I'm now 17, when I was 13 I got an acoustic guitar for Christmas. I love the guitar, only I didn't like not being great at something right off. So, stupidity sank in and I stopped playing after only about a month. However, I want to learn now.
Should I take lessons or should I try and teach myself? I don't have a lot of money to spend, so if guitar lessons in general are expensive I can't do it. And if you think I should learn by myself, could you suggest an Internet site or a book maybe that will help me? Thanks!
2006-12-31 09:29:45 · 17 answers · asked by Led*Zep*Babe 5 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Music
I live with my mom, and I already have a job. I don't really have that much money to spare because starting this summer I'll be in Italy for a year and I must save all I can.
2006-12-31 09:35:18 · update #1
I used a learn-at-home course and it was both very effective and very inexpensive compared to hiring a guitar teacher. Also, it enabled me to progress at my own pace, practice whenever I had free time.
Best advice i can give you is to go to ReviewsNest.com - the reviews site where i read about the course i bought: http://www.reviewsnest.com/GuitarLessons . They give free reviews for several guitar courses, tell U what to look for in a course, what are the best courses around, and what u get in each course they checked.
I bought the LMG course (their top pick) so i can only vouch for it - I don't know about the other courses. However - the course i bought is excellent, and their review of it was spot-on, so i guess the other reviews they put for the other courses are good too. The courses reviewed cost between $20 to $40 only (one course is $200), so they're inexpensive (a "real" teacher costs $40-$50 per lesson), and much better than using the free stuff on the net, - i know - wasted a lot of time on that.
Good luck, whatever you choose: Once you start playing - you'll love it!
Andy.
2007-01-01 18:25:03 · answer #1 · answered by not_a_wolfus 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have been playing guitar on an off for about 2.5 years and didn't learn that much other than basic chords and a few Green Day songs. I ended up selling the guitar I had been playing on. This past year however, I decided I really wanted to start playing again. So I got an acoustic and started playing. I started with the chords I knew before and then after about 3-4 months, I learned a lot. I even got barre chords down by myself. I then got an electric with a practice amp this past month. Nothing top of the line, just to keep practicing with a different sound. Electric is also easier. I now know a lot of chords, a handful of songs, and am still learning things like pentatonic scales. I have never gone to lessons or anything. I just go on YouTube and there endless how to videos. I also use websites that have guitar tabs and stuff. I did about 3 years of piano but only a few things stuck with me. I pretty much learned all I know about guitars through the Internet. SOOO I guess to answer your question, no. You don't need to pay for lessons and go meet with someone in person. Just get a guitar, go on YouTube and start watching videos. Keep practicing and practicing. If you really do want to learn, you will find that you will pick up on it much easier than if you're just "learning" to look cool. You've got to be dedicated and most of all have fun. That's why I dont take lessons from someone. You would be on their time and paying them. Learning on your own, you can do it your way for free, and have more fun.
2016-03-14 00:05:23 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lessons are definitely worth the money, but if you're low on it, you can rent an instructional video on guitar. They definitely aren't as good as the real thing, but will help a lot. Teaching yourself is good... I did that on keyboard... but eventually you'll get good and want to try some harder stuff, which can't be done without the ability to read music. Your best bet is labeling a jar "guitar lessons fund" and putting your spare coins in it, and in the meantime, teaching yourself the best you can.
Rock onn!
2006-12-31 09:39:03 · answer #3 · answered by Ask Tara 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think there are many ways to learn music as an adult that seemed too arduous to bother with as a youngster...
In our small community I have heard of a couple of "group lessons" among adults who want to learn the guitar.... just a group of folks getting together, probably at different levels, and each dipping into their pockets to pay the group teacher (a lot less than it would cost to pay for one-to-one). You could check among your friends to see if anyone was wanting to earn a little cash to do such a thing... the comradery is great.
I once bought an instrument that was supposed to be "idiot-proof" and a bunch of DVDs and books to learn it... but was quickly discouraged. I think that a teacher is a good thing for those of us who are not prodegies.
2006-12-31 09:35:09 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try lessons first, and if you don't like it, try yourself. Some people are more prone to learn with a teacher, and some, like myself, learn better on their own. For if they want to practice only a little, or a whole lot.
2006-12-31 09:35:53 · answer #5 · answered by the_311_saint 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My son is also 17yrs old and taught himself to play guitar by using a program purchased at Borders Books. Their website is www.borders.com They have a lot of DVD's that are under $20. Hope you find something you like. Good luck and Happy New year.
2006-12-31 09:35:09 · answer #6 · answered by Margie M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, do you know what the strings are? If you do then just go to a website like http://www.fretplay.com and type in an artist and start practicing their song, after a while, and it will take practice I'd know, you'll master those and move on. So keep trying! Your never to old to learn!
2006-12-31 09:48:35 · answer #7 · answered by way_cooler_than_him 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am sure the best guitar course available online is this one http://www.goobypls.com/r/rd.asp?gid=554.
I bught it myself (very affordable btw) and I'm really learning a lot. The site has thousands of videos presented with a step by step approach ideal for beginners (it's also good for intermediate/advanced players)
Cheers.
2014-09-02 10:07:02 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can learn yourself at your own pace for free.
get a chord book and learn to play chords without looking at the fretboard.
learn scales, major, minor.
Once you hit a wall, then consider lessons
2006-12-31 09:32:28 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you feel like you catch on fast..then try doing it yourself.....if you have a good ear then i see no problem in learning by yourself.
2006-12-31 09:34:47 · answer #10 · answered by Jeff 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋