Sorta New...

Hey there just joined this site and I must say very well put together.
First off I am 18 so not to late of a start i hope on the guitar learning side of things. I have been an avid fan of music ever since I can remember and I like all types of music. Joe Satriani is a fav along with others.

But what i would really like to know is where to start. My dad has a couple of instructional dvd's and some books. So should I start just at home here playing and learning as much as possible or should I go ahead and get lessons with an instructor.
I am confused because I see alot of good players on here and I have a ambition to play after seeing how good some are after only 1 or 2 years of play.
So will lessons be faster and worth the money or will time and lots of practice at home be more benfictial to me?

Thanks so much,

NVMEPLZ

I think it's worth taking lessons.. it'll get you started the right way and should keep you from developing any bad habits that will limit you in the future. I both give lessons and take them with other people, so maybe I'm biased! :D

You can get a fair way with sites like this, and maybe start by learning the open chords, but I've found I learnt far more by taking lessons. I play fusion, and take both electric and classical lessons.

If you can afford it, take lessons...

So with taking lessons in what time frame do you think I will be a decent guitar player? I mean with hard work and dedication.

How long do you recommend I take lessons also?
Thanks I just want to be able to know certain things before I get in to deep with lessons and playing.

I really apreciate you help.

too many things to take into account to give an accurate answer to be honest. Firstly, you'll need to explain 'decent'... Not trying to be clever, just people aspirations vary drastically. If you want to play along to the radio, and strum a few chords you should be well at it in a matter of months. If you want to write your own stuff and shred like a freak you could be at it years.

I'd only been playing for 2 years when I got my first paying job. I see education as lifelong - I don't ever see myself stopping taking lessons. Maybe not with the same person, but I always feel like there's more to learn... and pretty much anyone can teach you something... The stuff on this site, and the wealth of others on the 'net is great, but I find I learn more quickly taking lessons - it also gives me the drive to practice hard each week, as I have a target to aim for. Teaching people also helps me learn, and I'd recommend that to everyone.

If you want to play like Satriani, be prepared to practice pretty much non-stop for a few years... and getting a (good!) teacher will definitely cut the time down...

I hope 18 isn't too old. If it is, I'm in deeeep trouble and I may have no choice but to sell or burn my guitar. ;)

Originally Posted by: hunter60I hope 18 isn't too old. If it is, I'm in deeeep trouble and I may have no choice but to sell or burn my guitar. ;)

I hope not because i am 28 and just starting ha ha..

What I meant by saying late start at 18 is I wish I would have started earlier.

But I think I may start taking lessons to start and see how it goes. Yeah I hope to one day be as good as Satriani or at least play some of his stuff.

Thanks for the help and I guess I will jsut have to practice, practice, practice.

Any other input would be appreciated.

It's cool. I know what you meant. Believe me, I feel the same way. I wish that I had started this a long, long time ago. I'm 44 and just now picking up the guitar. Both of my sisters and my mother play keyboard and when I first tried to learn that, I was told that I really had no ear for music. That ended that and kept me from every bothering again. Until now.

I am confident that you will be a great guitarist one day. You're right. It's about practice, practice and more practice. I also agree that lessons may prove to be your greatest ally. I know that I am going to start taking some soon as well.

Good luck dude. Hope all goes well for you.

My dad just started playing guitar and he is 53. And he has been making really good progress. Its funny though becuase when he was younger he got into alot of fights so his hands and fingers are all messed so he can't get some chords down good becuase of it.

I feel bad in a way.
I do want to be awesome one day, but right not it feels ike I am making no progress and I think lessons would really show me what is possible with hard work and practice. But right now it sucks becuase there are so many good guitarists out there that it feels like I may never make it.

I guess it jsut comes down to practice and always learning about new stuff.

I can certainly understand that. I write a little and my best friend is an awesome writer. I always felt that I could never be as good as he is or as good as any of the other writers out there. You know what? I learned that the world already has them and they don't need another. What they don't have yet is me.

So I've completed my first novel and I am shopping it around. I guess the point is that the only limits a person has are the ones that he puts on himself. Don't measure yourself to other people or their talent. Look for and build yours.

It's like Chevy Chase says in Caddyshack when asked 'How do you measure yourself to other people?" He said "By height."

Take your time and work at it and sooner rather than later, you'll even amaze yourself.

:D