Still no clue

I know it's been a while since I've been hanging out here (actually I almost completely forgot about this forum until I looked at my bookmarked pages). Since then though, I haven't been playing my guitar in a while and almost gave up on it, but recent events made my want to try again. I'm doing that right now, but I need some suggestions. Should I continue to learn on my own like I've been doing for a while or should I start getting lessons? If so, should I take private or group?


Thx,

Patsai

from a general training stand, everyone learns differently. if your preferred way of learning is by watching someone else, you may want to take a class. community centers and city recreational departments have cheap classes. if you learn better from a book, that is certainly a cheaper option. i'm teaching myself guitar and have found the book that came with it is working pretty well. i just had to remind myself not to expect to play like richie sambora after the first day. be patient, take things one note at a time, and you'll learn it no problem. good luck.

register here as a high bandwidth user. There are a ton of lessons that will help you out with anything. The forums here are here for a reason, use them,too.

Thanks for the advice. I still have many things to work on, but my biggest problem is my finger placement when playing on all six strings (aka barre chords). Whenever I hit the D string, it goes dead because my pinkie on the A string is in the way. When I lift my pinkie to let the D string get a good ring, the little E string goes dead because my pinkie finger get in the way from reaching for the A string. Can anyone help? I used both the barre chord method of both placing my finger across one fret and then the one which I use my thumb to grab the E string, neither doesn't seem to work well in fixing the problem because one or more strings seem to go dead. Help?

I'm teaching myself guitar. I'm not to fond of taking lessons. If you want to save money and teach yourself, I would become a high bandwith member. It's a lot cheaper than taking lessons, you can do it whenever you want, as much as you want, and you go at your own pace. Also, you can think of it as taking lessons, but you have a ton of teachers and other people to help you out.
About the barre chords, just keep practicing them. I was going through the same kind of thing you were. It just takes time. Go here for some lessons from the great Dr. Simon.

Aww shucks guys !!

Remember that High Bandwidth members especially (and anyone else really) can request lessons.

If I can play it I'll post it !

We aim to please !!

I really wish I could join the high bandwidth membership, but I'm still living under parents who won't allow me to purchase things on the internet :(

Originally Posted by: PatsaiI really wish I could join the high bandwidth membership, but I'm still living under parents who won't allow me to purchase things on the internet :(

Ya, parents really suck...except when they feed and clothe you and give you shelter and dont kill you when they get mad at something stupid you do.
There is still a lot of good stuff you dont have to pay for on this site!

[font=trebuchet ms]Awwww..... *blush*[/font] :o

Originally Posted by: Lordathestrings[font=trebuchet ms]Awwww..... *blush*[/font] :o

With over 3,400 post, you still find a way to stay humble. Hope I can do that when I start to get up there.

Whatever u do DONT GIVE UP GUITAR!!! u will regret it someday! Heres my advice, startsetting up a time of the day wher u do nothing but live and breath guitar. then start on one string each day. then go on 2 the internet and find some simple songs 2 play. try going 2 "www.capotastomusic.com". u'll learn things like happy bday, ode 2 joy things like that. GOOD LUCK! :D

Feel you guitar. Love your guitar. Know what your guitar tastes like. When you're not home, call your guitar on the phone. Let it know you care.

All apologies.....can't.....control.....sarcasm....

im in the same position as you dude. this website is full of wot u need, the basics. i dont know much but just stuffing around here for a coiuple of hours i know basic chords, easy riffs some good workout tunes n scales. im thinking of getting 1 lesson so i can get 1 on 1 4 the basics that a web page cant teach u but ill b camping here after

> I really wish I could join the high bandwidth membership, but I'm still
> living under parents who won't allow me to purchase things on the
> internet

So get a money order for $20 or $5 or whatever,and sign up by mail.
Hell... one of my pet peeves is websites that only accept credit cards.
It pisses me off, cause I never use credit cards myself and refuse to deal with sights who only accept them.

I don't know about anybody else, but most musicians gave up on credit ratings and Visa cards as a means of surviving many years ago.

If you want to sign on to Guitar Tricks, make alternate arrangements!
Talk to us and see if there's another way we can make it happen.

We're flexible.... and we realize that a lot of our members are early teens and kids who need a way to avoid the 'parental' credit card hassle.

Another vway around the credit card thing is to get a checking account that offers check cards. These are vgood wherever mastercard is accepted. Including GT. :)

Originally Posted by: schmange
So get a money order for $20 or $5 or whatever,and sign up by mail.
Hell... one of my pet peeves is websites that only accept credit cards.
It pisses me off, cause I never use credit cards myself and refuse to deal with sights who only accept them.

I don't know about anybody else, but most musicians gave up on credit ratings and Visa cards as a means of surviving many years ago.

If you want to sign on to Guitar Tricks, make alternate arrangements!
Talk to us and see if there's another way we can make it happen.

We're flexible.... and we realize that a lot of our members are early teens and kids who need a way to avoid the 'parental' credit card hassle.

Wow, thanks that really awesome of you! I've applied for a job so hopefully I can get money running in, I'm still painfully in need of some form of guitar education, this could be the answer because everyday that passes that I could have used to improve a lot has been wasted.

A little over six months into getting a guitar and I still have no clue how to play songs by ear...

*Wonders why he started playing so late in his life*

Originally Posted by: PatsaiA little over six months into getting a guitar and I still have no clue how to play songs by ear...

As for trying to figure out songs by ear, first try to find what key it's in. Do this by finding the bass note (Big E and A strings) that feels like 'home' to the progression or chord in question. Then you'll have to experiment with the chord form(s) (major,minor,etc) and try 'em in several positions until you come up with what sounds right. It's usually easier for me to find the whole song's progression on my bass strings 1st, then go back and figure out the chords.

However, the tablature of almost any song you've ever heard of is probably posted on the internet somewhere. There's numerous sites upon doing a search.

And about the barre chords...yep, those are just tough. Nothing but slightly painful practice will get those down. But take heart, it will come with time.