I want to learn how to play the guitar?

Question: I want to learn how to play the guitar!?

I just bought a nice acoustic guitar but I don't know how I should start learning!. Some of my friends learned how to play by themselves using books and the internet but I was wondering if it's better is I take lessons than to learn from all the books and dvds!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

It really depends on your nature really!. I've played for 39 years and taught hundreds of people of all ages and styles!.

Here's what I recommend:

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First of all be organised and put some time aside regularly to practice and commit to it!. If you go through a period when you need a break for a few days, make sure you plan a return date to it!.

Everybody learns differently!. Books are great but are not for everyone!. Many players now just learn tab and forget about dots!. I prefer a mix of both because TAB (when it's accurate) will show you the correct fingering, whereas dots will give you a better understanding of harmony and the relationship betwen the melody and chords!. But take it slowly and work through it gradually until it makes sense!.

Develop a good sense of time, practice slowly and once you've mastered sections of music, then speed it all up a bit!.
Some books are confusing to follow bcause they are not written by great teachers!. You may consider getting a teacher for a short time to kick start you, but make sure they understand what it is you want to play and can actually do it or show you how to do it!.

If I was you, I'd go into a music store, have a good look around and see if the books make sense!.

There are some great DVD's and you may learn faster that way if the instructor is good!. You can freeze frame it and if you are a visual learner it would be of great benefit to be able to see what someone is doing and be able to copy them!.

There are a number of online programs out there

It's a good idea to get hold of various guitar magazines, the articles are inspiring, there's usually tips in them and also transcriptions of songs and tutorials!. And again, these are in video format, so it's monkey see and monkey do!.

I think it's important to get a chord understanding of chords and how they are used, what they sound like with other chords and how they enhance melodies!.

Be careful of getting caught in what I call the 'scale trap' = can play fast scales, shred fast but couldn't play a piece of music if their life depends on it!.

It's a good idea to watch other people play and the sooner you have a music buddy, the better!. Always aim at playing with people a fraction better than you, it will help you to raise your standard!.

I could write for days on this!.

The end result needs to be, create great music that expresses your emotions!.

Good luck and learn to appreciate all styles, there's brilliant guitar players everywhere and they all don't have to be the same

I write a lot of articles about acoustic guitar, it's really the same sort of stuff that is relevant to electric!.

Enjoy it

TonyWww@QuestionHome@Com

I am a professional 'French' Horn player!.
I would suggest you take lessons from someone you have heard play and are very impressed with their performance!.
AND be prepared to put many, many hours into practicing if you really want to become a good performer!.
There so many people who take lessons and never get anywhere because they don't put the time in on practicing!. They are just wasting their money!.
All I can say is, get a good teacher, and practice, practice, practice, and --- more practice!. Good luck, MartyWww@QuestionHome@Com

Well, I'm limited as a guitar player because I have trouble sometimes figuring out the rhythm for a song or things like that by myself, so it takes a lot longer to learn that way than when you have a teacher!. The only thing is, a teacher may want to teach you things you're not interested in!. That's why I quit going!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

A teacher who knows how to read music can help you with that, and if you have a tremendous need to know the tab system, you can learn that on your own!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

hi this is tyler!. my e-mail is tylerdaniels101@yahoo!.com!. i am trying to figure out how to play as well!. send me when u figure out!. E-MAIL ME ANY TIME!.

thank uWww@QuestionHome@Com

Lessons are great!. That will get you down with the basics THEN learn from books and vids!.
good luck
The HARDEST to learn is classical then jazz!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

yes it is better!.!.!.!.!.
u can go online and maybe type in guitar lessons and get the phone # and call!.!.!.
i used to play piano!.!.!.!.
i started by myself then i got a teacher cause it was hard learning aloneWww@QuestionHome@Com

books/dvds/online **** is lame!. you'll become way better way faster if you get personal lessons with a good professional teacher that knows what they're doing!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I have a teacher and i use Guitar Pro and the net and it goes really good for meWww@QuestionHome@Com

Do both!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

little bit of all of those would be bestWww@QuestionHome@Com