I want to learn an instrument (probably guitar)

ScarySquirrel

ScarySquirrel

ScarySquirrel

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Hi all, this might be a bit of a boring thread. But I really really wish I could play an instrument. I have tried and failed in the past. About 2 years ago I bought a cheap Ibanez GSA60 and proceeded to play tab that I found on the internet.

I can play chords and I used to be able to play other little bits. But I want to be able to play whole songs, and I want to be able to do them well.

I haven't touched the guitar for over a year now, and all I did then was replace the strings. I don't even know how to tune the thing properly.

Now I am thinking that as it is a new year, I should get some guitar lessons. The guy next door to me teachers guitar because I see people with cases going in and out all the time.

So my question is this. How much are guitar lessons on average? How often should I take them if I decide to? How can I make sure I keep at it, as I tend to give up on things If I don't pick them up straight away (bad trait to have :()

edit: forgot to mention I would also love to play the drums. But as I have a guitar already it seems silly to get involved in that. There is also a drumming teacher down the road from me. I assume he has a few drum kits. WOuld you suggest having a few lessons and seeing if I like it/might be good at it?

I have good hand/eye coordination etc. So I would hope I was ok at that type of thing. I think I have good rythym as well, but I have smallish fingers which is why I find the guitar a bit tricky at times.

Also, I am 22. I figured that if I keep at it by the time I am 40 or something I might be quite good. it annoys me to think that when I bought it, if I had stuck at it I would probably be pretty good now :(
 
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You don't need guitar lessons, just learn it yourself.

Learn how to play A, D, E chords and a basic 4/4 rhythm. You can do lots of songs with that. And then move on from there to Am, Em, G, D patterns.

Before you know it you'll be a half decent rhythm guitarist.

I'm thinking of getting a lute. Because I'm weird like that.
 
I tried before. I learnt the chords, but have no forgotten some of them. Can play the obvious ones, maybe about 5 or 6 of them.

I just feel that the extra motivation, tuition and direction will help me out no end. Even if I only have 6 lessons or so to get me going. I just never feel like I get anywhere on my own.

A lute would be nice.
 
If you want to learn an instrument properly, best way to do it is get lessons, as you mentioned. Look around in shops for ads etc, music shops are generally a good place to go - esp. if you have a local one.
An average price for a lesson should be about £10 for half an hour. With that sort of cost you should be getting a teacher who will (hopefully) keep you working hard and expect results from practice at the next lesson. So it's in your best interest to practice and motivate yourself.
Also, bare in mind how teachers like to be paid - some like cash/cheque at each lesson whereas some would prefer a lump sum at the start/end of a course of lessons. Personally, I prefer cash at each lesson I teach (as I find it easier to keep on top of finances etc).

Let us know how it pans out :)
 
There is no point going to a guitar lesson without a clue how to play. He will only show you things you could be learning at home.

Grab a three chord song book and learn to play a mean 'Mr. Tambourine Man', and other cheeky fun songs.

Then when you know a few chords and have decided that F and B are totally impossible, then go and see a teacher :)
 
Nitefly said:
There is no point going to a guitar lesson without a clue how to play. He will only show you things you could be learning at home.

Grab a three chord song book and learn to play a mean 'Mr. Tambourine Man', and other cheeky fun songs.

Then when you know a few chords and have decided that F and B are totally impossible, then go and see a teacher :)
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I can play chords but I don't know any songs that I can use them in. I used to be able to play that song from 'The Wedding Singer', I think it is called 'Grow Old with You'. Although I can't remember it now (would it I looked it up though)

So I do know the basics to a certain degree.
 
The one where he's on stage and playing it to just Julia?

It uses chords A, D, Bm, C#m and E - just figured it out from watching it on Youtube lol -

A -> Bm -> C#m -> D -> A -> E -> D -> A

That's the basis of it, figure out the timings from listening to it!
 
Maccy said:
The one where he's on stage and playing it to just Julia?

It uses chords A, D, Bm, C#m and E - just figured it out from watching it on Youtube lol -

A -> Bm -> C#m -> D -> A -> E -> D -> A

That's the basis of it, figure out the timings from listening to it!
Click to expand...

Yeah, the one in that YouTube link you posted.
 
Maccy said:
Have you tried playing it?

If you're unsure of the chords, can link you to a chord sheet or I'm sure you can google one ;)
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Yeah I learnt it when I first got my guitar. I am at work now so I can't try it this second.

I may very well have been playing it wrong the first time around, some of the notes did sound slightly out, but that could quite easily be my tuning (or lack of it)

I have a rubbish practice amp now. It really is rubbish.
 
Well I'm going to tell you something that you're not gonna like...

All learning takes effort and time.

Sounds like you need someone to instil some discipline, give you some guidance and direction to allow you to learn in chunks that will allow you to appreciate your progress.


Next - drums. Everyone thinks drumming is easy; just hitting things.. even a caveman can do that. *wrong*

You do sound like me and after playing guitar (15 years) I've made the switch to drums. Two months on (with my own v-drum kit from the get-go) these are my impressions:

1. It's harder than playing guitar as even the easy stuff is hard. It's timing. That requires time to sit down and practice with a metronome without any distractions. Then you have rudiments which are like scales. Just like chord forms, your muscles need to be trained.
2. People don't appreciate you sitting down and playing them.. they don't see the skill and not many people tap their feet to songs. Also you'll have the ol' acoustic fun of limited practice time due to neighbours (that's why v-drums are so good!).
3. It requires a progressive balanced series of lessons to get the most out of the instrument.

I now sit down and focus on learning the drums properly..

Hope that helps a little.
 
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ScarySquirrel said:
I can play chords but I don't know any songs that I can use them in. I used to be able to play that song from 'The Wedding Singer', I think it is called 'Grow Old with You'. Although I can't remember it now (would it I looked it up though)
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Therefore I would strongly recommend a cheap three chord song book to strum along to, as stated :)

For the record, F is still my least favourite chord.
 
NickK said:
Next - drums. Everyone thinks drumming is easy; just hitting things.. even a caveman can do that. *wrong*

You do sound like me and after playing guitar (15 years) I've made the switch to drums. Two months on (with my own v-drum kit from the get-go) these are my impressions:

1. It's harder than playing guitar as even the easy stuff is hard. It's timing. That requires time to sit down and practice with a metronome without any distractions. Then you have rudiments which are like scales. Just like chord forms, your muscles need to be trained.
2. People don't appreciate you sitting down and playing them.. they don't see the skill and not many people tap their feet to songs. Also you'll have the ol' acoustic fun of limited practice time due to neighbours (that's why v-drums are so good!).
3. It requires a progressive balanced series of lessons to get the most out of the instrument.

I now sit down and focus on learning the drums properly..

Hope that helps a little.
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I'm afraid I disagree with you a little. I wouldn't say it's necessarily harder, it's far more physically demanding than playing guitar yeh, but there's a lot of technical accuracy to guitar as well as drums. I found drums a lot easier to pick up than guitar and think it's easier to teach yourself drums (providing you have good rhythm!) and can be more creative.

Also, people do appreciate drummers - many gigs I've played at, I get people congratulating etc. However, I will agree that the guitarists seem to take more of the credit.

I haven't had any drum lessons and was graded recently to grade 6/7 standard (from 2 years of playing). So you can get a lot out of an instrument but as you said - have to be very self-disciplined.
 
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