Learning to play guitar

[Greg]

So I've always fancied playing and I finally got an acoustic guitar for Xmas, it came out of the bag last night for the first and I have no idea what I'm doing 

Spent some time on YouTube learning a couple of chords and making noise but how the hell do you remember them all. I think I need longer fingers too   How your supposed to not touch the string below without being a hand contortionist I  have no idea.

seems most on tubule show you a little then want you to buy their further lessons which is fine but I'm not sure who's to buy or if this is the way to go. I've be watching a guy called Marty Schwartz who seems easy to follow.

i also know there's a tutor in the area.

So for those who play what would you recommend, online lessons first then a tutor or straight to a tutor ?

[chrisjw]

I would say, learn the major chords first (A,D,C,G,E & leave the dreaded F till last........lol) & keep practising them until your finger placements become supple.........after a couple of days you'll find the tips of your fingers will feel sore, but they'll harden up with use. You'll soon start memorising the finger placements.......practice the 3 easy ones over & over to begin with (A,E & D)........also, you'll need to ensure the guitar is in tune.......there are a few online tuners you can download, along with free guitar chord downloads that show finger placement & how the chord should sound.

[Greg]

chrisjw thanks for the tips, I'm ok with A and E as you say really easy. I also bought a little clip on tuner with the red and green led display and note displayed so I think I've got it tuned ok if not perfect.

Not sure about a couple of days though, my fingers feel like cheese must after only a few hours

Quite enjoying it though even if it's just a racket for now.

Oh I'll have a search for free chord downloads to.

I can't remember the name of the chord but I know I struggle to get all 4 fingers in place without impinging on other strings, maybe those ones are for later. I'm realising pretty quickly it's quite an art

[andy01424]

May 18, 2014 17:14:53 GMT Greg said:

chrisjw thanks for the tips, I'm ok with A and E as you say really easy. I also bought a little clip on tuner with the red and green led display and note displayed so I think I've got it tuned ok if not perfect.

Not sure about a couple of days though, my fingers feel like cheese must after only a few hours

Quite enjoying it though even if it's just a racket for now.

Oh I'll have a search for free chord downloads to.

I can't remember the name of the chord but I know I struggle to get all 4 fingers in place without impinging on other strings, maybe those ones are for later. I'm realising pretty quickly it's quite an art

shall follow with interest lol been trying for years aybe time ot learn now .....any way free android appp for tuning
play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tutorial.DrawSample

play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ovelin.guitartuna

[Super-Shiny]

Got a guitar in the cupboard, my dad gave it to us years ago, think it's a bass or acoustic thingy ma jig guitar....ain't got a clue never used it.....Also signed by Brian May from Queen.

We tried to sell it about a year ago but was to much hassle looking for people who collect such items.

[Greg]

May 18, 2014 17:34:32 GMT andy01424 said:

May 18, 2014 17:14:53 GMT Greg said:

chrisjw thanks for the tips, I'm ok with A and E as you say really easy. I also bought a little clip on tuner with the red and green led display and note displayed so I think I've got it tuned ok if not perfect.

Not sure about a couple of days though, my fingers feel like cheese must after only a few hours

Quite enjoying it though even if it's just a racket for now.

Oh I'll have a search for free chord downloads to.

I can't remember the name of the chord but I know I struggle to get all 4 fingers in place without impinging on other strings, maybe those ones are for later. I'm realising pretty quickly it's quite an art

shall follow with interest lol been trying for years aybe time ot learn now .....any way free android appp for tuning
play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tutorial.DrawSample

play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ovelin.guitartuna

Android   Wash your mouth out 

[Greg]

May 18, 2014 17:36:57 GMT Super-Shiny said:

Got a guitar in the cupboard, my dad gave it to us years ago, think it's a bass or acoustic thingy ma jig guitar....ain't got a clue never used it.....Also signed by Brian May from Queen.

We tried to sell it about a year ago but was to much hassle looking for people who collect such items.

My guitar knowledge is pretty much on a par with yours at the mo Super-Shiny 

oh its got a fat end and a thin end 

[erik514]

There's a great site with loads of free lessons at www.justinguitar.com
Lots of really good stuff all the way from beginner upwards.

Don't be in a rush, learn to play each chord clearly and practice changing between chords as often as you can. Muscle memory will take over and you'll find you don't even need to think about where your fingers go anymore.
Record yourself and make things up as you go. It really doesn't matter if your compositions are any good, it teaches you what chords belong together. Sort of what belongs with what if that makes sense.
Start learning some songs you are familiar with. It might take a while to learn a new song but the satisfaction from doing so makes it worth it. It also provides a push to keep learning new things.
Most important of all is to just have fun.

Your fingers will quickly harden up and you'll be able to play for longer.

[apostle51]

I find www.justinguitar.com a really great online "free" tutorial. Hes an easy guy to follow and has gazillions of vids and covers a wide range of styles and abilities.

If you want to you can also purchase his books which contain tabs and lessons that are all cross referenced with his youtube vids.




Ninja'd

[Super-Shiny]

May 18, 2014 17:44:33 GMT Greg said:

oh its got a fat end and a thin end 

That's the one

This shapey looking thinga majig:

[chrisjw]

May 18, 2014 17:36:57 GMT Super-Shiny said:

Got a guitar in the cupboard, my dad gave it to us years ago, think it's a bass or acoustic thingy ma jig guitar....ain't got a clue never used it.....Also signed by Brian May from Queen.

We tried to sell it about a year ago but was to much hassle looking for people who collect such items.

Put up a piccie Super-Shiny

[Greg]

Thanks erik514 & apostle51 I'll be checking that website for sure.

Nice collection erik514

[Greg]

May 18, 2014 17:48:28 GMT apostle51 said:

I find www.justinguitar.com a really great online "free" tutorial. Hes an easy guy to follow and has gazillions of vids and covers a wide range of styles and abilities.

If you want to you can also purchase his books which contain tabs and lessons that are all cross referenced with his youtube vids.




Ninja'd

Christ, I hope that's towards the back of his book 

[erik514]

Hope you realise that you are on the path to something hundreds of times more expensive than shinyitis. It's a dreaded condition known as GAS (gear aquisition syndrome) that not only leads to spare bedrooms filled with strange shaped cases and speakers, but also can lead to extremely angry letters from your not so friendly bank manager. On a plus side you can always play Money by pink floyd as he cuts up your cards and calls in your overdraft

[Super-Shiny]

May 18, 2014 17:51:01 GMT chrisjw said:

May 18, 2014 17:36:57 GMT Super-Shiny said:

Got a guitar in the cupboard, my dad gave it to us years ago, think it's a bass or acoustic thingy ma jig guitar....ain't got a clue never used it.....Also signed by Brian May from Queen.

We tried to sell it about a year ago but was to much hassle looking for people who collect such items.

Put up a piccie Super-Shiny

Looks like it has a broken string now:



To me it looks like Brian Mlay but our local guitar shop said it's deffo Brian May ???