Learning to play guitar (again)

[ehasler]

I used to play guitar when I was at school, but haven't touched one for probably over 20 years (where did the time go???). I've always wanted a Strat, ever since my best mate at school had one, and tomorrow is the day when I finally pick one up, after a 25 year wait

Has anyone else re-learnt to play after such a long gap? I'm guessing it will be pretty much like learning from scratch, so I've been looking at the justinguitar.com website - which looks fantastic.

Has anyone else used this to learn from scratch, and if so how did you get on? Is it still worth taking proper lessons as well?

[singlecoil]

ehasler said:

Is it still worth taking proper lessons as well?

Do you have a clear idea of what sort of music you want to learn to play? Lead? Rhythm? Everything?

I think it would be worth your taking lessons because that's the only way you can get a reaction to what you are doing. Watching videos is excellent but the video can't react to you.

The opening question is what a teacher would ask, I trust.

[ehasler]

singlecoil said:

Do you have a clear idea of what sort of music you want to learn to play? Lead? Rhythm? Everything?

I think it would be worth your taking lessons because that's the only way you can get a reaction to what you are doing. Watching videos is excellent but the video can't react to you.

The opening question is what a teacher would ask, I trust.

I just want to strum along to songs I like (mostly 60's/70's stuff like Clapton/Hendrix/The Who/Funkadelic) and not sound like two cats fighting - I don't really have any desire to play gigs or join a band, so it's just for my own enjoyment really.

I never really got on with guitar lessons when I was at school, which makes me slightly reluctant to take lessons now - I tend to learn things better when I set myself a goal and work it out myself, so the online lessons seem ideal especially as I don't always have that much free time due to work commitments. But it would be good to hear from others who have done similar.

[Abagnale]

You tube is your friend. Most pop & rock songs don't have much to them, a few chords underpin the majority. There's so much help online it's where I'd go. Justin Sandercoe on You tube is well rated but I find him a bit of a wind bag personally. Just have a mooch round, you'll be back up & running before you know it.

[vournikas]

Marty Schwartz's lessons on the 'tube are very good, I find (search martyzsongs or guitarjamz.com). He covers most genres - especially blues, which I like - and is easy to follow.