Learning to play guitar

[Lucy]

Are any of you on the bench, based near London and willing to teach me?

I won't pay you, cuz I is a tight git. But you will get plenty of enjoyment from the music you help create.

Find a partner who plays.

WFM

[DS23]

Anyone done that here? More specifically I mean anyone learnt it at an age where you think you're too old to learn new things, i.e. low-to-mid 30s?

doesn't matter how good you are tazman - you never stop learning to play. anyone who says they know it all doesn't know the half of it.

still, no time like the present eh?. lessons would be a good place to start but if you can't be arsed or are too cheap you can always try a resource like this: http://guitar.about.com/library/blchordlibrary.htm i don't know it from adam (just did a google on guitar chord dictionary) but it looks like an ideal source. you will probably just want to grab the basic chords and then it is all about practice, practice, practice, practice, practice. your fingers will bleed but keep at it and it will sound great in no time. i started when i was at primary school and over 30 years later still love it and am still learning.

i'd suggest acoustic first and then electric but do what your heart tells you - fall in love with a guitar and it will help the practice routine. later when you realise your mistake get the right thing - whatever that might be. no harm in having more than one instrument anyway.

good luck and let us know how you get on.

[Cowboy Bob]

Been playing for about 20 years now - but with a huge gap in between. Still learning all the time. I have never had a lesson or read a book on the subject in all that time. I wouldn't say I'm great, but I can belt out the odd solo when required.

My main axe is a Squier Strat that cost a couple of hundred about 10 years ago and it still sounds great. There's no need to spend thousands on a guitar as long as it sounds good, and there are plenty of cheap ones that have great sound. Yamaha Strat copies are also good.

Strumming is also very important. It's not just about learning to make the chord shapes without looking, it's also about being precise enough to pick the right string without looking. With a good strumming technique you can get away without having to be ultra-fast with your fret fingers.

The final point to remember is that when learning it's going to be painful, very painful. But also remember that every guitarist has been through the pain barrier and you'll get plenty of moral support. Conquer the pain and you're well on the way.

[Cowboy Bob]

Oh yeah, and the next step is writing and recording your own stuff. Here's my ode to contracting which will be on my upcoming album:-

Selling Your Soul For The Man

Lying here in my hotel room
Just thinking over the work to do tomorrow
Weekday evening TV
Reality sets in, but not behind the picture
With my bottle of wine
I prepare myself for the excruciating boredom to come

(Chorus)
This life on the road
Forget the glamour it's not what it seems to be
Wilting through the pressure of it all
Yes remuneration's good
It needs to be to make any of it worthwhile
Selling your soul for the man

Take away for dinner again
Fish and chips or that awful Chinese across the road
In the next door room they're having fun
It's 2am, will I ever get to sleep tonight
I toss and turn
Knowing I've only got 4 hours before I have to go to work again

[Cliphead]

And don't forget, it could become a Plan B

[pisces]

It's the easiest instrument to learn IMO. How good you can get however is in your blood.

[Jog On]

doesn't matter how good you are tazman - you never stop learning to play. anyone who says they know it all doesn't know the half of it.

still, no time like the present eh?. lessons would be a good place to start but if you can't be arsed or are too cheap you can always try a resource like this: http://guitar.about.com/library/blchordlibrary.htm i don't know it from adam (just did a google on guitar chord dictionary) but it looks like an ideal source. you will probably just want to grab the basic chords and then it is all about practice, practice, practice, practice, practice. your fingers will bleed but keep at it and it will sound great in no time. i started when i was at primary school and over 30 years later still love it and am still learning.

i'd suggest acoustic first and then electric but do what your heart tells you - fall in love with a guitar and it will help the practice routine. later when you realise your mistake get the right thing - whatever that might be. no harm in having more than one instrument anyway.

good luck and let us know how you get on.

Are you back with us Sir?

And don't forget, it could become a Plan B

It is mine

It's the easiest instrument to learn IMO. How good you can get however is in your blood.

Disagree

Prove em wrong I say!

[NickFitz]

Any tips on how to get started? Could I do this by myself, say from a book or something? Should I go out and buy a guitar first or read through some courses first to see if I'm actually capable of playing?

Get down your local acoustic club - there's inevitably somebody playing who works as a freelance guitar tutor, usually a middle-aged guy who's been playing since youth and won't rip you off.

Good real ale in these places too, although it's considered impolite to cast aspersions on the wholemeal jumpers they all wear

[xoggoth]

I have been trying on and off for 40 years since somebody gave me a guitar in lieu of some money they owed me. Never got beyond a bit of 12 bar blues.

[permie_scum]

I have been trying on and off for 40 years since somebody gave me a guitar in lieu of some money they owed me. Never got beyond a bit of 12 bar blues.

Yes. Jimi Hendrix died aged just 28 and could have wiped his bum with any guitar "hero" since. Nuff said. But please, OP, don't let that put you off