Any guitar players? Need beginner advice.

[shepardG]

still no exploding dildo video

Hey abandon how have you been, haven't talked since 2013, doing well? that's good? oh i forgot to mention:

THANKS FOR REMINDING ME ABOUT MY FAILURES.

[ikariiiii]

Acevalefor pretty much covered everything already but,

Equipment aside, best tip I can give is practice slowly when you do. My students usually can't wait to get through a song, and end up stumbling all over it until its done. Unless you practice slowly, you're basically training your muscle memory to fuck up. Start slow, then build up the speed gradually until you can play sections clearly.

things you must learn as a beginner that will help you a lot:
1) Chord shapes - This is usually where music theory begins for many. Learn what major chords and minor chords are first. Then 7th chords, half diminished, sustained, augmented etc. I could go into detail if anyone wants to, but I'll spare you for now.

2) Sheet music / tablature - Most people can't read sheet music and most guitarists especially don't ever learn. That doesn't mean its unimportant! However, there is a nice alternative for beginners: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tablature --- and there are insane amounts of tablature resources online (ultimate-guitar.com).

3) As a beginner, try to avoid using a CAPO, as it will hinder your muscle development. Many online tutorial videos and tablature will suggest using a capo, but as previously mentioned, barre chords will suffice 90% of the time. Again, PM me if you have any questions about it, I would be glad to help. http://www.ebeginnerelectricguitar.c...-on-guitar.jpg

[Charismatic]

still no exploding dildo video

^
Requesting a do over due to no vid

[Abandon]

Hey abandon how have you been, haven't talked since 2013, doing well? that's good? oh i forgot to mention:

THANKS FOR REMINDING ME ABOUT MY FAILURES.

i wish i could like this post

[shepardG]

Might be hard (lol, pun) chari, i'm not in florida anymore.

We'll see what happens this march... maybe i'll write a song about it.

[Krandor]

Already said by few people but Rocksmith (especially the new version) is spectacular.

My own personal note though, Dunlop Jazz III picks. They can be hard to manage if your picking technique sucks , but as was mentioned in regards to the switch from acoustic to electric, once your technique is fairly refined switching to them suddenly makes everything feel like easy mode.

I started using them about 3-4 years ago, and can't even play guitar with "normal" picks anymore, the shape is just wrong.

[Krandor]

Also, learn how to hold a pick the right way. I learned how to play in the days before YouTube, so I hold the pick very wrong which interferes with some techniques.

[deshende]

I'm still in learning mode myself, but I've had a bit of luck with the eMedia Guitar Method software

http://smile.amazon.com/eMedia-EG100...sr_1_3?ie=UTF8

Kind of walks you through one chord at a time. There's some lame songs and the guy singing the songs is kind of odd, but I have felt like I've made progress, advancing in the chapters.

I find Rock Smith is good for muscle memory and building your finger strength, and Guitar Method is good for actually learning the chords.

(But again, grain of salt since I'm still learning as well).

[ikariiiii]

The best advice I can give to you is learn how to play chords starting on different strings.

(in tab format, standard tuning) For instance:
C major on the E string 8 10 10 9 8 8
C major on the A string x 3 5 5 5 x
C major on the D string x x 10 12 13 12

A minor on the E string 5 7 7 5 5 5
A minor on the A string x 0 2 2 1 x
A minor on the D string x x 7 9 8 8

Knowing this will improve your flexibility on the board. A lot of people get stuck on this concept, but once you master it, it will change your playing immensely. There is no "one true way" to play a chord.

[Abandon]

I'm no guitarist, but music theory will go a looooooooong way in helping you learn to play, particularly with others. There's a reason people pay money through school to get that shit down, even though it's not a particularly useful major unless you make an orchestra of some type *cough*

[Shadowstalker]

The best advice I can give to you is learn how to play chords starting on different strings.

(in tab format, standard tuning) For instance:
C major on the E string 8 10 10 9 8 8
C major on the A string x 3 5 5 5 x
C major on the D string x x 10 12 13 12

Don't forget the easier to play : x 3 2 0 1 0 C chord as well. That way yo udon't have to either cram your m/r/p fingers together or bar it with your pinky/ring. Takes a while to get used to that, though I do recommend learning the shape eventually because you'll be able to take that shape and apply it to any chord, (playing x 2 4 4 4 x for example is a B chord.)

[Bail]

Also, learn how to hold a pick the right way. I learned how to play in the days before YouTube, so I hold the pick very wrong which interferes with some techniques.

This, coupled with what Ace said about learning good habits early instead of breaking bad habits. I've played for 16 years now. It was really hard for me to hold a pick at the start because I am a lefty and I was learning how to play right-handed. I've seen a plug for Ibanez and one for Peavy. My personal preference is the Epiphone version of the Les Paul. A brand new one will run near the top of your budget, but they usually sell used for around $200 at guitar center. Most importantly, congratulations on getting sober and good luck to you in this new venture.

For my own curiosity Krandor, what led you to the jazz picks? I'm into metal and have used those for what seems like forever now because of the amazing pinch harmonics I get from them.

[Tajin]

Make sure you have a place to practice without people yelling at your or annoying neighbors telling you to stfu, I'm no musician either but as a hobbyist I can say having a place to chill and enjoy whatever you're doing is essential to improve (kinda like learning to drive on a parking lot instead of hitting the highway on peak times)

[Jakson]

Learn:
to palm-mute
the circle of fifths
chord resolution

If you branch out, try picking up a keyboard, bass, and/or a drum kit or machine.

[Krandor]

For my own curiosity Krandor, what led you to the jazz picks? I'm into metal and have used those for what seems like forever now because of the amazing pinch harmonics I get from them.

There was an article in Guitar Player a million years ago with John Petrucci and others talking about them, so I snagged some at the nearby Guitar Center and never looked back. I have the Max Grip Carbon fiber ones, and the blacks (my personal favorite) and reds lying around, and thinking about snagging a bag of the new JP signature ones here soon.

[Plow]

Isn't there somebody that posts around here that created a guitar teaching system that's been fairly successful?


also I totally agree about beginner cheap guitars

acoustic learning is nice

and I still have the fender squire strat that was my first electric and cost <$200 with an amp and cables and everything, some 20+ years later


My main guitar is an original Jag-Stang, I fucking love it but I have to get the neck straightened about twice a year.

[Tellahh]

Way tardy to this party. But gonna echo some stuff.
You will suck, as said. It's really disheartening but once you start mastering songs you'll feel so proud.
Play everything clean/no distortion to practice and usually half tempo, it lets your hear your mistakes much clearer to improve, you'll have plenty of time to crank the distortion and palm mute for accent.
Learn Classical and broaden your taste. Learning Bach songs on guitar was one of the hardest things I did on acoustic but still love playing them (Toccata and Fugue in d minor <3).

2) Sheet music / tablature - Most people can't read sheet music and most guitarists especially don't ever learn. That doesn't mean its unimportant! However, there is a nice alternative for beginners: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tablature --- and there are insane amounts of tablature resources online (ultimate-guitar.com).

This.
Tabs are awesome and easy to learn for the most part, but don't stop there. Learning sheet music can help you branch out and even learn other instruments. I taught myself piano quite efficiently after I learned sheet music from guitar. It's all gravy~

[czarinaB]

I was just studying how to play a guitar online. It was fun. Try it.

[SamanosukeShiva]

There's a video game that helps you learn to play guitar called Rocksmith, looks fun as hell. You can plug in your electric guitar to xbox/ps3 and it will act as an interactive amp.

[Pyrena]

Just got Rocksmith 2014 for my 9 year old daughter for Christmas. It seems like it's doing a great job teaching her. I don't know a thing about music and guitars though.