Got a Guitar

[jfall]

I'm 22 years old and have never played a musical instrument. I thought a guitar would be a fun hobby, so I picked up a nice Normal acoustic. At this point, I only know how to read basic guitar tabs. Does anyone here have any recommendations on where to start? I was thinking about getting an instructional DVD, anyone have any experience or recommendations with these? Also, any tips on good practice songs? I heard Nirvana was good to start with

 

[nakedfrog]

Yeah, Nirvana's stuff is pretty easy, so if you like them, that'd be a good place to start. You'll need to learn chords.

WholeNote

 

[Colt45]

get onf of those ernieball beginner books. they teach you chords and progressions and stuff like that.

 

Green Day. I think I mastered their entire catalogue at the end of week 1.

 

[Analog]

Hendrix: The star spangled banner

 

[BD2003]

Being that I've only been playing for 5 months I dont know exactly how much trust you should put in my advice.

Playing the guitar is easy. Not because its actually easy, but because all you really have to do is practice. You dont NEED a teacher, but it helps to have a friend that knows how to play to help you out with things when youre confused.

Just learn the basic chords first, then just well...practice. You dont even have to do anything but jam on it, even if it sounds crappy, your fingers simply need to learn how to move properly first.

Then just go to ultimate-guitar.com and try and play some songs. Some are going to be impossible at first, but all you have to do is practice...

 

[CaptnKirk]

Sit down and channel the spirit of Chet Atkins.

Feel the Force, Luke.

 

[imported_amx]

jack johnson

 

Seriously, you should play what you like. I mean you're f**cked at first if you like Hendrix but playing something for the sake of it being easy to play sucks. Just start with power chords and play from chord files (not tabs). Once you gain a little dexterity move to open chords then barre chords and reading tab.

 

[TheLonelyPhoenix]

Originally posted by: dwell
Seriously, you should play what you like. I mean you're f**cked at first if you like Hendrix but playing something for the sake of it being easy to play sucks. Just start with power chords and play from chord files (not tabs). Once you gain a little dexterity move to open chords then barre chords and reading tab.

What he said. Play what you like.

 

[JonnyStarks]

Yeah I just got one for Xmas and my fingers are still pretty clumsy. I don't have any musical experience either but my ears are getting better trained to hear if stuff is in tune.

It's looking like practice is gonna be what its all about though.

Edit:
More tips

 

[aircooled]

Elephants
Always
Do
Grow
Big
Ears

 

[Raincity]

You need to learn the difference between practice and playing. Get some basic instruction books and some basic music theory books and learn how to read music. Your better off learning chord progressions right away than just learning songs from tab. The AL DI Meola lesson book, Chords scales and arpeggios is a very good book to get started with. If you follow the books practice routine one hour every day you will have a good foundation to start with in a couple of months.