Learning to play the guitar

[Stin Hambo]

My flatmate has a gituar and doesn't play it much and asked me if I wanted to use it.

Not really one to give up an opportunity I thought I'd try and give it a go and learn to play it.

I'm trying to learn a few tunes from guitar tabs on the internet (basic ones) and it's hard going as my fingers hurt and I seem to flatten my fingers when holding a note and my hands don't move very quickly

BUT my question is should I learn using tabs or should I learn from scratch?

Any thoughts?

[Size Nine Elm]

Stin Hambo said:

...it's hard going as my fingers hurt and I seem to flatten my fingers when holding a note and my hands don't move very quickly

Practice, practice, practice... fingers will toughen and strengthen, and speed and accuracy will improve.

Stin Hambo said:

BUT my question is should I learn using tabs or should I learn from scratch?

Whatever you find works. I learned (including lots and lots of bad habits) by just picking it up and playing. Never really used any tabs or notation, just ears.

>> Edited by Size Nine Elm on Sunday 20th February 11:18

[number 46]

Its worth getting a basic guitar tuition book and learning the fingering for a major scale and some basic open string chords at the nut, this well help develope your finger strength and mobility across the fretboard. Alot of pop songs can be played with only a few simple chords, so it is quite easy to play something very soon after starting, again these well be in the book. Unfortunately, intially you will need to practice alot to get the fingers working properly, so try practising every day but not for too long so you don't get pissed off with it. Also practise the scales slowly at first making sure you sound every note clearly and with the correct fingering. I can read music, but generally most guitar stuff is in tab format and the tuition books will probably be in tab as well. Playing along with records is also a good why to learn but can piss of your roommate/mum/street !!!

[Eric Mc]

Get hold of some "Basic Songs for Guitar" type books. You will find that folk songs and simple rock songs (Buddy Holly, early Beatles etc) will have relatively simple chord structures and you will find yourself bashing out recognisable songs in a fairly short period of time.

Unless you are really going to learn the guitar in REAL depth, being able to strum along to pop songs using chords will probably suffice. Obviously, strumming along is only really suitable if you plan to sing along as well.

[lightningghost]

I recently bought an Oasis song book. I've been ill all week (over half term - bugger) and i've played it a lot. I've improved loads, and am finding changing chords easier and faster. You're fingers get used to playing when they build up the hard pads of skin. I'm trying to use the real music rather than the tabs, but it doesn't really matter either way.

[Stin Hambo]

Cool thanks for your advice.

Someone mentioned that they had a guitar book lying around so I'll ask them for it and see how it goes!

I'm trying to learn Led Zep, Stairway to Heaven - It's a bugger but then again I have only been learning for two days!

>> Edited by Stin Hambo on Sunday 20th February 13:38

[parrot of doom]

Buy a 'learn to play the guitar' book, it will teach you to read music at the same time as learning the instrument.

Its boring, and takes ages, but its worth doing it.

[Size Nine Elm]

The other main tip is to get a decent full length wall mirror.

Then learn to stand in front of it, one hand in your crotch, the other held out like a vague teapot spout, and nod your head violently up and down until your neck muscles sprain.

Again, the lesson is practice, practice, practice.

Also skin tight leather trousers, or spandex black and white stripes, will improve your guitar playing no end.

As will a courgette wrapped in kitchen foil strategically places in aforementioned trousers.

And an amp that goes to 11.

[number 46]

If Size Nines tips don't help then you could always work in a shoe shop !!!!!

[bergs2]

Stin Hambo said:

I'm trying to learn Led Zep, Stairway to Heaven - It's a bugger but then again I have only been learning for two days!

[waynesworldmodeon] NO STAIRWAY [waynesworldmodeoff]



start with some of the classic 'three chord tricks' (there are more than you prob think)

Tab is an easy and intuitive way to learn song & riffs - just dont expect to ever be able to sight read it.

concentrate on getting the notes to sound 'right' rather than just playing the right notes - (just re-read that and it looks like nonsense - oh well!)

You can often tell a good guitarist by the way they strum a chord - not by how fast they can play.

'Stairway' is surprisinly easy for novice players (until you get to the Jimmy Page electric solo towards the end)

good luck!

[regmolehusband]

I wouldn't go telling him that Stairway is easy for a novice or he'll get pi55ed off straight away! If you're playing Stairway properly and in the right key then you're into barring which needs practice, new muscles and a work hardened index finger.

Best to explore the main open chords and start learning and holding the principal bar chords. The apply these by strumming to some simple songs.

That's what I reckon anyway.

[b17nns]

I started with lessons when I was young and learned a bit that way but the best way to improve your skills is to play with others.

[Eric Mc]

Try something like "Peggy Sue" or "Three Steps to Heaven" - very easy chords.

[esselte]

Size Nine Elm said:

As will a courgette wrapped in kitchen foil strategically places in aforementioned trousers. .

Make sure you put it at the front tho'

[gbbird]

If the fingers continue to hurt, try getting some lighter strings - 8's or 9's. I learnt on light gauge strings, then moved to heavier ones once my fingers had become hard enough - you can't beat heavy gauge strings - they just give an amplified electric guitar that little bit more oomph!

[fido]

after a (long) while you will develop calluses on
the entire surface of all 4 fingers...no pain no gain!

i've been playing for over 15 years and i still find it a pain if i don't play for a while so just perservere.

adding to earlier posts - to avoid boredom, try mixing your music practice.
a bit of scales (learn a simple lead from tablature),
some heavy rock riffs to practice your chords & barre-ring (this will hurt the side of your finger!).

if you couldn't be bothered to do either - read up on theory or just practice playing notes cleanly.
i find going up and down the chromatic scale to be a useful exercise.

A.C.M. in Guildford does a 1 week Summer School
for beginners on guitar or bass.

PS after 'stairway' learn 'babe i'm gonna leave you' as it seems to reward buskers (waterloo and sh*tty line) with lots of dosh...

>> Edited by fido on Sunday 20th February 20:49

[Rob-C]

I'd say stairway was a bad choice for basic learning, just because of the way it speeds up all the way through - that's a really difficult habit to break.

[love machine]

Good good.

If you're pulling a solo, never play what you can't sing, always sing what you play, that way your shit will make sense.

Avoid Tab, use proper music. Use your little finger lots! (most guitarists don't).

Good luck, practice lots and if you enjoy it lots, do it lots.

If you love it, you will get very good very quickly.

I play the piano and it's a massive part of my life.

[Denis O]

The most obvious question to me is what the guitar is like. If it's a cheap piece of crap with an awful action then Antonio Forcione would find it hard to play and end up with knackered fingers.

My advice to anyone learning would be to buy a good quality guitar with a nice low action and something like Elixir strings. Have a few lessons with a professional tutor and then go off and play around a bit. If you like it then buy a real quality instrument; Taylor, Martin, Maton and get back into the lessons and practise, practise, practise.

Good luck. Your developing skill with have it's own reward.

[jimothy]

There's some very good CD-ROM's on how to learn the guitar. Check out your local PC shop. I've used one and it was excellent, shows you where to put your fingers, gives you exercises, and teaches you to play stuff with full backing. More satisfying than just trying from a book...