How hard is it to learn to play the electric guitar?

[Gaspode]

V100 said:

This, not quite sure how it takes 6 months for your fingers to harden though.

Ok, maybe a bit out there. TBH I couldn't remember how long it took mine to get used to playing for longer than a couple of hours at a time without being a bit uncomfortable, so I guessed.

[V100]

Gaspode said:

V100 said:

This, not quite sure how it takes 6 months for your fingers to harden though.

Ok, maybe a bit out there. TBH I couldn't remember how long it took mine to get used to playing for longer than a couple of hours at a time without being a bit uncomfortable, so I guessed.

I'd say it's probably not very long. My fingers still get ripped into sometimes, especially when I hit a bend wrong. But they were all calloused up quite early. The most painful part for me was barre chords, god they hurt.

[V100]

I've spent about three hours today learning Sultans of Swing. Hard to do with a pick! Fun to play though and dead easy to jam to if you can play in scales. Thank you OP for introducing me to this, like it a lot!

[Gaspode]

V100 said:

Sultans of Swing

I've never managed to get the triplets section right, but the rest of it's ok. Nice chord progression, and lots of scope for pentatonic noodling.

[V100]

Sorry to resurrect this thread, but I'd just like to thank OP again for getting me into Dire Straits.

I knew of MK already after watching a few videos with him and Clapton but didn't really listen to any Straits stuff...

Well, in these two months I've been going through numerous songs of theirs and been learning them, must say they are a lot better than I expected. Certainly excellent guitar playing, and it's been a rewarding experience learning to fingerpick lead guitar. I could already do this, but since then I've learnt to develop it a lot, and have my own little style which I really like. It allows me to get more dynamics into my playing than using a plectrum

As for this...

davepoth said:

V100 said:

I've been playing for two years, am self taught and could easily play that Sultans of Swing. Mind you, I play every single day, it becomes habit to pick up the guitar after a while - a lot of the time I don't even realise. Do it, it will hurt both your brain and fingers, but is very fun and rewarding.

Custard or it's not true.

Soon. I've learnt it all apart from the triplets which I find extremely difficult. I don't actually have to buy a tin if Birds' do I? Vile stuff

[davepoth]

All it would need is the word "custard" superimposed over the video, I guess.

[Dr Z]

Forum etiquette must be obeyed at all times! A tin of bird's custard must be placed in view, while you play!

Will be pretty cool though. Must imagine, the song is hard because you're gonna a have to use a clean tone (as does MK) and therefore cannot hide any sloppiness behind overdrive/distortion. Come to think of it, the solo in the original itself sounds a bit... and dare I say, sterile, probably due to the super cleanness of the lead guitar's tone. If you can do that while filming yourself playing along with a tin of custard in view, you can count myself impressed.

[Gaspode]

And don't forget to play the correct inversions for the Dm C Bb A7 progression, gotta get those barre chords sounding clean! Playing the open position chords just doesn't sound right.

Edited by Gaspode on Sunday 13th November 19:10