What is the best way to learn how to play a guitar?

[detoxed]

I bought a guitar, no idea how to play it! Whats the best way to learn?

[Doctor Dre]

Get Lessons for the base ... then get softwares that will show you how to play some specific songs . Or dvds

[BrainDead]

go to a guitar lesson! that's the best way!

[zentz]

just play it

[detoxed]

Originally posted by zentz
just play it

ok but the goal is to be able to sound good

[michel]

I took lessons for about 6 months to learn the basics. After that I learned from watching and asking other guitar players. I also watched some instruction videos, but those are for the more advanced players.

Good luck!

[jonesy]

get lessons, more lessons and even more lessons not just from one teacher but different ones, most colleges or guitar stores have a list of credited teachers.

it takes time to become halfway decent so dont quit because your not a van halen, munky or a dimebag in 6 months.

and learn the rudiments of music also - names of notes, chords, scales, measures bars, time, ect - it may seem like a pain in the ass but if you dont know what notes to play over a chord structure your fucked.

if you dont know what your playing your fucked.

try to play as many styles too, itll broaden your playing style

and LISTEN. REALLY LISTEN to whats being played and develope your ear

[nofx]

learn how to play the music you listen to. print out tabs. ;]

[detoxed]

So whats the best way to learn the chords? A video?

[Goatse]

As someone else said, print out tabs of your favorite songs and let your style evolve from there. Don't bother with theory at first -- just find your own sound and slowly discover your instrument. Later, if you want to understand song structure and solos, you can buy some books (look up Rikky Rooksby and Nicolas Slonimsky).

[SykkBoy]

http://www.guitarvision.com/
my 9 year old son uses that software and loves it and is picking up some tunes....

[wdsguy]

take a class at your local college or ask a friend to teach u

[johndoebob]

Eating a rockstar's brain

[BrainDead]

try a guitar lesson and buy your own guitar.

[Nylz]

I never got lessons..

Just learned all basic chords from a book, and then I used www.ultimate-guitar.com to find all the songs I like to play..

and if there's a chord in the song that is new for me, I just learn it ;)

[Love Brokers]

Originally posted by detoxed
So whats the best way to learn the chords? A video?

DVD by Keith Wyatt....called "Getting Started on Acoustic Guitar" Its a raw step by step instruction. 3 hours long. Theory applies to acoustic or electric.

[Adultnet]

you can learn to play guitar with a book but best is if some one teache you.

[tornell]

hehe ...

[cronos]

Pick it up

[Tricksy]

I've been playing the guitar 4 about 7 years now and I'll tell u one thing: Take some basic lessons because if u start 2 learn to play it by urself, u wont' have good techniquies.

Gud luck 2 u!

[Tat2Jr]

Smoke lots of pot, and let your hair grow long. It's sure to work!

[Ross]

My brothers friend taught himself bass guitar in 6 weeks. He's now learning Piano as well. When it comes to music this guy can just pick stuff up by listening to it.

But my brother got lessons and now he's kick ass on the guitar.

[Project-Shadow]

www.powertabs.net

Best thing to start with is the basics, learning the components of the guitar [frets etc]

Then learn the chords & scales. After that its just a case of practicing.

[radical]

Originally posted by jonesy
get lessons, more lessons and even more lessons not just from one teacher but different ones, most colleges or guitar stores have a list of credited teachers.

it takes time to become halfway decent so dont quit because your not a van halen, munky or a dimebag in 6 months.

and learn the rudiments of music also - names of notes, chords, scales, measures bars, time, ect - it may seem like a pain in the ass but if you dont know what notes to play over a chord structure your fucked.

if you dont know what your playing your fucked.

try to play as many styles too, itll broaden your playing style

and LISTEN. REALLY LISTEN to whats being played and develope your ear

Good Advice It's one the things I want to be able to play!!! I'll note that down! Cheers

[Nicky]

Im all self learned, been playing for 6 years, my advice is to take lessons to learn theory and chords, then u can go on your self at learning some songs and scales for soloing......

[VirtuMike]

Call Esteban.

[Fabuleux]

Originally posted by nofx
learn how to play the music you listen to. print out tabs. ;]

I completely agree. This is by far the best way, because it's more fun to play some nice songs you know instead of the stupid theory. Chances are big you will quit if the first lessons are too theoretical

[VirtuMike]

One time I sat down with Eddie Money while he was hanging getting ready for an interview, and I asked him how I could get a record contract. He was stoned out of his mind or he was something out of his mind. His response:

"First, you go out and get a guitar. Then go find yourself a teacher. Get a good teacher. And learn how to play. Get a good teacher."

Thanks Ed.

[Sarah_Jayne]

I am currently learning too and I have found the guitar lessons at about.com to be very helpful.

[Herb Kornfield]

Ive been playing guitar for 20+ years now and can agree that getting a good teacher is key.

My father toured across the US as I was a kid playing behind all kinds of people in his career. He also taught guitar for years as well, so I had a in-house teacher 24-7....

Very simply here you want to learn your chords to form the foundation of your playing.

The chords can then be made into progressions which make songs. For instance a basic blues progression is E-A-B in chord form. The series of chords that you can join together are endless and up to whatever you like.

From Chords you can then progress to scales. I use the basic blues pentatonic scale for 99% of my soloing. The reason is that you can rip a million licks out of it and it never gets stale.

Know the keys of the guitar. Its only A-B-C-D-E-F-G as the major keys and there are sharps and flats as well. Most of the time you'll play the major keys and major chords that I have listed above when starting out.

ALWAYS practice each day, if its for 20 mins or 12 hours make it a point to have the guitar in your hands each day.

Go out to Jam sessions in your area, open mic nights, etc. You can learn tons from jamming with others and pickup things you'd never located on your own.

The most importantl thing to always have in mind when playing is that its fun. You will have your own style and sound. Dont worry about being the next jimi hendrix or whomever, The music is yours to share.

I have played on the road for money for years, I have played in bars, record studios, gigs of all shapes and sizes, street fairs and festivals, the thrill of playing is unreal.

Its going to be hard work and if you dedicate yourself to it you will be rewarded. Many adventures with meeting people ( other musicains and some very fine women) have come from being a guitar slinger over the years.

Enjoy the guitar and all that comes with it.

[loverboy]

Originally posted by nofx
print out tabs. ;]

and get some clubs or schools offering such courses.

[Tala]

Bookmarking this.

I've played piano/keyboards for about 22 years, (first lesson when I was 7), but could never for the life of me figure out the guitar.

Time to try it again with some of the suggestions here. Good stuff!

[slickcashlisa]

Im dying to learn how to play
Good thread for info

[Manowar]

with your hands

[Cyndalie]

Get a tuner.

Get a book for beginners, I suggest ErnieBall or something easy that teaches basic theory and reading tabulature.

Practice by trying to get an ear for music, like figuring out how to play songs yourself from basic stuff to favorite tunes or riffs. Eventuall practice by playing along.

Talk to friends and see if anyone you know has played. As a last resort, get some lessons in the style you want to learn how to play.

I played bass, rythmn guitar, and some drums for years. Been in bands and played tons of shows, it's alot of fun and worth putting time into! Enjoy!