Guitar: An absolute Beginner

[Derek Zoolander]

Can't recommend this book highly enough for any guitarist.

It is the bible for guitarists and is not only a great starting point but a great reference tool later on.

That was my first guitar book, back 11 odd years ago. I've still got it floating around somewhere...

I have a Fender Squire that came in a $350 guitar and amp pack. I've since basically gutted the guitar and it's effectively a new guitar, but it's served me well.

Got it from Allans.

 

[GED YLE]

IF you want to get some REAL rifts as a beginner, why not play the intros to "Closer To Ther Heart", "The Trees" and "A Farewell To Kings", all by Rush!

 

[Creasy]

Mate, don't bother until you have restrung it. You are playing the guitar with the strings around the wrong way. You won't be able to play anything. If you feel more comfortable with a left-handed guitar, buy one. At least put the strings around the proper way for a leftie (which probably won't sound too flash anyway unless you are playing a quality guitar). Otherwise don't even bother for now.

I thought it was logical that instead of waiting around for the right guitar that I should just try and master finger movement, co-ordination etc.
I may be learning the songs upside down but I think it will make picking up a left handed guitar alot easier than if I had no practice at all.
thanks though.

 

[patsmith]

I thought it was logical that instead of waiting around for the right guitar that I should just try and master finger movement, co-ordination etc.
I may be learning the songs upside down but I think it will make picking up a left handed guitar alot easier than if I had no practice at all.
thanks though.

You will learn the wrong way if you have the strings the wrong way. Why begin using the guitar in a manner than is completely unplayable? The habits you pick up now will be hard to break, so don't even try. Have a look around on the internet and learn a little bit of guitar theory (like EADGBe), turn the strings around and play it properly.

 

[utility]

I'm a lefty and it's a bitch finding left-handed guitars... fortunately I found a Squire second-hand which wasn't too pricy. Don't try and play right-handed if you aren't! I had a guy at a large music store in Melbourne suggest that I play right-handed and vowed never, ever to shop there.

I had four years of piano lessons before taking up playing bass guitar, and I think it is essential to learn music theory if you really want to learn how to play. I actually spend almost all my time playing stuff that I write and don't bother with known songs. It's true that habits are hard to break so concentrate on technique more than playing songs... and that means heaps of repetitive exercises.

 

[finrod]

Or Ford Fairlane

What's a car got to do with having a guitar upside down? Are there left hand drive versions in Australia?

 

[Truck Rutten]

Don't try and play right-handed if you aren't! I had a guy at a large music store in Melbourne suggest that I play right-handed and vowed never, ever to shop there.

Why? Are you some sort of crusader for the downtrodden left handed guitarists of the world?

If you learn right handed from the beginning (or close enough to) then it makes no difference. I'm not a naturally gifted musician but was able to learn to play right handed when I do everything else left handed. The manual dexterity required to play guitar is so unique to the activity, that you are going to be starting from square one regardless of which way you pick up the guitar. So why not do it right handed and save yourself a lot of headaches and some coin. When you think about it, having your dominant hand as the fretting hand actually makes more sense than the other way around.

 

[patsmith]

Why? Are you some sort of crusader for the downtrodden left handed guitarists of the world?

If you learn right handed from the beginning (or close enough to) then it makes no difference. I'm not a naturally gifted musician but was able to learn to play right handed when I do everything else left handed. The manual dexterity required to play guitar is so unique to the activity, that you are going to be starting from square one regardless of which way you pick up the guitar. So why not do it right handed and save yourself a lot of headaches and some coin. When you think about it, having your dominant hand as the fretting hand actually makes more sense than the other way around.

Exactly right. Guitar feels weird at first no matter which way you play it.

 

[materamagic]

learning up some Johnny Cash or Tom Petty on acoustic will hold any guitarist in good stead around the campfire

 

[superfraser]

Guitar

I'm going to buy an electric guitar. Yay.

Just for muck around at first, and hopefully down the track do some gigs and whatever - but don't want to get too ahead of myself.

I know nothing about guitars, and have no idea how to play.

I love bands like Arctic Monkeys, The Strokes, Kings of Leon, Muse. So idealy I'd like to make music which will sound similar to that.

What sort of guitar should I look at?

I'm thinking mediumish priced guitar -$500ish

Cheap Amp.. 15 Watt?

Then if I decide I love it I'd just need a better amp yea?

Whats the best way to learn? Do I need to learn them stupid octaves and whatever.. The kind we used to play the recorder to in high school.



All help and advice is appreciated.

 

[Bourky23]

i rekon the easiest way to learn is via tabs over the net.. but i am of the opinion that generally the better players know how music notes, scales, octaves etc all work.. so if u wanna learn quickly and become a decentish player learn via tabs.. but if you want to become highly skilled and a real superstar learn music

 

[melbournemartin]

You can learn about scales etc without being able to read music but the ability to read music does help.

 

[The Dice Man]

Re: Guitar

I'm going to buy an electric guitar. Yay.

Just for muck around at first, and hopefully down the track do some gigs and whatever - but don't want to get too ahead of myself.

I know nothing about guitars, and have no idea how to play.

I love bands like Arctic Monkeys, The Strokes, Kings of Leon, Muse. So idealy I'd like to make music which will sound similar to that.

What sort of guitar should I look at?

I'm thinking mediumish priced guitar -$500ish

Cheap Amp.. 15 Watt?

Then if I decide I love it I'd just need a better amp yea?

Whats the best way to learn? Do I need to learn them stupid octaves and whatever.. The kind we used to play the recorder to in high school.



All help and advice is appreciated.

Mate... Just get yourself a cheap guitar with a straight neck that tunes up well. I see you put Kings of Leon in your list... Well Im here to tell you they are pretty much the easiest band to learn. And thats taking nothing away from the Kings.. just that their tracks are simple.. guitar wise, but its his lyrics/melody/delivery that make the Kings KING!

Muse arent that hard to play along too as well... There's tabs all over the net for anything you want.

Go out tomorrow, and buy a guitar, any guitar... as long as it tunes!