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Off-Topic Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: vyper on September 08, 2005, 03:12:11 pm

Title: The Guitar [Best way to learn]
Post by: vyper on September 08, 2005, 03:12:11 pm
So, I've had guitars lying around my room for years but I've never properly learned how to play. Any suggestions for the easy, fast track option for lazy people?
Title: The Guitar [Best way to learn]
Post by: Grey Wolf on September 08, 2005, 03:16:01 pm
Take lessons, or sit around with a book and learn the notes. Once you learn the notes, progress to chords. Once you have that, improve both skills, combine them, and focus on increasing speed and precision.
Title: The Guitar [Best way to learn]
Post by: Flipside on September 08, 2005, 03:19:16 pm
I learnt the basic chords from diagrams and then just got tablature and strummed the chords along to tunes that I liked. I didn't start looking at individual notes in the chords until after I could play them :)
Title: The Guitar [Best way to learn]
Post by: Grey Wolf on September 08, 2005, 03:20:21 pm
I learned notes first. Personally, I despise tablature and feel you should just read the notes off of the staff.
Title: Re: The Guitar [Best way to learn]
Post by: pyro-manic on September 08, 2005, 05:56:43 pm
Quote
Originally posted by vyper
...easy, fast track option for lazy people?


There isn't one. ;) Find a teacher - it's the only way you'll really improve technique-wise. I messed about for a while before getting a teacher, and I improved more in the first month of tuition than I did in the six beforehand.
Title: The Guitar [Best way to learn]
Post by: Solatar on September 08, 2005, 08:50:54 pm
If you aren't afraid of n00bs, check out www.ultimate-guitar.com
Title: The Guitar [Best way to learn]
Post by: Stealth on September 09, 2005, 09:47:43 am
there's no "fast track" way to learning to play the guitar unfortunately..........
Title: The Guitar [Best way to learn]
Post by: Galemp on September 09, 2005, 10:18:09 am
Well, there is, but the side effect is that three or four years later your fingers blacken and wither, and you become impotent. I hear the authorities are cracking down on illegal strumming enhancement drugs, though, so be careful.
Title: The Guitar [Best way to learn]
Post by: Stealth on September 09, 2005, 01:38:35 pm
you're being sarcastic, right? :p  (it's hard to tell)

if there was a fast-track to "learning guitar", then that would be the only way anyone would ever learn, and we'd have a bunch of jimi hendrixes walking around ;)
Title: The Guitar [Best way to learn]
Post by: Ulala on September 09, 2005, 01:45:08 pm
Chords were the fastest and easiest for me to learn. They don't sound bad either after some practice and you won't sound totally n00b. If you like it enough, work up from there. :)
Title: The Guitar [Best way to learn]
Post by: Stealth on September 09, 2005, 01:50:53 pm
i say learn basic chords; when you're comfortable with the basics, then work on bar chords.  then work on strumming.  strumming was always the hardest part for me, i don't know why.  after strumming start basic lead, learn the box system, and just play around in/with it.  i always prefer people who are well-rounded.  not people who can ONLY play chords (rhythm) or who can ONLY lead
Title: The Guitar [Best way to learn]
Post by: Roanoke on September 09, 2005, 02:01:13 pm
Bar chords were a pain in the ass. I started with basic chords intermixed with basic tracks. I leaned most of Californication by the Chilli Peppers as they is mainly chords and a solo to begin with. Then I started One by One (Foo Fighters) to begin bar & power chords.
Title: The Guitar [Best way to learn]
Post by: Slanker_MT on September 11, 2005, 02:27:21 am
Quote
Originally posted by Stealth
i say learn basic chords; when you're comfortable with the basics, then work on bar chords.  then work on strumming.  strumming was always the hardest part for me, i don't know why.  after strumming start basic lead, learn the box system, and just play around in/with it.  i always prefer people who are well-rounded.  not people who can ONLY play chords (rhythm) or who can ONLY lead


I totally agree with that
Title: The Guitar [Best way to learn]
Post by: vyper on September 11, 2005, 09:19:09 am
Interesting ideas lads. I'll be playing Layla in no time. :)

Or perhaps just a couple of chords by the end of October. ;)
Title: The Guitar [Best way to learn]
Post by: pyro-manic on September 11, 2005, 03:13:13 pm
Layla ain't actually that hard... ;)

Good luck, and PRACTICE!!!!! That's all I'll say... :)
Title: The Guitar [Best way to learn]
Post by: Drew on September 11, 2005, 04:45:19 pm
barr chords will naturally stretch your hands out, and can open up your mind to a good variaty of melodies. scales probably more important than chords, so learn those. learn the basic chords than learn some basic barr chords and power chords and the basic scales, and practice. play songs you like, play different songs, and experiment on your own.
Title: Re: The Guitar [Best way to learn]
Post by: Setekh on September 11, 2005, 06:15:35 pm
Quote
Originally posted by vyper
Any suggestions for the easy, fast track option for lazy people?


As with any musical instrument, there is no easy, fast track option for lazy people that will not give you much more than very poor technique later on when you are trying to play more difficult pieces. If you want to play well, invest some time. It's worth it. :yes: