Teaching Myself Acoustic Guitar

[IN51GHT]

Just picked up an acoustic guitar to try to learn for the periods when the car is out of action, or when we have down days in the desert later this year.

Can anybody recommend a good book or online resource for teaching myself guitar please?

[SpunkyGlory]

I taught myself using YouTube, plenty of tutorials for almost every song you can think of. Personally I like Goliath Guitar as he teaches a lot of Ben Howard etc.

[nick s]

I did the same about 2 years ago. I used Justin Guitars free structured video lessons. Absolutely amazing. I was so impressed I donated some money to his website and bought a load of his songbooks etc. It's got me to a fairly decent standard!

http://www.justinguitar.com/en/BC-000-BeginnersCou...

Once I'd learnt all the major chords including barre chords, then I used YouTube for specific songs tutorials. I think YouTube is rubbish for the actual chord learning though. That was what I found anyway.

[Kinky]

If you were local to me, I'd teach you

There's plenty of starter guides on YouTube.

[Trevor450]

Another vote for Justin Guitar. My wife bought me a cheap starter pack a couple of years ago but due to time and frustration with YouTube lessosn, I didn't really get into it at all.

I've been looking at various courses and I have learned more since I discovered his website a few weeks ago than I have in the last two years - so much so that I have bought an acoustic to go with the strat that came with the pack.

[Turn7]

I really dont get Justin, I know he has a lot of fans, but its really not my cup of tea.

[Trevor450]

Horses for courses I suppose. I tried Jamplay and felt like they were trying to make me run before I could walk.

[ehasler]

I've been using JustinGuitar too, and so far I'm enjoying it and feel I'm making decent progress.

[achilles8]

Another site worth looking at is
http://www.learnguitarinlondon.com
Drue James has put up lots of tutorials on many popular classic Rock tracks that will help keep you interested in playing. This complements the exercises etc that are on the justinguitar website

[B17NNS]

Have you not considered trying to learn on an electric? A half decent beginners electric is far easier to play than an acoustic.

[BorkFactor]

From what I hear, beginners are spoiled for choice now which is brilliant. YouTube as already mentioned should get you going.

I started by learning the simple chords that didn't involve a barre (putting your entire finger over a fret covering all the strings) and strumming along with songs that I liked. Then I moved onto barre chords, then electric guitar, and it just took off from there.

Good luck, it is a great hobby and very enjoyable

[Lefty]

B17NNS said:

Have you not considered trying to learn on an electric? A half decent beginners electric is far easier to play than an acoustic.

Really?

My son (8) has been taking lessons for the last year on an acoustic and was bursting for an electric guitar. We got him one for Christmas (a Yamaha Pacifica despite hm really wanting a Flying V!)

I'd love to learn to play (am 35 and haven't played an instrument since 2nd year in high school) so have been doing a bit of reading and doing some tutorials on YouTube but what I've read suggests that acoustic is easier to learn on?

P.s. My fingertips hurt!

[Trevor450]

I've just bought an acoustic after initially getting an electric. The acoustic is different having the obviously thicker body and having to press harder but, the neck is a touch wider which makes it easier for my fat fingers. I prefer the sound of the acoustic and it means I'm not tied to the room where the amp is.

[B17NNS]

Lefty said:

Really?

In my opinion absolutely. I have a lovely Gibson J-185 but you have to work to play it. For sheer ease of play, action etc a Pacifica would be much easier.

When you're starting out the less you have to fight the instrument the better.

Whatever you choose, keep at it, the skin on the tips of your fingers will harden a little and it won't hurt anymore.

[Baryonyx]

Electric is definitely easier to learn on, as the lower string tension will be easier on your fingers. But you can learn on either, so don't be put off.

[Gargamel]

Good luck OP. I am just starting out on bass guitar, but learning from a book and CD

And yes my fingers hurt....

[Lefty]

B17NNS said:

Lefty said:

Really?

In my opinion absolutely. I have a lovely Gibson J-185 but you have to work to play it. For sheer ease of play, action etc a Pacifica would be much easier.

When you're starting out the less you have to fight the instrument the better.

Whatever you choose, keep at it, the skin on the tips of your fingers will harden a little and it won't hurt anymore.

Thanks, really enjoying it so far, hope I have the patience to keep going!

[lunarscope]

I've started learning (at age 49) this week with the JustinGuitar course and find him very engaging and knowledgeable. I plan to take my time and learn properly so expect to spend at least nine months on the beginner's course. I have bought an electroacoustic from Dawson's and have sore fingers already. My guitar: Ibanez Talman TCM50E in vintage sunburst brown - it is a stunning looking instrument and looks more like an electric. My mate (age 54) is also learning with me and we'll get together every Friday to measure progress and have a jam session. Should be great fun learning this new skill. Mate has bought an Epiphone Pro-1 full-size dreadnought acoustic so we can share guitars and get experience of both. We are learning in secret so when we're good enough we can surprise our friends and family. We will try to get our local pub to organise a jam night so we can show off our talent ! Mate is a fantastic singer so he can carry the melody and cover-up any of our mistakes. 😊
Btw, I'm using surgical spirit to harden my fingertips as this is what Eric Clapton supposedly recommends.

[davepoth]

lunarscope said:

I've started learning (at age 49) this week with the JustinGuitar course and find him very engaging and knowledgeable. I plan to take my time and learn properly so expect to spend at least nine months on the beginner's course. I have bought an electroacoustic from Dawson's and have sore fingers already. My guitar: Ibanez Talman TCM50E in vintage sunburst brown - it is a stunning looking instrument and looks more like an electric. My mate (age 54) is also learning with me and we'll get together every Friday to measure progress and have a jam session. Should be great fun learning this new skill. Mate has bought an Epiphone Pro-1 full-size dreadnought acoustic so we can share guitars and get experience of both. We are learning in secret so when we're good enough we can surprise our friends and family. We will try to get our local pub to organise a jam night so we can show off our talent ! Mate is a fantastic singer so he can carry the melody and cover-up any of our mistakes. ??
Btw, I'm using surgical spirit to harden my fingertips as this is what Eric Clapton supposedly recommends.

All you need to harden the tips is practice, and lots of it. A few hours a night will get you there in a month or two.

[B17NNS]

davepoth said:

All you need to harden the tips is practice

This.