Learning to play acoustic guitar

[brikis98]

A decent acoustic guitar has recently come into my possession and I'm interested in learning how to play. I don't have any desire to become an amazing musician or join a band or anything. All I want is to be able to play some songs by bands that I like, such as Guster, DMB, Jack Johnson, etc...

However, there's a catch: with the exception of a brief stint with piano many years ago, I've never played an instrument before... So, going with the assumption that I know NOTHING about playing a guitar, reading music, etc, what would be the best way for me to start? I do NOT have time for classes at this time in my life, so I'm just looking for books, websites, CD's, etc that will take me through the process step by step.

 

[mrrman]

do a search on guitar tabs...

 

[ITJunkie]

Well, the Mel Bay instruction books are always a good place to start for beginners.

 

[Jeraden]

If you want to try out some online lessons, you can sign up at workshop live. They have good lessons for any skill level, including absolute beginner. You can take them as quickly or slowly as you want. They helped me out when I first started - as I was wasting WAY too much time trying free lesson sites and not getting anywhere.

 

[dwell]

This DVD is great. Keith Wyatt is a great teacher who is able to get the point across on a DVD, which is tough. Highly recommended and well worth the $20.

 

[new2AMD]

Those who have learned basically on their own I have a question. What is the best WAY to learn? I dont mean via book or dvd, but which way and what is the best way to practice. Like practice how to play a chord first then move on to chord switching, then learning strumming patterns?

Any suggestions would be great, thanks. Ive been trying to learn since christmas and understand a few things but I have the most problem with getting the chords cleanly. Seems like the neck of my guitar is too think for me to get a good angle on the strings to not mute some while playing certain chords.

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: ITJunkie
Well, the Mel Bay instruction books are always a good place to start for beginners.

That's what my guitar teacher used to teach me.
I would start out by learning chords and practicing a lot every day.

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: new2AMD
Those who have learned basically on their own I have a question. What is the best WAY to learn? I dont mean via book or dvd, but which way and what is the best way to practice. Like practice how to play a chord first then move on to chord switching, then learning strumming patterns?

Any suggestions would be great, thanks. Ive been trying to learn since christmas and understand a few things but I have the most problem with getting the chords cleanly. Seems like the neck of my guitar is too think for me to get a good angle on the strings to not mute some while playing certain chords.

Try to make sure your thumb is on the back of the neck and not peeking over the top of the fretboard, that should help make sure your fingers are positioned properly to not mute the surrounding strings.

 

[yosuke188]

actoguitar.com

helped me get started.

 

[49erinnc]

Originally posted by: new2AMD
Those who have learned basically on their own I have a question. What is the best WAY to learn? I dont mean via book or dvd, but which way and what is the best way to practice. Like practice how to play a chord first then move on to chord switching, then learning strumming patterns?

Any suggestions would be great, thanks. Ive been trying to learn since christmas and understand a few things but I have the most problem with getting the chords cleanly. Seems like the neck of my guitar is too think for me to get a good angle on the strings to not mute some while playing certain chords.

I recommend getting a chord chart (can be found online) and just learn your basic chords. This will familiarize you with the instrument and also help develop some finger dexterity. Some chords will feel really awkward at first but just keep practicing them because your fingers aren't used to being positioned in those ways.

As for learning songs, I suggest just searching for guitar tabs. Tabs make learning songs fairly easy because you don't really need to know chords as long as you know which string/fret to use. I'm by no means skilled with my guitar but when I first got it, I was playing the intros to several songs within a matter of days just from tabs. But don't fall into the trap of only playing tabs or you'll never learn how to truly play the guitar. Tabs are just a good way to get you excited about playing simply because you'll be able to play parts of familiar songs.

And expect plateaus/periods of apathy. But don't give up, even when your finger tips feel like they're about to bleed which will happen during the first couple months of playing for the first time.

 

[Kirby]

If you like DMB, here's a good tab site. It has videos and very good tabs. Good luck!

Linky


Also, I've heard soaking your finger tips in vinegar after playing helps build callouses. I already had them before I heard this, so no guarantee.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Start with two or three chords and play them over and over until you get calluses on your fingers. Once you can switch between those chords add more.... After you get the chords, start trying to learn how to use them to strum songs.

For example: Learn C, G, A, D, E, F......they are the 6 most used chords. Minors are usually just variations of these.

DMB....Ants Marching
D....D D G....G G D...D D G....G G D. Easy stuff....you just have to add the rest of the flare that goes with it.

 

[new2AMD]

Originally posted by: Scarpozzi
Start with two or three chords and play them over and over until you get calluses on your fingers. Once you can switch between those chords add more.... After you get the chords, start trying to learn how to use them to strum songs.

For example: Learn C, G, A, D, E, F......they are the 6 most used chords. Minors are usually just variations of these.

DMB....Ants Marching
D....D D G....G G D...D D G....G G D. Easy stuff....you just have to add the rest of the flare that goes with it.

That is what I kind of figured. I have C and G and D down pretty good. A is a bit tough due to 3 fingers in one fret. I just need to keep playing them and practice transitioning from one to the other.

 

[Stojakapimp]

I taught myself by just looking at guitar tabs online. I much prefer finger picking styles though, so lots of classical music. But it is definitely of utmost important to learn the basic chords and feel comfortably switching between them all.

Since I taught myself by just looking up guitar tabs, my form is probably pretty terrible, but I consider myself a fairly good player. If you want to learn good technique, then you'll probably need to take lessons.

 

[Stojakapimp]

Originally posted by: new2AMD

Originally posted by: Scarpozzi
Start with two or three chords and play them over and over until you get calluses on your fingers. Once you can switch between those chords add more.... After you get the chords, start trying to learn how to use them to strum songs.

For example: Learn C, G, A, D, E, F......they are the 6 most used chords. Minors are usually just variations of these.

DMB....Ants Marching
D....D D G....G G D...D D G....G G D. Easy stuff....you just have to add the rest of the flare that goes with it.

That is what I kind of figured. I have C and G and D down pretty good. A is a bit tough due to 3 fingers in one fret. I just need to keep playing them and practice transitioning from one to the other.

Playing an A is probably easiest by using your pinky, ring, and middle finger. If that's still too tough, try just holding the 3 strings down with one finger.

 

[new2AMD]

Originally posted by: Stojakapimp

Originally posted by: new2AMD

Originally posted by: Scarpozzi
Start with two or three chords and play them over and over until you get calluses on your fingers. Once you can switch between those chords add more.... After you get the chords, start trying to learn how to use them to strum songs.

For example: Learn C, G, A, D, E, F......they are the 6 most used chords. Minors are usually just variations of these.

DMB....Ants Marching
D....D D G....G G D...D D G....G G D. Easy stuff....you just have to add the rest of the flare that goes with it.

That is what I kind of figured. I have C and G and D down pretty good. A is a bit tough due to 3 fingers in one fret. I just need to keep playing them and practice transitioning from one to the other.

Playing an A is probably easiest by using your pinky, ring, and middle finger. If that's still too tough, try just holding the 3 strings down with one finger.

I do find that that fingering makes it easier but its not the natural movement for me to make yet.

 

[Phokus]

marked

 

[oynaz]

Just marking this. I have done some guitar teaching, and have a beginner's program lying I put together lying around somewhere. I will find it when I get home and post it here. It is nothing special, but enough to get you started.

 

[WildHorse]

What is the best WAY to learn?

Hang around with and talk a lot with other players.
Take a community college beginning guitar class.

 

[JDub02]

Keep practicing chords until you can play and switch between them cleanly. Start with the open chords (A, C, D, E, G)

switch A->C->A->D->A->E->A->G --> C->A->C->D->C->E ... etc.

Take it slow at first. Just make sure your form is good and everything is clean. Then start picking up the pace.

 

[Fritzo]

BTW- Workshop Live is probably the best online lesson site I've ever expereiced. It's a pay site, but it's fairly cheap and the lessons are top notch! Better than one on one lessons in some cases because of all the information you have available, and their videos are really well done.

 

[Analog]

Originally posted by: yosuke188
actoguitar.com

helped me get started.

Nice site.