Learning the Guitar.

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Learning the Guitar.
Topic Started: Dec 27 2009, 01:30 AM (106 Views)
John Stone	Dec 27 2009, 01:30 AM Post #1
Newbie Posts: 2 Group: Members Member #9,277 Joined: December 27, 2009	Hey everyone! This is my first threat so far! I just got an electric guitar for Christmas, it's a beginners pack, a cheapo one I think. The make is Encore, it seems pretty good for the money though! I have literally just started playing and trying out some scales and chords etc. mainly from videos on websites, but it all seems very mixed up and I feel like I don't have an aim to head for. As I do not have the money to spend on lessons or anything like that, I was wondering if anyone here could recommend me a DVD or book for beginners? I've had a look around and found a few books/DVDs, such as the "Guitar for Dummies" one that seems good. But I'm not sure if they're actually going to help, and if I would benefit more from something specific to an electric guitar? So basically, anyone know what's best to buy to help a beginner that's never played a guitar before? Thanks for any help in advance.



Rampant	Dec 27 2009, 10:20 AM Post #2
Immortal (well, ...so far!) Posts: 350 Group: Top Contributor! Member #8,896 Joined: October 7, 2008	Merry Christmas and welcome to EGF. Your question is a difficult one. I've been learning guitar for just over a year now and take lessons once per week. I did buy a couple of books, the best of which is Complete Learn to Play Guitar Manual, Gary Turner and Peter Gelling. Although it is the best that I've picked up, it is an uphill struggle to learn from books alone. Maybe some internet stuff will be able to complement... Trouble is that books all seem to be a bit haphazard in their approach. This seems strange, I know. Of all resources, you'd expect books to be the most logically laid out and structured. I put that down to the notion that books laid out in this way probably wouldn't appeal to beginners and would be overlooked for something more varied and interesting! Weird, huh? Mind you, that's just the books I've picked up, and browsed etc... there are literally hundreds of publications competing for your money. There is also a fantastic wealth of stuff on the internet, but I'm not able to comment 'cos I haven't used any a great deal due to concentrating on my own lessons. The first thing that I would suggest to begin with is to practice basic chords. Chords and rhythm playing is probably the most common and approriate starting point. Changing between chords while maintaining a constant beat is your first challenge. A common way to practice is using the "12 bar blues" in 3 different 'keys' Key of A major contains the chords A, D and E Key of D major uses D, G and A G major is G, C and D Look 'em up and give it a go and maybe use this as your first proper "aim". Happy strumming Mark H Edited by Rampant, Dec 27 2009, 10:21 AM.
	Black/white Yamaha Pacifica 112V strat style - Rotosound Yellows (10-46) Translucent red Ibanez Artcore AFS-75T semi-acoustic - Rotosound Blues (10-52) NEW - Vox Valvetronix VT30 with VFS5 footswitches Crate V5 - 5 Watt valve amplifier, voiced by 10" Jensen KORG Pandora Toneworks PX4D effects gizmo Sensei called Johnny Oriental red sunburst Yamaha APX700 electro-acoustic


monwobobbo	Dec 27 2009, 06:10 PM Post #3
Posts: 988 Group: Moderator Member #8,625 Joined: June 23, 2008	don't try to do everything or you'll get nothing done. i teach beginers here in the states. after teaching tuning and care for the guitar (important) i start with open chords. E.A and D are your best bet to start with. keep in mind that it will be tough going for the first few months. guitar is tough to start with and doesn't give instant results. so start with those chords and get it so that you can switchbetween them. i know not exciting but its the best place to start.
	and now for something completely different


StratsRock	Dec 29 2009, 04:29 AM Post #4
Newbie Posts: 3 Group: Members Member #9,279 Joined: December 29, 2009	One site I find particularly helpful is www.justinguitar.com - Justin has a great beginners course and exercizes to get those fingers loosened up. And, it's all free!
	G&L Invader XL Super Strat G&L S500 Larrivee RS4 - GoldTop


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