Guitar players....

[pumpkincat210]

I am seriously considering buying an electric guitar. I love music and really want to learn how to play my favorite instrument. I used to take piano lessons, but i have forgotten almost everything.
If you play can you tell me some pointers on how to learn? Should I be self taught or go for lessons? How long did it take you to get really good?
I don't know where to start.

 

[burnitdown_x]

I'm not a guitar player, but I used to be interested in guitar playing. I picked up the acoustic guitar about two years ago, I tried to be self-taught but it just didn't work. I just didn't know where to begin and the books, videos didn't help much either. It sort of felt like there was so much to learn and I had no idea where to begin. I eventually just didn't care anymore and I gave it up. My brother picked up an electric guitar awhile ago and he's been learning by himself, he's doing alright. My best advice would be to get lessons because they can really help you get started with the basics and help you build up more skills.

 

[SmileyfacedPen]

I've been playing guitar for... almost six years, and I go to lessons. My neighbour teaches me, and he is just amazing. He's entirely self-taught, but he's been playing for more than fourty years.

I don't think that I would be nearly as good as I am (well, my teacher keeps telling me that I'm fantastic, and while I don't think I'm that good, I suppose he would know better than me ) without taking lessons. We don't use regular music notation, he's made his own that is SO much easier to read and understand. I think the biggest advantage to taking lessons is that you have someone to show you how to play, which is the best part for me.

There are a lot of websites that have tabs on them, which you could use if you wanted to try to teach yourself before deciding if you want to pay for lessons. I like mxtabs.net, but I'm sure there are a lot more that are good too.

Either way, you will do great! Everyone learns at different speeds, so don't feel frustrated if you feel like you're not learning as fast as you "should" be.

 

[Sanayhs]

If you're not in an enormous hurry to have what you're doing sound like something recognizable, self-taught can definitely work. You start by learning to read tabs (really not hard) and teaching yourself the basic chords, and once you get the hang of those you practise switching between them. You can add more chords and start looking up beginner tabbed songs from there.

 

[pumpkincat210]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sanayhs If you're not in an enormous hurry to have what you're doing sound like something recognizable, self-taught can definitely work. You start by learning to read tabs (really not hard) and teaching yourself the basic chords, and once you get the hang of those you practise switching between them. You can add more chords and start looking up beginner tabbed songs from there.

can i learn the tabs and chords with a picture of a guitar only? I have been putting off ordering one until I move which hopefully won't be long from now.

 

[Sanayhs]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pumpkincat210 can i learn the tabs and chords with a picture of a guitar only? I have been putting off ordering one until I move which hopefully won't be long from now.

You can learn how to read tabs absolutely, and then memorize some chords. You just won't be able to practise them, which is the second half of learning them.

Basic stuff Like A, C, E, G to start with, you know? And hey, once you memorize the fingering for them, it'll mean that come time to practise you won't have to spend so much time staring at a page and going back and forth.

 

[Esperanza]

I don't know much about guitar myself but my boyfriend and my father both play (electric and acoustic guitars) and they didn't take any lessons. Well my bf learns with a friend who's teaching him how to play in an easy way than in a regular music class and it's much more understandable for him, he has really improved since then.

You can also use a music software like Guitar Pro, it's a really good one and it's really understandable as well. you can check it out there: Guitar Pro - Tablature Editor Software for Guitar, Bass, and Banjo

 

[animecute]

Once you know the basics you can practise by finding tabs and chords online.

I am self-taught and I started a few months ago.

Here's the site I use: Music Educators Institute

In my school district's online school it counts as a coruse so it's pretty good.
I have to say it's really good cause it's all in one site and it has videos and soundclips. You can even search how tos on Youtube.

The only downside to this is if you don't get it you have to ask a friend which hopefully you have a friend you can ask for help. Oh and for each "classroom" (basically a coruse or level) you have to do one written assignment but it's really basic to make sure you understand.

HTH

 

[redambition]

i haven't picked up my guitar in years (maybe I should...) but i taught myself what little i know from books and chord diagrams.

it is perfectly possible to teach yourself some guitar skills if you have the drive and patience to do it, but if you end up absolutely loving it and want to expand on your skills then lessons can be a big help.

 

[k.a.t]

Well i picked up an electric a couple years ago and tried to teach myself...i got as far as reading tabs lol I eventually gave up because i didn't have the patience and motivation, so that can be a problem if you don't have the patience for it.
Now my guitar just sits there collecting dust lol

 

[chocolategoddes]

BUMP

I'm extremely interested in learning. I'll hopefully get my electric sometime VERY soon. At the moment, I'm lurking craigslist for a good quality guitar for an affordable price.
I found some good lessons on youtube so I'll be partially self-taught. Some of the best, legendary guitarists are self-taught.