Learning Guitar?!?

Question

I am 16 years old and I am planning on buying an acoustic guitar within a few weeks. Since schools starting soon, I won't be able to get signed up for lessons to learn how to play. I was just planning on also purchasing a book or DVD set to help me learn how to play. If I got one of these books/DVD sets, How long will it take me to learn the basic steps so I'll be able to play regular songs? I've played only one intrument in the past and it was a clarinet, maybe since I know the notes to play that, maybe it'll be a little more simple to play the guitar. What do you think?
Thanks in Advance,
Shawna-xox.

Answer 1

Your exposure to music theory with the clarinet is certainly a boost you'll need because guitar playing is all about music as well.

Your hands will be busy learning chords and the fretboard, but unlike the clarinet, the tips of your left fingers will be your first hurdle to overcome. If you can work past the extreme soreness and tenderness then you can be on the way to playing the guitar. Only with an acute sense of motivation and will power do guitarists succeed and continue.

I strongly recommend another friend, relative, or guitar instructor to assist you one-on-one to learn the variable chord positions and how to form them. Also, pick up Hal Leonard's Guitar Method #1 for beginners. Inside is music theory as will be applied to the guitar, but also there are instructions on how to tune and play it.

I learned when I was 16 years ago, celebrating my 51st anniversary of playing this month. If you are serious about learning to play you will do it, but please know expertise does not come in the first week or even in the first year. You must practice, study, and apply yourself to reach that point that many guitarists have attained.

You've taken the first crucial step in learning, and that is getting an acoustic guitar. Unless you have a perfect, pitched ear, you will have to learn how to tune the instrument via several means: the piano, a pitchpipe, or an LED tuner, and last, by frets on the fretboard. The Hal Leonard book #1 will explain that to you.

Take your time, practice slowly, and continue to tell yourself that the pained and hurting fingertips will eventually thicken up into calluses for you.

Answer 2

Okay so- I've been playing guitar for about 3.5 yrs. and Acoustic guitar takes a lot of time and effort- You will NEVER stop learning- There's so many chords and notes- SO much to know. You can defenitely get a DVD but, i think also leanring songs wityh guitar in them helps you learn faster....You can search youtube.com for acoustic versions of songs by people like the veronicas....paramore...incubus....people like that. and also if you like greenday alot of there songs are EASY.

Answer 3

I started guitar at the same age as you and found the best book was "The Complete Guitar Player" by Russ Shipton.

Answer 4

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