Any tips on learning how to play the gituar.?

Question

i am starting lessons next week and i really could use some pointers. so if ya know anything i really probally should know.

Answer 1

Learning with a professional tutor, is probably the best way to go, and the tips given by Guitarpicker 56 here, sound VERY good.

--------------------------------------...

BUT, if you want to teach yourself, or play really quickly, (as some might, who read your question) here are my tips.....................

It took me three weeks to play well enough to accompany my own singng, without losing the rhythm. I hope to show others the easiest method here.  

Donni-Jay's Quick Method.

Only practise will do that! It might not make it perfect, as that saying tells us, but it will help you improve!

I learned by singing country and blues songs, that I already knew and tried to change the chord to keep the same rhythm going. It meant that I had to keep a singing note going long enough to get onto that chord. Soon, that way, I became faster, and learned, self-taught with just looking at the chord formations in a book. I also never felt the pain in my finger tips so badly as the excitement carried me through it.

1: To play by ear, to your own singing or a song on the radio or CD, play it over and over.

2: Write out the lyrics with double spacing in between, to leave space for you to add chords above the words. Try all the chords and see which one fits that particular note. It will sound right and not appear to be fighting, or clashing with the music.

2: Remember, or write that chord down above the words that were being sung, when you found this chord.

3: Having this one chord, you should understand that the other chords will be within three frets of that chord, either up or down the neck.

4: Keep playing along to the music, or your singing, and memorise which chords you played which sounded correct. Write it down over the words it sounded correct on.

5: Now keep practising until you have all the chords in the right order.

6: When you can play the song through right from the start, the first chord you use, will be the key of the song. Write that down by the title.

7: You will find on playing other songs that there is a pattern. This means you will soon find it easy to play by ear, as there are two main basic patterns you can work from. You only need patience and the will to succeed.

6: If you really cannot find an elusive chord, it may be that the music is too difficult at this stage, and there may be a chord, such as a 7th or a minor that you can learn later.

7: Pick very easy songs first to build up your confidence and skill.

Most important: Remember to hold down the strings correctly, not buzzing any of them at all, and do not speed up until you can do this. Bad habits can set in and make it harder for you to learn properly. Do it right from the start.

Of course, if you already have songs with chords written over the words, that will help you to learn the pattern faster, and you can apply that to the instructions above, to learn to play by ear which will be good for you, as you will be able to jam with others.

Answer 2

1. Since you've found a qualified guitar instructor your next step is to buy a beginner's guitar chord book having basic music theory. Also, learn how to spell  the word GUITAR.

2. Have your instructor show the good habits to form in building chords and playing them, how to string a guitar, how to take care of your instrument, and how to tune it.

3. As you learn and practice forming various chords ask your instructor to teach you the basics of music theory.

4. As you progress, ask the instructor to help you in:

a. Chord progression

b. Key transposition

c. How to determine the key signatures in music.

d. Writing basic music notation.

e. Playing rhythm as he plays melodies and vice versa.

f. Learning the Chromatic Scale with chords and notes.



5. Practice rhythm and strumming techniques--both striking the fundamental bass tone and strumming down and then back up. Practice fingerstyle methods of right picking different strings in chord backup.

6. Keep your instrument clean and in good shape. Treat it better than you would your own body. Keep your hands clean and dry while playing. That cuts back on oily residues.

7. Watch other guitarists and their technique or style. Copy their methods up to the point of forming your own style.

And finally, your fingertips will hurt terribly until you can build the calluses on them. Until then, you must endure hours of practice. If you don't have the motivation and strong will to work past the problem of sore fingertips you will never be a guitarist