Is learning to play the guitar really as ridiculously hard as it seems?

Question

I absolutely love everything about guitars! The look, the beautiful sound of them, and how you can pretty much express whatever you're feeling through them in such awesome music. I really want to learn how to play but I am kind of nervous because I'm afraid I won't catch on and I won't play too well, it seems so hard! Will someone please help me out and give me some advice? It would be greatfully appreciated. Thanks :)

Answer 1

My daughter started taking lessons when she was twelve. She came home from the first lesson and was able to play a simple song. Now she can figure out how to play just about anything. You learn a little each time you go. Whether you become a great guitarist or not, you can still entertain yourself and others with your playing. Just playing simple chords and singing along is so cool!

Answer 2

Go for it. Get urself an acoustic (unless U've already got one) and a book of chord shapes. Chooses 2 or 3 - A D E are good. Learn to play 1 at a time, then practise changing between them. There are lots of songs that use only 2 or 3 chords. Going to the Zoo, Whole World in His Hands, Johnny B Goode etc. The more u practise, the easier it gets. 2 things, though. U cannot grow long, pretty nails on ur left (fingering) hand, and it wil hurt ur fingers at first. (soon wears off). Use ur finger tips. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

You should be able to get a beginners' guitar for $100 and a good beginners' book for another $20 so it's not too expensive. If you just want to muck around with chords it's not too hard, you'll probably be able to do that well after only a few months. If you want to do more you'll have to keep at it.

I suggest starting with the basics to the point where you can play chords and enjoy what you're playing - this isn't too hard and will let you see how much further you want to go.

Answer 4

Here is what I did. I bought an inexpensive guitar that was still quality. I spent time with friends who play and got them to show me chords. The other thing I did was copy tab. Guitar tabliture is like a cheat sheet to playing guitar. I love it! I also bought a book of chords for the guitar.
It will take a little while to start being good. You need to play as much as you can because depending on your type of guitar you will need to develope calouses on your finger tips.
The guitar is a great instrument and while it takes a while to become outstanding I found it fairly easy to learn. I will grant you that since I havent kept up with it I am kinda sucky now, I know that if I pick it back up again it will come back and I could play well again. Good luck!!

Answer 5

Yes, learning to play well on the guitar can be difficult--especially to those thinking initially they would be playing like Eric Clapton after a few lessons. It doesn't work that way.

What works is a sound knowledge of music theory and application--even to the point of writing your own compositions on the guitar. Steady every-day practice is a must for years. Learn from other guitarists in every opportunity to jam with them as well as other instruments.

Above all, be patient with yourself, know your limitations, but strive to excel at playing every day. Not every guitarist can play "The Flight of the Bumblebee" or "The Orange Blossum Special," but with intense study and practice you can.

Concentrate on music theory, chord formations and their progressions and how they apply to the songs you want to play. Learn the key signatures and how to determine them. Experiment in rhythm techniques.

Take professional lessons if finances allow it. By your narrative, you have the makings to be a fine guitarist because you love the instrument.

Answer 6

A Fender Squier is a good guitar to start learning on. Basically it's a more affordable version of the more expensive Fender guitars. Not as great quality of course, but it's great for just starting out.

Answer 7

Will you be playing chords or tabs?

Tabs or melody are relatively easy to play as you can just follow the charts where they tell you how to place your fingers
Chords is slightly different as you'll be strumming

Anyway, how I did it was basically set time everyday to practise.. listen to the songs that you wanna play so that you can get a sense of their strumming.

Another way is to hum the tune in your head so that you get the rhythm and beat while you're playing..

Hang out with people who play the guitar, they can teach you a thing or to

And don't worry on how you sound, as soon you'll develop your own style...

Just go for it!! =)

Answer 8

Sure, you can do it absolutely. It just takes a bit of commitment. If you can get into the habit of practicing daily you can be strumming simple songs in a couple weeks. If you can find someone to teach you, you'll learn even faster. Unless they're horrid. Good luck. Just as an option, the place where I took classes rented guitars, so if it didn't "take", you weren't out money for a guitar as well.

Answer 9

It's not as hard as most people make out to be. I thought the same thing when I started teaching myself. Ithought I was going to go crazy because I thought I was going to totally stink. But that was not the situation at all. Guitar is hard at first but you can catch on really fast. Once you start it's not that hard to catch on. Just remember to keep practicing!
I Hope This Helps!!!
Good Luck

Answer 10

at first it hurts your fingers so dont play for too long at once when you are a beginner. but after a while it becomes easy. also learn to play tab. after you learn tab you can learn songs on chordie.com. also practice scales and chords every day