My dad just got me this acoustic guitar for Christmas. Problem is I have no idea how to play it. He said he was going to get me lessons but I don't want to seem like a complete idiot when I go in to my first lesson. Can someone help me with the basics and give me some pointers?
2006-12-28 00:14:11 · 14 answers · asked by Doodles 2 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Music
Learn some basic chords & scales.Get a book to help.Then,,keep practicing what you know.Good luck 2u. ;O)
2006-12-28 00:17:02 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Since your new I'd start learning the basic open chords which are A, C, D, E, F, and G. That'll be more then enough to start with. There's lots of songs you can play knowing just those chords. There's a great chord chart at guitar.about.com along with song tabs for beginners and many tutorials. The key in the beginning is to have fun with it, which will give you inspiration to keep playing and progress to new chords.
"Wish you were here" by Pink Floyd is a great song to practice with because it involves all the major chords and one minor chord which you'll find easy as well. The song is slower so it'll allow you more time when playing along with it.
Whatever you decide to do, make sure your make it fun. Pick out a few chords and practice switching back and forth between them.
2006-12-28 00:30:11 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dont feel like an idiot for not knowing, It's not like all the greats could play right out of the box, you're intstructor is a professional and he expects you to not know anything. Take a few lessons first then go get one of those lesson books. Pick it out yourself so you know what you're learning and that you can read the tab.
Dont get frustrated learning to play is an on going thing, you'll always be learning something new!
2006-12-28 00:26:22 · answer #3 · answered by digby_by 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the same xmas gift that i gave to my daughter!!! lol
Beginner Guitar Lessons
• Tuning Your Guitar
• Why I Started to Play Guitar
• Basic Major Chords (C,A,G,E,D)
• Other Major Chords in Barre Form
• Basic Minor Chords (Am,Em,Dm)
• Other Minor Chords in Barre Form
• Strumming Technique
• Adding Hammer-Ons to Your Strumming
• The C Major Scale
• The A Minor Scale
• Hammer-On and Pull-Off Technique
• Introduction to Slides
Music Theory Tables & Charts
• How Chords Are Constructed
• How Scales Are Constructed
• How Arpeggios Are Constructed
• Chord/Scale Relationships
• Fingerboard Diagram
• Circle of 5ths
http://www.activeguitar.com/basics/
2006-12-28 00:28:04 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't worry; your first lesson will go just fine. Its hard to explain to you just how and where to hold your hands without pictures or actually being there.
Your left hand goes "down and around" the neck of the guitar and the fingers come down onto the strings mostly on the fingertips.
Hopefully, the guitar you got for Christmas doesn't finger too hard; meaning it doesn't take a LOT of pressure to push the string down onto the fret/neck.
Anyway, relax. It'll go just fine....
2006-12-28 00:25:21 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Use two hands and your fingers. Just kidding.
Learn the 3 basic chords G, C, D and when you have them down, they are easy to learn, get a Capo and move it down the Frets and use the same Chord progression, but you will play in different Keys. You can do that to get started until you learn more . it will boost your confidence and it will be easier. BUT it is going to take alot of practice my friend. Do not think that you will become good over night. I spent years learning and I am still learning.
2006-12-28 00:19:46 · answer #6 · answered by Ex Head 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You won´t look like an idiot, you just don´t know how to play, that´s all. After your first lesson, it will be better
2006-12-28 00:18:13 · answer #7 · answered by JuanMa2828 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What a fantastic gift! :-)
I would suggest (and I'd do it myself but I'm at work!) googling something like 'online guitar tutorials'. There is likely to be a vast range of material online that would be of help to you.
Good luck, and most of all - enjoy ;-)
edit: I learnt to play while I was a teenager, and it's a fantastic thing to be able to do.
2006-12-28 00:17:46 · answer #8 · answered by bad_sector 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I got my grandson a guitar ,& all the acessaries. I told him he needs to really practice. he needs to get the tips of his fingers callused,so the strings won't hurt. If he could play me some songs,I had a really nice,almost new one I would give him. PRACTICE!!! that is the answer. you need to know rytham,and beats.
2006-12-28 00:27:22 · answer #9 · answered by Tired Old Man 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
go to www.ultimateguitartabs.com
lots of basics - how to's - and 10000's of tabs for you to tinker.
try
smoke on the water, or paintit black by the stones. that was my first accoustic song i learned - always easy
2006-12-28 00:20:42 · answer #10 · answered by dave_lyss420 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋