Learning guitar?

Question

I am learning to play the electric guitar...anyone have any pointers or advice while learning?

Thanks!

Answer 1

I play guitar and love it.

1. Play what you want. I never used books or anything. My teacher just wrote down tabs and taught me stuff. Never bought any of those like..."Theory" books. What I mean by play what you want, I mean like, if you like Punk, learn punk songs. Country, learn some country...ect. Trust me, if you play what you like, I guarentee you'll like it a whole lot more. I know I did.

2. Practice, Practice, Practice!! I know, you hear it everyday from everybody, but by "practice" I mean just play!!!! I play about an hour a day, and for not taking lessons in a year, I'm getting better.

3. Learn ALOT of covers. The more covers you learn, the more ideas you get for your own songs. Or just so you can sit and play for yourself or with your friends or whatever. I, personally, like Alkaline Trio, and I know around 25+ songs by them. I could sit for easily two hours and play only their songs. Plus, I'm in a band, and I am always writing my own songs, so I play those. Also, if I hear a song I like, I go online, get the tabs, make sure they're right, and learn it. Also, make your own songs, I love making my own. It's fun as heck.

4. Get in a band if you can. It helps you learn rhythm, and playing with others. It's also SO fun and helps you get up in front of people and just talking to strangers. Like...it gives you self-convidence!

5. Don't think you cant play a song. If it's really hard, like a Metallica song or something, take it in parts. I learned "One"...actually I don't know the whole song, but I know 66% of it.

6. Just have fun, man. If you find you dont like it, or it's more of a burden (like Piano was for me) than not, stop, or switch your direction.

I hope my advice helped. Also, find a teacher you like. The teacher I had was like a 30 year old version of me, so we got along really good, plus he was the man. He was always trying to help and always cool. I hope you find guitar fun and get good. Don't give up, man, and dude, HAVE FUN!!!

Answer 2

Congrats on learning. It's hard to say the best way because everyone is different. I've been playing for about 14 years and am still learning. What worked for me is to pick two chords. Learn to form the chords and switch between them. Like G,G,G,C etc. then add another chord, G,C,D,G,C,D etc. Eventually you will add all of the chords. Make sure to switch up the rotation so your fingers "learn" to change up the patterns and you don't form bad habits. You can start with the 7 beginner guitar chords.

Answer 3

Make sure you have a good guitar to play. A bad action will discourage you and slow your learning down. It doesn't have to be expensive. Have a good guitarist 'set up' the guitar. Most good players can set the action and intonate the bridge. Then learn to play by learning what you like to hear. Little by little you will be able to mimic your favorite guitarists.

Answer 4

Learn music theory if you're serious about playing at all. The kid who brags about "no books" is like kids who brag about "no school" and end up selling burgers forever. He's right about practicing, though.

Answer 5

best advice i can think of would probably be don't learn first with tabs. learn them second

Answer 6

when your practicing... don't get distracted.

Answer 7

mimick some music hehe...mimick....