Another rookie enters from stage right.

I just joined this site and am quite excited about it. I have been looking for an online complete solution to allow me to get back into learning guitar again.

I have a newborn at home and really can't justify the cost and time of seeking out live 1 on 1 lessons.

I love the idea of being able to go at my own pace and repeat lessons as needed at home. With that said, before I dig in this evening, can someone estimate how much time it takes to go through Fundamentals 1? And 2? Just an estimate would help me out so I can plan my own lessons out a bit.

Thanks.

Hi Stone, and welcome, I'm new here too, but thought I'd offer my first reply to other newbies.

I thought I seen somewhere on the main site as to how long you should expect to spend on each lesson, but I can't seem to find it now.

Anyway, your question is sorta broad, in that there's no definitive answer, I don't think: it all depends.

It depends on where you're at right now. Are you an absolute beginner with no idea of how to hold a pick, or do you know the basics of how to hold the guitar, know what each hand does, but don't know any chords? Or, have you been playing for years (like I have), but never did it completely right?

I think that as you go to each Fundamental, you will probably know when to skip ahead over stuff you already know. BUT, be cautious: I have skipped over stuff I THOUGHT I knew, only to come back later out of curiosity and view the whole lesson, and find something I hadn't thought about before, that helped me.

In short, I would say there's no way to tell exactly. Just take your time and advance only when you've completely understood and can duplicate what the instructors are teaching.

Post back and let us know which stage you're at with the guitar right now. This will definitely get you some better replies. And stay tuned for followups by the masters.

Welcome to the site,

Terry

Thanks for the reply.

I have been playing guitar on and off for 15 years or so but am treating this return as a total beginner so that I learn it right and stick with it. That said, I can play a handful of songs that do not include any chords. Chords, in general, are tough for me. I have smaller hands and get frustrated trying to keep the strings free of stragglers that lead to clunking sounds. So this is where I would get stuck, frustrated and end up putting the guitar aside for awhile.

Also, I am left-handed but I play guitar right-handed. This was how I was taught in high school. So, while my left hand is strong on the fretboard, I struggle with strumming and finding the appropriate strings with my right hand. Maybe this go around, I should consider flipping over and playing lefty. Now, that would mean really starting fresh.

Back to my OP .... I was trying to gauge a week vs a month vs several months. I know it will vary and vary greatly but was curious what the average person spends on these 2 fundamental courses? And how long they actually run ... if you just let them play straight through.

Hi Stone

First welcome aboard. I am a fairly new member as well but figured i would give you my input.

i have only played for a little over 3 weeks myself, but through the lessons here have come quite a long way from where i was 3 weeks ago.

3 Weeks ago i did not know a chord from a fish in a barrel. Now i can do all the major chords and switch between them fairly well, except for B and F which does cause me some trouble. I do not yet have enough pinkie strength to barre it.

As you i am lefthanded but everyone in my local music store and friends told me i would be better off learning right handed in the long run.

Also i suffer from tiny hands but i refuse to let that be a hindrance. Google about small handed guitar players and you will find plenty of inspiration :)
I find that if i am very disciplined with keeping my thumb "hanging" down from the neck instead of curled around i get much further reach. Almost like my hand is spider legged around the neck. Not sure how else to explain it.

Though i do notice i seem to need more hand movement to reach across certain frets etc, but not a show stopper.

The way i have progressed through the lessons is like this:

Week1:
I started with GF1 and went to town. Of course i couldn't resist but had to look into GF2, however that was a huge mistake. All that theory just about had me quit. I was literally "OMG, WTF???? I need to know this to play guitar?"

Almost made me put my gear up for sale on ebay ;) Now i am happy i did not.

A beginner like me had no business in those lessons. ;)

Also went through Lisa Mccormick's Fingerpicking lesson for beginners which was a blast and very helpful. I never knew my fingers where able to play like that :D

Week2:

working on all the lessons in the second half of GF1. Spent quite a bit of time doing all those simply melodies to get used to moving my hand around while fretting notes and strumming.

Week3:

Continued work on all the chords, and melody stuff. Added "the spider gym" exercises from Lisa Mccormick.

Also had a ephiphany of sorts. All that theory that freaked me out in week one suddenly started to "click" when i started the first lessons on C Major scale in GF2.

Chris Schlegel was explaining in another post about the formula for wholesteps and halfsteps and while working on the scale it just suddenly made sense. fiddling around i could actually hear and predict where the next note to be played would be based on his explanation or "formula" so to speak

As far as time spent i have been doing average of 30 minutes to 1 hour every day

I definitely would recommend joining as a full member. Very much worth it.

another website i use that complements this one very well (at least in my stage of learning) is www.justinguitar.com

Just realized how long this have become. I really only meant to type a quick comment but it sorta grew. Hope it all makes sense or some of it is usefull to you :)

Regards

Noxx

Originally Posted by: stonecutter908 With that said, before I dig in this evening, can someone estimate how much time it takes to go through Fundamentals 1? And 2?

As long as it takes.


I know that sounds kind of like an empty answer, but, it's the right one. Good luck and have fun. :)

Personally it took me about 15 hours to do, with me playing around with it. I knew must of the stuff and just skimmed back over it and practiced between videos. I think you should tkae as long as you need to watch videos over and get your techniques right. You can also bookmark videos next to where you watch them it says "Bookmark" and you can view your bookmarks by clicking "Bookmarks" right next "Account" at the very top of the page.

Yours Truly,
Logan

P.S. Good Luck ;P