper and without the B E strings. Plus starting with bass you don't really get to do chords.

[mikeybot]

Try a B minor like this
1-2
2-3
3-4
4-4
5-2
6-x

Basically barre the strings with your first finger from the 5th string down, 2nd finger on the 3rd fret second string, 3 and 4 fingers on the 4th frets of the 3rd and 4th strings.
It's basically taking a barre chord rooting off the 6th string and moving the form to the 5th string.

[mikeybot]

Why? the bass is the same thing as a guitar only like 2 octaves deeper and without the B E strings. Plus starting with bass you don't really get to do chords.

I do, but that's why people seldomly want me to play bass. I have a really odd style.

[Legion of Six]

Why? the bass is the same thing as a guitar only like 2 octaves deeper and without the B E strings. Plus starting with bass you don't really get to do chords.
basics. one string, one fret at a time. you learn rythm. lossens your fingers up. gives you a foundation of how a guitar works. big difference.

starting on guitar is like getting your learners permit at 15 and jumping into a semi-truck.

[CM Mark]

Try a B minor like this
1-2
2-3
3-4
4-4
5-2
6-x

Basically barre the strings with your first finger from the 5th string down, 2nd finger on the 3rd fret second string, 3 and 4 fingers on the 4th frets of the 3rd and 4th strings.
It's basically taking a barre chord rooting off the 6th string and moving the form to the 5th string.


I have no problem with a B minor, just a B Major, and any other B shaped barre chord. F shape barre, Major and minor I have no problem with

[Got One?]

STRETCH!!!! most important thing to keep from locking up. extend your arms out, elbows down, palms up. bend your fingers down towards your elbow. bend your thumb twoards your elbow.

start out with just simple chords. C, A, G, E, D. then learn the minors. then go with learning out to play scales. learn the basics before power chords.


edit: also when it comes to changing strings, i HHHHHHHHHATED changing strings with normal tuners. i spent the few bucks and got sperzel tuners, way happier with those and for me, well worth the money. have them on both of my guitars.

[kloraferm]

You should definitely get some lessons (no need to go crazy though) but you can definitely teach yourself (I did and became pretty damn good if I do say so myself, but I started about 15 years ago, but I picked it up relatively fast). Just make sure you don't get lazy about it and later be pissed when you're not good. Word of advice; evey time you learn how to play something well, don't just play only that. Keep trying to play stuff that's gradually more difficult. Best of luck 2 ya

[CM Mark]

Oh, one other thing, at least from my learning, practice going to and from C Major a lot. I still have some problems with it because I didn't work on it a lot. I focused moreso on A, D, E, and G.

[CM Mark]

Just stumbled on this, looks pretty good for beginners

http://learn-guitar-free.com/learn-to-play-the-guitar-for-free/teach-yourself-how-to-play-the-guitar-overnight-lesson-1

[Razor Roman]

you should've started with a bass.

Why? the bass is the same thing as a guitar only like 2 octaves deeper and without the B E strings. Plus starting with bass you don't really get to do chords.
thats what I play.
I hate not being able to accompany myself.

I bought a Uke and I now know 3 chords on it...

[Shaggz]

Yeah, on hard and expert that orange button is a bitch.
oh, wait... I'm sorry...

[Dicktator]

I didn't expect such a good response. We must have alot of talent arround this place. I have a good grasp of major chords, most of the minors but when it comes to B major or B minor it aint happening. Same thing with any barre chord just can't do it, no speed and horrible sounding too. Lame or not i find alot of Bon jovi is playable and southern rock, skynard, Eagles. The stuff i don't think i can learn on my own is simple picking and some leads and intros. Barre chord are gonna come with practice , i hope . Thanks for the advice so far.

[CM Mark]

I didn't expect such a good response. We must have alot of talent arround this place. I have a good grasp of major chords, most of the minors but when it comes to B major or B minor it aint happening. Same thing with any barre chord just can't do it, no speed and horrible sounding too. Lame or not i find alot of Bon jovi is playable and southern rock, skynard, Eagles. The stuff i don't think i can learn on my own is simple picking and some leads and intros. Barre chord are gonna come with practice , i hope . Thanks for the advice so far.


I've been playing for a little over a year now, and I still have problems with B Major. B minor is a lot easier. Another little tip from another somewhat beginner, learn scales. I didn't focus on them for a while, but once I did, I noticed my skills and speed improved.


This is the book I got on scales. Get it, learn it, love it. http://www.amazon.com/Guitar-Scale-Deck-Decks/dp/0825618886/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1229052551&sr=8-1

[abudabit]

Books with accompanying audio cd's work great. Guitar is more difficult than your average instrument to learn though so tenacity is also important.