Guitar Players

Mr.Ceefus · 10-13-2011, 08:21 AM

I'm getting my first guitar today. I'm starting off with an acoustic as I've been told it makes electric easier to pick up when you do switch. Also its a good test of whether or not I'll be able to actually learn to play well before I drop a huge amount for a nice electric.

I have no ambitions of becoming a guitar god, but I'd like to become proficient with both acoustic and electric guitars. I know it will take years, but I'm just looking for any advice you may have for a beginner. What are some things I should be doing and what are some things to expect?

bluz74 · 10-13-2011, 08:34 AM

Good beginner songs to learn for acoustic:

Knockin' on Heavens Door - Dylan
Wonderwall - Oasis
Nutshell - Alice in Chains
Simple Man - Skynrd

Smertnik · 10-13-2011, 08:50 AM

Some knowledge of music theory is always useful, especially if you're planning to improvise at some point. Things like scales, chords, etc. Memorise where to fret in order to play certain notes. And of course practise, practise, practise.

SHOCKS · 10-13-2011, 09:09 AM

Just start off with riffs to get use to holding down strings and strumming and pretty much most things, then move on to chords, then songs.

FreemanForPrez · 10-13-2011, 09:59 AM

I say pick up a good chord book, or even find it all online for free, then learn and memorize all the open chords. Major, minor, suspended, particularly A, Am, E, Em, D, Dm, C, G, and so on.

Then move on to barre chords after you've built up some callouses.

And then, uhh... just play stuff.

Mr.Ceefus · 10-13-2011, 05:32 PM

So far so good. I'm a bit suprised by how hard you have to press the strings to hit a chord. My fingers are killing me, but I'm having fun with it.

Anoddhermit · 10-13-2011, 05:50 PM

Take lessons. Some people learn on their own with success, but you can develop bad habits pretty easily.

Nylon string is easier to play than steel when it comes to acoustics, easier on your fingers particularly. But some people prefer steel string for musical taste reasons.

If you want to do more than guitar or make your own music, learn with standard notation rather than tabs.

Probably also a good idea to get some software that'll play music along with it's notation to help you learn. There are some pretty cheap and possibly even free ones that are good I believe.

Don't worry about sounding awful early on, a lot of it is muscle memory or finger/grip strength stuff that ends up becoming automatic once you've played long enough. Expect to be bumping strings and getting lots of dead notes in the beginning.

Mr.Ceefus · 10-14-2011, 12:31 PM

Thanks all. Been looking into different software to help. Gibson seems to have the most acclaimed, but also the most pricey of course. I'll probably get it though. Should I be doing chords by the book or can I do whats comfy to me? For instance, a major I find to be easier with just my index finger rather than using my last three as instructed.

mike90t09 · 10-14-2011, 12:34 PM

Guitar is all about what works for you. If playing that chord feels more comfortable the way you play it then by all means play it like that.

Bearkin · 10-14-2011, 12:36 PM

If it suggests you to use your weak fingers, use them. If you don't strengthen and learn to use your weak fingers now, you'll never learn.

It's like drumming. If you learn to drum holding the sticks wrong, it's almost impossible to correct it.

Warseth · 10-14-2011, 12:46 PM

Acoustic has limitations though. The unique sound is all it brings and the draw back is far less frets than a good electric.
Most are..but some acoustics come with pickups ..few more frets..and cut out for better hand positioning on higher frets.

Anyway...there is nothing wrong with going straight to electric. The silly thing about going Acoustic first then it would make electric more easy is based on probably finger training.

Look...if you intend on going electric ...just do it. You can purchase a cheap portable amp for now.

Also there are things you need to learn with electric that most acoustics can't do. High speed finger tapping, Pull off tapping, using harmonics , and using the "wammy" bar. Some acoustics you may be able to use these finger techniques but it sounds like crap. The use of amps, petals , and finger or pick techniques give you some sounds an acoustic can never pull off...not unless its some acoustic electric hybrid and even then its limited.

The music you plan on playing is what will determine what you should lean towards also.

You plan on doing metal,rock, etc etc...yah go electric.

You are going more folksy, classical, flamingao style playing, ...country ... the acoustic will work out best.

Up to you...played since 7th grade and learned on my own. By the time I started my first year of college I finally tried music lessons. I was kicked out after 3 days due to the fact I played well ..too well. The point my teacher made was you don't have to learn how to read notes to play ...

Which comes down to something I insist you look into.. Learn how to read Tabs for songs you like. Guitar magazine back in my day used to publish many popular songs for you to learn.

Tabs are probably all over the net now...luck you cause the NET did not exist so I had to play by ear and wait for tabs to show up at the guitar shop.

Good luck.... and personally picking a Gibson,Jackson,Fender, and or Ibanez electrics you will be fine. Acoustic world I am not super familiar with....

unserene · 10-14-2011, 02:31 PM

You also might want to check out Guitar Pro. There are thousands of tabs to be found at http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/.
Good luck and persevere.

Baller · 10-14-2011, 03:06 PM

i started out with electric and instantly got into acoustic. I guess it works both ways :P

I recommend learning crazy train. Even on acoustic it sounds great. The timing measure and the movement in your fingers, it's a good beginner song.

johnnyt92 · 10-14-2011, 03:08 PM

The first thing you'll realise when you first start playing is your fingertips will hurt alot!

the best advice is to learn some basic chords that have been listed above like Am, Em, G, C, D, Dm, F, learm some of your favourite songs and have fun. One of the things you might want to invest in is a Capo if you really enjoy playing acoustic guitar. Never get dis-heartened if you can't play something straight away, you will get better with practice.

Most of all have fun and welcome to the 'Brotherhood' my friend!

Mr.Ceefus · 10-17-2011, 10:51 AM

So far my chords are sounding good, except for some bar chords which I find extremely difficult and akward. I've been working on learning 'Oh Pretty Woman' which is a very simple song. I know the frets and the strums, but now its a matter of putting them together fast enough too sound right. I had no idea how uncoordinated and non-dextrous I was until now. Aside from guitar practice, what are some other exercises I can do to improve these skills?

10-13-2011, 08:21 AM	#1
Mr.Ceefus Join Date: Feb 2010 Reputation: 1452 Posts: 825	Guitar Players I'm getting my first guitar today. I'm starting off with an acoustic as I've been told it makes electric easier to pick up when you do switch. Also its a good test of whether or not I'll be able to actually learn to play well before I drop a huge amount for a nice electric. I have no ambitions of becoming a guitar god, but I'd like to become proficient with both acoustic and electric guitars. I know it will take years, but I'm just looking for any advice you may have for a beginner. What are some things I should be doing and what are some things to expect? Last edited by Mr.Ceefus: 10-13-2011 at 09:21 AM.

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10-13-2011, 08:34 AM	#2
bluz74 Join Date: Aug 2009 Reputation: 33611 Posts: 5,558	Good beginner songs to learn for acoustic: Knockin' on Heavens Door - Dylan Wonderwall - Oasis Nutshell - Alice in Chains Simple Man - Skynrd

10-13-2011, 08:50 AM	#3
Smertnik Join Date: Oct 2007 Reputation: 1706 Posts: 3,999	Some knowledge of music theory is always useful, especially if you're planning to improvise at some point. Things like scales, chords, etc. Memorise where to fret in order to play certain notes. And of course practise, practise, practise.

10-13-2011, 09:09 AM	#4
SHOCKS Join Date: Jul 2011 Reputation: 24 Posts: 153	Just start off with riffs to get use to holding down strings and strumming and pretty much most things, then move on to chords, then songs.

10-13-2011, 09:59 AM	#5
FreemanForPrez Join Date: May 2008 Reputation: 6516 Posts: 3,820	I say pick up a good chord book, or even find it all online for free, then learn and memorize all the open chords. Major, minor, suspended, particularly A, Am, E, Em, D, Dm, C, G, and so on. Then move on to barre chords after you've built up some callouses. And then, uhh... just play stuff.

10-13-2011, 05:32 PM	#6
Mr.Ceefus Join Date: Feb 2010 Reputation: 1452 Posts: 825	So far so good. I'm a bit suprised by how hard you have to press the strings to hit a chord. My fingers are killing me, but I'm having fun with it.

10-13-2011, 05:50 PM	#7
Anoddhermit Join Date: Jan 2010 Reputation: 50 Posts: 360	Take lessons. Some people learn on their own with success, but you can develop bad habits pretty easily. Nylon string is easier to play than steel when it comes to acoustics, easier on your fingers particularly. But some people prefer steel string for musical taste reasons. If you want to do more than guitar or make your own music, learn with standard notation rather than tabs. Probably also a good idea to get some software that'll play music along with it's notation to help you learn. There are some pretty cheap and possibly even free ones that are good I believe. Don't worry about sounding awful early on, a lot of it is muscle memory or finger/grip strength stuff that ends up becoming automatic once you've played long enough. Expect to be bumping strings and getting lots of dead notes in the beginning.

10-14-2011, 12:31 PM	#8
Mr.Ceefus Join Date: Feb 2010 Reputation: 1452 Posts: 825	Thanks all. Been looking into different software to help. Gibson seems to have the most acclaimed, but also the most pricey of course. I'll probably get it though. Should I be doing chords by the book or can I do whats comfy to me? For instance, a major I find to be easier with just my index finger rather than using my last three as instructed.

10-14-2011, 12:34 PM	#9
mike90t09 Join Date: Jul 2009 Reputation: 13 Posts: 435	Guitar is all about what works for you. If playing that chord feels more comfortable the way you play it then by all means play it like that.

10-14-2011, 12:36 PM	#10
Bearkin Banned Join Date: Dec 2009 Reputation: 3811 Posts: 1,189	If it suggests you to use your weak fingers, use them. If you don't strengthen and learn to use your weak fingers now, you'll never learn. It's like drumming. If you learn to drum holding the sticks wrong, it's almost impossible to correct it.

10-14-2011, 12:46 PM	#11
Warseth Join Date: Sep 2009 Reputation: 455 Posts: 1,423	Acoustic has limitations though. The unique sound is all it brings and the draw back is far less frets than a good electric. Most are..but some acoustics come with pickups ..few more frets..and cut out for better hand positioning on higher frets. Anyway...there is nothing wrong with going straight to electric. The silly thing about going Acoustic first then it would make electric more easy is based on probably finger training. Look...if you intend on going electric ...just do it. You can purchase a cheap portable amp for now. Also there are things you need to learn with electric that most acoustics can't do. High speed finger tapping, Pull off tapping, using harmonics , and using the "wammy" bar. Some acoustics you may be able to use these finger techniques but it sounds like crap. The use of amps, petals , and finger or pick techniques give you some sounds an acoustic can never pull off...not unless its some acoustic electric hybrid and even then its limited. The music you plan on playing is what will determine what you should lean towards also. You plan on doing metal,rock, etc etc...yah go electric. You are going more folksy, classical, flamingao style playing, ...country ... the acoustic will work out best. Up to you...played since 7th grade and learned on my own. By the time I started my first year of college I finally tried music lessons. I was kicked out after 3 days due to the fact I played well ..too well. The point my teacher made was you don't have to learn how to read notes to play ... Which comes down to something I insist you look into.. Learn how to read Tabs for songs you like. Guitar magazine back in my day used to publish many popular songs for you to learn. Tabs are probably all over the net now...luck you cause the NET did not exist so I had to play by ear and wait for tabs to show up at the guitar shop. Good luck.... and personally picking a Gibson,Jackson,Fender, and or Ibanez electrics you will be fine. Acoustic world I am not super familiar with....

10-14-2011, 02:31 PM	#12
unserene Join Date: Dec 2005 Reputation: 950 Posts: 1,383	You also might want to check out Guitar Pro. There are thousands of tabs to be found at http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/. Good luck and persevere.

10-14-2011, 03:06 PM	#13
Baller Join Date: Jul 2011 Reputation: 110 Posts: 108	i started out with electric and instantly got into acoustic. I guess it works both ways :P I recommend learning crazy train. Even on acoustic it sounds great. The timing measure and the movement in your fingers, it's a good beginner song.

10-14-2011, 03:08 PM	#14
johnnyt92 Join Date: Sep 2011 Reputation: 3 Posts: 12	The first thing you'll realise when you first start playing is your fingertips will hurt alot! the best advice is to learn some basic chords that have been listed above like Am, Em, G, C, D, Dm, F, learm some of your favourite songs and have fun. One of the things you might want to invest in is a Capo if you really enjoy playing acoustic guitar. Never get dis-heartened if you can't play something straight away, you will get better with practice. Most of all have fun and welcome to the 'Brotherhood' my friend!

10-17-2011, 10:51 AM	#15
Mr.Ceefus Join Date: Feb 2010 Reputation: 1452 Posts: 825	So far my chords are sounding good, except for some bar chords which I find extremely difficult and akward. I've been working on learning 'Oh Pretty Woman' which is a very simple song. I know the frets and the strums, but now its a matter of putting them together fast enough too sound right. I had no idea how uncoordinated and non-dextrous I was until now. Aside from guitar practice, what are some other exercises I can do to improve these skills?