Learning to play the guitar?
Discussion
I'm 26 and bought an electric guitar at the start of this year. I never learnt an instrument as a child so i'm not hugely musical.
I'm having a blast, only playing around an hour a day currently.
It's hard, but the more your practice the better you get.
I use Marty music - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmnlTWVJysjWPFiZh... to learn most of my stuff.
It's taken me way to long to master the riff to Iron Man, but now i can play it and it feels great
I'm having a blast, only playing around an hour a day currently.
It's hard, but the more your practice the better you get.
I use Marty music - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmnlTWVJysjWPFiZh... to learn most of my stuff.
It's taken me way to long to master the riff to Iron Man, but now i can play it and it feels great
sunbeam alpine said:
Sorry to thread hijack OP, but I'm in much the similar position as you.
I have plenty of spare time to dedicate to learning an instrument and a small amount money to throw at it.
I'd been reading reviews online & was looking at a Fender SD60S acoustic.
However, I then thought why not an electro accoustic, so I can plug it in & entertain my neighbours with my 'learning'.
In this range I was looking at a Epiphone Dove Pro Electro Acoustic Guitar in Cherry Sunburst, as it'll look nice when I realise I have no talent?!
Thoughts from people with actual talent & ability?
I have plenty of spare time to dedicate to learning an instrument and a small amount money to throw at it.
I'd been reading reviews online & was looking at a Fender SD60S acoustic.
However, I then thought why not an electro accoustic, so I can plug it in & entertain my neighbours with my 'learning'.
In this range I was looking at a Epiphone Dove Pro Electro Acoustic Guitar in Cherry Sunburst, as it'll look nice when I realise I have no talent?!
Thoughts from people with actual talent & ability?
I would like to throw Tanglewood into the hat too.
When I came back to guitar buying, after a 15 or so year break, I looked on a certain auction site, and there was a guy selling ex-demo Tanglewood acoustics for super cheap. I picked up one which had a RRP of £449 and paid £138, it was a shop display model and had only been played twice.
It was a really good guitar to learn on, with quite a narrow neck (meaning no massive stretching), a low action, and sounded actually really bloody good.
I now have a 4 grand hand made Lowden, but the Tanglewood was certainly not 3.8 grand any less of a guitar.
When I came back to guitar buying, after a 15 or so year break, I looked on a certain auction site, and there was a guy selling ex-demo Tanglewood acoustics for super cheap. I picked up one which had a RRP of £449 and paid £138, it was a shop display model and had only been played twice.
It was a really good guitar to learn on, with quite a narrow neck (meaning no massive stretching), a low action, and sounded actually really bloody good.
I now have a 4 grand hand made Lowden, but the Tanglewood was certainly not 3.8 grand any less of a guitar.
From a very basic perspective learn something repitious that shifts through cowboy chords quickly. Gloria by Them is an example, then have a crack at House Of The Rising Sun gives you a few more chords to work with.
Obviously there are more modern options but that is the gist of it, once you can play a simple song or two the urge to learn more will grow and you'll dive into deeper learning to take you where you want to go.
Early Dylan is another place to start, Blowing In The Wind etc, something you and your mates can have a beer and sing along to.
You ain't going to be a Vai, Jorgensen or Django straight away regardless of what you like
Obviously there are more modern options but that is the gist of it, once you can play a simple song or two the urge to learn more will grow and you'll dive into deeper learning to take you where you want to go.
Early Dylan is another place to start, Blowing In The Wind etc, something you and your mates can have a beer and sing along to.
You ain't going to be a Vai, Jorgensen or Django straight away regardless of what you like
theguvernor15 said:
Sorry to thread hijack OP, but I'm in much the similar position as you.
However, I then thought why not an electro accoustic, so I can plug it in & entertain my neighbours with my 'learning'.
I wouldn't bother. You're paying for pick ups which, in the main are only used when plugged into a PA for performing. On a budget guitar the electrics might be 30% of the cost and an amplifier 100% of the cost of a beginner guitar -this could all be better spend on a better straight acoustic or lessons.However, I then thought why not an electro accoustic, so I can plug it in & entertain my neighbours with my 'learning'.
They don't sound fantastic either.
Well, I woke up early today and was idly browsing whilst having my morning cuppa - thought I’d have another look at justinguitar - watched a few of the beginner lessons and then accidentally ordered a Yamaha F310 for delivery on Tuesday (hopefully). Also ordered some .38 picks at the same time - not sure I’ll use them initially but I figured it would be better to have them that not.
Guitar comes with a 2 year warranty and 30-day money back guarantee - I’ve paid an extra £7 to extend that to 6 years and 180 days
Guitar comes with a 2 year warranty and 30-day money back guarantee - I’ve paid an extra £7 to extend that to 6 years and 180 days
It is easy to learn guitar, but it will take you the rest of your life. The idea is to hopefully have some fun along the way.
Justin Guitar is great. He has two channels: one that teaches you guitar and music theory, and one that teaches you songs.
If you're serious about becoming a musician then you should definitely check out his lessons and exercises in the first channel. This is what you should do if you don't plan on singing IMO. While you can go straight in and learn songs, the likelihood if you'll pick up bad habits that you'll need to unlearn at some point (this is always harder than learning it right the first time).
You can get away with being a more basic player if you plan on signing. If you like singing already then this can be a lot of fun. And it's attractive to the ladies if that's useful to you
(Let's be honest, that's why 90% of men learn guitar). Best song to learn? Wonderwall, of course. Don't be afraid of having this in your repertoire. The people who make fun of it are just jealous that they can't play.
As for buying a guitar, the Yamaha F310 is exactly what you should get, no more, no less. However, I would recommend buying all musical instruments second hand. The reason is if you take care of an instrument the depreciation on a second hand instrument is essentially zero (you can even make money quite easily on more expensive instruments). You should be able to pick up a used Yamaha F310 (or whatever the model was in the past) for about £40-£50 on Gumtree (however, probably not the best idea right now given the current situation).
Justin Guitar is great. He has two channels: one that teaches you guitar and music theory, and one that teaches you songs.
If you're serious about becoming a musician then you should definitely check out his lessons and exercises in the first channel. This is what you should do if you don't plan on singing IMO. While you can go straight in and learn songs, the likelihood if you'll pick up bad habits that you'll need to unlearn at some point (this is always harder than learning it right the first time).
You can get away with being a more basic player if you plan on signing. If you like singing already then this can be a lot of fun. And it's attractive to the ladies if that's useful to you
(Let's be honest, that's why 90% of men learn guitar). Best song to learn? Wonderwall, of course. Don't be afraid of having this in your repertoire. The people who make fun of it are just jealous that they can't play.As for buying a guitar, the Yamaha F310 is exactly what you should get, no more, no less. However, I would recommend buying all musical instruments second hand. The reason is if you take care of an instrument the depreciation on a second hand instrument is essentially zero (you can even make money quite easily on more expensive instruments). You should be able to pick up a used Yamaha F310 (or whatever the model was in the past) for about £40-£50 on Gumtree (however, probably not the best idea right now given the current situation).
Edited by gmugs on Saturday 11th April 15:30
Edited by gmugs on Saturday 11th April 15:32
gmugs said:
It is easy to learn guitar, but it will take you the rest of your life. The idea is to hopefully have some fun along the way.
Justin Guitar is great. He has two channels: one that teaches you guitar and music theory, and one that teaches you songs.
If you're serious about becoming a musician then you should definitely check out his lessons and exercises in the first channel. This is what you should do if you don't plan on singing IMO. While you can go straight in and learn songs, the likelihood if you'll pick up bad habits that you'll need to unlearn at some point (this is always harder than learning it right the first time).
You can get away with being a more basic player if you plan on signing. If you like singing already then this can be a lot of fun. And it's attractive to the ladies if that's useful to you (Let's be honest, that's why 90% of men learn guitar). Best song to learn? Wonderwall, of course. Don't be afraid of having this in your repertoire. The people who make fun of it are just jealous that they can't play.
As for buying a guitar, the Yamaha F310 is exactly what you should get, no more, no less. However, I would recommend buying all musical instruments second hand. The reason is if you take care of an instrument the depreciation on a second hand instrument is essentially zero (you can even make money quite easily on more expensive instruments). You should be able to pick up a used Yamaha F310 (or whatever the model was in the past) for about £40-£50 on Gumtree (however, probably not the best idea right now given the current situation).
Justin used to live in the flat above my shop. Really nice guy.Justin Guitar is great. He has two channels: one that teaches you guitar and music theory, and one that teaches you songs.
If you're serious about becoming a musician then you should definitely check out his lessons and exercises in the first channel. This is what you should do if you don't plan on singing IMO. While you can go straight in and learn songs, the likelihood if you'll pick up bad habits that you'll need to unlearn at some point (this is always harder than learning it right the first time).
You can get away with being a more basic player if you plan on signing. If you like singing already then this can be a lot of fun. And it's attractive to the ladies if that's useful to you
(Let's be honest, that's why 90% of men learn guitar). Best song to learn? Wonderwall, of course. Don't be afraid of having this in your repertoire. The people who make fun of it are just jealous that they can't play.As for buying a guitar, the Yamaha F310 is exactly what you should get, no more, no less. However, I would recommend buying all musical instruments second hand. The reason is if you take care of an instrument the depreciation on a second hand instrument is essentially zero (you can even make money quite easily on more expensive instruments). You should be able to pick up a used Yamaha F310 (or whatever the model was in the past) for about £40-£50 on Gumtree (however, probably not the best idea right now given the current situation).
Edited by gmugs on Saturday 11th April 15:30
Edited by gmugs on Saturday 11th April 15:32
He was/is Katie Melua's guitarist and was also in the Counterfeit Stones. He clearly knows what he's talking about.
baptistsan said:
Having problems forming a C chord, fat finger keeps fouling the open 3rd string. Any pointers, as it is bloody frustrating!?
Just posted this in the other thread:Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 13th April 10:03
Presumably you’re fouling the G with ball of your 2nd finger? I have same problem, though with a 1.6875” (43mm) nut I’m OK.
Have you tried positioning 2nd finger a little higher, it doesn’t matter if it touches the A string?
Having said that, I think many people mute the G string like that, but play the 6th string as G so get away with it. (Me included!)
REALIST123 said:
baptistsan said:
Having problems forming a C chord, fat finger keeps fouling the open 3rd string. Any pointers, as it is bloody frustrating!?
Just posted this in the other thread:Edited by baptistsan on Monday 13th April 10:03
Presumably you’re fouling the G with ball of your 2nd finger? I have same problem, though with a 1.6875” (43mm) nut I’m OK.
Have you tried positioning 2nd finger a little higher, it doesn’t matter if it touches the A string?
Having said that, I think many people mute the G string like that, but play the 6th string as G so get away with it. (Me included!)
That is exactly what's happening and I'm doing the same with my third finger fouling the 4th string
Hadn't realised how fat my fingers are! Am setting the chord pattern and then constantly shifting fingers around so that I can pick each string clean. My fingers just don't want to bend like this 
I'll keep with it & see how it goes. baptistsan said:
REALIST123 said:
baptistsan said:
Having problems forming a C chord, fat finger keeps fouling the open 3rd string. Any pointers, as it is bloody frustrating!?
Just posted this in the other thread:Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 13th April 10:03
Presumably you’re fouling the G with ball of your 2nd finger? I have same problem, though with a 1.6875” (43mm) nut I’m OK.
Have you tried positioning 2nd finger a little higher, it doesn’t matter if it touches the A string?
Having said that, I think many people mute the G string like that, but play the 6th string as G so get away with it. (Me included!)
That is exactly what's happening and I'm doing the same with my third finger fouling the 4th string
Hadn't realised how fat my fingers are! Am setting the chord pattern and then constantly shifting fingers around so that I can pick each string clean. My fingers just don't want to bend like this I'll keep with it & see how it goes. Try using 4 fingers.
The pinky on the 5th string, 3rd fret for C.
3rd finger, 6th string 3rd fret G.
2nd finger, 4th string, 2nd fret E.
Open 3rd string G.
1st finger, 2nd string C
Open E on the 1st string.
That removes the issue of fouling the 4th, and lessens the issue of fouling the 3rd because you’ve got the other G.
I prefer the 4 finger anyway, more forgiving and better sound when you get it right. Unless there’s a chord progression reason for playing with 3 fingers.
Just my opinion, there’ll be much more knowledgeable on here, and I’d value their opinion too.
One other technique to try is just sounding the D, G and B strings at fret #5, and muting the E, A and high E strings.
I've just looked at what I do in that situation, and my thumb "hooks" over the top of the fretboard muting the low E, my index finger is sounding the D, G and B strings at fret 5. BUT the tip of my index finger is slightly touching the bottom of the A string, thus muting it, and the high E string is being muted by the "fleshy" inside of my index finger.
Using that fingering, it's easy to grab a B flat on the high E for a C7 chord or a B for a Cmaj7.
I've just looked at what I do in that situation, and my thumb "hooks" over the top of the fretboard muting the low E, my index finger is sounding the D, G and B strings at fret 5. BUT the tip of my index finger is slightly touching the bottom of the A string, thus muting it, and the high E string is being muted by the "fleshy" inside of my index finger.
Using that fingering, it's easy to grab a B flat on the high E for a C7 chord or a B for a Cmaj7.
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