Hi There,
My name is Sara, im 24 and live in Australia, My boyfriend bought me a guitar just yesterday and im keen to learn how to ASAP. Ive never played and have no idea of the chords. Or to restring, so im a real beginner! I have the passion and determination to learn and I cant wait til I can do one full song. I have choosen Time of our life - Green day for my fisrt song to learn, is that the best way to learn? Any tips or anything please let me know - I want to know all there is to know about this beautiful sound!

Hi Sara,

Welcome to the Guitar Tricks community

I would recommend the Core Learning System:

>Home>Core Learning System.

Above it is a tab link entitled "Where do I start?" It's where we all began and perfect if new to the guitar. It's user and beginner friendly. Enjoy

Regards,

Michael.

Thank you Michael

You're welcome & when you're done with the basics, there's a vast list of songs you can learn at the very top of this page

im having so much trouble with my fingers on the strings they arent fat but feels like im straining them by tring to do just say a C or D note?

Not to worry Sara, it happens to everyone for various reasons. Including me.

Your hands, wrists and fingers will eventually become stronger the more you practice.

You say you experience strain trying to reach those two notes, every guitarist is different to the next, meaning what instrument works for them might not work for the next person.

It's recommended to try the guitar you're interested in before you buy, I remember a scene from the first Harry Potter movie. Harry enters a wand shop and the owner helps Harry find the right wand for him. Some are the wrong size or shape, others are too powerful, some do not work at all. Harry eventually found the right device for him.

It's the same when choosing a guitar.

Here's the current thread on the subject:

http://www.guitartricks.com/forum/s...ead.php?t=35522

Hope that helps

Hi again,

I went on a bit of a wander through Guitar Tricks and found this series of exercises to make your hands and fingers stronger:

http://www.guitartricks.com/lesson.php?input=12293

Good luck