How to learn the guitar?

Ripper666

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I bought myself a cheap guitar and now I want to learn to play some songs on it. So my question is if someone knows some easy-to-play-songs for me? Or just some tips how to learn more succesfully?
 
[MENTION=11629]Ripper666[/MENTION] i also got myself a cheap guitar to try and learn, But its gathering serious amounts of dust in the corner as i have yet to learn. i found youtube really helpful but i did have to keep pausing it so i could see where their hands were etc and it can be unclear sometimes. Its much easier if you could have someone show you in person 🙂 good luck (if i find something that helps ill let you know)
 
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Ripper666
Thanks. I'll try to keep my guitar dustfree but right now it seems like a "mission failed". :D
Learning guitar, the best advice I can give is to get excited about learning a favorite song. and learning it.

There is free software like Powertab & Guitarpro that helps you learn to read music and learning 'tabs' at the same time.

So what songs do you like, that you think you could play?

*Crosses fingers for you to say Radiohead or The Doors.*

The usual song people learn is House of the Rising Son by the Animals.

So if you're stuck there is always that.
 
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Ripper666
Then let's turn to House of the rising son. ;D Thx!
Z
zobothehobo
[No message]
There are really good step-by-step books out there to learn. You can go in a music store and ask for their help to find books, they are usually really helpfull with that. I know there's a book by Aaron-something. He did one for piano, but also another for guitar. There are at least 2 tomes and it is real easy to learn with it.

For the songs well the first you usually learn in group lesson (that I know of) is "Smoke on the Water", for it's the easiest to play.
 
I think one of the most important things is to know the basic chords and that you know what you are playing.
I know a guy who only plays from the so-called tabs. A friend of mine wanted him to play a G major chord and the guy didn't know how.

So here's my tip: Know the chords and notes on your fretboard, so you know what you're playing.
It may be boring and annoying, but it's very important.
 
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Ripper666
It's just the other way around with me. While learning a song I learn the chords! :) Thx!
Hey man, if you're looking to just learn a few easy songs and not really the technique/music theory behind the instrument for now - use this site: www.songsterr.com
It's got plenty of accurate tabs!

As for learning the chords/scales and stuff... there's plenty of free instructional videos on youtube and such. Also as others have mentioned you can go to a store and buy books, hire a guitar lesson teacher or maybe have a friend who knows how to play show you, as it is easiest to be shown in person as [MENTION=11828]Jod[/MENTION] said.
I've also heard the game Rocksmith (if you have XBOX360 or PS3) is great for learning guitar. You hook up a real guitar to a video game and it helps you by repetitive little minigames to remember where the chords are and things like that 🙂
 
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Ripper666
Thanks this side is really great! It is easy to understand and a lot of songs there are in my genre! :)
When I first started playing, I just picked a few songs I really wanted to play, and obsesses over them until I mastered them.

Lately, I've been learning more guitar theory and I bought some books that come with CD's and DVD's and they seem to be helping me the best, since they are already organized into lessons that build skills.

But youtube and tab sites are awesome to use too, since they cover such a huge range of songs and techniques.
 
How to learn the guitar:

Step 1. Don't handle a guitar for at least a few months.

Step 2. Stop viewing music in those pesky little 'chords.' Instead, think of it in terms of the position your hand is in when you play it. Such as 'bear claw,' 'turkey leg,' and 'old lady.'

3. Again, DON'T EVEN TOUCH THE GUITAR. Focus on nailing the hand positions first. Any guitar teacher worth their salt will be able to smell the guitar on your hands.

---------- Post added at 01:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:45 PM ----------
[MENTION=10446]sisterofmercy[/MENTION] Good! LOL. The entire post was a reference to "Friends." 🙂
 
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sisterofmercy
You remind me of Phoebe from Friends with that 'don't touch the guitar' comment
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Ripper666
4. TAKE the guitar and make a photo with it in your hands. Show it the guys you want to make believe you can play the guitar. Ilussion complete! :D
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Sweet J
hahahaaha, comedy gold!
JCoatsworth
JCoatsworth
[No message]
When I first picked up the guitar, I picked an easy four chord song that I really like and learned to play it. I pulled up the chords on ultimate guitar, and several youtube tutorials... and I sat down with my guitar and started trying to get the chords and the strumming. Then after I masted that song, I picked another one with similar chords. And then another... and then another. It was really easy for me to that because my favorite musical artist is Taylor Swift and most of her songs are simple and easy to learn.

I'm not a good guitarist, still learning... but I am getting there. Good luck!
 
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Ripper666
Thanks. I try to learn Shadows from Four star mary only 3 chords, unfortunately one of it is a bareechord!
If i knew you i could teach you White Stripes 'milli nation army' in like 10 minutes.
 
I've grown up in a house full of musicians and am one myself (albeit only a beginner when it comes to the guitar), but here are a few things my dad has suggested to me:

Practice, practice, practice. I also think it's better to start off with sheet music than tabs, it's good to have your theory down at the outset as it will make things a lot easier for you later on (especially if you ever want to transfer to another string instrument).

A lot of rock songs have easy enough guitar parts- the kind with power chords and the like. Youtube videos are great as well but nothing compares to having one on one tuition, even if only a couple of sessions.
 
I also think it's better to start off with sheet music than tabs, it's good to have your theory down at the outset as it will make things a lot easier for you later on (especially if you ever want to transfer to another string instrument).

Oh this. I always forget there are people who don't read music, sheet music, because I learned as a mandatory part of my childhood. But everyone should learn it. It'll make your understanding of the chords, strumming patterns, everything easier.

That said, as someone who learned sheet music first, I cannot read tab. I don't understand what it's trying to tell me. Give me a list of what chords to play and I can do it. Give me tab and I have not the foggiest clue what to do with it.
 
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