ok so basically to learn electric guitar..?

Question

you need to learn scales first.. or chords?

Answer 1

Chords are best to start off with but as you progress scales are very useful for improvisational playing. There are many books/DVDs on the subject but you must walk before you can run. Get some chords under your belt, then learn the minor and major Pentatonic Scales which are two of the most common in rock. Good Luck!

Answer 2

I learned chords first simply because if you can learn to switch fluently between basic chords, then your fingers already have a fairly good feel for the guitar and fret board. Next, turn your attention and practice to scales. You will then find that playing and learning scales is not really all that hard at all. That's my opinion anyway - but I'm not a professional guitar player or anything, haha! Good luck.

Answer 3

You need to learn both, but if you understand scales you will understand the chords better because chords are built on scales. For example, a C Major chord is the first, third, and fifth of the Major scale. This applies to all of the Major chords. Once you know one of them, you can figure out all of them (Major chords). You will also need to know your sharps and flats, but as you are a beginner just take in as much as you can.

Answer 4

Both
Chords are important because they are the building block for songs.
Scales are important because every song has a scale, no matter what song you play, it has a scale.
What i did is learn Scales first because i could practice my regular picking and alternate picking and then play a few songs. I learn chords second because i wanted my right and left hand to develop quicker so i can play chords A LOT easier. It all depends on how long you've been playing and what level you're at
I'd suggest scales, because you can learn and play song easier, but its going to be harder to learn, with chords, you can play slow songs easier, but other songs, with melodies are going to be a lot harder, until you devoloped both hands and your theory and technique.
If you need any help email me [e-mail]
or just ask another question on yahoo answers.
Goodluck

Answer 5

Learn both at the same time, but your initial focus will be on building chords and training your fingers. I really suggest to get a teacher if you don't have one already. A guitar instructor can tell you what you're doing right or wrong, a book or the Internet can't.

Answer 6

Learn all open chords first, then barre chords (E and A forms), then learn the Pentatonic scale (in all positions) and then you should move on to other scales.

Answer 7

I have a website you can look and see if it helps, I would say chords, I didn't learn scales until about a year and a half in.

Answer 8

All you need to do is learn several chords and you can play many folk, pop and rock songs. To do that, Its not that hard. The key is getting a good guitar thats easy to play. Here are some articles to get you started... http://www.danomusiconline.com

Answer 9

well chords are useful if you want to play rythm and slow sonds. Scales become more important as you start playing solos and riffs. Over all, learn the chords first to improove your finger dexterity, but don't abandon scales.

Answer 10

Both.....learning chords and scales at the same time will speed up your understanding of melodies and harmonial relationships.