First Time Playing A Guitar, Any Tips?

Question

I have NEVER played before, and I just want to learn a few basic things. Does anyone have any websites or tips?
I am 16, but not the most musical of people.
Thanks for all your help!
It's a classical guitar by the way
=)
x

I just want to learn how to play a simple tune or something. Thanks.

Answer 1

You can go get a lesson or something that would be good for you though, since it is your first time, and guitars are cool though ,they are fun to learn how to play.

Answer 2

OK. first, it needs to be in tune. Get an electronic tuner if u can. Ur best bet is probably some chords at first .Be aware that u cannot have long,pretty nails on ur left hand, and that it will hurt at first. Get a book of chords, and choose 2 or 3. D G A are good. Learn one, say D then when u can finger it OK, try another, like G and practise changing between them. Then try A.. When u can change between them easliy you can play any amount of songs. He's Got the Whole World in His Hands uses D and A. Mr. Tambourine Man uses all 3. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Guitar lessons would really be the best way to go, but I understand the concept of having no money, seeing as I am self-taught :) If you are going to try the self-teaching method, I'd say learn all the chords you can and the correct finger placements for them. Try not to start with any bad habits because those are hard to break in the long run, and buy a guitar book, look on the internet, or both. There are plenty of resources out there. Good luck!

Answer 4

Assuming you already have the guitar tuned up properly...(from the thickest string to the thinnest playing the strings by themselves without pressing down on a fret, are...E A D G B E...you MUST tune the guitar strings to these notes...it is a universal rule...)

Learn the individual notes of a song you're able to hum in your head, first...

Pick an easy song you like...use trial and error to find the individual notes (learning the song in your head first, of course...so you can "hum" the song right...)

And then sit down with the guitar in your lap...with your computer or tune-box in front of you...and match your "hum" with the notes on the guitar...translate your vocal "hum" of the note onto the guitar...process of elimination until you find the "right" match...

And start to learn the individual pieces of the tune with just the one string note sequence...

Once you get the "notes" down...

You can find the "chords" to the notes with relative ease...

Enjoy...(you have just done yourself and the world a great service by beginning young, playing a musical instrument is incredibly fun once you get the hang of it...it will give you something to do whenever you're bored, it will actually make your brain smarter, your attitude toward life better, and music is the language of the angels...and since YOU are an angel (I have no doubt) you'll need to learn that language...)

Boys will pay more attention to you...you'll get a nice aerobic workout, your arms and breast will become more healthy and attractive...and it's just an overall "cool" thing to do...\

Welcome to the wonderful world of guitar playing...keep it up...practice or at least pick the darn thing up everyday for at least 10 to 20 minutes...

And within a year...you'll be ready to perform live...which is the ultimate reward satisfaction for me...playing live is an experience like no other...really pumps the "nads" if you know what I mean...

And it's sexy as Hell, too...

Answer 5

Find a good guitar teacher. If you want to get good at the instrument, expect to take lessons for a minimum of 7 years. Learn to read music and practice at least one hour every day. And practice each lesson till you can play the material memory.

Answer 6

I'm not very good myself. I' ve only taken a few lessons, so I can't offer much in regards to tips. I will warn you of one thing though. Playing guitar really, REALLY hurts your fingers. I do kickboxing, and let me tell you, boxing is easier on your fingers than guitar is. You have to really press hard on those strings. Still though, I enjoy it. And practice, practice, practice!

Answer 7

Practice, practice, practice.

My daughter picked one up three years ago never having played. She now performs in local coffee shops, bars, etc.

She self-taught until she got really good. The got lessons to go to the professional level.

Her trick: She played every day, and lots and lots of hours.

Answer 8

if you want to learn how to play classical guitar the best book i can recomend is Solo guitar playing by Frederick Noad ,it gives you all the scales and tablature i learnt how to play from this book

Answer 9

Just practice everyday and have patience because it does take time i have been playing for 12 years now :) so don't give up

Answer 10

Bite your nails on your left hand only.
Make yourself a metal slide for your middle finger for doing classical blues.
Other than that, play every day.