new to the guitar

whats up everyone, I'm a 38 year old male who is just learning to play. I have always wanted to learn to play and now I can afford to. I have alot of cool stuff and 3 guitars,120 watt amp, but I am still having trouble. I just dont know where to start. I like my electric, but I also like my acustic. what should I learn on first? and should I learn all the cords first or are there other short cuts? What do you guys think about trying to learn tabs first? I like this site and I am a full member, I just think there are things they are not saying, or I'm just not getting it? a little help would be great.

Thanks

Drew

Hello Drew,

a good place to start is the beginners guide

http://www.guitartricks.com/guide.php

Once you have gone through it all, check out our new questions sections

http://www.guitartricks.com/questions_beginner.php
http://www.guitartricks.com/questions_easy.php
http://www.guitartricks.com/questions_intermediate.php

You can get tutorials about specific technique in the technique section

http://www.guitartricks.com/techniques.php

You could also take a few minutes to check out the different instructors and decide which one covers the style you are looking for. Then you can take a look at their lesson and sort them by difficulty level by using the drop lists under Difficulty.

Also, you could use the left side of the site and choose lessons by styles or by inspiration (if you want to learn material in the style of one of your favorite guitar player).

I hope this helps you navigate through the site and help you find lessons you'll like.

let us know how it goes and Welcome to GT!

Hi Drew - welcome aboard! Like you, I started on the guitar a little later than most and I love it!!! A lot of fun. I am sure that some of the guru's here at GT will weigh in on your questions. Don't be afraid to ask anything.

My own opinion is that I spent more time on the acoustic first and still enjoy playing it. It builds finger strength. Play the acoustic for a while and when you go back to the electric, you'll find it easier to play.

You get the barr chords down on an acoustic and they are a breeze on the electric.

As far as what to learn first; well, I kinda split up my time. Play with some scales, learn a new chord or two and then work on the tab of a song or two. Spend some time with that and then move on working on a technique or two. Hammers..etc.

I've found that learning the guitar is a cumulative thing. Learn one thing and you can build on it for more and so on and on...

Good luck and welcome again to GT. It's a terrific site loaded with great people. You'll like it here. :)