newbie guitarist

Kuragari · 15-06-2005, 21:00

i went digging through my closet the other day because i remembered my dad's old guitar was in there somewhere, well, after much ado about looking for it, i finally found it, granted i have never even touched a guitar before, one string is broken, it's a 6-string acoustic, any idea/tips/helps for me on what i should do to get started playing? cause i really wanna learn how to play the guitar! thanks!

Raistlin · 15-06-2005, 21:04

For a start you should replace the string

Your best bet is going to be to replace them all, with the same type as are on there at the moment.

You will find that you will need to keep retuning quite frequently at first as the new strings will stretch for a while, but eventually they will settles down ok.

After that your best bet is probably to get a couple of music books for bands that you like and start learning to play the songs that you already know and love.
Go for books that have tablature in them (a graphical representation of the strings/notes) and that should make things easier to start with.

Mr_love_monkey · 15-06-2005, 21:04

Well, first thing to do is get it restrung - a local guitar shop will do it for you if you ask nicely - shouldn't cost too much.
Secondly, unless you have a very good ear, get a guitar tuner - you get them from argos - I'll dig out a link for you.

Kuragari · 15-06-2005, 21:05

sounds like a kool idea, any generalized simple book though to get me started? or just grab a few band books and have at it?

Raistlin · 15-06-2005, 21:07

The best thing about books for bands that you know is that you already know how the songs should sound. That should help you know if you're getting it right.

Mr_love_monkey · 15-06-2005, 21:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raistlin

The best thing about books for bands that you know is that you already know how the songs should sound. That should help you know if you're getting it right.

Just make sure you get a proper 'tab' book and not a musical notation one.

The internet used to be a good source of tab for guitars, it's not something I've looked at for years, but I assume olga is still around?
__________________

link for tuner : http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/st...clickfrom=name

Raistlin · 15-06-2005, 21:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_love_monkey

The internet used to be a good source of tab for guitars, it's not something I've looked at for years, but I assume olga is still around?

Looks like it:

http://www.harmony-central.com/Guitar/tab.html

Mr_love_monkey · 15-06-2005, 21:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_love_monkey

Just make sure you get a proper 'tab' book and not a musical notation one.

Sorry, Raist, I just realise I repeated what you had already said

Raistlin · 15-06-2005, 21:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_love_monkey

Sorry, Raist, I just realise I repeated what you had already said

No problems, "Great Minds" and all of that.....

__________________

Wasn't going to say anything, I need to stay on your good side - might be needing some help towards the end of the year

danielf · 15-06-2005, 21:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_love_monkey

link for tuner : http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/st...clickfrom=name

Alternatively, get youself a mike for you computer, and download a free guiter tuner here:

http://www.aptuner.com/cgi-bin/aptuner/apmain.html

Mr_love_monkey · 15-06-2005, 21:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raistlin

No problems, "Great Minds" and all of that.....

__________________

Wasn't going to say anything, I need to stay on your good side - might be needing some help towards the end of the year

Interesting..... long as it doesn't involve me taking the lead in an all male cast of 'cats' it will be ok

Raistlin · 15-06-2005, 21:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_love_monkey

Interesting..... long as it doesn't involve me taking the lead in an all male cast of 'cats' it will be ok

How did you guess?

Actually no, I'm starting an OU degree at the end of the year and the first couple of modules contain some Java content. I noticed in your signature that you're a Java developer and thought I might bug you when the time comes.

Mr_love_monkey · 15-06-2005, 21:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raistlin

How did you guess?

Actually no, I'm starting an OU degree at the end of the year and the first couple of modules contain some Java content. I noticed in your signature that you're a Java developer and thought I might bug you when the time comes.

Damn.... *puts away 'cats' outfit*...

Sure, no probs - always happy to help

eerrrr · 15-06-2005, 22:13

I strongly suggest that you try to figure songs out for yourself, if you really want to be a good guitar player. Learn the basics with guitar magazines or whatever, but try to play along with songs you like by ear. It doesn't matter if you get it entirely perfect, but it'll help you develop your ear a whole lot.

I don't want to sound cocky, but I know guitarists who've taken lessons from the start, and been through like 5 different guitars, and yet they still can't tab a song or tune a guitar by ear.
If you teach yourself the guitar, you might find that you'll develop your own style of playing, and be better at improvising and jamming. Though, take all the help you can get of course, taking lessons for a while aswell if you can.

I might be going a little overboard here since you're just starting, sorry! Anyhow, the most important thing about playing the guitar (or any instrument) is making sure that you enjoy it.

15-06-2005, 23:17

12 years ago I started teaching myself how to play guitar.
I still cant play well.

Get lessons from the start