Guitar

[RnRJoe6114]

Hello everyone, I have been leaning/playing guitar for the past few months and i was wondering if anyone of these boards knows how to play and if they could give me any tips that may help me learn more and become better at playing.

Thanks in advance.

 

[mkt]

ask away

 

[GenerationX]

The best advice I could give you is to determine what you want to play and have a friend show you how to play it. If you don't know anyone who can play the songs you want to play, buy the sheet music, and try to do it yourself.

Most rock songs (outside of the solos) are fairly easy if you know the full chords and the 7ths (the A and E minor chords are common, as well). Also, for rock songs, learn to play the A and E bar chords. For songs with more picking and less strumming, learn a couple of common picking patterns. Some of those songs are surprisingly easy when you have the picking patterns down and you know the standard chords.

I am lucky enough to be able to play the A chord with my first finger only. It's easier than having to use three fingers.

Of all the rock music I've played, the Beatles stuff is the most difficult.

Good luck! :wave:

 

[ogryn]

Find a "sparring" partner. Having someone there to bounce off, and pick things of helps a lot (and vice-versa of course)

 

[NowInc]

Practice??

Seriously...just kinda..take it slow. Play REALLY slow..like..almost painfully slow..it may seem pointless..but once you master something slow..speed up a little. little by little..you'll get better..

takes time..but its worth it

Also..dont take the easy way out and not learn the notes..trust me..you'll thank me later

 

[RnRJoe6114]

Hey! So far all the advice you guys have given me is great, anything else would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[NowInc]

Dont forget you have 4 "useable" fingers on your left hand (if you're a righty) when playing. The most common mistake I see most guitarists make is only using 2 or 3 of their fingers, which handicaps them from not only playing more accuratly..but faster and neater.

ALSO!

VEEEEEEEEEERY important

If you're playing and your hand starts to cramp up...STOP!!!! Give your hand and wrist a break. You can end up causing perminant damage if you strain too much. Dont worry..over time you'll be able to play longer and longer without strain..but you don't want to mess up your tendons this early.

 

[righttrack]

2 things.

1., Develop your ear. Listen and try to mimic passages/chord progressions. It helps with the second suggestion.

2. Improvisation. Don't just play songs, but play with real drummers/bassists, etc. Use a drum machine or some computer accompaniment and practice "soloing" over that. This will give you the ability to go on to the more social aspects of playing music: playing (jamming) with other people. The true joy of your music is to share it and play with others. Most people won't know the same songs as the next guy, but you can easily jam and play over some blues/r&B/rock/country chord progression, and experience one of the oldest forms of communication.

Above all, have fun.