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| Playing the guitar | |
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| Topic Started: Nov 12 2008, 06:08 PM (225 Views) | |
| Nathan_snake | Nov 12 2008, 06:08 PM Post #1 |
I Caught Myself.
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Anyone here give me a bit of advice? I'm 17 and was just wondering how hard is it to learn, and whether 17 is a bit late to start learning? I'd love to be able to play the guitar really well, and then hopefully go from there to learning the electric guitar or bass. (Probably bass) But as of right now i don't have enough money to pay for lessons, but if i get a job, buying a guitar and getting lessons would be one of the first things i'll be planning on doing and i'd certainly be practising it as much as i can. Would be a nice thing to do aswell anytime i'm bored (which i am quite a bit sometimes). |
 Rawr Thanks to r0b; you rock. | |
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| r0b | Nov 12 2008, 06:38 PM Post #2 |
 
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i also would love to be able to play the guitar, however i'm 23 which is probably definately too late to play. My girlfriend's dad is a self taught guitarist, been playing for 34 years and the advice he gave me was if you want to learn, you have to be dedicated, practice everyday, too many people try, get bored and then give up. If you see that happening to you then theres no point EDIT: in all seriousness it's never too late to learn the guitar, unless you wanna eventually get somewhere in it, then i guess it's best to learn young Edited by r0b, Nov 12 2008, 06:40 PM.
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| C64 | Nov 12 2008, 07:22 PM Post #3 |
64K Ram. 38911 Basic Bytes Free. Ready.
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Guitar is easy to learn the basics, within a couple months you'll have it down and within a decade you'll feel like you're starting to understand the laws of the guitar. After that you move on to mastering the instrument. By this time you'll be freestyling and be able to switch gears on the drop of a dime. Playing guitar is all about counting numbers.. whether you're playing chords or scales, it's all mathematical patterns when you're descending or ascending on the fretboard. Or a traditional rolling blues chord is another example of a mathematical pattern. If you don't play every day, you'll never get anywhere with it. Plus a lot of people buy a guitar that looks cool, but doesn't fit them right or sound good. Sometimes a cheap guitar can hinder skills too. Sometimes the sound just doesn't come out, or the sustain is crap, or the action is horrible. Sometimes it's hard to tell a good guitar from a lame one when you're just starting out. If you're taking lessons, learn from somebody who knows classical inside and out because you can play anything if you learn those fundamentals. Learn to keep a tempo using all 4 fingers jumping around and not using generic power chords. Pretend you're Jerry Reed. |
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| kisskissbangbang | Nov 12 2008, 07:28 PM Post #4 |
Fetish for you.
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Learn Bass first. 4 strings compared to 6 is alot easier. There is never a time that is too late to learn people =p but if your going to play guitar i recommend this book it is phenomenal and easy to understand. http://www.davidmead.net/dmbooks2.html |
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| God Told Me to Skin You Alive | Nov 13 2008, 03:32 PM Post #5 |
Yes, that's a spring roll.
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You're never too old to learn, I dunno why you think there's an age limit. =/ |
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| Nathan_snake | Nov 13 2008, 03:57 PM Post #6 |
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I Caught Myself.
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Hehe i just wasn't sure. People who want to grow up and be footballers / golf players / american football players / etc., you really have to start about 7 years old, unless you're really talented. I suppose i just got that idea into my head about this too. Thanks for the advice guys. I guess i'll get a cheap guitar, and i might get that book kkbb. As well as lessons, my cousin was a good player before (don't know if he still plays though) and 2 of my mates started playing in the last 2 years (one of them is really good from what i've heard from him). So hopefully i'll be able to get a chance at it. I know i'll put in the work seriously if i stick with it, so i have no worries there. |
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Rawr Thanks to r0b; you rock. | |
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| Roy Campbell | Nov 13 2008, 07:18 PM Post #7 |
Neko Boy
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Like God said, you're never too old to learn. You don't lose the ability to learn when you get older. Even if you wanted to become (using one of your examples) a footballer you don't have to start from an early age. Lua Lua started playing at 16. |
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| Corpse | Nov 13 2008, 07:45 PM Post #8 |
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As many have said, it's never too old to learn. It's like driving, it's easier when younger, but can be done whenever. Personally, I found starting on electric guitar was actually a lot easier, seeing as strings are thinner and are easier to deal with for beginner's I feel. I have nothing to say on lesson's really. I'm self taught, and can achieve what I want to without them, it's all about the individual though. |
 
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| Nathan_snake | Nov 13 2008, 08:26 PM Post #9 |
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I Caught Myself.
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Hmmm most other people told me i'd be best starting with a regular guitar. Sounds stupid, but i think i'd rather start with what might take longer / be harder to learn. That way i'd know i'f i'd be good with the electric guitar / bass. Ans if i start with the electric guitar it could be more pricey, and if i didn't end up going along with it that would be quite a waste. Any more advice people? And alot of you are talking about yourselves or people you know being self taught. Can you really learn it all yourself? (Sorry i just want to make sure i know what i'm doing first) Edited by Nathan_snake, Nov 13 2008, 08:28 PM.
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Rawr Thanks to r0b; you rock. | |
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| Roy Campbell | Nov 13 2008, 08:52 PM Post #10 |
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Neko Boy
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Well, I don't know very much but from experience I'd say an electric guitar is easier to pluck and make sound good (as well as what Corpse said about electric guitars) but getting an acoustic guitar first to see if you can hack it is best money wise. As for lessons vs self taught, technically you can learn totally by yourself but it is definitely better and easier to at least go to a few lessons to get you started on the basics before you figure the rest out on your own. Those first steps are the most difficult. Edited by Roy Campbell, Nov 13 2008, 08:53 PM.
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| [X] Entity | Nov 13 2008, 08:55 PM Post #11 |
Don't tread on me.
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It's not too late for you to start. I advise starting on an acoustic, maybe a Jasmine by Takamine — they generally have good beginner guitars. Get a good teacher, too, preferably one with a classical background. While — as C64 said — you can reduce guitar playing to mathematical patterns, once you get some technique down it's good to really feel what you're playing, rather than just analyzing it or viewing it pragmatically. That is, of course, just my personal opinion — based on the fact that I have met players with incredible technique from a pragmatic perspective that bored me and didn't make me feel anything.
Such a thing does not intrinsically exist. Generic uses of them do, though. I agree that working on keeping a tempo with finger picking is a great way to start off on the right note (no pun intended).
Agreed.
That really depends on the above factor: the individual. Some of the greats were/are pretty much wholly self taught. Not everybody has a knack for that, though. |
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| Nathan_snake | Nov 13 2008, 08:56 PM Post #12 |
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I Caught Myself.
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Thanks. Appreciate it. And i've been told that a good few places have some open jobs, so hopefully i can make my first step to this soon.  Edit: Thanks Ent. I feel i might be better learning off of someone else. I'd love to get my own way of playing, but i've always felt with most things that i'd like some advice (lessons in this case) from people who are already where i want to be in the future. I'm always asking questions and open to criticism because i want to know i'm doing the right things, and then when i don't need to ask questions i get on with everything, so lessons it is. And thanks for the guitar suggestion because i really had no clue on what type i'd get. Edited by Nathan_snake, Nov 13 2008, 08:59 PM.
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Rawr Thanks to r0b; you rock. | |
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| kkarbo | Nov 14 2008, 11:40 AM Post #13 |
Wanna Fcuk?
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Pfft. Many metal bands only use power chords, and they have been used in different ways. Besides, it depends on the style you want. Yes, you can teach yourself. Such examples of self taught people are Hendrix, Prince, BB king. Many of the guitar greats were self taught. I think eric clapton was, but i'll have to check. You can pick up very bad habits from teaching yourself, but you also will create your own unique style better. No matter how annoying scales are, do practise them. It will dirve you insane, but you will be better for it. There's nothing more annoying than playing the guitar for a year or so, and realising you are crud because all you know is one pentatonic scale. Oh, and make up your own songs. Learning others songs is easy. For buying a guitar: if you want to play rock, Go with an electric. I advise the Fender squire. Good quality, cheap guitar. Acoustic guitars tend to be more expensive due to wood quality. Anothere thing, get ready to miss those friday nights partying with friends, if you want to be good. Some people say 1/2 an hour a day. I disagree, at least 4 hours should be spent. Don't learn bass. The two instruments are completely different. My frien is a great bassist, but he plays shitty guitar,. Edited by kkarbo, Nov 14 2008, 11:47 AM.
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| [X] Entity | Nov 14 2008, 12:05 PM Post #14 |
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Don't tread on me.
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No problem. Glad to try to help. It really comes down to what experience you want and what kind of instruction you think you need. Electric or acoustic, there are some pretty economical starter packs, but I'd advise starting on an acoustic. If you start on what's more difficult and find you stick with it, I think you may be able to enjoy what's easier more and with more competence. I'm glad it seems you know some people in person who can help you out.
I don't believe the amount of time is as important as consistency of what is practiced — quality over quantity. Of course quality and quantity are preferred. If you're running through scales and melodic patterns with a metronome going for four hours, that would be fantastic.
I believe David Gilmour of Pink Floyd was, as well. I'm glad you mentioned Prince, what an underrated guitarist he is. |
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| kkarbo | Nov 14 2008, 12:24 PM Post #15 |
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Wanna Fcuk?
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And mind numbing. It is importand to just jam sometimes. Get a sense of rhytmn, feel the music. But yes, the quality is a little more important than quantity. They both can go hand in hand, unless you are really skilled. Or really shit.
I agree, I think he is such a good guitarist. He has a very Hendrix infulenced vibe about him, whilst still being original to his style, he such a good musician. Bit of an eccentric though, and does annoying things. |
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| [X] Entity | Nov 14 2008, 06:01 PM Post #16 |
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Don't tread on me.
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It's definitely important to just jam some times. It helps drive you and can really improve you in some ways. Who you jam with and such is important, too.
He's definitely got a lot of Hendrix influence. By annoying things I take it you mean stage antics and such? |
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| kisskissbangbang | Nov 16 2008, 07:11 PM Post #17 |
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Fetish for you.
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What is your price range somewhere around a £100? Cos 100-200 is a good beginners range, try looking at ibanez gios |
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| Solid Snake8 | Nov 16 2008, 08:09 PM Post #18 |
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Captain America
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I bought an acoustic guitar in april and I've been teaching myself to play to the best of my capabilities.. The first few months were extremely frustrating because I just couldn't put anything together and I was really impatient. However, I started getting my chord transitions down and I learned various scales and I really enjoy playing now. Anytime is a good time to learn something new... It's never too late to learn something like the guitar because it's not physically straining like if you tried to get into football (soccer) when you're too old. Good luck, man! |
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| Nathan_snake | Nov 16 2008, 09:54 PM Post #19 |
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I Caught Myself.
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My price range is pretty much null now. I'm completely broke at the moment, that's why this all depends on me (hopefully) getting a job. If i get to that point, then i wouldn't mind paying if it will be worthwhile, even if it means i only use it for a while and then move on to a new guitar in the future. |
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Rawr Thanks to r0b; you rock. | |
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| C64 | Nov 17 2008, 03:21 AM Post #20 |
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64K Ram. 38911 Basic Bytes Free. Ready.
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If you can get an affordable Ibanez to start with, they are pretty solid guitars with good tone and sustain. I have one that is based on the Jackson Randy Rhodes one that was either yellow or creamy off-white, not his polka dot one.. Anyways I love that guitar, some people hate Ibanez. And I don't mean to hijack the thread but does anyone like PRS? I've been playing a Signature Series single-cut and holyshit is it ever nice. Harmonics come out like nothing. Unfortunately it's my roommates but my next one is gonna be one of these because it sounds amazing with no pedals, switches, etc.. straight to amp and totally alive, when some guitars sound flat if you don't use a distortion box or whatever to pinch the tone or add gain. And I didn't mean to come across like I knew everything about guitars or music, I am self taught too and don't read music. I was just saying that I use numbers all the time when I'm playing.. either by counting up and down the fretboard or keeping timing, or switching the timing up on the fly.. and shifting gears while on the move. When I'm playing scales and am climbing/descending pretty fast, I can kind of predict where I need to go because there is a certain numerical pattern and once you find the groove you can play as fast as your fingers move and climb and descend at different paces with no preset roadmap. I don't even know if any of that makes sense. |
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