Learning the guitar
- Thread starter geek
- Start date
HI geek. This is sort of up my alley seeing that I played in a band and pkayed the Vancouver circuit for about 6 yrs and have been in the studio a few times.
The simpliest advice I can suggest is to first find a teacher that understands your needs. You'll have people tell you can teach yourself and thats true but like everything in life there is a right and wrong way of doing things. A teacher will prevent the wrong ways. But keep this in mind---talk to several teachers and not just one. Trust me!!
Also.....this is imnportant!!!!!!! PLEASE.....PLEASE... Don't spend alot of money on a guitar!! Dont do it!! Go inexpensive! So many people buy an expensive guitar and in no time Get bored of it only to let her sit and collect dust!! I fucking hate that!! Whatever stores offer....go less!
I would suggest buying a Acoustic with steel Mid strings. Why....Because with Steel strings your fingers will have to get use to the feel and you will gain strength in you fingers fast. Nylon strings would be for Classical guitars but that could be decided for later on if you go that route. If you choose to play and eletric guitar now or later you'll have to get use to steel strings anyways so I would start off with an acoustic. It's the easiest.
I took lesson on guitar for a couple of years and self taught myself on BASS which isn't hard but I wish i had a stayed with a teacher for either instruments alot longer. Get taught...........its worth it!
When i got into bands down here I learned alot off players who were way more advanced in areas I wasn't so I learned more about Band stuff than anything else kind of overnight.
Truth is I'm starting to relearn my guitar. I've lost so much on it now Im like a beginner now!!!!!! Fucking sad and I'm pissed at myself for this. I'm strongly considering lessons as well.
One more thing! Take your time and have fun learning it. If you force yourself you'll hate it because frustration will set in. Learning the guitar properly takes time and alot patience but once you over that fist hill, its a blast! It really is.
Have fun ---rememeber that!
Good things come to people who wait ( have patience)
This is the best advice I can suggest to you. Rock on!!!!
Ask me anything else.
The simpliest advice I can suggest is to first find a teacher that understands your needs. You'll have people tell you can teach yourself and thats true but like everything in life there is a right and wrong way of doing things. A teacher will prevent the wrong ways. But keep this in mind---talk to several teachers and not just one. Trust me!!
Also.....this is imnportant!!!!!!! PLEASE.....PLEASE... Don't spend alot of money on a guitar!! Dont do it!! Go inexpensive! So many people buy an expensive guitar and in no time Get bored of it only to let her sit and collect dust!! I fucking hate that!!
Whatever stores offer....go less!I would suggest buying a Acoustic with steel Mid strings. Why....Because with Steel strings your fingers will have to get use to the feel and you will gain strength in you fingers fast. Nylon strings would be for Classical guitars but that could be decided for later on if you go that route. If you choose to play and eletric guitar now or later you'll have to get use to steel strings anyways so I would start off with an acoustic. It's the easiest.
I took lesson on guitar for a couple of years and self taught myself on BASS which isn't hard but I wish i had a stayed with a teacher for either instruments alot longer. Get taught...........its worth it!
When i got into bands down here I learned alot off players who were way more advanced in areas I wasn't so I learned more about Band stuff than anything else kind of overnight.
Truth is I'm starting to relearn my guitar. I've lost so much on it now Im like a beginner now!!!!!!
Fucking sad and I'm pissed at myself for this. I'm strongly considering lessons as well.One more thing! Take your time and have fun learning it. If you force yourself you'll hate it because frustration will set in. Learning the guitar properly takes time and alot patience but once you over that fist hill, its a blast! It really is.
Have fun ---rememeber that!
Good things come to people who wait ( have patience)
This is the best advice I can suggest to you. Rock on!!!!
Ask me anything else.
Imho...
So I do believe Sit-on-my-face has quite a few really good points...
If you are serious about loving the sound of the guitar...Buy one! Just don't go to pawn shops, they will rip you off, and don't pay anymore than 500 for your first brand new one!
Even if you get board of it, you can always keep it around in case you have a vistor that is able to entertain you with their musical talent!
If you do make it to the third level you will probably be a the point when you can start a "Jam session".....or "open mic" oh thats fun, its almost like a more intimate way of talking...
And music teachers can be anyone really, Everyone has their own style of sound...other people can help you find your own
you don't have to pay for music lessons, they are found in so many different situations...and you could teach yourself, there are so many "how to" books and dvds out now!
(**you should take lessons though so you have the written knowlege then you can explain the sounds you looking to get from others anywhere in the world**)
If you want to be a music teacher.....you could do it in about 10 years if you start today...LOL you need level 9 to be certified!
And you need to be certified before being accepted into CapilanoCollage for a 3yr course to become a musical therepist LOL
I say keep your desire to learn, give your honest effort because you will get an awesome sense of accomplishment, but keep it as a hobbie...
The money sucks in music...There is a chance you might practice and get really amazing and then get famous but...
not very likely
When my grandmother was alive, She had dimensia and forgot a lot of things but she never forgot the lyrics to her favorite german songs I played for her...
Sometimes the rewards of playing for yourself or others are totally unforgettable.
I once played "Imagine" at a wedding of over 200 people the sound of so many people clapping after, and to think I will be remembered on the couples special day was like getting high without drugs....lol especially because that song is a very simple song to play but because I was just learning it felt like a battle, but I did it and anyone can really with enough practice...
Best of luck to you!
xo
D.
So I do believe Sit-on-my-face has quite a few really good points...
If you are serious about loving the sound of the guitar...Buy one! Just don't go to pawn shops, they will rip you off, and don't pay anymore than 500 for your first brand new one!
Even if you get board of it, you can always keep it around in case you have a vistor that is able to entertain you with their musical talent!
If you do make it to the third level you will probably be a the point when you can start a "Jam session".....or "open mic" oh thats fun, its almost like a more intimate way of talking...
And music teachers can be anyone really, Everyone has their own style of sound...other people can help you find your own
you don't have to pay for music lessons, they are found in so many different situations...and you could teach yourself, there are so many "how to" books and dvds out now!
(**you should take lessons though so you have the written knowlege then you can explain the sounds you looking to get from others anywhere in the world**)
If you want to be a music teacher.....you could do it in about 10 years if you start today...LOL you need level 9 to be certified!
And you need to be certified before being accepted into CapilanoCollage for a 3yr course to become a musical therepist LOL
I say keep your desire to learn, give your honest effort because you will get an awesome sense of accomplishment, but keep it as a hobbie...
The money sucks in music...There is a chance you might practice and get really amazing and then get famous but...
not very likely
When my grandmother was alive, She had dimensia and forgot a lot of things but she never forgot the lyrics to her favorite german songs I played for her...
Sometimes the rewards of playing for yourself or others are totally unforgettable.
I once played "Imagine" at a wedding of over 200 people the sound of so many people clapping after, and to think I will be remembered on the couples special day was like getting high without drugs....lol especially because that song is a very simple song to play but because I was just learning it felt like a battle, but I did it and anyone can really with enough practice...
Best of luck to you!
xo
D.
Thanks for all the good advice folks (and those that PMed me. I bought the guitar today, a Denver something or other I picked up at Long & McQuade for $125, it wasn't the absolute cheapest guitar but it was the cheapest brand new guitar and it has steel strings. To my, admittedly inexperienced ear it does sound good. And I did check Craigslist but most of the guitars there started at $500. I'm definitely going to get a couple of different teachers but I will also learn on my own. Now I can terrorize my cats and possibly my neighbours as I try and learn the guitar.
I am learning the guitar to try something different and try and round out my interests. There is a reason I chose the handle geek .
I don't have expectations of being famous or actually being more than an average guitarist but I hope to have some fun learning something new.
BTW I saw a Hello kitty guitar, that was scary.
I am learning the guitar to try something different and try and round out my interests. There is a reason I chose the handle geek
. I don't have expectations of being famous or actually being more than an average guitarist but I hope to have some fun learning something new.
BTW I saw a Hello kitty guitar, that was scary.
Geek:
Along with whatever has been said above, you should get a electronic tuner, a decent one is under $30 (Seiko is a good one), and you should have your teacher, whoever he/she may be, or a friend who plays guitar, look over your guitar, and see if it needs a setup. Others may not agree, but most factory guitars ship with an action that is too high, making the guitar harder to play. This discourage people from playing. Also, you should plan on getting an extra set of strings, as they will be needed for the setup.
I don't know what Vancouver is like, but you may also need a guitar humidifier if the humidity levels stay below 35% for a lot of the time, assuming the guitar has a solid top. If it is all plywood (sometimes called laminate) you'll be fine without a humidifier.
I was going to suggest an Art & Lutherie guitar, but you have something you like so go with it.
Kinman
Along with whatever has been said above, you should get a electronic tuner, a decent one is under $30 (Seiko is a good one), and you should have your teacher, whoever he/she may be, or a friend who plays guitar, look over your guitar, and see if it needs a setup. Others may not agree, but most factory guitars ship with an action that is too high, making the guitar harder to play. This discourage people from playing. Also, you should plan on getting an extra set of strings, as they will be needed for the setup.
I don't know what Vancouver is like, but you may also need a guitar humidifier if the humidity levels stay below 35% for a lot of the time, assuming the guitar has a solid top. If it is all plywood (sometimes called laminate) you'll be fine without a humidifier.
I was going to suggest an Art & Lutherie guitar, but you have something you like so go with it.
Kinman
Thanks Kinman I picked up an electronic tuner that uses the strings vibration rather than a microphone and I expect that if do enjoy guitaring I will pick up a better guitar. I
This si a really good point. I forgot about this. The action or set up is called intonatin. SO if you should take it in or do it yourself mention intonatin to them.
WHAT?!! LOL Where was that when I was guitar shopping?!!!
hehe anyways hope you get many hours of fun out of your new toy!
Oh and once you have memorized some notes, enough to play a song....a metronome is a good investment as well...
Its all about the rhythm baby!
xox
D.
Yeah, u can definitely find a lot of info online for beginning guitar -- and most of it is free. All kinds of videos on youtube and stuff -- but beware....
I just got from the "beginner" level to the "intermediate" level -- but it was with help from an online course that I had to pay for. I had started with the free stuff but the problem was that I couldn't ORGANIZE the free lessons in any kind of moderately rational way.. I was always switching between various videos and there was no order to anything. So I was trying to do scales when I should have just been dealing with really basic picking technique and etc.
So eventually I decided I need to do an actual online course -- http://consumerfilter.org/products/jamorama -- it actually worked pretty well! I might recommend you try it out.
cheers
I just got from the "beginner" level to the "intermediate" level -- but it was with help from an online course that I had to pay for. I had started with the free stuff but the problem was that I couldn't ORGANIZE the free lessons in any kind of moderately rational way.. I was always switching between various videos and there was no order to anything. So I was trying to do scales when I should have just been dealing with really basic picking technique and etc.
So eventually I decided I need to do an actual online course -- http://consumerfilter.org/products/jamorama -- it actually worked pretty well! I might recommend you try it out.
cheers
if you are interested in bluuegrass, or just playing with a group of friendly supportive people who will all help you learn, check out the Pacific Bluegrass and Heritage Society, particularly their s"slow pitch" jam sessions.
http://www.pacificbluegrass.bc.ca/index.shtml
Cheers
http://www.pacificbluegrass.bc.ca/index.shtml
Cheers
