Learning Guitar

[Blind_Io]

As many of you know, my father recently passed away. He was an excellent guitar and banjo player; I always wanted to move back to Salt Lake when I finished my degree and have him teach me to play.

He left behind a number of guitars that are far from starter instruments (a pre-fire Martin D28 and a Martin 12-string - not sure of the model on that one). He also had an Alvarez, which is easier to play.

Have any of you guys taught yourself to play guitar? When I was younger I tried taking lessons but I never could figure out sheet music. Some people can read it as easily as I read a book, but I'm not one of them. I think that if I can lean to play by ear and spatially I will have better luck.

If anyone has any books or videos they would recommend, I would appreciate it.

[avanti]

I also plan on learning how to play some day, there is a lot of great stuff on youtube. My favorite is definitely threecordguitar: http://www.youtube.com/user/ThreeChordGuitar

+ YouTube Video

+ YouTube Video

[Punisher Bass]

Don't worry about learning to read music. You'd be shocked at how many very good guitar and bass players can't read music to save their lives, they play by ear and/or they use tabs. I myself can't read music, I've done it by ear or used tabs since I started.

There is nothing easier to use, tabs tell you what string to press at what fret. If you're so inclinded sing up for a few lessons at a local shop. The hardest part when you're a beginer is building up calluses on your fingers.

[Blind_Io]

I was hoping to learn by using tabs. Do you have any recommendations for books that teach this way?

I'm going to be learning acoustic guitar and I'm kind of interested in some of the acoustic classic rock and old folk music (it's what my dad used to play and I like how it sounds). Most the stuff I have seen around seems to be geared towards electric guitar (but admittedly, I have not looked around yet).

[Punisher Bass]

I can't really because I never used one. They are pretty self explanitory.

[BlaRo]

Originally Posted by Blind_Io

I was hoping to learn by using tabs. Do you have any recommendations for books that teach this way?

I'm going to be learning acoustic guitar and I'm kind of interested in some of the acoustic classic rock and old folk music (it's what my dad used to play and I like how it sounds). Most the stuff I have seen around seems to be geared towards electric guitar (but admittedly, I have not looked around yet).

Tab books are incredibly popular and available at music stores everywhere, but if you want a free alternative (naturally), there's Ultimate Guitar, which is what me and my friends use. Thousands of free tabs for every song imaginable, and they have tutorials as well.

Good luck, the callouses are definitely the hardest bit. Practice long, practice often and you'll build those fuckers up with pride.

[cvrefugee]

I first learned the piano before the guitar, so that helped me out a lot since I already could read notes, understand chord formation, etc. My sister gave me a book on how to play guitar, it came with a CD that you would listen to when playing/practicing. I never had formal lessons for guitar, just the book. Tabs are great for learning new songs and you'll only have to memorize what the symbols and other markings mean (hammer-on, pull-off, slide, mute, bend, and others).

I first started playing guitar back in 1995, but I never really progressed much since I'm better suited at playing piano. Formal lessons would be preferable so you can learn the basics, otherwise Youtube stuff isn't all that bad (I just learned how to palm mute, never knew what that was until last week, )

[Crazyjeeper]

I am a self taught guitar player. Tabs are great, I also use ultimate guitar and my advice is to keep at it. I sucked for about 3 years before I decided I was going to be better at it and started trying.

[Karoug]

It's always good to have someone to ask if you need help.. Don't forget the most important rule of all: Drop-D tuning is gay...

[Punisher Bass]

Also, get yourself strings of the lightest gadge you can find. It will make it a bit easier on your virgin fingers.

[jayhawk]

I myself have been playing the guitar for twenty years. First and foremost, instead of sticking to a rigid format, try plunking around on the guitars for a few weeks...get the feel of how the strings feel on your hands, what works, what doesn't. It will feel unnatural at first, but don't give up.

Learning the guitar is, in the scope of all instruments, pretty easy. Mastering the guitar however, is a lifetime pursuit.

[watisdis]

Self-taught guitar player here. First things first, you will need dedication to this as if you're life depended on it. Why the melodrama you ask? Well, in my experience of seeing several people give guitar playing a go, I can justly say that like 85-90% of em' give up after a few weeks (if that) of trying. The learning curve of any instrument is as steep as most things you'll ever learn in life, but once you're over it, there's no stopping the amount of fun and joy you'll have when you decide to play on a whim.

Prior knowledge of music theory or any other instrument is not necessary but will help a lot. I didn't have any, so don't worry if you don't. Also as Blaro pointed out, UG is the best source for online TABs. Last and certainly not least, always follow the three 'P's of guitar (or any other instrument) playing, Practice, Practice, Practice!

[Jacobfox]

Originally Posted by Blind_Io

I was hoping to learn by using tabs. Do you have any recommendations for books that teach this way?

I'm going to be learning acoustic guitar and I'm kind of interested in some of the acoustic classic rock and old folk music (it's what my dad used to play and I like how it sounds). Most the stuff I have seen around seems to be geared towards electric guitar (but admittedly, I have not looked around yet).

There's also the option of mininova-ing a program called guitar pro which has tabs and is able to play the song and slow it down and whatnot.

[Karoug]

I use guitar pro., Both for learning songs and writing my own..

[Hidden_Hunter]

My dad learnt guitar a while back (he's not very good either ) he bought himself a maton acoustic guitar to learn on. Quite a nice piece of kit

[vanMould]

I'd start out with a ukulele, which is to a guitar what a flute is to any other brass or woodwind instrument. It's a great start being dirt cheap and alot easier to make good noise with. Then you should be able to move over to the guitar quite easily once you got the hang of the fretboard.