Post: #1

I was wondering if anyone else is teaching themselves how to play. So far its been a month and I can make bar chords actually sound like something but not a whole lot more. Ive been resorting to youtube tutorials mostly and jump from song to song before mastering one. Any other guitar players here?

Post: #2

I cannot recommend cyberfret.com highly enough. I haven't played guitar in a very long time but I learnt from that website. It's particularly useful in that it will give you a sufficient understanding of musical theory to improvise and compose.

Post: #3

Yes. Download guitar pro and start learning by tabs. Take the tabs from ultimate guitar. You could also join the forum there. There's a thread in which you can ask people to recommend a song based on your current skill level. You should start playing things like stairway to heaven and smoke on the water. Make sure you practice your scales as well. It's very important to warm up properly. I use scales for this. As you get better and faster, you can experiment with the scales and techniques. Make sure you plan your practice sessions as well. I would typically spend half an hour on practicing old stuff and an hour on learninf new stuff. It's important to understand the difference between playing and learning. I suppose your goal here is learning but if you never just play, the whole proces will start to become really boring. The same goes for music theory. I learned a lot about it by just playing and learning how to play. I've taken guitar lessons in the past and the amount of theory overshadowed the pleasure of playing the guitar. But that's just personal.

Post: #4

(07-04-2014 08:08 AM)Ethan Amarante Wrote:  I cannot recommend cyberfret.com highly enough. I haven't played guitar in a very long time but I learnt from that website. It's particularly useful in that it will give you a sufficient understanding of musical theory to improvise and compose.

Thanks for the resource! I have a guitar that's just gathering dust, I've tried to learn several times now, but keep getting frustrated from not having a good starting point.

Post: #5

Learn your scales and chords. And constantly, constantly play along with songs on your stereo, radio, etc. Even the songs you don't like.
Listen to musical genres you wouldn't normally listen to.
Play along with songs that don't even have a guitar.

Not only are you training your hands, but just as importantly, your ear.

Post: #6

Good advice but it takes getting used to the guitar and knowing which sounds are where before you can play songs by ear.

Post: #7

http://www.justinguitar.com/

Jusin Guitar - Free technique and song lessons, very high quality and entertaining too. If I hadn't learned guitar before the internet existed, this would have been ideal.

"I'd hate myself if I had that kind of attitude, if I were that weak." - Arnold

Post: #8

(07-04-2014 09:16 AM)nogamenick Wrote:  Good advice but it takes getting used to the guitar and knowing which sounds are where before you can play songs by ear.

Yeah. This is one of the reasons I recommend cyberfret.com or any similar programmes which give you at least a moderate understanding of musical theory.

If you can play the pentatonic, pentatonic blues, minor, harmonic minor and major scale in any position, along with bar chords and tri-chords on the highest three strings, you'll be able to figure out more or less anything.

Another great thing about knowing the above is that you can work out alternative chords if you come across a tab you struggle with. Everyone has slightly different hands and finds various finger positions easier than others and a working understanding of theory will be able to use which ever positions are best for you.

Post: #9

Yeah, good idea. I just learned by using tabs and finding a cover of the song on youtube whenever I got stuck. Just experimenting also helps a lot.

Post: #10

(07-04-2014 01:01 PM)nogamenick Wrote:  Yeah, good idea. I just learned by using tabs and finding a cover of the song on youtube whenever I got stuck. Just experimenting also helps a lot.

Yeah, absolutely. Learning from tabs is great because you're always incentivised to keep playing because you're able to build up a selection of your favourite songs you can play along to.

Some people learn with the aid of a dusty old book of musical notation and a bunch of tunes they've never heard of. I could never do that.

I was always interested in how much more of a song I'd hear when I learnt to play it, too. Sometimes I'd pick up on little riffs here and there which I wouldn't otherwise have picked up on. That's pretty cool.

Post: #11

If you're just learning how to jam on a guitar, tab is fine. It is really nice knowing how to read music though, it opens up your options immensely.

To echo what's been said; if you're serious about learning guitar, play every single day. Even if you just pick it up and jam some chords for 15 minutes. You need to keep that muscle memory active.

Start by learning all major and minor chords, and their various positions on the fretboard.

Then learn 7th chords.

Then learn diminished and augmented chords.

This will give you a good foundation for playing different chords in different keys.

If you want to solo, then it's time to learn scales. Learn your circle of 5ths. Learn minor, melodic minor, and harmonic minor. Learn how to play in each of the 7 modes.

It's a long journey. Enjoy it.

Post: #12

(07-04-2014 06:12 PM)thedude3737 Wrote:  If you're just learning how to jam on a guitar, tab is fine. It is really nice knowing how to read music though, it opens up your options immensely.

To echo what's been said; if you're serious about learning guitar, play every single day. Even if you just pick it up and jam some chords for 15 minutes. You need to keep that muscle memory active.

Start by learning all major and minor chords, and their various positions on the fretboard.

Then learn 7th chords.

Then learn diminished and augmented chords.

This will give you a good foundation for playing different chords in different keys.

If you want to solo, then it's time to learn scales. Learn your circle of 5ths. Learn minor, melodic minor, and harmonic minor. Learn how to play in each of the 7 modes.

It's a long journey. Enjoy it.

I second all of this. But, if you're approach musical theory in as rational and systematic way as possible, you might be surprised at how simple a lot of it is once you've got a grasp of some fundamental concepts.

I regard musical theory as one of those things which appears incredibly technical and complex so puts a lot of people off who underestimate their abilities, but actually only takes a few weeks (or months if you're busy) to get your head around - at least to understand all of what's in this post.

Post: #13

Ukulele anyone?

Post: #14

(07-04-2014 07:39 PM)Ethan Amarante Wrote:  

(07-04-2014 06:12 PM)thedude3737 Wrote:  If you're just learning how to jam on a guitar, tab is fine. It is really nice knowing how to read music though, it opens up your options immensely.

To echo what's been said; if you're serious about learning guitar, play every single day. Even if you just pick it up and jam some chords for 15 minutes. You need to keep that muscle memory active.

Start by learning all major and minor chords, and their various positions on the fretboard.

Then learn 7th chords.

Then learn diminished and augmented chords.

This will give you a good foundation for playing different chords in different keys.

If you want to solo, then it's time to learn scales. Learn your circle of 5ths. Learn minor, melodic minor, and harmonic minor. Learn how to play in each of the 7 modes.

It's a long journey. Enjoy it.

I second all of this. But, if you're approach musical theory in as rational and systematic way as possible, you might be surprised at how simple a lot of it is once you've got a grasp of some fundamental concepts.

I regard musical theory as one of those things which appears incredibly technical and complex so puts a lot of people off who underestimate their abilities, but actually only takes a few weeks (or months if you're busy) to get your head around - at least to understand all of what's in this post.

Agree with this completely. If you understand how to construct a major or minor chord instead of rote memorization it's a much greater tool and gives you more of a fundamental understanding.

Post: #15

Learn Stairway to Heaven. Really simple finger picking and the fingering on the fretboard isn't hard at all. Once you learn it (or just the main parts) it'll be a huge confidence boost and something easy to break out at parties.

One resource that is absolutely amazing is songsterr.com. I've never used the paid version but even the free version is awesome.

Post: #16

I wound up teaching myself many years ago. I remember my dad telling me (he was a guitar instructor way back when): "Start on acoustic. Get good on it. When you're confident, move to electric." The advice really holds true since the distance your fingers need to travel decreases significantly from acoustic to electric; get the muscle memory down and you can switch between mediums at your heart's content.

I usually go for http://www.ultimate-guitar.com if I need a tab for something. I've been doing more chord-based playing lately, though.

Post: #17

(07-05-2014 06:09 AM)HawkWrites Wrote:  I wound up teaching myself many years ago. I remember my dad telling me (he was a guitar instructor way back when): "Start on acoustic. Get good on it. When you're confident, move to electric." The advice really holds true since the distance your fingers need to travel decreases significantly from acoustic to electric; get the muscle memory down and you can switch between mediums at your heart's content.

I usually go for http://www.ultimate-guitar.com if I need a tab for something. I've been doing more chord-based playing lately, though.

Similarly, I'd suggest that, when you do practice with an electric, set your amplifier to clean (i.e. no distortion) - otherwise you're likely to not pick up on little errors you're making.

And another tip, particularly for electric guitars with low gauge strings - change them frequently, even if they aren't breaking. Fresh strings tend to sound a lot nicer to me and I find them much more pleasant to play with.

Post: #18

(07-04-2014 09:12 AM)Sombro Wrote:  Learn your scales and chords. And constantly, constantly play along with songs on your stereo, radio, etc. Even the songs you don't like.
Listen to musical genres you wouldn't normally listen to.
Play along with songs that don't even have a guitar.

Not only are you training your hands, but just as importantly, your ear.

I concur, this is how I learned. You don't need apps, sheet music or anything but a radio.

Not to begrudge anyone selling a guitar learning system, but anything after Mel Bay is overkill. The reason I think so many people try and fail at learning guitar is they dont have any fun when they learn, and the progress they make is boring and uninspiring. Apps, books and tablature is complicated and cumbersome without a teacher.

There are thousands of methods out there to learn how, and it seems too daunting. Of course I learned around the age of 5 on my parents guitars, but I am sure there is an easier way. I think its by seeing immediate success by playing what you enjoy.

1) Daily - Play along with your favorite songs, with single notes

Turn on your favorite songs and just play along with them. Even if its just single note plucking, follow along with the bass line or melody, or even the vocals. Just try to play along with single notes, as simple as it may seem, its more useful than any app. Even if you play a popular song with single notes, people will be impressed!

A good example of this was Stevie Ray Vaughn, who would sing all of his solos before he played them. So just try to play all of the vocals you hear of your favorite songs, with single notes. The most basic beginning guitarist can do this.

2)Chords - Play along with your favorite songs, with chords

As you learn chords, try to play along with your favorite songs with chords as you advance. Fifth chords, or what they call "power chords", are a common easy way to play along with popular music. Also using traditional chords, A,B,C,E,D,G Chords. Once you learn those chords and can finger them, try playing them along with your favorite songs. You will soon learn they are the basis for all popular music.

3) Avoid Sheet Music, Apps, Websites, Tablature

Try playing along with your favorite songs for a month, for several sessions a week, before you even look at Tab, Apps, Sheet Music, Books, etc. You will a) learn more, b) have more fun c) probably become a better guitar player in that short amount of time because you learn timing, and learning your favorite songs inspires you to play more. People think playing guitar is hard. Its not. Reading Tablature is.

4) Get a good teacher. Not a chump. Get the best guitar teacher you can find in your town.

5) Write your own songs.

Once you play along with your favorite songs, write your own early on. This is another great way to not lose motivation, to encourage you to enjoy music and not get bogged down in the gazillion learning methods that are out there. Use easy to use recording software and apps like Garageband, Amplitube and others to record your songs. Do this right away, record them in private if you have to.

Post: #19

I'm a self-taught player too, but i play at an advanced level

Post: #20

I started playing when I was 12, lost interest (read: gave up because I thought it was too hard), put it down for 12 months, then picked it up again and haven't put it down since (I'm now 36).

Apart from a few months of proper lessons, I'm mainly self taught. Like most, I learnt by playing along to songs by ear. If there was something that was a bit more complex, I'd refer to tab (the comment above about tab being hard to follow is incorrect - in isolation maybe, but not when you're playing along).

Once my chops were up to speed, I started playing in original bands from the age of 17. Vocals for me came later, once I realised I had the ability and could actually coordinate the two. When I got the confidence up, I started fronting my own projects and haven't looked back.

This is my latest project:

https://www.facebook.com/twowayradio/app_2405167945

Post: #21

I can't tell you how many times I've bought and resold guitars. I think certain people are cutout for music and their brain works that way and others just aren't. I think anyone can get better but I think you either got the gene or you don't and I clearly don't. I know lots of cats who can pickup a guitar and within a few days be playing songs just by sound when me personally would spend weeks watching youtube videos and practiciing and still suck. I just recently picked up a ukulele, was hoping that would be a bit easier. It sorta is less strings, less stretching your fingers to make certain chords. Most uke chords are pretty simple and there's a lot of easy songs. With a ukulele you dont get the real sound of the song and all the depth but more just a sorta similar song to the origional.

Post: #22

+1 on ultimate-guitar.com. Grab or download guitar-pro and get to work. There's also a bunch of lessons on there that help with scales and developing good picking habits.

As far as books go, really recommend Jon Finn's Modern Rock Improvisation. It lays the groundwork for building your own style of playing in a way that easily 'makes sense' and doesn't require a huge music theory foundation

I've written quite a bit about making the leap from a bedroom musician to gigging out. Dedicate yourself to you craft, and when you feel comfortable start sharing your talents with the world.

Good luck, post questions here or PM me if you want any more details

Relevant writing:

On Dealing with Stage Fright

An Easy Way to Get Your First Gear Sponsor

Landing Your First Liquor Sponsorship

A Complete Breakdown on Busking w Permit Guides for Major American Cities

Post: #23

(07-05-2014 06:30 AM)Ethan Amarante Wrote:  

(07-05-2014 06:09 AM)HawkWrites Wrote:  I wound up teaching myself many years ago. I remember my dad telling me (he was a guitar instructor way back when): "Start on acoustic. Get good on it. When you're confident, move to electric." The advice really holds true since the distance your fingers need to travel decreases significantly from acoustic to electric; get the muscle memory down and you can switch between mediums at your heart's content.

I usually go for http://www.ultimate-guitar.com if I need a tab for something. I've been doing more chord-based playing lately, though.

Similarly, I'd suggest that, when you do practice with an electric, set your amplifier to clean (i.e. no distortion) - otherwise you're likely to not pick up on little errors you're making.

And another tip, particularly for electric guitars with low gauge strings - change them frequently, even if they aren't breaking. Fresh strings tend to sound a lot nicer to me and I find them much more pleasant to play with.

Amen to that. The clean channel on an amp is VERY unforgiving since you don't have the distortion and sustain to cover any mistakes. It's a great way to practice solid technique.

Post: #24

I would strictly advise you not to bother too much about the scales. Just learn the chords and the basics of lead guitar (if you wish).

Learning scales is definitely useful but highly boring. I would rather advise you to try to play most of the tunes by ear after you've got down the basic chords and have learned a few songs.

Playing by ear will make you absolutely fall in love with your guitar ( or for that matter any other instrument) because that is the way to express yourself in the best manner possible. It takes lot of patience but it's totally worth it.

When I started to play guitar, the biggest mistakes I made were the following. So here are some tips regarding those:

1. Learn all songs by tabs ( like Guitar pro). It's faster but you are just training yourself to be a parrot. Just use tabs initially . When you are comfortable a bit, start working from your ear.

2. Practicing using finger exercises - NEVER do those. All the exercises you need will come to you naturally when you play. Doing finger exercises will make you go to sleep and you will son begin to hate your guitar. Take my advice on this even over John Petrucci.

3. Learn how to strum properly - Watch Youtube videos on how to strum using the mute strum method. It's one of the techniques that changed my strumming totally. It's basically the process where you learn how to mute the strumming in between the strokes. It gives your strumming a real rhythmic chug-chug-beat-like feel.

4. If you wanna play fast solos, take one part and practice it SLOWLY first. This is even true when you are playing chords which require a fast change or are tough to play. Go slowly because it is fastest way of playing fast. I almost wasted an year trying to learn fast by playing fast. It was good enough to fool people who did not about guitaring much ( the girls) but when it came down to playing in front of experts or even for my own satisfaction, it always failed. So the word is TIGHT. Learn to be tight, even if it takes time.

5. Don't use any bullshit like a metronome. Leave everything technical away. Music is about your natural expression.

6. Don't learn songs exactly as they are - Learn to put your own innovations in the songs to make them sound your own.

7. Play a tune in your head and the try to get it on the guitar - This is one of the fastest ways of becoming advanced to the degree that you can jam with anyone anytime. Keep practicing this and soon the moment someone plays any tune, you'll be able to join them play stuff in an instant.

8. Invest money in a good and expensive guitar. Music is all about quality.

I know mst of the advice I gave you is totally against what guitar teachers usually teach. But I am giving you this sort of advice because I know the only way to love guitaring in the long term is to be able to use it for your own genuine expression. Everything should feel natural, not like some predefined method.

Hope this helps you. Cheers.

Post: #25

(07-07-2014 02:00 AM)testos111 Wrote:  5. Don't use any bullshit like a metronome. Leave everything technical away. Music is about your natural expression.

This reeks of bedroom musician or keyboard warrior. Do you gig out man? Have your ever played with a percussion section? Have you made money from music?

Proper time is the foundation of music. Use a metronome.

While some of your points can be argued for, your overall approach of "Do whatever you like and just express yourself" sounds like something out of Cosmo. Do you also have '21 great songs that will give her goosebumps!'

How about 'Three more ways to blow an audition!'

Maybe once someone knows the basics they can 'forget everything' and 'just play'. Not applicable for beginners though

Certainly not a reliable way to pick up an instrument.