I want to learn guitar..

[Flingo]

But all I have is a shitty acoustic and I dont have enough money for lessons. Is it hard to teach yourself and how much does a les paul usually go for?

[Ed-is-GIGANTOR]

One MILLLION DOLLARS!

A couple hundred. If you dont know how to play and you want to learn. Try buying a crappy guitar, finding out if you can even do it well enough to spend that much money on a good guitar.

[Dre-Man]

At 12/18/06 12:04 AM, Flingo wrote: But all I have is a shitty acoustic and I dont have enough money for lessons. Is it hard to teach yourself and how much does a les paul usually go for?

2000 dollars +, and a shitty acoustic is all you need to LEARN how to play guitar. You don't need a Flying V in order to learn to play a guitar, a beat up acoustic is the best thing for learnign, actually. Learn to play, then buy your Les Paul standard Gibson. And just a hint of advice, don't by an Epiphone, they use layered wood, and you'll never get any resale value on it, Epiphone is a cheap brand, trust me. Buy a Gibson Les Paul, nothing else.

[Pre-K-Prostitute]

Buy a used strat. You can get em off e-bay for about 30 bucks.

[Flingo]

Guess Ill have to repair my acoustic then, two strings broke off cause of my dumbass friends. >.> Thanks..

[Impressed-Arts]

Search on google Guitar Tabs... Most songs have a tab somewhere on the internet... They would look like this...

e[------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------] <---bottom string
B[------------------------------------------- --------------------0--0-----------]
G[-----2-2--------------2-2----------------2- 1---------------2-1----------------]
D[-2-2-----0-0-2-2--2-2-----0-0-5-5-4-2--2--- --0--0-4-2-2--2----------5-5-4-4---]
A[------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------]
E[------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------] < Top String

and the numbers represent the fret or bar on your guitar...

[Worthless-Wisdom]

Ive been learning guitar for like a month and a bit now. The only resource I have is the internet, not tthat thats a bad thing mind. My view on the whole matter is that if you teach yourself you wont learn much theory and you'll just learn to play songs.

And a shitty acoustic is all you need.

[Dre-Man]

At 12/18/06 12:11 AM, Impressed-Arts wrote: Search on google Guitar Tabs... Most songs have a tab somewhere on the internet... They would look like this...

e[------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------] <---bottom string
B[------------------------------------------- --------------------0--0-----------]
G[-----2-2--------------2-2----------------2- 1---------------2-1----------------]
D[-2-2-----0-0-2-2--2-2-----0-0-5-5-4-2--2--- --0--0-4-2-2--2----------5-5-4-4---]
A[------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------]
E[------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------] < Top String

and the numbers represent the fret or bar on your guitar...

DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS MAN!!! Learn notes first, never learn tabs, if you don't learn notes first you will regret it later, BELIEVE ME WHEN I SAY! I still don't know how to read notes, and I'm struggling to learn how, and guess why? Because I learned tabs first. Learn from my mistakes, and trust me, learn notes. And trust me, learning notes is a definite requirement if you ever want to write your own music effectively, and it even helps a lot when playing other guy's licks.

[Impressed-Arts]

I still don't know how to read notes, and I'm struggling to learn how, and guess why? Because I learned tabs first.

Is it really harder to learn notes after?

[Ed-is-GIGANTOR]

At 12/18/06 12:15 AM, Dre-Man wrote:

At 12/18/06 12:11 AM, Impressed-Arts wrote: Search on google Guitar Tabs... Most songs have a tab somewhere on the internet... They would look like this...

e[------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------] <---bottom string
B[------------------------------------------- --------------------0--0-----------]
G[-----2-2--------------2-2----------------2- 1---------------2-1----------------]
D[-2-2-----0-0-2-2--2-2-----0-0-5-5-4-2--2--- --0--0-4-2-2--2----------5-5-4-4---]
A[------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------]
E[------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------] < Top String

and the numbers represent the fret or bar on your guitar...

DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS MAN!!! Learn notes first, never learn tabs, if you don't learn notes first you will regret it later, BELIEVE ME WHEN I SAY! I still don't know how to read notes, and I'm struggling to learn how, and guess why? Because I learned tabs first. Learn from my mistakes, and trust me, learn notes. And trust me, learning notes is a definite requirement if you ever want to write your own music effectively, and it even helps a lot when playing other guy's licks.

Hes completely right. Do not learn Tabs. Go out and spend the money on an actual book. Because if you are serious about playing guitar you're going to want to know how to play sheet music. Tabs are for lazy 14 year olds who dont really want to learn how to play they just want to be able to say they can do it. I tried learning notes, lost interest, picked up my guitar again 5 months later and my cousin gave me tabs and thats all I played. I completely regret it. Its like any other instrument pretend that Tabs dont even exist. Buy a book!

[Dre-Man]

At 12/18/06 12:17 AM, Impressed-Arts wrote:

I still don't know how to read notes, and I'm struggling to learn how, and guess why? Because I learned tabs first.

Is it really harder to learn notes after?

Definately.

[Impressed-Arts]

Definately.

Well, I might as well go out and get a book and learn now because I'm still kind of new, I was learning tabs because my friend showed me it and told me it was easy...

[Ed-is-GIGANTOR]

At 12/18/06 12:22 AM, Impressed-Arts wrote:

Definately.

Well, I might as well go out and get a book and learn now because I'm still kind of new, I was learning tabs because my friend showed me it and told me it was easy...

It is easy, anyone can do it. Do you really want to be just any old guitar player? If you really want to be good learn how to play sheet music. Once you are able to read sheet music and can play guitar well go check out tabs to your favorite songs. If you ever wanted to start a band and all you could read was tabs they'd tell you to go jump out a window. There are alot of guitarists out there. You can either be a good one or a crappy one.

[DaBigCow]

Learning an instument is realy hard and takes a lot of practice. Its not as easy as it looks. And don't learn Guitar. Learn a cool instrument like the Banjo, or the cello, or the trombone.

[Worthless-Wisdom]

You guys are acting as if everybody who plays a guitar is working towards being a good guitarist and making thier own music.

What about the casual guitar player? Tabs are fucking awesome. Down right. No doubt about it. Theyre quick and easy, just the way a lot of people like it. I myself just want to learn some songs by famous people so that I can show them off to other people. Plain and simple.

Stop dissing tabs.

[DoomyCheese]

Meh, everyone nowadays want's to learn guitar, thing is, only like 5% are ever good at it. Why not part from the stream and learn something more usefull like bass or drums? I see so many adds in those music mags for people looking for bassists and drummers for bands with 3-4 guitarists. It's rediculous! If after a week of playing guitar you can handle a few basic riffs with no muck ups, then you'll be fine. However if you are like the vast majority of wanna be guitarists I know who can't keep time, can't hit the right strings, can't play the right notes and look extremely awkward when playing, then really you shouldn't learn guitar. Some of these people I know have been playing for longer than I have and it's like watching grass grow as they try and play the simplest of the simple; Smoke on the water. You say you have an acoustic already so I'm going to assume you know some basics, if you're ok at those basics then yes I would advise you learn guitar. Some people just don't have musical abilities and couldn't coordinate their hands with there eyes even if they sell there soul to the Devil.

But if you really must, learn guitar :)

[Flingo]

At 12/18/06 12:43 AM, DaBigCow wrote: Learning an instument is realy hard and takes a lot of practice. Its not as easy as it looks. And don't learn Guitar. Learn a cool instrument like the Banjo, or the cello, or the trombone.

I can play trumptet.. I just want to be able to play a few more instruments. (mainly guitar.)

[wwwyzzerdd]

Stop being a lazy dick and learn it on your own.

[PenisClown]

At 12/18/06 12:43 AM, DaBigCow wrote: Learn a cool instrument like the Banjo

Nothing says cool more than an inbred hillbilly slack jawed yokel.

[MidnyteRayne]

It doesn't matter if you learn Tabs or Notes.

Everything you can find notes for, there's a tabbed form for. Learning notes and musical theories is a load of bullshit. If your main purpose for learning guitar is to write your own music, you don't need to worry about notes anyways. Learn to play by ear.

[LaCosaNostra]

Lol, I want to learn to play guitar too. I've never played guitar, but I play piano (I know a couple dozen classical pieces by heart), and I can read notes. Although, playing these notes on a guitar might be difficult. Would knowing how to play piano help on a guitar? Exactly how do you play guitar, like there must be some techniques on stroking the strings.

BTW for learning notes try this.

[melbert]

At 12/18/06 12:19 AM, Dre-Man wrote:

At 12/18/06 12:17 AM, Impressed-Arts wrote:

I still don't know how to read notes, and I'm struggling to learn how, and guess why? Because I learned tabs first.

Is it really harder to learn notes after?

Definately.

I know I started learning tabs when I was 14... And I still don't know notes.
Learn chords... Chords are easy to remember and you can play almost anything with them.
Trying to learn guitar takes a lot of practice. Keep it in your hand as much as possible, especially if you're high or drunk. This makes you want to fool around with it more.

As for buying a guitar, it's best if you can try it out first. Find one that's comfy to hold when sitting and you don't have to push real hard on the strings. It's pretty easy to find a cheap used one that no one wants anymore, cause a lot of people give up trying to learn within a year.
Anyways, have fun with it. ;)

[LinkSilvermane]

D'you guys know how much a normal guitar would cost? A wooden one, I mean?

[LaCosaNostra]

Lol, just checked eBay, one guy is selling his guitars for $0.01. No bids though. Is it safe buying guitars of ebay? When they say "right handed guitar" what does it mean? Do you stroke the strings with your right hand, or hold the neck with your right hand? Also, what's a good size guitar for a beginner? They have many different ones.

How wrong. Tablature is the STANDARD in all fretted stringed instruments today. Not only is it EASIER to use, but all the needed information ca be put INSIDE the tab in any way shape or form.

All you need is the key (not really) and the beat per minute and the tablature is fine. Learning tablature is ACTUALLY what they are switching to in most schools.

So no, don't listen to those people. As a self taught and GIGGING musician who makes $400 per person per gig in a 5 piece band, I think I'd know =(. I'd post some actual usefull info, but if the advice here has been followed the damage has allready been done.

[Twerpo]

At 12/18/06 03:55 AM, CrimsonEdge wrote: How wrong. Tablature is the STANDARD in all fretted stringed instruments today. Not only is it EASIER to use, but all the needed information ca be put INSIDE the tab in any way shape or form.

What you don't seem to understand is that tabs only work if you already know the rythem before playing ths song. If it's a song you've never heard before, you're screwed. Not only that but fucking MUSIC is the standard for all fretted instruments today. It's been a standard for years. Tabs have just picked up because little kids don't feel like putting actual effort into learning an instrument.

If you are going to pick up an instrument, do it right. Don't just slop through it. The whole point of playing an instrument is, at it's very core and origin, about performing. Now if all you can play is tabs, then you can't write your own music. If you can't write your own music, you can't play any original song.

All you need is the key (not really) and the beat per minute and the tablature is fine.

Wow, your really dumb. First off, you always need to know the key of the song if you're playing with anyone else. Otherwise, you're in a different key than the other guy and sound like shit.

Learning tablature is ACTUALLY what they are switching to in most schools.

That's in public school right? Do you realise how little kids actually give a shit about playing an instrument in public schools? The reason they are switching to tabbing is because most gives don't have the patience to learn music theory. Albeit, music theory is a bitch to learn, it is still a neccesary part of being a musician. It's rediculous to think that a guitarist would have no grasp on theory and still be skilled. If you want to be known as a truly good guitarist, you have to know your theory. That way, on a chord progression, you can play alternate cords and spice it up, so it's not as boring.

So no, don't listen to those people. As a self taught and GIGGING musician who makes $400 per person per gig in a 5 piece band, I think I'd know =(. I'd post some actual usefull info, but if the advice here has been followed the damage has allready been done.

You're gigging. Woopdyfuckingdoo. ANYONE can get a gig. It's actually not that difficult. You can get away with tabbing with a few small gigs because people don't mind if you copy other musicians.

[JonH2O]

http://www.freeguitarvideos.com/

Lessons are free!

[Gunter45]

I've been teaching myself how to play for a couple years now. For the basics, yeah, you can teach yourself anything, but if you want to get really good, you need lessons. I know some really good guitar players and sometimes it really helps to just get a few pointers, play a little and let them tell you what you're doing wrong.

At 12/18/06 05:30 AM, Gunter45 wrote: I've been teaching myself how to play for a couple years now. For the basics, yeah, you can teach yourself anything, but if you want to get really good, you need lessons. I know some really good guitar players and sometimes it really helps to just get a few pointers, play a little and let them tell you what you're doing wrong.

This is the best information given in this thread. Beginners should take a months of lessons and then stop. Ask him to teach you the basics and let him know that's what you want. After that, you should be fine to teach yourself for years to come. I've only taken a hand full of lessons in my life, all of them when I was young and I honestly don't remember a damn thing from them. However, I do need to take lessons for a month to fully understand sweep picking as well as how to properly use them and incorporate them into my solos and playing.

After that, I might take a few lessons on pinched harmonics. Not to teach me how, but how to do certain things with them.

At 12/18/06 12:25 AM, Ed-is-GIGANTOR wrote: It is easy, anyone can do it. Do you really want to be just any old guitar player? If you really want to be good learn how to play sheet music. Once you are able to read sheet music and can play guitar well go check out tabs to your favorite songs. If you ever wanted to start a band and all you could read was tabs they'd tell you to go jump out a window. There are alot of guitarists out there. You can either be a good one or a crappy one.

I can not disagree more.

Simply knowing how to read sheet music does not improve your playing. Infact, that's like saying puting a decal on a car makes it faster. It doesn't. Your statement about bands is false as well. Again, tablature is the true media for fretted stringed instruments. Seeing as the guitar has an insanely wide range of notes compared to other stringed instruments, tablature is rather obsolete, especially when dealing with complex solos that go up and down the fret board.

Again, learning a certain media of how music is composed does not make you a good or bad player. Infact, it has absolutely nothing to do with what kind of player you actually are.

Tablature will let you have an easier time at learning solos as well as composing chords and other things. If the tab is made correctly, it will tell you the BPM as well as when to rest and HOW to play the notes as well as how/when to use certain effects.

Hell, it's even easier to write tablature out than it is sheet music =).