Want to learn how to play the guitar

Swimming Bird

So, after being a Bob Dylan fan all my life, I've finally decided to try my hand at the guitar.

I know absolutley nothing about the instrument. Should I start with Acustic or Electric? Once I learn one will I automatically learn the other?

Also, is this the type of instrument where I absolutley need a teacher to learn, or will I be able to become competant just fiddling around with it on my own over a period of time?

DynamiteKid

This is the kind of thing that can depend from person to person.

Learning acoustic will not mean you can play electric, and vice versa. However, generally you will be better off starting on acoustic, because it builds up your finger strength. Electrics as a rule are easier to play because fretting the notes is easier (thinner necks and thinner strings). However it is a different playing style.

As for needing a teacher, I would usually recommend you get one because you'd probably learn the basics faster. However you don't necessarily need one. Overall you'd probably end up more skilled with a teacher, but some people have natural talent or just get the knack for it themselves. It's just better to gamble.

Since you say you're a Dylan fan, I would say that you should start on acoustic because that's where Dylan's songs start. Also, once you learn the basics you'll be able to learn a ton of Dylan songs. Most Dylan tunes are three chords. 'A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall?' D, A and G. He has a ton of songs which are just a 12 bar blues in various keys. 'Meet Me In The Morning' is just E, A and B, as is 'Outlaw Blues.' I think 'Maggie's Farm' is just C, G and F...you get the picture.

Quirk

I'd advise maybe 3 lessons or so with a competent teacher, as this will help you avoid any bad habits (much more common and harder to break than you'd think)

http://chordfind.com/ is a good site to find chords you need, also

http://www.amazon.com/Basic-Chords-Guitar-David-Mead/dp/1860743633/ref=sr_1_4/102-2509669-2028144?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1174177221&sr=8-4

this book is good

(I just put this same info in another thread, so you got lucky starting the thread now:P)

Mullitt The Wise

Swimming Bird wrote: »

Should I start with Acustic or Electric? Once I learn one will I automatically learn the other?

Pretty much. Obviously with acoustics you don't have to worry about amps or anything, but playing an electric is just like playing an acoustic.

Also, is this the type of instrument where I absolutley need a teacher to learn, or will I be able to become competant just fiddling around with it on my own over a period of time?

I've never had a teacher, so I can't tell you how much faster you'll learn, but just teaching myself I haven't had any problems learning how to read music or tablature or learning how to play chords. Plus when you teach yourself, you find out how to play in a way that's the most comfortable to you and develop your own style.

Quirk

learning to play without a teacher can let you develop bad habits however, which can be detrimental to both playing and health




it'll also frustrate other guitarists watching you struggle to finger a chord which would be easy with correct hand placement etc.

i usually recommend either getting a teacher for a few early lessons just to get the feel of things or getting someone who (and this is important) KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOING to help you out.

Mullitt The Wise

Quirk wrote: »

learning to play without a teacher can let you develop bad habits however, which can be detrimental to both playing and health

Can I have specifics?

Axim

its pretty straightforward. there certain finger placements that are right others that are wrong. a lot of the fingerings are such that if you want to go from playing a A minor to a C major you just have to move a single finger. so learning the proper fingers to put on each string in the chords will help you play better and will put your hand in less awkward positions that are less likely to strain it over time.

i taught myself but have a ton of guitar friends who kicked my ass with how i played am/e/barre chords and after a while i changed it up but it was a pain in the ass after you form the habit of playing it wrong

DynamiteKid

Mullitt The Wise wrote: »

Swimming Bird wrote: »

Should I start with Acustic or Electric? Once I learn one will I automatically learn the other?

Pretty much. Obviously with acoustics you don't have to worry about amps or anything, but playing an electric is just like playing an acoustic.

It's really not.

tehremo

I've played guitar for 15 years now and I would recommend the following:

1. Start with acoustic. You're a Dylan fan and its always great to pick up and play some tunes you really love. It will definitely build your finger strength. Its generally cheaper to get started. You can get a cheap acoustic to get started on, some picks, strings, and you're done. Plus, I've found a cheap acoustic, $150 or so, will sound better and better over time as the wood ages, as long as you take care of it.

2. Take lessons. I taught myself and picked things up from other players. I have always been behind the curve with other players who took lessons. Not to say you can't just be a natural and own the guitar, but for most of us, it doesn't work that way. Take lessons, it will pay off later on.

3. Decide which guitar you want and stick with it (acoustic or electric). You'll be better off choosing one now and getting really good at it. If you master some acoustic, it won't be hard to switch off to electric, but as someone said earlier, they are totally different styles. Not just with the instrument, but also the style of music you play. Singer/songwriter Dylan type stuff is a quite different style from Bluegrass, and even more so with Rock N Roll, Metal, etc.

Whatever you choose, go for it. There is no better feeling than picking up an instrument and playing some music. I wish you all the best.

LoneIgadzra

Lessons are always good, for aforementioned reasons. I have not had any guitar lessons, opting instead to focus in piano in that regard, and where it's gotten me is I suck at guitar, but not as much as you might expect given I never even bothered to learn a full song for any amount of time and only know a few chords - a testament to how easy the instrument is compared to others. It's true guitar is like the the number one instrument for people learning on their own, but you will progress faster, spend less time fixing bad habits, and feel more incentive to practice with a regular lesson.

A big part of playing guitar is shear finger strength and conditioning (or at least that's my impression), so as with anything have some discipline and practice daily at least half an hour. I also think to a degree, a principle of piano holds true for any instrument: practice slow, and always correctly. Practicing too fast and screwing up all the time is the same as practicing the screwup.

EggyToast

Lessons are also good for any new instrument because it gets you to do the one thing most everyone who teaches themselves forgets to do -- practice.

A [good] teacher will show you how to play correctly, sure, but they'll also take you out of your comfort zones. They'll give you pieces that have a challenging elements or incorporate bits you normally don't play. If you teach yourself, you'll be more inclined to give up or not bother with something that doesn't sound easy, or that meshes with what you've already learned.