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Storybug18 Senior Member Posts: 146 |
posted July 10, 2001 06:44 PM
  
Okay, I have a quick question for the guitar players on the board. Have any of you taught yourselves how to play the guitar on your own?? I'm thinking about getting my hands on an acoustic guitar and just letting loose on it by teaching myself how to play  After giving multiple listenings to Nick Drake's Pink Moon and Duncan's Phantom Moon, I have officially been inspired to give it a shot. Does this sound really cool or totally insane?? Will someone please tell me if I'm making a major mistake?? Your input would be greatly appreciated Cheers, IP: Logged |
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RON! Member Posts: 7 |
posted July 10, 2001 07:21 PM
Sam, Enthusiasm and desire will get you really far in initially learning basic chords for the guitar. Fingering the major and minor chords are the real challenge for starting out because of the awkward feel to it. I won't say it's 'easy,' but I won't say it's 'hard' either, do you understand where I'm coming from? Yeah, find a 'decent' guitar, (I've seen some Takamine, Yamaha, and Fender acoustics for less than $200 at the major guitar and music stores), and a good beginner guitar chordbook with pictures of chords and you should be good to go! You can also go online and find a gazillion sites with free tutorials and such... Best of luck to you! Ron IP: Logged |
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Blackwuzzy Senior Member Posts: 343 |
posted July 10, 2001 07:30 PM
It sounds like a far out idea!!!!!!!! M IP: Logged |
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Acoustic Junkie Senior Member Posts: 38 |
posted July 10, 2001 08:51 PM
Hey, Definitly go for it! I learned guitar pretty much on my own with the help of tabs, and the internet and such i got accoustumed and used to so many different types of chords that are used in different songs. With the help of my friends too, ive gotten much better. Honestly, you should try guitar; its great. IP: Logged |
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Storybug18 Senior Member Posts: 146 |
posted July 11, 2001 04:37 PM
SWEEEEEEET!!!! I'm gonna go for it Next pay check that I get my hands on, I'm heading out to the music store and getting that guitar. I'm beyond psyched!!! Thanks for the encouragement everyone!! And RON, you know Amber right?? I go to work with her!! Drop me an email sometime. We can talk music Cheers, IP: Logged |
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Gabrielle Senior Member Posts: 98 |
posted July 11, 2001 04:58 PM
Go for it! Find a good instruction book that runs you through all of the notes and chords, though, and not just a tab book, because tablature is wonderful but it doesn't really give you much of the musical aspect of the guitar, just shows you the easiest way to play songs... IP: Logged |
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Britt Senior Member Posts: 144 |
posted July 11, 2001 05:12 PM
Hey Sam!! Glad you're deciding to try it out!! I definitely agree with Gabrielle.. It's really important to be able to read the music and not just rely on tabs (even though they're easier) ... Do you play any other instruments?? Best piece of advice I can give you is to try not to get frustrated when you don't see results right away or don't like the way you sound right away... Just continue to be determined and passionate about it and you'll love playing.... -Britt IP: Logged |
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wolfspirit Senior Member Posts: 525 |
posted July 11, 2001 05:47 PM
Yeah Sam!! Go for it!! You'll be great at it as usual But I agree with Ron! - Don't expect too much too soon. Learning basic chords can be somewhat easy, but fingers will be sore from pressing the fret fingerings and it takes awhile to be able to stretch out those fingers for chords, which makes you sore as well. Strumming also takes time to weather. I haven't played for years, and have to rehab my busted arm, but want to get back into it as well. I've never spent too much time with guitar - piano and percussion are my thing. But I do know that with practice, the sore fingers will become calloused (but not ugly...lol) and it won't be painful after awhile. Just depends on how much you put into it, and the consistency of that. Maybe pick up an introductory book that will tell you about the basic tunings of each string first? Learn those, and some basic major chords, and your on your way!! It wouldn't hurt to ask Duncan for some private lessons.  Also, when learing a scale of eight notes (an octive), remember E,G,B,D,F as "every good boy does fine" and F,A,C,E as "face" (uh, duh...) Each of these notes is a "major" (full step), except for E to F and B to C, which are minor (half step). A "minor" step would be from say F to F# or F back to E. End of guitar lesson from someone that really shouldn't be teaching one! I do know however, from playing piano, that starting with those BORING scales is the best foundation for beginning. You know I love ya, so I wish you the best on your quest!! Shari. So many words and so little said!  IP: Logged |
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sandalwood Member Posts: 1 |
posted July 11, 2001 08:48 PM
sam,i've been playing guitar for about 6 years now and i've found the best way to learn is to play music you like. buying a songbook or going to a tab site (like olga) really helps. i self taught myself the basic chords then i went to lessons for more advanced stuff. =) but the best thing you can do is to go to a lot of live acoustic performances (like duncan!)- where you can get inspiration, see how artists act onstage, and get ideas on different strumming techniques. then the next step is to find a cafe with an open mike and just play! IP: Logged |
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tdoglovin Senior Member Posts: 48 |
posted July 12, 2001 06:55 PM
I taught myself to play on my own. Self help books and the Internet really help a person get all the information they need. In the past few years, Duncan Sheik has been the #1 influence on me to play. So much so in fact that I had him sign my acoustic guitar! Check out the link: http://users.elknet.net/toleston/duncan/index.html IP: Logged |
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Gabrielle Senior Member Posts: 98 |
posted July 12, 2001 10:23 PM
*lol* After reading Wolfie's post, it reminded me of a really stupid thing I used to tell people I taught who could never remember the string names. I'm a freak, so somehow it sounded normal coming from me... ead-g-be! pronounced just like it's written. eed-g-bee It's the string order. *lol* (starting from lowest--or largest--string to highest) I'm such a geek, but I swear, it works. IP: Logged |
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depths22 Member Posts: 27 |
posted July 12, 2001 10:31 PM
I say go for it. I was always a singer but I guess I was always afraid of trying to do something completly independent...That's until I heard Jeff Buckley. I had to learn then. I've been teaching myself and have become addicted. I just bought a new acoustic electric so I'm working harder than ever. My goal is to SOMEDAY play all of Buckley's (I know that will probably take hmmm JUST a bit of time) and my favorite Nick Drake song "Three Hours". I was blown away when I heard that picking style. Beautiful. Well anyway best of luck. IP: Logged |
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koko Member Posts: 29 |
posted July 13, 2001 09:37 AM
I am 100% self-taught. Been playing since 95'. When you first start off play within your limits. Trying to bust out Nick Drake songs right off the bat will just frustrate you. Learn your basic chords in G (G, Am, Bm, C, D, Em) and learn some songs in that key. Build your confidence. I still to this day get a kick out of picking up a song that I couldn't play 3 months ago and being able to play it now. Not by practicing that song, just by getting better in general. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I've had more than a few pupils in my day. IP: Logged |
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drifter Senior Member Posts: 136 |
posted July 17, 2001 12:04 PM
Yeah, I'm teaching myself how to play like several of you all. Just about half a year ago I got serious into my guitar playing and I really wanted to learn many songs. I'm new to reading tablature, I had just been using chords. I like learning chords and I really don't like tablature that much. I prefer chords over tabs. I have so much more to learn... Sam, I would learn all the basic stuff first. Learn the basic chords (A, B, C, D, E, F, G) and the minor chords (am, bm, cm, dm, em, fm, gm). Then you can begin learning the more "complicated" chords. What I like are the chord fingering formations. For example, here's one for the E chord: 022100. Those are really helpful for the more complicated chords. Good luck and have fun, Mark IP: Logged |
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Mangotigerlily Senior Member Posts: 89 |
posted July 17, 2001 04:49 PM
Hey- I will never discurage someone from learning something new. Especally if it has to do with music. I am also trying to learn how to play, but it was a little hard for me on my own, so depending on your learning style you may not need someone to help. I did. But I still am sticking to it(even if it's taking me longer than I thought). What the others said should be helpful, at least with getting started. IP: Logged |
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ericka Senior Member Posts: 76 |
posted July 17, 2001 07:34 PM
I started out trying to teach myself, but it was pretty pathetic. So I went to this dumpy little music store in Georgia and started taking lessons. I did that for a year, almost didn't start lessons again when I moved to Virginia because my teacher in Georgia really sucked and didn't teach me much other than open chords and power chords over a years time. But when I started taking lessons at this new place, it was great. I learned a lot of stuff, and I'm doing much better than I probably could if I'd done it on my own. But some of the best guitar players never took a lesson. I think it varies from person to person. [This message has been edited by ericka (edited July 17, 2001).] IP: Logged |
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