Anyone teach themselves to play guitar?

[Siva]

I want to learn over the summer, but my parents can't afford lessons and I need to save money for car insurance, so I can't pay either. I was thinking of teaching myself, but I'm not sure if that's realistic or not, would I be able to do that and still be any good? Any experiences/stories from the music community on this board?

 

[Sybren]

If you've got any friends that play well they could probably give you some pointers... I know a guy that taught himself both guitar and bass, and then he taught a friend of mine bass... I don't think it should be too difficult if you have someone that can help you out when you need it.

 

[4824guy]

Try and find a basic guitar book on chords and finger postions for them. Also get a song/sheet music book that has the guitar notation above the chord names. Then start strumming along to some of your favorite songs. Once you start learning the basic chord and finger positions, you can play along with alot of tunes. Then later you can try out alittle of playing lead and melody lines.

 

[Nutdotnet]

Yeah dude, I learned to play by myself. It is rather frustrating at first but it is CHEAP

 

[Gallo2k]

ok dude here's the deal.. I've been playing guitar for 20 years.... yes you can teach yourself to play, it will be frustrating but you can do it.. you have to be very patient and put yourself out there.. talk to people, buy magazines and books.. watch how to videos. the thing I've always noticed is people who teach themselves usually learn to play with alot more feeling and become good songwriters if they stay with it. mostly because they are not relying on theory and the proper way to do things, you just play what you think sounds good and thats usually what works.. good luck

 

[Ameesh]

im sure someone has.



good luck on your endevour



oh by the way jimmy hendrix cant read music and hes good i hear, im sure you'll be better then him

 

[Siva]

<< oh by the way jimmy hendrix cant read music and hes good i hear, im sure you'll be better then him >>


Its awfully hard to read anything when you are six feet under, don't have any eyes, and are DEAD.

 

[Russ]

Yep, I taught myself to play, wasn't even that hard to learn. I just grabbed some picture based books. Even learned a couple of Hendrix songs. Of course, I was never really very good, but it was a lot of fun.

But that was thirty years ago.

Russ, NCNE

 

[duragezic]

I took lessons for several months a few years ago but it was pretty stupid because I played a bunch of stupid songs (IMO). So after I learned some basic things like notes I just read things on the internet and got tabs.

What kind of music do you like to play? I like to play punk but since you obviously don't learn that with lessons it was much better for me to just print out tabs and practice those. Pretty much every song is simple just gotta get the timing and things right. It's not like their is usually any hard solos like Hendrix or whatever.

 

[HuntnPeck]

I've been learning bits here and there. A great place to learn a few riffs and excercises is here.

 

[djchemistry]

Here's a tip: You'll go through phases while learning to play guitar.

First you'll be frustrated with the awkward positioning on the neck.
Second you'll be excited to actually play a chord that sounds correct.
Third you'll be frustrated again because all the songs will require quick chord changes (relatively quick for a beginner anyways).
Fourth, You'll be exited because you've practiced your chords and you're actually playing real songs by real artists you know.

You get the point? It's a really tedious yet rewarding experience. I'm stuck on the fifth step right now, which is making your fingers nimble enough to play a few lead rifts. Hopefully it'll pay off like the other steps have. Good luck.

 

[djchemistry]

Oh and if you ever need motivation, learn one or two songs that chicks like and play it for 'em. Chicks love musicians. Something in their brains or something tunes them into you.

 

[Siva]

I like alt. rock mostly, and that's what I want to learn to play. Smashing Pumpkins, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, etc... Once I can play both guitar parts from I Am One (that one kickass solo is so awesome) I'll be happy.

 

[yellowperil]

I learned to &quot;play&quot; a little guitar (notice the parentheses) by myself. Just start with learning chords and following your favorite songs (the easier ones). It takes a while to build up strength and speed (and callouses) in your fingers.

The bands you mentioned use mostly power chords, which are pretty easy to learn because they all have the same form. Also learning on electric is easier on the fingers.

 

[Blayze]

I borrowed a guitar from a friend about a month ago to try to teach myself to play.
So far its been a pretty dead in street. I have been able to learn some chords, etc... but get frustrated with it to easy. I haven't even touched the thing this week.

I have always kinda wanted to play, but recently a couple of my friends have decided to learn guitar/bass, so I thought I would give it a shot.

I haven't decided yet if I am going to keep at it or give it up. Its a lot different than playing my Sax

If I do decide to keep at it I will get my own electric guitar, I will probably also take some lessons. Need to talk to my dad's friend first, cause he is very good and could teach me lots! Or at least I hope so, cause lessons get expensive.

 

[Azraele]

It's not that hard to learn, but I could never play well because my hands are too small and don't really stretch as far as I need them to.

 

[HomerSapien]

I had lessons 5 years ago and havent played in 3 years. Im reteaching myself.

Its not hard, it just takes lots of time and lots of patience. Your fingers will hurt, but you get used to it. I just get some tab books or use online guitar archive. Make sure you learn the scales as it will help your fingers glide over the frets easier.

Good luck

 

[Azraele]

<<Your fingers will hurt, but you get used to it>>

I'd forgotten about that part, and yes they do hurt, but after the calluses form, no more hurt.

 

[FiddleDD]

www.wholenote.com

it has a lot of music on it for guitar playing...you can teach yourself...just will take a lot of your time to practice.

 

[Looney]

Actually, i think the majority of guitar players are self-taught aren't they? I know most of the people i know are self-taught, with the others being taught by a friend (or just pointers, no real lessons).

 

[johneetrash]

i taught myself.. it was very easy for me anyway because i love music and i was just that motivated to learn... ive been around music my whole life (my dad had a nifty cover band that actually had gigs and he told me a few stories its so funny ) learned how to play crash by dmb when i only played for about 3-4 months... (maybe 5)

what did it for me though was that i was just super motivated to learn and i sat with the guitar for hours on end playing.. just get the basic chording down and learn how to read tab.. then when you're familiar with tab learn all the notes and chords 'n' stuff

 

[duragezic]

Hey cool Nirvana.

I used to be a huge Nirvana fan and played a ton of their songs. I got 4 or 5 of the official tab books. Most of their songs are fairly easy to play too.

 

[Dan]

I bought myself a guitar last Christmas and vowed I teach myself to play. It's tough staying motivated though, especially with all the other things that come up to divert you from practicing. I concluded I need to take lessons from someone.

 

[mackstann]

hey, guitar talk. I like.

i've been playing for about 2 and a half years, although not much in the last year, i've been working alot, school, etc., and i live in an apartment now so i cant enjoy the beauty that is my marshall amp. i like mostly metal, but certain other stuff as well. i learned all on my own. basically, just learn power chords, and you can start playing stuff real quick. buy lots of guitar magazines and learn how to read tab. then look online and get lots of tabs for stuff you like. i never took any lessons, and although i'm not amazing, i'm decent, and i can pick pretty damn fast (that's important to me, anyways.) that's my main talent, fast palm muting, metal type stuff. i can't play ANY lead!!!!! hah, thats just cause very little of what i listen to has lead guitar, and rhythm is just alot more fun for me.

And one last thing--if you can find a drummer to jam with, DONT LET HIM ESCAPE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[brown234]

I suck at guitar.