Guitar help?

Question

I'm new at the guitar and I was wondering if there is a good way to improve one's skill without getting lessons. Any advice is much appreciated.

Answer 1

just learn your basic chords first if you don't know them already-LIKE C-D-E-G-A-/E-G--A-C-D-KNOW THE ONES THAT GO TOGETHER AND LISTENING IS THE VERY MOST IMPORTANT THINK OF ALL. WHERE TO CHANGE CHORDS. THEY ACTUALLY HAVE A HUGH POSTER AT MOST TARGETS AND WAL-MARTS THAT HAVE ALL THE CHORDS AND WHERE TO PLACE YOUR FINGERS.OH!ALMOST FORGOT TO ADD- MAKE SURE YOUR GUITAR IS ONE WHERE THE STRINGS ARE CLOSE TO THE NECK, IF THEY ARE HIGH YOUR FINGERS WILL GET REALLY BLISTERED. MY FIRST GUITAR I BOUGHT WAS A CHEAPO BECAUSE I WASN'T SURE HOW SERIOUS I WOULD BE. IMUST HAVE BEEN VERY SERIOUS I HAD BLISTERS STACKED ON BLISTERS-KEPT ON PLAYING THOUGH-THROUGH THE BLISTERS AND EVEN GOT A DEEP CUT RIGHT BETWEEN MY LEFT THUMB AND LEFT INDEX FINGER-CUT THAT PART OF MY HAND ALMOST STRAIGHT DOWN TO THE BONE. KEPT ON PLAYING -THAT'S THE KEY -EVERYDAY - GOT A FENDER NOW , AND IT WAS WORTH THE PAIN.LOTTA FUN

Answer 2

Probably the first thing to do is get a beginning guitar instruction book to get down the basics, the relationships between the notes and strings and then pick up tablature versions of songs that you know, working and practicing the parts you will be able to emulate (knowing how they are supposed to sound helps with the "feel" part of playing). After that, play as much as you can as often as you can. Your hands will develop "memory" through repetition. I used to play a lot and then stopped but if I pick a guitar up there are five or six scales and runs that I can do very quickly and precisely just due to that despite not playing for months at a time. Also, start with a decent guitar. You don't have to buy a Les Paul, but get something that plays well and has an even neck with the strings close to the fretboard.

Answer 3

My Boyfriend plays guitar really well. Although he did get some lessons, my advice to you is to look up simple guitar tabs online and practice with those. If that does not work, attempt to try lessons if possible. Or maybe even order a instructional video on how to play the guitar. Remember, you won't do well if you don't try.
good luck!

Answer 4

The first step toward playing better is not just practicing scales, chords, and strumming patterns. Listening is also a big part. Try to listen to blues, punk, funk, metal, jazz, classical, folk, and a ton of other genres I'm not listing. Having a background with other types of music can do wonders for your playing. Listen not only to other guitarists, but also try to hear how the guitar part fits in with the rest of the music. Practicing guitar music from genre to genre and even trying to imitate the parts of other instruments can teach you to be versatile and open-minded.

Keep this in mind: There may come a time where you have to teach yourself to read music.

Answer 5

Do you know basic chords? The best way I know is to have someone you know who plays guitar better than you to show you a few chords or rhythms.I learned from a friend,then,as I practiced on my own,I invented some cool riffs.I also played along with some songs I liked at the time,I rarely looked at tablature(TAB). The best way is to be alone alot and be creative,if its in you,and you seriously love the way a guitar sounds and music in general,..you will do well.
I hope I made sense,good luck.

Answer 6

1.look up all the notes on the internet
2.ur fingers r going 2 be hurting a lot so get calases(cantspell)
3.dont pop ur finguers
4.learn the basics 1st like which note goes where
5.it would help 4 lessons but just go on like sites that ask 4 if u want 2 learn
but be aware of the hoaxs

Answer 7

When it boils down to it, lessons are the easiest way to improve your guitar playing. No website can teach you the ins and outs of playing the guitar like a real person can; it may take a bit of time out of your week, but it will help you signifigantly.
If you must have some sites, though, here are a few:
http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/
http://www.e-chords.com/default.asp
http://www.freelicks.net/
http://www.zentao.com/guitar/guitar-lessons.html
good luck!

Answer 8

Starts with a P and ends with Practise.

sorry but ya, that's it. Get a really good book from a music store and try your hardest to do everything just like it says. Play all the boring stuff (scales, exercises) they make you get better faster

Answer 9

learn to read tabs then you can get plenty of them off the internet for free. besides that the biggest thing is to just keep playing. dont get pissed off because its getting hard. i played for 5 or so years before i actually felt like i was getting somewhere. it probably wont take that long for you, i was really hard on myself and kept giving up which is what took me so long.

Answer 10

Three sites to checkout for free lessons:

1. http://www.guitarlessonworld.com/
2. http://www.iplaymusic.com/training_center.html
3. http://www.wholenote.com/