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Newby help please !!!!


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Posted

Guys/Gals

 

Can anyone tell me where to start as a beginner and give me a logical place and structure to work with.

 

In what order do I need to learn things i.e. Chords/Scales/Picking/Strumming/Tablature it is so confusing and gthe more I read the less I know, now I am maybwe too old at 43 to start to learn but hey humour me ! and your advise is welcome

 

Dave

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Posted

Dave, you might want to check out Keith Wyatt's "Getting Started on the Electric Guitar" DVD. He explains the chord forms pretty well, but I find his tips on technique useful.

Actually, you might want to watch it after you are already a bit familiar with the guitar. Look up some tab sites with easy songs - most tab sites explain how to read tab as well.

I remember in my first week of playing I bought this Alfred Beginner's book and learned the first few lessons to get me started on playing the simplest open chords, and moved onto a few simple tabs.

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Posted

Before you even pick up the guitar, I would suggest right-sizing your expectations.

If you'll be teaching yourself, and have to prior musical experience, then it will take a decent while to progress. This is perfectly normal, though you'll have to be patient with yourself.

That said, I would start by learning to identify each string on the guitar. Say the string names each time you pluck a string.

While that's happening, learn your first chord. Let's say, C Major.
Practice placing your fingers on the right strings and strum on the downstroke until you get a good, clean sound. Next, form the C Major and pick each string one at a time. Practice holding the note and strumming down-up-down-up. Count out loud 1-2-3-4 as you strum.

Next, learn the G Major chord. Repeat the steps above, but forming G Major.

Now try switching between the two chords.

When you're starting out, this is harder than it seems, so give it a few days.

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Posted

Originally posted by Gui

Hey Zookie,


This may seem out of nowhere, but do you type using qwerty?

 

 

Why? Do the still even make dvorak keyboards?

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Posted

Originally posted by Gui

Hey Zookie,


This may seem out of nowhere, but do you type using qwerty?

 

 

I don't even know what that means. I have a plain old IBM keyboard, nothing fancy, if that's what you mean.

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Posted
Originally posted by zookie



I don't even know what that means. I have a plain old IBM keyboard, nothing fancy, if that's what you mean.



qwerty refers to the layout of the keyboard. Chances are you do have a qwerty (notice the top row starting at Q).

There have been alternative keyboard layouts proposed as qwerty was designed in the days of typewriters to keep commonly paried letters apart so fast typers wouldn't jam the metal things that come up and hit the paper (there is a noun for this).

Apparently alternative layouts (like dvorak) have been suggested to be easier to learn and maybe better for people in the long run but it's hard to revolutionize things. I'll be using qwerty till they stop making keyboards :D

(sorry for the off topic rant) :D

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Posted

Originally posted by d0zerz



qwerty refers to the layout of the keyboard. Chances are you do have a qwerty (notice the top row starting at Q).


 

 

Yep, qwerty is the top row of my keyboard. I wasn't even aware there were different keyboards. I learned to type on a typewriter and can't imagine relearning a keyboard.

 

Recently I was in an antique store with my 6-year old son. We passed a typewriter, maybe from the mid-60's. He asked me what was that old computer doing there. I had to explain to him that was all we had when I was his age. It was depressing.

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Posted

If you have absolutely no prior experience, you need someone to show you the basics...hands on. Take a trip to the local music store and just hang out. Watch other pickers. Take lessons if they offer them.

I taught myself without anyone else to show me anything...and it was really hard. But I remember that I'd hear a melody (and I started with only the melodies) and I'd try to reproduce the simple melody line on the guitar...one note at a time. For instance, try playing a very common melody, like Mary Had A Little Lamb. Eventually, I started doing more than just the melody line...adding harmonies and such. I went out and bought the Mel Bay chord book and learned the forms of the chords. Someone did show my how to tune my guitar, and after that I was on my own.

This whole process took a year or two. But if you take a couple months worth of lessons you'll be just fine.

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Posted

Sorry for going off topic, but I noticed a typo you made, and in dvorak, the 'n' and 't' keys are right next to each other. Never mind. Forget I brought it up.

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