I just got an acoustic guitar and I want to learn how to play- Questions follow-?

Question

1- Is there a particular method you would suggest starting with? As far as reading a beginner's book or watching a dvd on the subject...or maybe watching those lessons people give on YouTube.

2- Should I start with a pick or just finger strumming or whatever you'd call it?

3- Is there a popular website you go to that has chords to alot of songs (a free site).

4- And my last question, I hope I can type this in a way that makes sense...

When I play a G, I have a finger on the top string, 2nd string, and bottom two strings I think it is, well, in that case, I obviously strum all the strings on the guitar. But what about a chord that I only hold the bottom two strings or something? Would I only strum the bottom two strings for that chord? Or still strum them all?
Does that make any sense?....




THANKS FOR ANY HELP!

Answer 1

youtube will help also go to ultimate-guitar.com
u should learn with a pick
ultimate-guitar.com
depends if it shows just them 2 strings or not if it does u just play them 2 strings but if it has open on them then u play all of them

Answer 2

1. Mel Bay has some pretty good beginning stuff, so you can check in on them when you go to the music store. This is reallly a personaly preference and you will need to decide what you need musically depending on your musical background.

2. As far as flatpicking or fingerpicking, this is also a personal preference. I play a lot of latin classical, gypsy, and flamenco guitar, so i personally fingerpick. It depends on what you want to learn how to play (classical, jazz, rock, etc.)

3. There is a link from guitaruniverse.cc to a current website that isn't being sued for copyright infringements. Its not bad, but guitaruniverse had a great selection.

4. You will have to work some on theory before you will fully understand how the chords are structured, and what notes should be played, like the D chord, which can be fingered on the bottom three strings, but uses the bottom 4 strings. (D G B E) Many power chords only require you to strum the strings being fingered, but for your sake, it will be safe to say it depends. If you are looking into primarily chording and do not want to spend all that time looking at music theory for a while, you can just get a chord encyclepedia for the time being, although i would strongly recommend learning the theory.

Answer 3

Yeah. Get a book of chords and a plectrum. When you have learned a few chords,and can change between them find some songs to play. Early rock'n'roll is a good start. Stuff loke Johnny B Goode, Hound Dog, Blue Suede Shoes, all use A D E . If there's a particular song you want, try googling it and you may get the chords. Most chords at the end of the nech use all six strings, although with D and C you don't play the bass string. G is top (highest sounding) string 3rd fret, 3rd finger. 5th string 2nd fret 1st finger and 6th (bass) string 3rd fret, 2nd finger. All strings are sounded. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

1) you should pick up a beginners guitar book at a local music store (one that shows you the basic open chords)

2) start with finger strumming and then move to a pick...some of the best players out there don't use a pick at all (lindsay buckingham of fleetwood mack to name one)

3) search "ultimate guitar tab"

4) i get confused when people say top and bottom strings... going from the top of the guitar to the bottom the strings are E - A - D - G - B - E, numbered 6 to 1 respectively...to hold a G-chord, take your middle finger and put it on the 3rd fret of the low (low in tone - the 6th string) E string - then put your index finger on the 2nd fret of the A string (5th string) then put either your ring finger or pinky (which ever is more comfortable) on the high E string (1st string) 3rd fret. Play on the tips of your fingers and try not to let the fingers on your fretting hand touch the other strings (otherwise you won't hear the chord clearly)

Hope this helps.

Answer 5

The best is to start by finding a good teacher. If you have friends who like music, hang out with them and pick up what you can. In the begining, there will be a lot of imitation, (like how babies learn to talk), then a teacher will bring you to the next step in your reading and playing. I learned first by spending a summer with a bunch of friends who love playing music and guitars were all we had. By the time I got a guitar a the end of the summer, I could already play one simple song. Then I took lessons. Today, I'm a pro, and I teach music and guitar lessons.

Answer 6

How long it takes to learn guitar depends on how good you want to get and how much practice you put in. How good you can get with 1-2 hours a day for a few months depends on what methods you use to practice. There are effective practice methods that will help you make the best use of your time. This course is one of the best. https://bitly.im/aMUEW It's not just about how much you play but how effectively you play that will determine how good you will get.

Answer 7

Yes, try wholenote.com.
Its great for beginners, you can even use it to tune your guitar.
Look for the tuning fork at the bottom of the page.
Start with basic chords and a simple song. I started with folk songs because they are easy and repetitive.
Listen when you strum all the strings. Mostly you'll play the top four but if you listen to what you're playing you can tell.

good luck to you!