Learning to play a Guitar

THE_SHIZZ · 18th July 2003, 7:20 PM

Where do i start?

Ages and ages ago , probably year 5-6(im now 18) i had a 10 week course for acoustic guitar , but i kinda gave up . But now i need a new hobby and i wouldnt mind teaching myself.

Got a couple questions

1- Is it hard to self teach yourself guitar?

2- what sort of guitar to get? Im into heavier music so i was kinda leading more towards an electric guitar , alltho i have no clue whats what , i just want one which i can play most songs on.

3 - How much can i scab a cheap one for?

thanks in advance

Rik · 18th July 2003, 10:36 PM

My uneducated opinion:
Grab a cheapo acoustic from a hock shop, download a few tab files and listen to the song, learn how to play along with it, then advance from there.

I have a cheap electric and a multi pedal, which is good because I like chunky metal sounds, but at the same time I'd rather be playing on an acoustic, as the actual sound (ie, fx/distortion) is irrelevant, it's down to your skill.

dantheman65 · 18th July 2003, 10:59 PM

I don't personally play guitar (drums here) but I know alot of people that do (including my best mates and my dad and grandad) and the best advice I could give, if your not willing to follow lessons all the way, is to take introductory lessons for 10 weeks or so, just to get the idea.

You said you did an Acoustic thing, so you might be right, I don't know how far your skill level goes.

But just that start will make a world of difference. The best thing about teachers is that you can ask them stuff about specific songs etc, and you don't develop bad habits.

amobea · 19th July 2003, 12:07 AM

acouistics are good to start with

they build up your hand strength alot quicker

though they are a lot harder to play on to begin with

MiGiSHu · 19th July 2003, 11:12 AM

I have a classical guitar, it rocks

It's not that hard to play, when you advance to things like electric, you find the strings are a lot closer together, and you'll have to learn a whole new fingering position. Other than that, I can't go past Rik's suggestion of tabs.

Later on, you'll have to learn things like chord progressions and such, but still, take things slowly and you'll be really good in no time

blinkme · 20th July 2003, 1:29 AM

1. Teach Yourself !

www.chordfind.com

Your key to success !

2. You should look at the Squier range of guitars as they are budget and owned models of Fender.

3. They start at around $250+. You can get a Squier Stratocaster or Telecaster for around $330(Allans Music Sydney), both are electric in case you're wondering..

Rik · 20th July 2003, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MiGiSHu
Other than that, I can't go past Rik's suggestion of tabs.

Just to emphasise it...
tabs, tabs and more tabs!

Depends what sort of music you like, but there's generally some really simple songs floating around in all genres, and they're the ones to start on, develop your coordination and move on to trickier songs.
I'm having great luck playing Fear Factory and Sepultura stuff, alot of it is drop-tuning allowing for one finger power cords, simple and easy yet sounds pretty good, and then I can move on to something more technical when my fingers learn how to play properly.

THE_SHIZZ · 21st July 2003, 6:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by blinkme
1. Teach Yourself !

www.chordfind.com

Your key to success !

2. You should look at the Squier range of guitars as they are budget and owned models of Fender.

3. They start at around $250+. You can get a Squier Stratocaster or Telecaster for around $330(Allans Music Sydney), both are electric in case you're wondering..

ok well i went to chordfind...how the fuck do i use it

(Remember i know next to nothing about music or how to play it) Oh and ive sourced an acoustic guitar (my gf has one for some reason) so im gonna borrow that for a while

blinkme · 21st July 2003, 6:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by THE_SHIZZ
ok well i went to chordfind...how the fuck do i use it (Remember i know next to nothing about music or how to play it) Oh and ive sourced an acoustic guitar (my gf has one for some reason) so im gonna borrow that for a while

Well, first you select the desired chord. Start with the basics: a,b,c,d,e,f,g.

Then after you know those well, go on to bar chords etc.

Just click the chord on the list and then look up on the guitar neck for the fret location. Simple !

THE_SHIZZ · 22nd July 2003, 7:00 PM

my gf is bringing her guitar over tonight , yay here goes.

Ill report back in a week or so and let ya know how im going for starting.

brenton1987 · 10th July 2005, 1:19 AM

Just thought id bring back this 2 year old thread by saying that your definition of a week is a lot different to everyone elses

influx · 10th July 2005, 1:42 AM

*looks at guitar gathering dust in the corner*

hmm apparently motivation is a key factor in learning

shredder · 10th July 2005, 7:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brenton1987

Just thought id bring back this 2 year old thread by saying that your definition of a week is a lot different to everyone elses

He must have meant a week in 'Duke Nukem Forever' time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by influx

*looks at guitar gathering dust in the corner*

hmm apparently motivation is a key factor in learning

Really it just depends how much you love the sound of guitar in music and how much you want to be able to do (and how much you enjoy doing) that yourself. If you've got that then there is no need for 'forcing yourself to do it' because you just do it regularly, simply because you want to. If you don't have that then it may not be your ideal hobby (it goes without saying).

THE_SHIZZ · 10th July 2005, 7:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by influx

*looks at guitar gathering dust in the corner*

hmm apparently motivation is a key factor in learning

i lacked motivation. Oh, but i did learn to play some chorus's from RHCP and a few other bands, but never a full song. Only ended up playing for a few months.

Rzeractor · 11th July 2005, 11:25 AM

Ive been playing for about 8 years now.
Motivation IS a big part of it. I used to play almost every day now I hardly play it, cept I picked it back up when Mezmerise came out. Damn there are some good songs to learn on that album.

You say heavy guitar, Ibanez's are really nice for metal/distortion sounds. Except they come at a price.

18th July 2003, 7:20 PM	#1
THE_SHIZZ Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 2,477	Learning to play a Guitar Where do i start? Ages and ages ago , probably year 5-6(im now 18) i had a 10 week course for acoustic guitar , but i kinda gave up . But now i need a new hobby and i wouldnt mind teaching myself. Got a couple questions 1- Is it hard to self teach yourself guitar? 2- what sort of guitar to get? Im into heavier music so i was kinda leading more towards an electric guitar , alltho i have no clue whats what , i just want one which i can play most songs on. 3 - How much can i scab a cheap one for? thanks in advance __________________ OCAU Fishing Club Member #6

18th July 2003, 10:59 PM	#3
dantheman65 Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Melbourne. Posts: 3,846	I don't personally play guitar (drums here) but I know alot of people that do (including my best mates and my dad and grandad) and the best advice I could give, if your not willing to follow lessons all the way, is to take introductory lessons for 10 weeks or so, just to get the idea. You said you did an Acoustic thing, so you might be right, I don't know how far your skill level goes. But just that start will make a world of difference. The best thing about teachers is that you can ask them stuff about specific songs etc, and you don't develop bad habits. __________________ Trades List: JeffK, MEX, click_head, joshconno, kimsj0123, mickeylieu, Rickster, Sadant, Scandrew, wazza, ZNIPA-X (x2), krayzeee, Murder1, Maximus666, Parthi, Inquisitor69, kraniX, joey.w, ShadowPeo, mifferz, ASSmatic, muze7, 5days, Bman2, Gumby.One, ccwd, nathantauber,AgentVX, kitwalker, Seeker, dug777, nothing111, eat, renegade_gold, MonoJoker, zoiks, gmturner, TX3, eversuns, SilverTongue, Porky_123, MaximusSmurf, Mr_LeE, Buubox.

19th July 2003, 11:12 AM	#5
MiGiSHu Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Montreal, Canada ePenis Size: Whoppingly Large Posts: 2,165	I have a classical guitar, it rocks It's not that hard to play, when you advance to things like electric, you find the strings are a lot closer together, and you'll have to learn a whole new fingering position. Other than that, I can't go past Rik's suggestion of tabs. Later on, you'll have to learn things like chord progressions and such, but still, take things slowly and you'll be really good in no time __________________ Brotherhood Against PM Bidders - Member #42 PCDB -=- Your Brute Sucks -=- Got Spyware? -=- Bored? Play Games! Ricing is to Cars as to Modding is to Computers

20th July 2003, 1:29 AM	#6
blinkme Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 625	1. Teach Yourself ! www.chordfind.com Your key to success ! 2. You should look at the Squier range of guitars as they are budget and owned models of Fender. 3. They start at around $250+. You can get a Squier Stratocaster or Telecaster for around $330(Allans Music Sydney), both are electric in case you're wondering.. Last edited by blinkme; 20th July 2003 at 1:39 AM.

22nd July 2003, 7:00 PM	#10
THE_SHIZZ Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 2,477	my gf is bringing her guitar over tonight , yay here goes. Ill report back in a week or so and let ya know how im going for starting. __________________ OCAU Fishing Club Member #6

18th July 2003, 10:36 PM	#2
Rik AWOL Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 2,741	My uneducated opinion: Grab a cheapo acoustic from a hock shop, download a few tab files and listen to the song, learn how to play along with it, then advance from there. I have a cheap electric and a multi pedal, which is good because I like chunky metal sounds, but at the same time I'd rather be playing on an acoustic, as the actual sound (ie, fx/distortion) is irrelevant, it's down to your skill.

19th July 2003, 12:07 AM	#4
amobea Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Adelaide Posts: 489	acouistics are good to start with they build up your hand strength alot quicker though they are a lot harder to play on to begin with

10th July 2005, 1:19 AM	#11
brenton1987 Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Newcastle, NSW, Australia Posts: 890	Just thought id bring back this 2 year old thread by saying that your definition of a week is a lot different to everyone elses

10th July 2005, 1:42 AM	#12
influx Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Subiaco Posts: 13,002	looks at guitar gathering dust in the corner hmm apparently motivation is a key factor in learning __________________ The Anti Bogan