Good resources for learning Guitar?

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: nkgreen
Get some Esteban tapes.

Do they throw in a free Zorro hat?

 

[jonks]

John Mayer will teach you guitar!!!

 

[Kaido]

So what are all the different styles of playing? Pick seems to be the standard, but I've seen some cool stuff on Youtube like "finger style" and "air tap":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4BYMvVvMg0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbndgwfG22k

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: Kaido
So what are all the different styles of playing? Pick seems to be the standard, but I've seen some cool stuff on Youtube like "finger style" and "air tap":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4BYMvVvMg0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbndgwfG22k

LEarn classical. You learn that, everything else will be super easy.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Gibson486

Originally posted by: Kaido
So what are all the different styles of playing? Pick seems to be the standard, but I've seen some cool stuff on Youtube like "finger style" and "air tap":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4BYMvVvMg0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbndgwfG22k

LEarn classical. You learn that, everything else will be super easy.

By classical, do you mean using a pick?

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: Gibson486

Originally posted by: Kaido
So what are all the different styles of playing? Pick seems to be the standard, but I've seen some cool stuff on Youtube like "finger style" and "air tap":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4BYMvVvMg0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbndgwfG22k

LEarn classical. You learn that, everything else will be super easy.

By classical, do you mean using a pick?

no, classical as in classical style music. You do not use a pick, but it is by far the most versitle form, atleast in my opinion.

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: Gibson486

Originally posted by: Kaido
So what are all the different styles of playing? Pick seems to be the standard, but I've seen some cool stuff on Youtube like "finger style" and "air tap":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4BYMvVvMg0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbndgwfG22k

LEarn classical. You learn that, everything else will be super easy.

It depends on what you want to play though. Classical's very demanding, and if you aren't that interested in the music, it'll seem more like a chore than fun. My personal preference is electric guitar using a combination of flat pick and finger picking, with my preferred style being heavily blues based.

Danny Gatton(RIP) is one of my favorite guitarists. Check out some of his YouTube videos for his great right hand technique.

 

[AstroManLuca]

Just buy Guitar Hero

 

[daniel1113]

Originally posted by: lxskllr
It depends on what you want to play though. Classical's very demanding, and if you aren't that interested in the music, it'll seem more like a chore than fun.

QFT.

For guitar playing technique, classical may be second to none, but if it doesn't interest you, you'll never take the time to practice and develop your skills. This is why I recommend learning a few songs that you really like when you first pick up a guitar. They don't have to be great songs or filled with a particular technique: they just need to hold your interest long enough to learn the basics of guitar playing. I've just seen too many people quit playing musical instruments because they were forced to play songs/styles that didn't interest them.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: AstroManLuca
Just buy Guitar Hero

What do you think motivated me to start learning real Guitar? :laugh:

 

[AstroManLuca]

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: AstroManLuca
Just buy Guitar Hero

What do you think motivated me to start learning real Guitar? :laugh:

Coulda been Rock Band

PS Rock Band >>>>> Guitar Hero

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: daniel1113

Originally posted by: lxskllr
It depends on what you want to play though. Classical's very demanding, and if you aren't that interested in the music, it'll seem more like a chore than fun.

QFT.

For guitar playing technique, classical may be second to none, but if it doesn't interest you, you'll never take the time to practice and develop your skills. This is why I recommend learning a few songs that you really like when you first pick up a guitar. They don't have to be great songs or filled with a particular technique: they just need to hold your interest long enough to learn the basics of guitar playing. I've just seen too many people quit playing musical instruments because they were forced to play songs/styles that didn't interest them.

I'm not really interested in classical music, but I am interested in learning to play the guitar (like A-Z learning), so I'll start with classical.

What do you guys recommend for learning classic, and just for learning in general?

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: AstroManLuca

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: AstroManLuca
Just buy Guitar Hero

What do you think motivated me to start learning real Guitar? :laugh:

Coulda been Rock Band

PS Rock Band >>>>> Guitar Hero

Can't sing :laugh:

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: daniel1113
They don't have to be great songs or filled with a particular technique: they just need to hold your interest long enough to learn the basics of guitar playing.

The songs don't have to be anything to be fun. Here's Frère Jacques From Star Trek TNG, where Picard extends the song and jams with it. You can do this with almost any song, and take it into the stratosphere if you desire.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCBerqKic2A

 

[Kaido]

Unrelated question: I've heard that Guitar Hero World Tour has a pretty nice "drum" set, would that be useful for learning/practicing beginning drums at all? I don't have the space or, ah, noise tolerance for drums at the moment

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: Kaido
Unrelated question: I've heard that Guitar Hero World Tour has a pretty nice "drum" set, would that be useful for learning/practicing beginning drums at all? I don't have the space or, ah, noise tolerance for drums at the moment

I'm not a drummer, but I would tend to think it wouldn't help. I've always been into acoustic drums, and the electronic pads of the 80s were one of the things I hated most about music of that era(along with synthesizers). For a drum fix, I'd suggest using a hand drum of some kind bodhran, dumbek, djembe are all very fun to play, and very portable.

 

[IHAVEAQUESTION]

I have only got a classical guitar. My brother left me with a few guitar books, the Led Zepplin and G&R are waaaay out of beginner's league, so I started with something called "first guitar book", basically all classical music and pretty easy to learn. Now I've moved on to "dummie for guitar", the content is allright but some of the stuff meant for electric aren't playable on classical guitar. Also, I am confused about the BOX I, BOX II concept. I mean...the book talks about its usefulness for improvising...but I just don't get it. Is there someone care to explain this?

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: IHAVEAQUESTION
I have only got a classical guitar. My brother left me with a few guitar books, the Led Zepplin and G&R are waaaay out of beginner's league, so I started with something called "first guitar book", basically all classical music and pretty easy to learn. Now I've moved on to "dummie for guitar", the content is allright but some of the stuff meant for electric aren't playable on classical guitar. Also, I am confused about the BOX I, BOX II concept. I mean...the book talks about its usefulness for improvising...but I just don't get it. Is there someone care to explain this?

I'd have to see the book, but I'm guessing it refers to box patterns on the fretboard where every note is "good", meaning they're all in scale, and can be easily used for improvising.

 

[schmedy]

Good deal on all of this, I took some lessons when I was like 12, I am 37 now, and was thinking of trying my hand at guitar again. Now talking to friends who play they come from two camps on buying an electric guitar, one is buy a good (aka $100ish) guitar till I get better, and others are spend like 300-400 and get a better one. Any thoughts on what to look for? I have looked around a bit online and see the same varied advice. I used to be able to read music, lets see if the heavy drinking years killed that off, haha.

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: schmedy
Good deal on all of this, I took some lessons when I was like 12, I am 37 now, and was thinking of trying my hand at guitar again. Now talking to friends who play they come from two camps on buying an electric guitar, one is buy a good (aka $100ish) guitar till I get better, and others are spend like 300-400 and get a better one. Any thoughts on what to look for? I have looked around a bit online and see the same varied advice. I used to be able to read music, lets see if the heavy drinking years killed that off, haha.

I'd get a Fender Strat kit. I got one for my daughter a couple of years ago, and the quality was very nice for $120. You may want to check out the specific guitar in the store. They're made in China, so there may be quality differences for guitar to guitar. The Strat has the most comfortable guitar shape, as evidenced by the low end, as well as high end knock offs.

If you go this route, it may be helpful if you have a guitar playing friend to help you set it up. The vibrato bar can take some tweaking to individual preferences. Me as well as others here could help you set it up, if you're good at following directions, and visualizing what needs to be done. There's also the professional setup option, but I'm of the school of thought that the player should learn as much as possible about taking care of their instruments themselves.

Edit:
Here you go. It's even in my favorite color; sunburst :^)

http://www.amazon.com/Fender-S...&qid=1248220116&sr=8-1

 

[Kaido]

Sounds good - I'll learn Classical Guitar first. Where should I start?

 

[lxskllr]

I'm a proponent of self teaching for popular music playing. Some real innovation can happen when there isn't someone there to tell you it's wrong. Classical is a different story, and I think you should get professional tutelage. If you're on a budget, look in Craigslist, especially if you have a school for the arts near you. Alternatively, find some classical guitar forums on the web, and ask some questions there. They may be able to direct you to someone competent in your area.

What kind of music do you envision yourself playing? If you could be a famous guitarist, who would that be?

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: lxskllr
I'm a proponent of self teaching for popular music playing. Some real innovation can happen when there isn't someone there to tell you it's wrong. Classical is a different story, and I think you should get professional tutelage. If you're on a budget, look in Craigslist, especially if you have a school for the arts near you. Alternatively, find some classical guitar forums on the web, and ask some questions there. They may be able to direct you to someone competent in your area.

What kind of music do you envision yourself playing? If you could be a famous guitarist, who would that be?

Not learning to learn songs, but rather learning for the general purpose of learning music & digital music in general. I want to be able to create songs & soundtracks on my computer, mainly with guitar and piano (keyboard, just got a MIDI-to-USB connector for mine). So basically, just learn guitar A-Z

 

[lxskllr]

Classical guitar may not be what you're looking for then. I'd get some books on music theory, and start from there. Prepare for a big mind fuck. I have a tough time with music theory, and sometimes get lost in the numbers. Classical guitar is a demanding art form that's as much about proper technique as it is playing music. I'm not sure it's the best choice for someone looking to compose, or use it as a accompanying instrument. It would be like learning ballet so you can take your girl out dancing. It would certainly help, but it's overkill with too much emphasis on the wrong areas for the intended purpose.

In short, I'd...
learn music theory
get some basic books on guitar instruction
look up classical music online, especially from the angle of composition, and critique of the masters. Figure out what makes the great music great.
Keep your mind and your ears open. Your desires may very well change over time, and you can fine tune your direction once you get settled in.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: lxskllr
Classical guitar may not be what you're looking for then. I'd get some books on music theory, and start from there. Prepare for a big mind fuck. I have a tough time with music theory, and sometimes get lost in the numbers. Classical guitar is a demanding art form that's as much about proper technique as it is playing music. I'm not sure it's the best choice for someone looking to compose, or use it as a accompanying instrument. It would be like learning ballet so you can take your girl out dancing. It would certainly help, but it's overkill with too much emphasis on the wrong areas for the intended purpose.

In short, I'd...
learn music theory
get some basic books on guitar instruction
look up classical music online, especially from the angle of composition, and critique of the masters. Figure out what makes the great music great.
Keep your mind and your ears open. Your desires may very well change over time, and you can fine tune your direction once you get settled in.

Yah, definitely. I just got the book "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Music Theory". I also setup a blog:

http://digitalhomestudio.wordp...-book-on-music-theory/

Basically I'm just going to take it uber-slow...study 3 pages a day, 6 days a week, for about 15 minutes. At that pace, I'll be able to absorb the new material easier. By December, I'll have the book wrapped up and should have a decent understand of music theory. I'll look for some good guitar stuff tomorrow

So my guitar stable is: 6-string nylon (classical), 6-string steel (acoustic), 12-string steel (acoustic), 6-string steel (acoustic-electric), and a 6-string electric. Oh, and a couple Guitar Hero 2 guitars for Xbox 360 Yay for family...the only thing I had to buy was the electric