Super Noob
I've read through the beginner sticky and some other posts but am still not sure if this is the place for me. Some quick background. I know nothing -- that about sums it up... no music background and I'm not musically inclined but I'd really love to learn to play. I'm broke as a plate right now (wife and I are buying a new home, and still own our current one... so as sad as it is, $15 a month may be a little tight right now and I'm not sure if it'll be worth it for me).... all the "free" lessens seem to be too advanced so I can't get a feeling of how this site will work for me and I'm not willing to pay for the beginner lessons just yet (oh yeah, I work full time and am pursuing my mba so time is limited as well - but most free time at home when not doing homework is spent screwing around on my beginner fender acoustic), with no background tryin to learn from tabs and whatnot (and not really knowing how to read them) is kinda tough... any advice?? sorry for the length of this post!! :)
# 1
id like to say welcome, and while i cant say youve come to the right place ill say a few things that may help you make up your mind.
the free lessons are great and im sure youll find some that are just right for you.
the greatness of this site comes not just from its content but its community, there are players on this site from where you are now to professional guitar players. if you have questions/concerns or are stuck, if you ask some one can help. while a paid account gets you access to all the lessons the forums are open (execpt a few of them) if you need help.
just starting out like your are the best thing you can do is ask questions. you said your time is limited well half hour a day is all that it really takes to get going. no one is born musicly inclined or super talented, practice is the only way to go.
for nw just play around a little bit on your new guitar, maybe pick up some chords and have fun youll be jamming in no time flat.
and good luck
the free lessons are great and im sure youll find some that are just right for you.
the greatness of this site comes not just from its content but its community, there are players on this site from where you are now to professional guitar players. if you have questions/concerns or are stuck, if you ask some one can help. while a paid account gets you access to all the lessons the forums are open (execpt a few of them) if you need help.
just starting out like your are the best thing you can do is ask questions. you said your time is limited well half hour a day is all that it really takes to get going. no one is born musicly inclined or super talented, practice is the only way to go.
for nw just play around a little bit on your new guitar, maybe pick up some chords and have fun youll be jamming in no time flat.
and good luck
They say the END is near, but I'm Tired of waiting.
# 2
Hello Mister-
Would it be possible to swing just one month of a full subscription? There is a lot of good beginner material available to full subscribers. If you could afford one month, you could study the beginner lessons to make sure you are starting out right - developing proper positioning, techniques, some theory, etc. Then when you've had some good instruction in the basics, you could unsubscribe and go on your own for a while.
Just my two cents - (that brings it down to 14.98!)
Best wishes - Lisa McCormick
Guitar Tricks Instructor
Would it be possible to swing just one month of a full subscription? There is a lot of good beginner material available to full subscribers. If you could afford one month, you could study the beginner lessons to make sure you are starting out right - developing proper positioning, techniques, some theory, etc. Then when you've had some good instruction in the basics, you could unsubscribe and go on your own for a while.
Just my two cents - (that brings it down to 14.98!)
Best wishes - Lisa McCormick
Guitar Tricks Instructor
Lisa McCormick, GT Instructor
Acoustic, Folk, Pop, Blues
Full Catalog of Lisa's Guitar Tricks Tutorials
Find Lisa on Facebook!
Acoustic, Folk, Pop, Blues
Full Catalog of Lisa's Guitar Tricks Tutorials
Find Lisa on Facebook!
# 3
Originally Posted by: LisaMcC (that brings it down to 14.98!)Has the price gone up? I thought it was around $10 and change. Hmmm...I should check my CC statement.
Anyway, Mr.- I'll ditto what BrokenJera said, and add that you can do things the old fashioned way like many of the members here have done. You can get tablature to just about any tune you want off the 'net, learn some tunes. If and when the bug hits you, skip a lunch or 2 to come up with the subscription $$. I doubt there's many here more broke than me. I have child support, my ex got everything, and I live in probably the highest rent neighborhoods in the world. Even though I'm probably in the high intermediate to advanced level player, there's always something new to learn, and the community here is great. And access to all the instructor vids are good to watch to get a different take on things I thought I already knew. Practice for a couple months on your own, then do what Lisa suggested :::waves to Lisa:::- try it for a month. That's my 2 cents. So that's, 14.96! :)
Silimtao-The Way of the Little Idea
I want to die peacefully like my grandfather. Unlike the other passengers in the car, screaming and crying. (unknown)
I want to die peacefully like my grandfather. Unlike the other passengers in the car, screaming and crying. (unknown)
# 4
Eh, I've been on here for a bit, and I'm not full access, but I did a lot of learning on my own... Not sure if I'll get in trouble for this, but a great site for free lessons is spytunes.co.uk Wonderfully done. I suggest it.
# 5
www.guitartricks.com/guide.php
"During this line, the kid acted like he was pushing buttons on a calculator in the air. The kid played ******* air-calculator!"
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# 6
Just wanted to thank everyone for thier replies... I may consider the one month subscirb and go from there or may just continue with this message board for a while and see how that goes...
I must say that overall this is ABSOLUTLEY the best site I've found so far... I've jumped around and found a few chords and one or two scales but as this site elluded (sp?) to, it's always hard without some corresponding visuals...
I find tabs, etc., but it's just so hard without any background and not being able to see someone play through it first... watching a few of the freebees, I really don't see how I'll be able to obtain that "switching" ability -- muscle memory as some pros on this site say... I hope to keep on with it and keep everyone posted. thanks for the replies. Good luck to me I guess...
Steve
I must say that overall this is ABSOLUTLEY the best site I've found so far... I've jumped around and found a few chords and one or two scales but as this site elluded (sp?) to, it's always hard without some corresponding visuals...
I find tabs, etc., but it's just so hard without any background and not being able to see someone play through it first... watching a few of the freebees, I really don't see how I'll be able to obtain that "switching" ability -- muscle memory as some pros on this site say... I hope to keep on with it and keep everyone posted. thanks for the replies. Good luck to me I guess...
Steve
# 7
that muscle memory is just practice. and here is how it works.
learn one chord, practice it enough so you can get your fingers there quickly, you need to be perfect with it.
learn a second chord, practice it just like the first one. then practice switching inbetween the two.
repeat the processs over and over and before you know it youll be jamming and then you will have fallen to the dark side/ become a hopeless addict/whatever you want to call it.
learn one chord, practice it enough so you can get your fingers there quickly, you need to be perfect with it.
learn a second chord, practice it just like the first one. then practice switching inbetween the two.
repeat the processs over and over and before you know it youll be jamming and then you will have fallen to the dark side/ become a hopeless addict/whatever you want to call it.
They say the END is near, but I'm Tired of waiting.
# 8
are there any particular cords i should learn first? currently, I think I know the G, C and D major cords (and have just recently added D minor).... i practice switching between them....
another question... i orignialy started with a pick (months ago) but now that I've gotten back into it, I'm going figure style... what's the difference, any suggestions? my father in law taught himself and has been playing for a long time (we don't live close enough for lessons)... he only uses fingers... so that caused the change.... opinions? thoughts, comments? thanks!
another question... i orignialy started with a pick (months ago) but now that I've gotten back into it, I'm going figure style... what's the difference, any suggestions? my father in law taught himself and has been playing for a long time (we don't live close enough for lessons)... he only uses fingers... so that caused the change.... opinions? thoughts, comments? thanks!
# 9
I've noticed one other thing that I fell compelled to bring up... when switching between the 3 or 4 cords I know, it seems like I'm picking up my entire (fretting) hand in order to switch. But, when i watch video, etc, it seems like "pros" switch one finger at a time (that may not be hte best way to explain it, but it's like when watching a video, I see each figure move independently).... it's like, my hand moves as a whole no matter what cord I'm going for, as opposed to moving one finger at a time (does this make sense?)
if you can't tell already, I'm a visual learner.... comments on this would be appreciated as well. Thanks!
Steve
if you can't tell already, I'm a visual learner.... comments on this would be appreciated as well. Thanks!
Steve
# 10
ok first
youll probably want to learn all 12 major and minor open chords. where you start doesnt matter but starting with some easy chords first will help build your comfort in playing. a few id recomend are EM and Em AM Am GM CM DM Dm BM Bm FM Fm(if you didnt know major is captiol M minor is lower case m).
some of those can be difficult but are do able with practice.
you can also start learning the Barre Chord forms when you learn how to play the shapes for the 5th and 6th you can move the chord any where on the root string so learning one chord is like learning 12 chords. then youll beable to 'fake' most pop music.
the second
if it looks like the pros are moving one finger at a time its because they are. as you learn and practice more youll learn short cuts inbetween chords. Am and EM are the same 'shape' but Am is a string higher. switching between CM and Am is very easy you only really need to move your third finger. give it time and youll get it. as you practice more youll notice your keeping your fingers closer and closer to the strings. just like when you learned how to type on a computer.
third
finger style and using a pick i think come down to preference. i use a pick most of the time because my fingernails grow funny and playing on finger tips doesnt give me the 'attack' i want. the only guitar i almost always play finger style on is my classical.
a good finger style player can almost always blow a picker out of the water in certain styles of music. music like the blues, bluegrass, country, classical, some classic rock. metal guitar usually needs a pick because of the fast alternate picking on single strings and leads.
if you can learn to play both ways, that way if you find yourself with out a pick you can still play, and you always have fair enough technique to try something new.
and never forget to play the guitar, forget about the theory and the scales and how to build chords and just play now and then.
youll probably want to learn all 12 major and minor open chords. where you start doesnt matter but starting with some easy chords first will help build your comfort in playing. a few id recomend are EM and Em AM Am GM CM DM Dm BM Bm FM Fm(if you didnt know major is captiol M minor is lower case m).
some of those can be difficult but are do able with practice.
you can also start learning the Barre Chord forms when you learn how to play the shapes for the 5th and 6th you can move the chord any where on the root string so learning one chord is like learning 12 chords. then youll beable to 'fake' most pop music.
the second
if it looks like the pros are moving one finger at a time its because they are. as you learn and practice more youll learn short cuts inbetween chords. Am and EM are the same 'shape' but Am is a string higher. switching between CM and Am is very easy you only really need to move your third finger. give it time and youll get it. as you practice more youll notice your keeping your fingers closer and closer to the strings. just like when you learned how to type on a computer.
third
finger style and using a pick i think come down to preference. i use a pick most of the time because my fingernails grow funny and playing on finger tips doesnt give me the 'attack' i want. the only guitar i almost always play finger style on is my classical.
a good finger style player can almost always blow a picker out of the water in certain styles of music. music like the blues, bluegrass, country, classical, some classic rock. metal guitar usually needs a pick because of the fast alternate picking on single strings and leads.
if you can learn to play both ways, that way if you find yourself with out a pick you can still play, and you always have fair enough technique to try something new.
and never forget to play the guitar, forget about the theory and the scales and how to build chords and just play now and then.
They say the END is near, but I'm Tired of waiting.
# 11
Hi Steve,
I have a tutorial called Seamless Chord Changes for Beginners that addresses exactly the chord-change issue you are talking about. Here is the link: http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=484
This may be a good example of how just one month of Full Access could give you a leg up in terms of learning some basic skills and techniques which you could then go on to practice on your own.
I also have complete tutorials in fingerpicking and strumming with a pick, both aimed at beginners. They might help answer a few of your other questions.
And of course, there are many many other great beginner resources posted by other instructors as well.
Just another two cents from me...so now we're down to $14.94?
Have fun - Lisa McCormick
I have a tutorial called Seamless Chord Changes for Beginners that addresses exactly the chord-change issue you are talking about. Here is the link: http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=484
This may be a good example of how just one month of Full Access could give you a leg up in terms of learning some basic skills and techniques which you could then go on to practice on your own.
I also have complete tutorials in fingerpicking and strumming with a pick, both aimed at beginners. They might help answer a few of your other questions.
And of course, there are many many other great beginner resources posted by other instructors as well.
Just another two cents from me...so now we're down to $14.94?
Have fun - Lisa McCormick
Lisa McCormick, GT Instructor
Acoustic, Folk, Pop, Blues
Full Catalog of Lisa's Guitar Tricks Tutorials
Find Lisa on Facebook!
Acoustic, Folk, Pop, Blues
Full Catalog of Lisa's Guitar Tricks Tutorials
Find Lisa on Facebook!
# 12
To be honest, I only really learnt A, C, D, E, and G at first. Of the minors, I learnt only A minor, D minor and E minor. Those 8 chords are enough to play a lot of songs and even start coming up with your own songs. It wasn't until much later (like a year or two, if I remember correctly) that I even bothered with F. Once I could play barred chords with ease, I was able to play any Major chord and any minor chord, including B and B minor. Playing F Major became a lot easier at that point as well. I know that playing barred chords is a little difficult for beginners but developing the strength to fret them is a MASSIVE step up in the world of chords and rhythm playing.
# 13
Thanks so much for the great comments! I'll work on the above tips and post my progress in a few days/weeks... thanks again!
Steve
Steve
# 14
Steve, I hear ya!
I am just two months in to playing myself. I work in Higher Education and have been paying particular attention to "how" to learn. You and I are following the same path.
I hope you stick to it. And I hope you stay with the forum community because that works like having classmates who help each other through.
My belief is that a motivated person can master (I am using that word loosely) basic skills in 90 days. I even set up a blog as a diary because I find I need to write stuff out to think it through.
Anyway, good to meet another pilgrim on the journey.
Derrick
I am just two months in to playing myself. I work in Higher Education and have been paying particular attention to "how" to learn. You and I are following the same path.
I hope you stick to it. And I hope you stay with the forum community because that works like having classmates who help each other through.
My belief is that a motivated person can master (I am using that word loosely) basic skills in 90 days. I even set up a blog as a diary because I find I need to write stuff out to think it through.
Anyway, good to meet another pilgrim on the journey.
Derrick
# 15
Originally Posted by: Mr.NoRythemI find tabs, etc., but it's just so hard without any background and not being able to see someone play through it first... watching a few of the freebees, I really don't see how I'll be able to obtain that "switching" ability -- muscle memory as some pros on this site say... I hope to keep on with it and keep everyone posted. thanks for the replies. Good luck to me I guess...Steve
You can bet there's thousands of members here, pre-internet that are self-taught. We'd get a basic song-book to a band we'd like, learn the chords that are diagrammed, then start playing along with the album. It can be challenging as hell, but if you want it bad enough, you'll do it. Now, you can find tabs for free all over the 'net, and members here to help you out.
How about checking out your local library; I'm willing to bet they have a DVD you can borrow on the basics of guitar. What I would have given to have had what's available now when I started out...
Silimtao-The Way of the Little Idea
I want to die peacefully like my grandfather. Unlike the other passengers in the car, screaming and crying. (unknown)
I want to die peacefully like my grandfather. Unlike the other passengers in the car, screaming and crying. (unknown)
# 16
I've been an instructor here for over 8 years ... so hopefully I don't sound biased.
Quite honestly, even though I kinda work here by providing lessons... I haven't found any other site on the net that is as dedicated, honest and fully committed to providing top quality lessons to help everybody from beginner to advanced guitarists. I don't wanna sound like a cheezy advertisement...but I've received thousands of emails congratulating Guitar Tricks for the way they not only present lessons, but help guitarists after the fact by answering email questions. Not just emailing back, but providing additional videos, TABS and descriptions and other additional help without any limits whatsoever.
Quite honestly, even though I kinda work here by providing lessons... I haven't found any other site on the net that is as dedicated, honest and fully committed to providing top quality lessons to help everybody from beginner to advanced guitarists. I don't wanna sound like a cheezy advertisement...but I've received thousands of emails congratulating Guitar Tricks for the way they not only present lessons, but help guitarists after the fact by answering email questions. Not just emailing back, but providing additional videos, TABS and descriptions and other additional help without any limits whatsoever.
# 17
This website can't correct your technique errors or tell you if your axe needs to be setup. go get a teacher. not some dude at the local music store with 35 + "students". Find a gigging musician or a jazz teacher or someone who can keep track of your progress. The hardest part is the first year or so but that's when you progress the most.
# 18
I got my first guitar 2 months ago as well.
There is a lot of good stuff on here. I have the full access pass. If I have one complaint, or suggestion for making the site more friendly to noobs, organize the beginning lessons better.
There doesn't seem to be much direction on what to start with and where to go from there. I always end up getting a bit A.D.D. and wandering from the chords, to a lesson on 12 bar blues, to scales etc.
All in all I like the site and it has been helpful.
There is a lot of good stuff on here. I have the full access pass. If I have one complaint, or suggestion for making the site more friendly to noobs, organize the beginning lessons better.
There doesn't seem to be much direction on what to start with and where to go from there. I always end up getting a bit A.D.D. and wandering from the chords, to a lesson on 12 bar blues, to scales etc.
All in all I like the site and it has been helpful.
# 19