What's the best way to learn how to play the guitar?
By Edward
@trinale (1479)
United States
February 17, 2007 10:52am CST
Aside from hiring an instructor, what is the best way for someone who has never played a musical instrument to learn how to play the guitar. I've been wanting to do this for a long time and this past Christmas, I purchased an acoustic guitar. I watched one video but it was obviously intended for folks who at least know how to read notes.
1 person likes this
5 responses
@TDonald (1421)
• United States
28 Feb 07
I hacked away on my guitar for many years.
I never got far until I signed up for some lessons from a qualified instructor.
Do it in the beginning before you develop bad habits. Trust me on this one.
Once you have a good grasp on the basics then try it on your own.
I reccommend the Progressive Guitar Method Books. Most of them come with a CD so you get an idea of what you are supposed to sound like.
Other Necessities... a tuner, a metronome.
Good luck, practice regularly, enjoy the process.
@limitup (324)
• United States
28 Feb 07
Do any guitar players find value in these guitar learning online ebooks or courses? I know of some very popular ones but I wonder if real guitar players find value in them.
I think my personal preference would be to learn from somebody in person, but then again, I've never played an instrument.
@the_police (35)
• South Africa
20 Jan 08
I would definetly say that you should go for some formal lessons in guitar. I tried for a few years to teach myself and that didnt work. it is alot harder that it seems. I then got a teacher and in a few lessons i was playing basic guitar. Get a few lessons and then you can think about teaching yourself further but the initial lessons are very important in my view.
@XrectifierX (31)
• Portugal
1 Mar 07
A goot tool for learning is guitar pro 4, it helps you a lot. Download scales and tabs from www.mysongbook.com for Gpro4.
@lovesfreedom (1245)
• United States
23 Apr 07
I have seen many good DVD programs for learning guitar as well as other musical instruments. My husband took lessons from an instructor as a teen but still checks out the lessons he can get from books and tapes just to keep up with things. I asked him and he said aside from an instructor, find a DVD with a book that accompanies it so that you have charts and visuals. He recommends Esteban.
@Mondoh (147)
• United States
15 Jan 08
I agree U should get an instructor to stop U from learning some bad habits to start with. When I first started trying to make money from the web I started a page at www.freewebs.com/mondohguitar (Just lost my job so I'm back to it) Go to the Guitar Alliance link & then check out their "Just Acoustic Course" There R others but U can learn on yer own time & instructors have 2 eat 2 & get expensive.
