Can I learn to play the guitar all by myself ?

Question

I mean, with absolutely no previous experience whatsoever. Will it be easier with a book? Something like "Teach yourself to play guitar in 30 days"

Answer 1

as a guitar teacher, lemme tell you...... yes, you can learn on your own.

lol, not what you expected from a guy like me, right?

well, its true. some ppl can learn on their own. no matter how you decide to go about it, the real trick is figuring out how you learn. some ppl work well reading something. others need to see it done. some ppl need another person to explain it to them. i've had students that needed to be taught in totally different ways from each other.

i'd avoid giving yourself a 30 day timeframe, its ok if thats what the book says, but go at your own pace. speed is not the idea, doing everything right is. if you start slow, and only speed up when you're sure you're doing it right, and it feels natural to speed up, then you'll do a lot better.

but, lessons usually speed up the process, and take out the guess work too. with a once a week lesson for a half an hour, and 20 minutes or more of practice 4 or 5 times a week at home, i can usually get a student playing songs inside 2 months. maybe not perfectly, maybe not the entire song, but enough that you can play something and someone will go "hey, thats AcDc!"
(or whatever band you're into).

good luck, and if you have questions, give me a shout!

Answer 2

Sure you can but it's easier with someone that knows how to play to help you. Start with chords!!!! learn G C D E A chords then B F. You can play most songs with the first four. Your fingers will hurt for a while and cut those finger nails way back if you have longer ones. You can find finger positions online. Also look for chord charts for popular songs that you like. Dont try to read "TAB" tabliture just yet. Practice Practice Practice. Play songs with a lot of chords once you get the finger positions down. The house of the riseing son by the Animals is a good one to learn from. You will get it. It's easy really.

Answer 3

I can only suggest what helped me. I ordered a TV commercial kit; which had guitar, and accessories (being a beginner also, I needed all the help I could get). A few minutes each day or whenever I can make time helps, it's amazing how long I would work at it when I got started, time just goes by. The strumming and sound of live music takes you away. The video helps to control the replaying of instruction (personal control is good, right?!!), you can get it on DVD. Check out Esteban Instructional Video/DVD. Good Luck!

Answer 4

Get the book for sure never hurts. BUT BUT BUT!!!!! I have taught myself to play the guitar well enough to jam with friends and even compose a couple of my own songs. How you say?...........SILLY ANSWER ALERT!! Country Music Television!

As ridiculous as it sounds, I watched and followed the fingerings of the guitarists as much as possible. I also purchased a (spelling?) KAPO. (the little clamp thingy that changes keys without having to retune) With it I can change the key of my guitar to match the key being played in and use familiar chords)

I choose country because there is a little better usage of chords and rhythym guitar, and because there is alot more slower songs which helps big time when you are trying to learn AND keep up. Good luck and make music my friend!

Answer 5

Yes you can. It's not difficult at all. If you have some sort of motive. I learned by myself. I'm in a band. But.. I also play piano very well. So that definatly helped. Books help.. not always. Play what sounds good and switch it around/ add things to it to make it sound better. You figure it out. Good Luck

Answer 6

well my b/f never took a lesson and he taught himself and he AWESOME!!!!!!
He can play any song, and he can read music.
he sed, all you have to do is buy one of those DVDs or VHS Tapes that teach you, and it'll walk you through...
most importantly...buy ones that say for beginers, and make sure they are also for those who can't read music, if u can't.
believe me it takes a while to learn to master guitar, i have been trying to teach myself but i dont have enough time.
i hope this helps.
-Dee

Answer 7

Of course you can... but it would be better to have someone to guide you so that you learn the right techniques.

Answer 8

yes, my husband taught himself. it takes A LOT of hard work and a lot of dedication and practice.

Answer 9

yes, many great guitarists taught themselves.

Answer 10

yes, and a good ear and determination.