Just had my first guitar lesson!!
Discussion
ELAN+2 said:
been trying to play the guitar for a few years on and off, i can hold a clean chord, but not change to another in a sensible amount of time or with out looking at the strings!! lol, some old dogs cant be taught new tricks i guess, still i find it very theraputic messing around with it.
Might be the guitar you are using. Try different ones and find one with the neck/action to your liking and you may well find yourself coming along nicely.My first guitar was a Fender Squire (horrible thing) and I struggled on it. Only when I upgraded to a Jackson with the thinner, wider neck with chunky frets did my ability improve.
That's a very good point.
The neck profile of any given guitar will make a massive difference to how comfortable you feel when playing it; in most cases, the body of the guitar is secondary.
After 20 years of playing, I still can't play any guitar with a wide, flat neck with any sort of comfort. The worst one for me was a Washburn Nuno Bettencourt model; the quality of the build and components was exceptional, but I felt the neck was like a plank of 4 x 2. I suspect that many people think all Ibanez guitars are like that, but I've owned two JS series with neck profiles that I found ideal!
The neck profile of any given guitar will make a massive difference to how comfortable you feel when playing it; in most cases, the body of the guitar is secondary.
After 20 years of playing, I still can't play any guitar with a wide, flat neck with any sort of comfort. The worst one for me was a Washburn Nuno Bettencourt model; the quality of the build and components was exceptional, but I felt the neck was like a plank of 4 x 2. I suspect that many people think all Ibanez guitars are like that, but I've owned two JS series with neck profiles that I found ideal!
I have been learning for 11.5 months (I'm only 40-45 years old) and started with a Yamaha FG730s after many recommendations. If the action is high, take it back to the shop where you bought it and ask them to adjust it. If you bought it on eBay, take it to your local music shop and buy some new (Martin Custom Light) strings, then ask them to fit them... oh, and adjust the action while they're at it. Music shop staff are suckers for showing off their skills...
I also have a borrowed electric, Line6 Pocket Pod and headphone and it's much easier on the fingers, although the acoustic takes 5 seconds to pick up and play, while the electric takes 1 minute. But once I have it on, I can play for 30 minutes without any effort.
Stick with it. Take evening classes. Try to practice a little every day. Have fun!
I also have a borrowed electric, Line6 Pocket Pod and headphone and it's much easier on the fingers, although the acoustic takes 5 seconds to pick up and play, while the electric takes 1 minute. But once I have it on, I can play for 30 minutes without any effort.
Stick with it. Take evening classes. Try to practice a little every day. Have fun!
That's good to hear!..
I've been playing for 2 years now (1 of those was on electric) - most of what i've learnt is just basic scales, chords and the rest is off tab from the internet of songs I want to know how to play. I have been having lessons, but mine are probably a lot like what your's are - i.e. I bring along a song I want to play, my teacher will write it out for me and show me and especially tricky parts, and then I go away and learn it..
Regarding guitars; I've got a Epiphone Les Paul as well as an acoustic guitar.. I basically bought the Les Paul because i fell in love with it first time I played it! - now I realise how tricky it can be to play and how heavy it is compared to other guitars, especially Strat's - but that still doesn't put me off :P!,. I'd still much rather my LP over anything else!
I've been playing for 2 years now (1 of those was on electric) - most of what i've learnt is just basic scales, chords and the rest is off tab from the internet of songs I want to know how to play. I have been having lessons, but mine are probably a lot like what your's are - i.e. I bring along a song I want to play, my teacher will write it out for me and show me and especially tricky parts, and then I go away and learn it..
Regarding guitars; I've got a Epiphone Les Paul as well as an acoustic guitar.. I basically bought the Les Paul because i fell in love with it first time I played it! - now I realise how tricky it can be to play and how heavy it is compared to other guitars, especially Strat's - but that still doesn't put me off :P!,. I'd still much rather my LP over anything else!
Foster2008 said:
i really wanted a guitar for christmas so i got given a classical off old santa himself, and dya know i really can not play a thing i cant even understand the guitar tabs on the web,,,,,,,,,,HELP!!!
Tab tells you above which fret (the metal bars across the fretboard) you need to put your finger. The top line is (confusingly) the bottom string. So if it says 2 on the top line, put your finger just behind the 2nd fret on the bottom string. 0 means just pluck the string without fretting it at all.Have a look at all the free lessons on http://www.justinguitar.com/en/BC-000-BeginnersCou... - it takes time but if you take it a step at a time you'll get there...
Foster2008 said:
thanks alot mate finally sum1 has explained 
No problems, you should also have a look at www.chordie.com to download tab for your fave music, but as they're all submitted by users some of them are better than others!I'm trying to learn to read music, right this second, and work out how those squiggles on 5 lines translate to what I need to do with my left hand and what to pick/strum with my right. It's going to take me a while...
Ordinary Bloke said:
I'm trying to learn to read music, right this second, and work out how those squiggles on 5 lines translate to what I need to do with my left hand and what to pick/strum with my right. It's going to take me a while...
Trust me my friend its going to be alot easier for you than me!!!Edited by Foster2008 on Sunday 13th April 21:45
Gazboy said:
miggy man 3 said:
ELAN+2 said:
been trying to play the guitar for a few years on and off, i can hold a clean chord, but not change to another in a sensible amount of time or with out looking at the strings!! lol, some old dogs cant be taught new tricks i guess, still i find it very theraputic messing around with it.
Might be the guitar you are using. Try different ones and find one with the neck/action to your liking and you may well find yourself coming along nicely.My first guitar was a Fender Squire (horrible thing) and I struggled on it. Only when I upgraded to a Jackson with the thinner, wider neck with chunky frets did my ability improve.
Ordinary Bloke said:
Foster2008 said:
thanks alot mate finally sum1 has explained
No problems, you should also have a look at www.chordie.com to download tab for your fave music, but as they're all submitted by users some of them are better than others!I'm trying to learn to read music, right this second, and work out how those squiggles on 5 lines translate to what I need to do with my left hand and what to pick/strum with my right. It's going to take me a while...
Loads of tabs on there! Seach by artist, song etc - also some tabs for complete albums.
Edited by huzz on Friday 25th April 18:58
I don't know if i'm the only one whose had this experience but the first time i had decent gear(Les Paul studio,Mesa Calibre 50)as soon as i fired up my playing improved nearly 100% overnight?Just because what was coming back at me sounded 10 times better than it ever had and it inspired,brought me on in leaps and bounds!
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