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Chicken or the Egg? which one first?


byronm

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Posted

So i haven't picked up a guitar in over a decade, even then i never really knew much about it. I had some experience from playing the violin for a few years that i was carrying over and trying my best at.

 

So i'm looking at getting back into it and i have tons of ideas floating in my head but the biggest thing of all is i don't want to dissapoint myelf or think i know to much and put the chicken before the egg :)

 

I want to start simple, but most of all i want to start making music. I don't have the patience to play Mary had a little lamb over and over but i also don't want to expect to be playing DMB on day 3 either.

 

With that said, what is a good mix of getting started and lighting the flame from those with experience? Simple songs to get 3-4 chords down but feel proud about yourself. I'm an eclectic here so this can be anything from jazz to country to folk to classic rock or what have you.

 

I have a few friends that have been playing for a few years that i'll hittup for some jam time, but for now its me, my wife and my daughter and i don't want to hurt anyones ears more than necessary.

 

So whats your best tips for getting going? I've picked up "The Complete Guitar Player" 1,2 & 3 (all in the same book) and i'm getting my guitar this afternoon. Is that pretty much the norm?

 

I've learned tabs, remembering some of that from my prior days, shaking off some of my rusty sheet music reading skills and looking to spend 1-2 hours a day.

 

I'm one of those guys that gets into everything and wife can't stand it so anything to help me steer into the right direction to get the best from it would help. I'm a music nut, so even theory, chords, ear training and all of that is welcome.

 

thanks in advance

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Posted

Well, online guitar tabs are pretty useful for learning songs. That is how I started. Some songs can be fairly simple, and playable even for a beginner.

Take some lessons - it never hurts. Even if it is only for a few months, it could be enough to get you started playing with the proper technique.

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Start with chords, rather than melodies, as you can quickly learn a few chords to your favourite tunes. Learn tunes that you can sing along to. Guitar is probably the best instrument for quickly picking up a few tunes that you can be happy with. It still takes a bit of work, but hey, so does learning to drive. And making mistakes with the guitar won't get you killed.

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Start from songs you have listened to a lot and know by heart.

If you have a library nearby, take a look at the music scores for loan, and something will surely catch your attention there.

Take low-frequency but regular lessons, such as once every 2-4 weeks, so that you both get a guide against mistakes and ideas about what to do, but without the pressure of a weekly lesson (which is some case can produce frustration in beginners). You can always increase it to weekly or more if you need.

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Posted

Originally posted by Li Shenron


Take low-frequency but regular lessons, such as once every 2-4 weeks, so that you both get a guide against mistakes and ideas about what to do, but without the pressure of a weekly lesson (which is some case can produce frustration in beginners).

 

 

I did this for 6 months (every other week) until the new job started to get in the way. It defiantly gave me a leg up. And get a set of headphones. Your wife and daughter will thank you. Well, mine did anyway!

 

L8R

 

Raths

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Posted

Originally posted by Li Shenron

Start from songs you have listened to a lot and know by heart.


If you have a library nearby, take a look at the music scores for loan, and something will surely catch your attention there.


Take low-frequency but regular lessons, such as once every 2-4 weeks, so that you both get a guide against mistakes and ideas about what to do, but without the pressure of a weekly lesson (which is some case can produce frustration in beginners). You can always increase it to weekly or more if you need.

 

 

Good idea on the lessons, i always just assumed that most places wanted a commitment of x lessons a month. I'll call around and see whats available.

 

last time i started up i figured i spent to much time trying to convert what i learned playing violin and reading music over that i felt like i burned out before i even started.

 

 

thanks for all the good ideas.

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Posted

I've played guitar for 4 years and am now taking up the violin...oh the things we could teach eachother.

Anyway, I also did the lessons thing for a year. I took 1 30 min lesson everyweek. Pretty much my teacher gave me tons of exersices and song, and then I would go and week later and play them for him and he would correct my bad mistakes and show me the correct way. I personally think guitar teachers are over rated. I have taken music theory classes and lessons for saxophone (even though I don't play anymore), guitar, and vioce, and have found that most teachers suck. I had way more progress teaching myself. However, to teach yourself you need to know what is out there to learn, and what you want to learn. I guess I only know these things because of my musical background, so for the sake of guidance a teacher is good.

You really want to find a good teacher if you want to learn to master the guitar. If all you want to do is be able to stum some chords and cover some rock songs, you won't need a teacher for that, but a cheap teacher can help you learn faster.

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Posted

I'm definately interested in learning the guitar, at first to play music i'm aware of but to be able to hopefully compose my own songs one day or at least express myself and not sound like doo-doo :thu:

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