learning to play guitar

[Anton]

any tips?

[BookSmart]

I'm trying to learn too, so I don't have any to give yet :( I'd be interested in what others have to say though!

[Captain Canada]

I was pretty much self taught but here are some tips:

1. Learn how to read tabs. Tabs are VERY important in learning guitar. Start with something simple

2. Learn the basics of guitar. Basics being string names, the differences of electric and acoustic, learn about finger placement on the frets. If you have a guitar this might be easy but if not, study using paper and whatnot

3. Start learning chords. Easy ones first! You dont want to start with power chords and get frustrated and quit trying to learn. I recommend learning these chords first: A, E, D Then move to Am, Em, G, C, then once your used to that start learning more difficult things

4. Start learning strumming patterns. If you play drums or know the back beat you know there are four counts and what not and you can apply simple strumming patterns to the beat. For Example:
1 + 2 + 3 + 4
Down - 1
Down - 2
Up - +
Down - 4
Up - +
(Pretty simple)

5. Learn the pentatonic scale (Is that how you spell it?) Its rather easy but it can be applied to many things!

6. Dont give up! Your fingers are gonna hurt, your hands are gonna cramp, but dont give up!

Hope these tips helped! Tell me if you need help with learning any of these things!

[Synyster Shadows]

I was pretty much self taught but here are some tips:

1. Learn how to read tabs. Tabs are VERY important in learning guitar. Start with something simple

2. Learn the basics of guitar. Basics being string names, the differences of electric and acoustic, learn about finger placement on the frets. If you have a guitar this might be easy but if not, study using paper and whatnot

3. Start learning chords. Easy ones first! You dont want to start with power chords and get frustrated and quit trying to learn. I recommend learning these chords first: A, E, D Then move to Am, Em, G, C, then once your used to that start learning more difficult things

4. Start learning strumming patterns. If you play drums or know the back beat you know there are four counts and what not and you can apply simple strumming patterns to the beat. For Example:
1 + 2 + 3 + 4
Down - 1
Down - 2
Up - +
Down - 4
Up - +
(Pretty simple)

5. Learn the pentatonic scale (Is that how you spell it?) Its rather easy but it can be applied to many things!

6. Dont give up! Your fingers are gonna hurt, your hands are gonna cramp, but dont give up!

Hope these tips helped! Tell me if you need help with learning any of these things!

This is a good list, however, I would also suggest learning to read standard notation. It's rare that you find guitar music in standard notation, but you never know. There could be something you want to learn that's only in standard notation. Who knows why it is, but you never know. It's good to know how to read it.

[jesusogpaign]

Yeah, do what they said.

Also, tabs/tablature are good, but I always regret not learning to read music/standard notation as I learned guitar. It will help so much if you learn it. Also, take lessons/classes.

[Syvelocin]

Get those callouses built up! Play every day, even if it's just for fifteen minutes. I can't say how useful standard notation is to guitar because I don't play guitar and I did voice then piano then ukulele so standard notation isn't a problem for me. If it is useful, All Cows Eat Grass and FGBD (the line notes, bass and treble respectively). Remember that and you're good for a while at least. Tabs are priority. Get one of those stress balls or something (I'm currently doing some daily finger exercises with one of these). Strengthen your fingers, especially the fourth and fifth ones. That's what used to prevent me from playing that damn E (uke).

Try and look for your favourite songs and keep playing different stuff to keep your interest. If your interest is going down and you can't find any more tabs, write something. Could even be a ECGD song, it's just an idea to keep things fresh. It's not as scary as it seems to write a song.

[Miri]

I would love to learn as well. I actually have an acoustic guitar, and for my birthday I got guitar lessons, although I haven't started with them yet.

Anyways, I don't have anything of value to contribute here, but I'll be stalking this thread for tips as well.

[ImCoolBeans]

Get those callouses built up! Play every day, even if it's just for fifteen minutes.

This is probably the best tip given. Play every day, if you miss days you'll fall behind and you'll have a much harder time becoming fluid with it. Practice is the key!

Standard notation isn't compulsory to know when playing guitar, but you'll find it useful at times and it's always good to know how to read music, if you ever find yourself wanting to learn another instrument it will really come in handy.

[Quarter_Master]

The best way is to take a lessons with a teacher(but personal lessons, it's way better)

[Sanctum]

Remember to spend most of your time playing for fun and yourself.
Try to play something new.
Even if you dont know the basics