Learning Guitar

[JillLars]

I think it would be really cool to learn how to play the guitar, but I wouldn't even know where to start. My dad plays some guitar, mostly self taught. I have had 10 years of piano lessons, so I am pretty familiar with music. I used to be able to transpose guitar tabs to piano music, but I don't know if I can still do that or not. For those of you who play guitar, where did you buy your first guitar, and how did you learn? Any tips are appreciated, thanks!

 

[mamellog]

it is awesome that you want to learn to play!!!! I have been playin for about 2 or 3 years. I bough my first guitar at a pawn shop and I still have it so that goes to say that it still is a good guitar even though it was only about 90 bucks. I advise a good fender to start out with. I think the best thing to do right now is really pray about it and figure out what God wants you to use this music for. basically what kind of music to play. I say that because I only really play praise and God has blessed me emensly through that so I tohught maybe you would like to consider that. other than that you could go to your local high school/college and ask around the music departments for good teachers or ask where you get your guitar or just do what I did and get a chord dictionary and some easy songs and let God take you through the rest. hope this helps

 

[Rocki]

good to hear.. guitar is awesome to play... you can play any song on the guitar.... i've been playing guitar for about 10-11 yrs now.... (since i was like 7)(i also play bass and piano) i was using my dads guitar at first.... then while we were on the mission field (Russia) i bought my own electric guitar. i am mostly self taught... my dad showed me the first few basic chords like D, G, A.. and i started from there... then began to explore a bit more.. trying new chords and stuff..

i would get your dad to help/show you what he knows.. and go on from there...

cheers
Rocki

__________
His Glory shall be made known

 

[JahRawks]

yup, me agree, get your dad or a good friend who plays guitar to teach you some of the basics, I'm currently just starting out learning guitar from a good friend of mine, I don't have enough money to be buying my own bass guitar which I've played for around 6-8 months now, nor can I afford a guitar either, but yeah, I've really enjoyed all of the stuff that I've learned so far, it's been a really amazing journey for me, less than a year ago, I couldn't play an instrument to save my life, and just in the last few months, I've really started to feel God's call on my life to become a worship leader, it's just awesome the steps God has put me through to get to the point where I feel He wants me to become a worship leader, it's just amazing, have fun learning guitar, God Bless -Nathan

 

[Globexgirl]

Thats awesome, my friend just began to learn guitar last year, and now I'm going to start bass lessons! Hopefully I can join a worship band when I get to the Honor Academy. So I guess I should learn pretty soon here. Hehe.. Well, Rock on!

 

[anemdo]

I play guitar for quit a while now, and I'm really loving it! I can play any song I want, I would say, just do it!

 

[thrash]

I've been playing guitar for 4 or 5 years now. My dad bought me my first guitar from the flee market thinking I wouldn't stick with it. I self taught myself, with the help of websites. You have some really good knowledge already with playing paino and all that. You know music ect so thats always a plus. I could send yeah some sites but it really depends on what type of music you would like to play.

 

[FoogieFighter]

I'm a "hard core" Music person *teehee I can't spell * so I 'll try my best to help. Since you've played the piano for 10 years and you taught yourself learning how to play the guitar should be quite simple. First off Eletric belive it or not is alot easier then accoustic *why I'm not shure but it is* I'd just start off with a "Jump Start Package" You could order them off the internet and stuff but you may want to check out the guitars for yourself, depending on your hand size you have to see if you need a smaller neck if your hands are small. Since your beginning dont' splurge on one I got one for christmas and it's an Ibanez Jumpstart package. It came with the guitar *Duh * An amp cables a distorstion pad a tuner picks an a instructional video. Watch that and it will help you a little bit but not that much, once you've got your guitar go on the internet to like taborama search for easy music and go from there. It may look complicated but I'm shure you can get it. If you need my help on anything about that feel free to im me or somthing. I wish you good luck in your music career! and who knows I maybe buying your next CD if you practice long enough!

 

[Techbot]

That's cool that you're wanting to learn! I've been playing now for about 18yrs. My grandfather got my first one for me from a garage sale. Old Gibson replica 6 string. I later learned to play bass in about a week. A friend needed a bassist, not a guitarist so I practiced until my fingers were raw...then I taped them up and practiced some more So now I know both.

I'd say start basic. Learn as many chords as you can. From those chords you can play any lead you want. There are tons of chord books out there. Foogie is right, an electric is a bit easier to play than acoustic. Acoustic is great and all, but it takes a bit more finger strength and dexterity to hold an entire chord down correctly. To start off with, go electric. You already know piano, so the transition should be simple once you learn where the notes are on the fretboard.

 

[Skittler]

Here are great places to start

www.guitarnoise.com
www.cyberfret.com
www.ultimate-guitar.com
www.wholenote.com
www.visionmusic.com

 

[Kydra]

tabs are easy to learn

 

[juxrox]

what everyone has said is fantastic and i suggest that you listen to these people because they obviousely have a lot of experience in the field and know what they're saying

im just starting to self teach myself guitar and have picked up a few handy hints from you guys - cheers

jono

 

[chrisforshort]

I'd say learn how to use a pick. I see too many beginners playing without one cause they just don't like it. That's like eating cereal without a spoon. "I just don't like it..."

 

[Techbot]

I'd say learn how to use a pick. I see too many beginners playing without one cause they just don't like it. That's like eating cereal without a spoon. "I just don't like it..."

More specifically, alternate picking.

 

[Brokenleaf]

I would suggest starting with acoustic. That way, when you try electric, you will have enough finger strength. Trying to do it in reverse is annoying.

 

[fisheye]

hmm.....I think you should just buy what you want, there's no fun in buying an electric if you really want an acoustic, i made that mistake.
but then again many of these guys have played for longer than me, so they probably know more about it than I do

 

[faith177]

I really want to learn acoustic, is gibson a good guitar, there are a couple at the pawn shop, is it really hard on your fingers?

 

[Rocki]

electric is easier on the fingers then an acoustic. and acoustic requires more finger strength if you are playing bar-chords and what not. atleast thats what i've noticed. but an acoustic has better sound.. for worship or playing in church.. i prefer using an acoustic and finger picking.

 

[Rocki]

I really want to learn acoustic, is gibson a good guitar, there are a couple at the pawn shop, is it really hard on your fingers?

A Gibson is a great guitar.