I want to learn how to play the guitar

Caporegime
Joined
4 Jul 2004
Posts
30,754
Had an electric for about 10 years now and still have no idea how to play it. When I first got it I started having lessons, but at that age (10) I was too busy playing football and stuff, so I never really had the time to get fully stuck into it. I think it's finally about time I started again. :p

Where's the best place to start? Which websites are the best to use, etc?

Thanks.
 
As above. Something like John Petrucci's Rock Discipline is also good (vid on Google Video, tab if... well, the PDF is online if you know what I mean), since it gives you some grounding on warming up, and improving the technical/efficiency side of your playing - things like improving your hand's flexibility/stretchiness, playing cleanly/ergonomically, as well as understanding how to widdle fast.
 
As above. Something like John Petrucci's Rock Discipline is also good (vid on Google Video, tab if... well, the PDF is online if you know what I mean), since it gives you some grounding on warming up, and improving the technical/efficiency side of your playing - things like improving your hand's flexibility/stretchiness, playing cleanly/ergonomically, as well as understanding how to widdle fast.

I'm not sure Rock Discipline is the best to start for those just picking up! He needs to first improve his dexterity.

OP Try http://www.infiniteguitar.com
It's a pay site, but you can have direct interaction with instructors like Rick Graham/Tom Quayle and others who are excellent musicians and teachers. Plus you get lots of features. I use it myself. :) And if you don't like it, there's a money back guarantee after three days of purchasing membership.
 
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The best place to start would be to find some songs you'd like to play.

It sounds obvious, but the best place to begin is to try and get results quickly, this is hard to do with guitar as it's a difficult to start with.

If you can play music you enjoy early on then you'll be more likely to stick at it.
 
Have to agree with Andelusion.

It will be a nightmare at first and you may not even recognise the songs nor will your hands go where you want them to, but just stick at it. Keep practicing and it will come.

Don't jump in the deep end and try and learn complex songs just because they're your favourite. Things like Jose Gonzalez - Heartbeats are out of reach, whereas simpler songs like Green Day - Time of Your Life are not.

Learn the basic chords first. That way you can continue to practice changing between them, whilst you move on to learning tablature.

If you run into any hurdles, buzz me on MSN and I'll see if I can help.
 
Probably the greatest program ever wrote for learning songs - http://www.guitar-pro.com/en/index.php

I prefer v5 and I'll give an example that happened about 1 hour ago how good it is.
My 10 year old nephew is an amazing drummer (grade 8) but picked my bass guitar up saying he wants to learn another instrument.
He then asked me what the notes are in Sweet Child O Mine so I put it on Guitar Pro on the bass part and told him to watch the notes on the verse & chorus.
Within 2 minutes he was playing D C G for the verse and A C D for the chorus to the amazement of all of us (obviously it wasn't brilliant playing but in the zone).

At the end of August I've got to take over lead guitar duties in my main band which means I've got to learn at least 22 songs for a full set.
Once again Guitar Pro has made the job easy.
 
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