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Best way to teach yourself guitar?

Beev

Beev

Diamond Member
I got a guitar about 6 months ago and have been having fun with it. Problem is, I'm not getting any better. I'm better than when I first started for sure, but I have all but stopped gaining any skill at it. The guitar I bought came with a DVD that has helped a little, but does anyone else have any suggestions? I also bought Guitar Pro 5 but can't figure out what to do with it other than download tabs for songs I like and then marvel at how awesome you have to be to play them...
 
have you started on theory yet? if not that'd be the place to head next, it will teach you both scales and chords, and why/how they work, and will start to give your playing structure.

you could also invest some time into learning some techniques, such as tapping/sweep arpeggios/slide, or even alternative tunings.
 
Originally posted by: fitzov
Just get the tabs for music that you like.
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That's really not going to make you a better guitar player. You'll be stuck knowing ONLY how to play those songs. Now, playing those songs, IN ADDITION to learning theory, and actually how to play guitar will probably be your best bet.

I'm in the same boat as the OP. I purchased a guitar two months ago, with absolutely no guitar experience. I first started with just some basic chords, to toughen my fingers up. Then I decided to take a more structured approached. I ordered a set of DVD lessons from the Metal Method series. They have been around since 1982. I figured they should be pretty reliable since Metal Method does advertise in Guitar World magazine.
Its a whole set of DVD lessons, structured in levels, going from Level 1 - Level 6. There are four lessons per level, with a reommended time of study for one week per lesson. Of course, the beauty of all of this is: 1) Its just like having your own personal instructor with an added twist.. having it on DVD allows me to pause whenever I feel like it and work on the material immediately, 2) even though the recommended study time per lesson is one week per lesson.. your skill level will determine how quickly you advance.. just have fun with it.. learning on your own means you have no deadlines you have to meet.. you learn at YOU own pace and 3) Price.. much cheaper in the long run than lessons from a local music establishment.
I ordered the complete course, and what is called Stage 1 from them. Stage 1 is only four lessons, but its at a much slower pace than the regular basic course. Stage 1 is also appropriate for young children as well.. But, if you are a total newbie, then you will gain knowledge from it. The Complete Basic course and Stage 1 cost about $85.

Sorry, if I sound like an advertisement, but this is all just my opinion. I'm in now way tied to Metal Method, but I would definately recommend their series of lessons on DVD if you want to invest a little bit more into the fun world of guitar.

 
In addition to my above post, I'd like to add that in just two months I've learned chords, barre chords, scales (penatonic so far), pulls, hammer-ons and just currently exposed to trills. So, even though I've only cracked the surface, I think I am better off than just trying to peice together lessons and other information from the internet.
 
Originally posted by: fitzov
I'm in the same boat as the OP. I purchased a guitar two months ago, with absolutely no guitar experience.
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And this makes you an expert?
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I just reread my post.. and I'm trying to figured out where I stated that I was an expert.. I seem to not recall if I did state that..

could you please show me where I stated I was an expert?
🙂
 
Originally posted by: jlbenedict
Originally posted by: fitzov
I'm in the same boat as the OP. I purchased a guitar two months ago, with absolutely no guitar experience.
Click to expand...

And this makes you an expert?
Click to expand...


I just reread my post.. and I'm trying to figured out where I stated that I was an expert.. I seem to not recall if I did state that..

could you please show me where I stated I was an expert?
🙂
Click to expand...

It was somewhere in between my post and where you said my suggestion wouldn't really help you learn to play guitar.
 
Originally posted by: fitzov
Originally posted by: jlbenedict
Originally posted by: fitzov
I'm in the same boat as the OP. I purchased a guitar two months ago, with absolutely no guitar experience.
Click to expand...

And this makes you an expert?
Click to expand...


I just reread my post.. and I'm trying to figured out where I stated that I was an expert.. I seem to not recall if I did state that..

could you please show me where I stated I was an expert?
🙂
Click to expand...

It was somewhere in between my post and where you said my suggestion wouldn't really help you learn to play guitar.
Click to expand...


If you just use tabs for the music you like.. and that is it.. then, I will stand by what I have stated: You will not learn to play guitar. You will only learn how to play those songs, and those songs only.
 
I have also just have been playing for just a few months. I recently just purchased Fretboard Logic and I find the program very helpful. Since I started reading it my knowledge of the fretboard has increased greatly.

Also, if you are a member of Netflix they have numerous guitar instructional videos that you can rent. I have found many of these videos to be helpful. Alot of the videos are similar, but you usually can walk away with something from all of them.
 
The problem with so many guitar players today is that they expect to be able and pick up a guitar and start playing like a pro . . .

People, you NEED to learn music theory in order to properly play and enjoy the guitar to it's fullest. You need to learn what makes chords the chords, and why the notes in a scale are there. You need to have a basic knowledge of bars and beat, time signatures, and obviously be able to keep a beat. It helps if you have played an instrument before (such as in high school). Being able to read sheet music is a definate helper, too.

Theory is so important...
 
Sraaz:

I took lessons from a neighbor for a couple months - just basics such as chords, strumming, picking, and basic scales and also key's (what key a song is in).

In between that, I practiced on my own several hours a day because I was BOBCESSED with acquiring the ability to play. It only took me about 4 months before I was playing stuff that had people thinking I had been playing for years.

So I think it depends on your drive. If you want to learn, and I mean WANT TO LEARN to the point that you are sick in the head, then you will learn VERY quickly.

Just find an album that you love and try to mimic that - its a great way to learn. However,

I hope you have a relatively good ear for difference in notes. Focus on improving that too.

EDIT: Oh yeah, I also begged God for the ability to play well😀
 
Originally posted by: jlbenedict

If you just use tabs for the music you like.. and that is it.. then, I will stand by what I have stated: You will not learn to play guitar. You will only learn how to play those songs, and those songs only.
Click to expand...

I'll back this up as someone who did that. I'm no better off six years later then when I started playing guitar. Sure I picked up a little, but I know the very basics about chords, know nothing about theory, and I'd be damned if I tried to find individual notes on the fretboard. Tablature is a quick way to find the music you like and want to play, but it does not teach you how to play guitar.
 
Originally posted by: plastick
Sraaz:

I took lessons from a neighbor for a couple months - just basics such as chords, strumming, picking, and basic scales and also key's (what key a song is in).

In between that, I practiced on my own several hours a day because I was BOBCESSED with acquiring the ability to play. It only took me about 4 months before I was playing stuff that had people thinking I had been playing for years.

So I think it depends on your drive. If you want to learn, and I mean WANT TO LEARN to the point that you are sick in the head, then you will learn VERY quickly.

Just find an album that you love and try to mimic that - its a great way to learn. However,

I hope you have a relatively good ear for difference in notes. Focus on improving that too.

EDIT: Oh yeah, I also begged God for the ability to play well😀
Click to expand...

There's your problem. He only accepts "gifts" ,you know sacrifices, for that personal enrichment thing..... 😉
 
Originally posted by: AlienCraft

There's your problem. He only accepts "gifts" ,you know sacrifices, for that personal enrichment thing..... 😉
Click to expand...

I assume you're talking about God? No He doesnt; He gives freely to people who just s i m p l y a s k.

 
Look around for a chord dictionary or one of those big chord posters. Plenty of online sites just list the chords for songs, and much of the piano music for various songs will have chords names/diagrams as well. You've got to get your fingers to learn the chord shapes associated by chord name.
 
Just break out and improvise... when you play, try to go in a direction that is opposite to how you may feel you should go - not negating relative musical quality - rather, tug and bring forth new and unique sounds, rythms, beats, and riffs. Just play by your heart. And dont be too easy with the strings when you play!!
 
I didnt read the entire thread.. sorry im lazy.. but did anyone say anything about scales... Scales helped me out a lot.
 
Originally posted by: SNiPeRX
I didnt read the entire thread.. sorry im lazy.. but did anyone say anything about scales... Scales helped me out a lot.
Click to expand...

Yeah, post #5 said the next person that says the word "scales" is gay, and has to pay me $1000.

Pay up, and stop looking at my a$$.
 
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