Acoustic Guitar (Learning how to play)

Posted by: jim learoyd on 11 January 2004

Just got a new Acoustic Guitar (Stagg Dreadnought) for Christmas and it's brilliant. There is a problem though I can't play it yet.
I am a complete beginner and no idea how to play. I also got a dorling kingsley book with which shows you how to learn.
Has anybody got any tips and advice which is the best way to learn? At present I am finding it alot harder than I thought! My fingers are hurting for a start. I am finding it difficult to move my fingers on the neck of the guitar to play even the basic chords. The book says you will have problems at first but you will get used to it. Is this so, any advice would be most welcome.

jim...............

Posted on: 11 January 2004 by Mike Hanson

Yes your hands will cramp at first, but as with any new exercise regimen, it will pass after a few weeks.

I started playing guitar in earnest about 18 months ago. I've got extensive experience with many other instruments (keyboards, woodwinds, etc.). I was basically aware of the theory of a guitar, but I knew well enough not to try to learn it on my own. I decided to take some lessons, and it worked out very well. He taught me things that I never could have learned from a book or a video. He continually tailored the lessons to my current challenges and/or desires. It was a very enriching and enjoyable experience.

So find yourself a good teacher and take at least a few months of lessons. You won't regret it! Otherwise, you're bound to be frustrated, and you'll probably not achieve your goals.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

Posted on: 12 January 2004 by jim learoyd

Mike,
Thanks for the advice. As you say it can be really fustrating. I will take your advice and get proper experience from someone who can play!

jim...............

Posted on: 13 January 2004 by monkfish

Hi
You could also get a decent tutorial, the most widely used are by Fredrick Noad.
Have a look here.
http://www.noad.com/Nbooks.htm
regards
jim

Posted on: 14 January 2004 by ARC

I agree with the advice to have some lessong but would also recommend the Changara lear guitar CD-ROMS. I've found these much more useful than books.

Brendan

Posted on: 14 January 2004 by Rockingdoc

I was self-taught for thirty years and have had a useful gigging life, but started lessons a couple of years ago. I wish I had done it from the start. I believe that the fact you are committed to (and paying for) a regular lesson produces better practice dicipline, and therefore much faster learning. If you stay self-taught it is very easy to stick with what you know, and become a niche player as a result.
Best of luck.

Posted on: 14 January 2004 by Berlin Fritz

Don't change yer strings in a cold room !!!

Fritz Von Steamywinders

Posted on: 14 January 2004 by Berlin Fritz

Just a few more words of advice (the last I promise) : If you happen to get the opporchancity to learn how to tune yer geetar, do it, if yer get the feel of learning to read music, do it, if yer fingers hurt, hard luck, do it again till they don't hurt.
Surgical spirit is for drinking and not wasting on fingers that
will never get past their owners lack of dicipline, innit.

Fritz Von 1chordadecadeisgoodenoughformebutisitgoodenoughforyou ?

Ps: Pretty guitars and other instruments are two a penny, people who can enjoy a lifelong passion alone with their chosen musical-tool (irrespective of level or talent) are very very lucky people indeed, don't forget it.