What is the best route to take to learn the electric guitar?

Question

Should I try to continue to teach myself (not getting very far to be honest) or fork out for lessons?
Im thinking lessons would spur me on to actually practice on a weekly basis rather than just muddle along...

Answer 1

Pro lessons are expensive, but you don't need to go every week, you could go once a fortnight, as long as you practise every day. Use the tutor as a safety net to make sure you are not forming any bad habits or technique. You can continue to teach yourself while you do this from books,the net, and by ear. Another thing is that you don't need to go to lessons for too long.I am a drummer and as a kid i went to pro lessons until i had learned enough to teach myself without developing bad habits.
LINKS........

http://www.cyberfret.com/index.php

http://www.chordie.com/

http://www.igdb.co.uk/

Answer 2

Having lessons is probably the best way to learn as it will teach you the techniques involved in playing the guitar properly. However, I taught myself and guitar playing friends of mine have noted that I have good technique. The key to doing it yourself is to keep at it - practice, practice, practice - and listen to as much guitar music as possible and try to figure out how it's done. Buy a few tuition books, start simple and progressively try new things. Also try playing with other, more experienced guitarists at jam nights or music shops. You should be able to pick up a few pointers.

Good luck, and keep at it!

Answer 3

Bar chords baby! Lessons are a very good thing, but try and master the primary bar chord patter (Index finger accross all six strings, middle/ring/pinkie doing an 'E' chord below), and secondary bar chord (index finger across first five strings, ring finger two frets below across first four strings).

These are major chords, they are used in almost every popular rock song. May I suggest downloading "Smoke on the Water" for a classic example of a Bar Chord rift?

The chords provide your anchor to learning lead and melody scales/notes, but if you're just a beginniner you can get the bar chord thing down in 1-2 weeks with regular practice.

Good Luck!

Answer 4

lessons will definately help. They give you motivation and you can really improve by practicing between lessons.

Also, it would be great if you could practice with someone else. Not many guitar players suddenly appear on the scene - they work with thier mates and figure it out as a group.

The solo approach worked for me, its just a bit slower, not as enjoyable and increases the stress when you do finally play wth others.

Answer 5

Lessons would give you structure but don't forget to enjoy it at the same time! A good book would also be an inspiration, I would recommend The Complete Guitar Player (Paperback)
by Russ Shipton. It's everything you need to know.

Answer 6

buy a sheet music book of a band( my first book was Led Zeppelin) that you like and know the songs in your head, that has the chords written above the music, and strum along with the lyrics, you'll be able to hear the melody and it makes for good learning and it gets easier and easier to get yourself off the ground, from there you can bore yourself w/ scales and technique, or you can learn to play whats in your head, i prefer whats in my head:)

Answer 7

it depends, some people do better learning on their own, some with lessons. i've found it helpful to play with people who are better than me and pick up tricks from them. it's also quite good to play along with records you like. playing along with r.e.m. works great, because when they started recording peter buck was technically lamentable and only learned over time, so if you start with chronic town and work your way to the catalogue, you can essentially learn with him.

Answer 8

First finger strength , then exercises ,then learn scales , then chords , then improvise with both and use your ear to see what sounds good.

Answer 9

you should get lessons that you can afford but still teach you how to play.

Answer 10

good advice wolfmettle! i think,for me..as a guitarist,the best way to learn? sit with somebody or someone who can play....