Best way to begin playing the guitar?

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Have been thinking of learning to play the guitar for awhile now. What is the best way to start this...Does it matter if you begin with an electric or accoustic one. what are some good models for beginners that will still be good guitars to use after they learn to play well? Also there anything else you can tell me that would be helpful?
 

Honey Badger Don't Give A Shit
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I picked up about two years ago after almost 15 years off...

Started with an Ovation steel string...(under $300) acoustic that has a single pickup so I could plug into an amp.

I recommend doing that first because the acoustic neck is a bit wider than most electrics and your overall grip (for bar chords) and other finger movement will thus be enhanced when you follow up later by getting a good electric
 
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Tip:

Find someone that you know that can get you started on the right foot.
The last thing you want to do is learn bad habits that will be hard
to get rid of later on.

I'm mostly thinking about chord fingering.
 

The Boss
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lessons are a waste of money with the internet....just learn how to read tabs (google how to read guitar tabs) and start with easy songs....also print a chord chart and practice all the major minor and chords.....once you get a grip on that look up scales and practice those and you can start soloing
 

Honey Badger Don't Give A Shit
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lessons are a waste of money with the internet....just learn how to read tabs (google how to read guitar tabs) and start with easy songs....also print a chord chart and practice all the major minor and chords.....once you get a grip on that look up scales and practice those and you can start soloing

Agree that for the introductory guitar player, paying for lessons is a poor investment. You can use the web for various instruction sites, YouTube etc

That's what I've been doing and I have a lot fun, though frankly I've not played for past four months due to focus on some other projects.

My intent when I pick back up is to continue with chords and progressions and then move to a live instructor in about a year.
 

RX Senior
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Man forget playing the guitar. Just learn how sample and steal other peoples work and make hit songs out of it. LOL

(Only kidding with you guys)
 

RX resident ChicAustrian
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Careful with online tabs. Anyone can post them and the vast majority that I've seen are either wrong or much tougher then they need to be.
 

www.youtubecom/hubbardsmusic
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1.....don't read any of what was posted above
2.....buy a cheap acoustic ($200-$400 dollar range) {martin guitars are best}
3.....get a chord book and learn the basics (G-C-A-D-E-F chords), then all the minors, then all the barre chords....then work your way around everything else....(do all barre chords up (down) the neck of the guitar....then start in on youtube learning your 'favorite' songs....
4......have fun
5......enjoy your piece of maple with the things pointed out above!
 

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I have been playing guitar and bass for 30 years. I was semi-pro with it in the 90s.

Mel Bay. Get a cheap book off the 'net. Between that, and learning songs by ear, you will be competent in the fastest time possible. If not Mel Bay, the a Hal Leonard.
 

"i had a hundy but i bet a grand"
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1.....don't read any of what was posted above
2.....buy a cheap acoustic ($200-$400 dollar range) {martin guitars are best}
3.....get a chord book and learn the basics (G-C-A-D-E-F chords), then all the minors, then all the barre chords....then work your way around everything else....(do all barre chords up (down) the neck of the guitar....then start in on youtube learning your 'favorite' songs....
4......have fun
5......enjoy your piece of maple with the things pointed out above!
where are u finding a martin guitar fer $200-400?.....
 

I'll be in the Bar..With my head on the Bar
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Type guitar lesson into you tube and u will find everything u could ever have time to learn.......Go to a local music store and buy a book of chord and scales. Follow along with the videos usuing the scales and chords in the book.

By the way make damn sure u get a good tuner when u buy ur guitar. Nothing worse than having to force ur family or beighbors to hear u learn to play...unless they are hearing u learn to play an out of tune guitar....

I buy and sell guitars on graiglists all the time....Find someone who recently was introduced to Meth and u can usually get a pretty good deal.........
 

Self appointed RX World Champion Handicapper
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i learned in no time at all....

all you need to know is your colors and when to hit either yellow , green , red , blue or orange...
 

Member
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about 2 years ago i bought a guitar and took group lessons for the first time. the lessons were good b/c the instructor personally shows you how to hold the guitar for your body type and exactly how to finger the chords.

$150 for 8 sessions was well worth it for me. i also bought a $10 dvd when i got the guitar. for someone who thinks they can pick up the handling and chord fingering if they just watch someone play, then a dvd might be the only investment you need. you can sit right in front of the tv and pause/rewind until you get it right.

all in all, the best way to learn is just practice more than you really want to. it takes dedication (and lots of sore fingers) to become even half-way decent.

you can get a decent acoustic fender guitar with a case, strap, tuner, and dvd for under $200 at guitar center. wish i knew about that before i spent twice that on mine.
 

I'll be in the Bar..With my head on the Bar
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Finding a teacher oe even a friend to get you started is ofcourse the best way to go....However i just typed in "online guitar lessons" and got over 21 million returns....Its all out there go get it...

You can get this starter package at musiciansfriend.com ...its more than adequate to get started.
My main guitar right now is a 169.00 Peavey Predator...cheapest 1 they make and its fine for everything..

Fender SE Special Strat with Squier SP-10 Amp Value Pack
This Fender SE Special Strat Value Pack includes a Squier SE Special Stratocaster electric guitar and an SP-10 amp, plus an instrument cable,...

Buy New: $199.99
 

EV Whore
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Please do yourself a favor and buy something by Mel Bay.

http://www.amazon.com/Mel-Bay-Lesso...GR8I/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1327105880&sr=8-2

I memorized Mel Bay's book of chords at age 11 and was a good guitar player by age 13. As you get more advanced then move to leads, etc. But the bottom line is you have to learn the neck up and down, and the many different ways to play each chord. A thorough understand of this helps you transition into leads comfortably.
 

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