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jay

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Posted

I have always loved music, ranging from rap to r&b, alternative, soft rock, heavy metal, etc... I've finally decided I want to start learning how to MAKE my own music, and so I have purchased a basic Applause acoustic guitar with electric output. I know NOTHING about guitars, NO TIPS about how to improve vocals, NO IDEA about what a chord is. Basically, all I know is that I have an acoustic guitar with six strings on it:( I've got all the time in the world to invest in music, but I'd like some help as to where I sould begin, what should I do? Is there any info out there for a TOTAL novice at guitar playing? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Help me make my musical dreams a reality!

 

Thanx!

 

-Jay

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Posted

You could start by taking lessons or buying some books and reading/asking in here.

Also, start learning some music theory.

Currently, I'm practising with William Leavitt Modern Method for Guitar. I got the 3 vol. so theres an awful lot of exercises in there.

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Posted

I think the best way to start is to find the tabs of several songs you love the most and start to learn them. You will find that some are too hard for you, but there will be afew that you can get it right. Then you play what you've learnt along with the CD/MP3.

This would be the most motivating and fun. Keeps you interested. Alot of people I know quit guitar within the first month they bought a new acoustic/classical just because they cannot cope with the pain on the wrist, the fingers, the aching back, the incomprehensible and dull music theory lessons, etc.

After you got a few songs, start to read up more on proper posture of holding an acoustic guitar (i.e. base in between your legs, body tilted with necks upward, your spine straight), basic music theory, and learn the chords.

Just knowing C, D, Dm, Em, F, G, A, Am will let you strum along with many songs. =)

After that, keep working on your finger plucking skills.


For the start, just go to any search engine like google and type something like "Smells like teen spirit tabs" and hopefully, you will see some tabs for that song. If you don't know what tab is, just see it as a graphic representation of your guitar with the numbers equivalent to the fret you should be putting your fingers on. If learning the exact tabs for a song is too difficult, just learn the chords first. I.e. "Stand By Me chords".


After a while, maybe you wanna buy an electric guitar. =)
By now, you should have learn some basic stuffs about music theory. If not, now's the time to start. The first thing you wanna get right is to know the major scale. You want to know why chords are constructed the way they are.

When you migrate to electric guitar, you will find that you need to do more string bendings / palm mutings than on the acoustic. Techniques you pick up on the acoustic like hammering and pulling will come in handy.

Hope these helps. Remember to set little goals so you can feel you're improving. Don't get discouraged. Always remember: "If I stick to this everyday, I will be a better guitar player next month". =)

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Posted

i'd hightly recommend just calling your local music store or looking in the phone book and taking some lessons. there is nothing better when your first starting out to get some first hand instruction from someone. It will be easier this way to learn the basics.

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Posted

Thanks so much for the words of wisdom guys...Especially maxixe. When I start playing smoothly I will come back here and thank you all again!

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Posted
Originally posted by jay

Can someone explain to me what exactly music theory is all about?



don't even start to worry about theory yet ;)
learn some open chords A. D. E. G. F. C. etc.

and a basic blues rhythm as shown below

E--------------------------------------------------------
B----------------------------------------------------------
G------------------------------------------------------------
D---------2-2-4-4-2-2-4-4-2-2---------------------
A---------0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0---2-2-4-4-2-2-4-4-2-2
E------------------------------------0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-

{{the number '2' relates to the second fret{metal strip]
and like wise with the number '4'}}

that is enough to start off with i should think :)
the zeroes under the 2's and 4 's dont't line up very well
but if you get the idea they should when you are playing it

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Posted

what is music theory eh?


music theory, the rules that bind all musicians to a set of scales and patters and rythms, but allow us to make music that sounds nothing liek the next guys >=)


it wont be fun to learn it, but its worthwhile.


with a decent understanding of music theory you can listen to a song and play it on your guitar without tab.


you can make up solos in your head as you go!


write chordial progressions that will rival the Rain Song! (eventually :p )

ahhhhh your coming into a wonderful world of musical awareness! welcome!

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Posted

Seriously, if you what to progress as a guitar player.....get a teacher. Especially in the beginning, you may develop some bad playing habits on your own that will haunt you for the rest of your life. Take my advice, what may take you 6 months to figure out on your own, a good teacher will show you in one month. Try it....if it doesn't feel right find another teacher. There are a lot of rip off teachers out there. Find one that will start you off reading if possible. Learn the fundamental elements of music, rythem, triads, singles notes, positioning, etc. Think about it....what good is a beautiful house built on a crappy foundation.

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Posted

Originally posted by GTM

Think about it....what good is a beautiful house built on a crappy foundation.

 

 

Absolutely. Unfortunately there really aren't any short cuts in music, some things just take time and effort. Ultimately, it's up to you, and how much you want to achieve and how quickly. Just don't expect miracles.

 

But putting in a lot of hard work is well worthwhile, as any musician will testify to.

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Posted

This is my main source for learning how to play:

076455106X.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

Heres where I get my tabs (find out how to play songs I like):

OLGA


Oh and "action" is the distance between your strings and the fretboard that you push the strings down on to.

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Posted
Originally posted by don_the_mon

This is my main source for learning how to play:


076455106X.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg



Is the book really that good? I was thinking of buying it and I'm worried it won't really teach much and will probably stick to classical or electric styles...Would you advise it? And did you learn only by the book or did you use a teacher as well?

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Posted

Thats my only source for learning at the moment, that and the internet.

Firstly the book doesn't make any assumptions about what kind of guitar you've got. I've only got an acoustic and haven't come across any "electric or classical" only exercises yet.

Here's a rough structure:

Basic open chords (major,minor, 7th chords etc..)

Basic melody stuff (single note exercises).

Barre chords/power chords

Hammer-ons/pull offs/vibrato/bends/slide

The rest of the book is then divided into several different playing styles. There's sections on Rock, blues, folk, and classical styles.

Theres loads of advice about maintaining your guitar in good shape (restringing, truss rod adjustment etc etc) and buying new gear and what features to look out for in each.

All the songs you learn from the book are written out in both tab and standard music notations, and theres sections about how to understand both of these in the back of the book.

Its definately a good start for a beginner, I'd recommend it.

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