View Full Version : so i want to learn to play the guitar
can anyone recommend any good books to get me started? i would like to learn how to read tabs and learn the basic cords.
any help would be appreciated.
taylorstone
06-01-2004, 10:24 PM
what i would first do is get a guitar. then i would find somebody who knew how to put strings on and show me how. I would then learn that the fat E string is the 6th string and so on and so forth.
i would then go to www.chordfind.com instead of a book because it is easier and learn the basic chords such as A minor, E, C, D, A, G. I would learn those and strum them in no particular order. That way your fingers will get a chance to learn the feel of strings and chord combinations. I would also advise maybe hang out with a friend or sibling who might play the guitar. It is always easy when their is somebody around who can already play and help you along.
I have been playing since '98. You must play everyday the guitar.
good luck
tdowe99
06-01-2004, 10:27 PM
Yes, taylorstone is exactly right. In fact, that is what I was going to post.
jebus
06-01-2004, 11:18 PM
Just to follow up, learn the basic chords (Am, A, Em, E, D, C, G, F?) and keep going from one to the next until you're comfortable making the chord transitions. At this point try to learn a song or two that uses those chords to keep things interesting. Decent beginner songs would be Knockin on Heavens Door and Redemption Song maybe. Just keep playing til it begins to feel natural. The most important thing is really just to not get frustrated and stop playing for long stretches of time. You need to practice as much as ya can.
BouldrinSoChill
06-02-2004, 12:38 AM
at some point early on, learn barr chords. or power chords... same same... kinda. it might be hard on your hands and hurt a bit, but the sooner you learn thm probably the better.
Phillip
Dancing Ants
06-02-2004, 01:12 AM
you're too old. sorry mark. and i'm really sorry for your kid. what kinda parent can't play a guitar?
what i would first do is get a guitar. then i would find somebody who knew how to put strings on and show me how. I would then learn that the fat E string is the 6th string and so on and so forth.
i would then go to www.chordfind.com instead of a book because it is easier and learn the basic chords such as A minor, E, C, D, A, G. I would learn those and strum them in no particular order. That way your fingers will get a chance to learn the feel of strings and chord combinations. I would also advise maybe hang out with a friend or sibling who might play the guitar. It is always easy when their is somebody around who can already play and help you along.
I have been playing since '98. You must play everyday the guitar.
good luck
well, i do have a guitar already. i am just going to use my brothers.
thanks for the website. that is great. i am going to start this weekend, i think.
ok. i am really dumb, so bear with me.
look at the attachment. my fingers go where the red dots are, right? but what about the first 2 of the left. how do i hit those?
tdowe99
06-02-2004, 08:27 AM
Those mean leave the string open - don't put you're fingers anywhere on them and just let them ring.
CWMCALL
06-02-2004, 12:13 PM
I would recomend this book....http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/082561936X/ref=pd_sim_books_1/002-2828459-3663204?v=glance&s=books
It is very simple to understand, has a CD that comes with it so you can hear what you are supposed to be playing, and it starts you out playing very simplified versions of McCarteny, Dylan, and Elton John right away.
Good Luck!
YknSTONE
06-03-2004, 06:03 AM
go to google also and search for "fretboard warrior".... its the shit! helps a ton theres also "Chordwarrior"
birdman1650
06-04-2004, 08:30 PM
what do i do on the chors sheet when it says x
muted cord, but what exactly is that?
SkiBum352
06-06-2004, 05:04 PM
I started out reading tabs of songs I likem which was a mistake. I didn't start learning theory until almost a year later. I recommend learning all the chords that make up the word CAGED, and how to switch between them quickly.
=TJ=
Joe M.
06-06-2004, 05:33 PM
ok I can do all this, am too learning (again lol). I can play songs pretty easily. I guess my problem is I can't get good sound from cords like B and F. Tips?
GLR87
06-06-2004, 05:38 PM
Take Lessons!
YknSTONE
06-07-2004, 03:56 AM
yeah B and F are bitches at first, you want to really make use of your "barring..a.k.a index finger "press that basterd hard"...it will come in time.(I know thats not the answer you wanted to hear, but tis' true)
tdowe99
06-07-2004, 11:42 AM
I hate the A-style barre for the B chord. I do an E-style at the 7th fret.
F chord just comes with alot of practice.
ok I can do all this, am too learning (again lol). I can play songs pretty easily. I guess my problem is I can't get good sound from cords like B and F. Tips?
just keep practicing, you will get stonger and and it becomes easy. Also, try to play the root of the chord. and not the high e and b strings. Its easier to play and i think it sound better for most songs. Just like most dave songs when he mutes stings.
wow.. so much for starting to learn right away. :rolleyes: it has been 2 months since i started this thread and i just got my brother guitar today. i am finally going to start tonite.
i have been looking at chordfind.com and i think that will be a really big help. is there a site that will help me learn how to read tabs?
CWMCALL
08-23-2004, 10:02 AM
This will help with reading tabs and it might even help you get started on a few of the easier DMB tunes...
http://www.dmbtabs.com/faq.php?id=2
This will help with reading tabs and it might even help you get started on a few of the easier DMB tunes...
http://www.dmbtabs.com/faq.php?id=2
:thumbsup
thanks. that is exactly what i was looking for
FPrefect61
08-23-2004, 11:52 AM
Mark, this was the book I started with when I got my first guitar.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/088188605X/qid=1093272702/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/102-2136735-1062566?v=glance&s=books
Most of the songs are in the wrong key, but the chords for each song were a huge help. Not only does it tell you where to put your fingers, but which finger to put where. It was a huge help.
you want to sell it to me?
FPrefect61
08-23-2004, 12:01 PM
you want to sell it to me?
Don't have it anymore, sorry. :(
dmb6743
08-23-2004, 12:14 PM
Mel Bay books are also the way to go, that's what i started out with, and they helped.
Pat M
08-23-2004, 12:17 PM
I made several videos of DMB's in this thread.
http://www.dmbtabs.com/boards/viewtopic.php?t=12809
That should help you a bit with some Dave.
I made several videos of DMB's in this thread.
http://www.dmbtabs.com/boards/viewtopic.php?t=12809
That should help you a bit with some Dave.
i will definitely check them out. thanks.
FPrefect61
08-23-2004, 01:29 PM
Word of advice, don't start by trying to learn DMB songs. Dave's style of playing is very unorthodox and difficult at first.
bigeyedharper
08-23-2004, 05:07 PM
everything you need is at wholenote.com...one of the best guitar sites on the web. go to basics, then lessons, then click on one after the other. until you learn all of them.
comeandsee41
08-23-2004, 05:48 PM
I made several videos of DMB's in this thread.
http://www.dmbtabs.com/boards/viewtopic.php?t=12809
That should help you a bit with some Dave.
is that you playing guitar on the dmbtabs.com videos?
RaynorC
08-23-2004, 05:49 PM
Word of advice, don't start by trying to learn DMB songs. Dave's style of playing is very unorthodox and difficult at first.
I was just abou to post that. I made that mistake. Its very discouraging at first, because some of his stuff is just so strange and hard. Some easy ones though to start with would be Proudest Monkey, Typical Situation, and LIOG.
Word of advice, don't start by trying to learn DMB songs. Dave's style of playing is very unorthodox and difficult at first.
yeah. my plan (if you can call it that) is to try and learn the chords first.
Pat M
08-23-2004, 07:43 PM
is that you playing guitar on the dmbtabs.com videos?
yep.
comeandsee41
08-23-2004, 09:29 PM
yep.
you're good man :thumbsup wish i could play like that
Pat M
08-23-2004, 09:48 PM
you're good man :thumbsup wish i could play like thatha, thanks. :)
YknSTONE
08-24-2004, 02:05 AM
I thought it was "Jkanter"...who plays on the vids over at Dmbtabs.com??!!...
Pat M
08-24-2004, 02:16 AM
I thought it was "Jkanter"...who plays on the vids over at Dmbtabs.com??!!...
I assumed he was talking about my thread that I do on the forums. But yes, on the official site, jkanter does them.
my thread - http://www.dmbtabs.com/boards/viewtopic.php?t=12809
YknSTONE
08-24-2004, 02:38 AM
oh ok yeah.
I have yet to check out on your thread though man. Ill get around to it.
it is easier to start with a pick ?
FPrefect61
08-24-2004, 08:07 AM
it is easier to start with a pick ?
I thought so, but it's a matter of personal preference.
dmb1spe
08-24-2004, 09:46 AM
Good luck Mark... to echo someone else, starting with Dave is the surest way to see no results and then get pissed and quit. Start with something like Hootie, some Dylan, stuff that's mainly G, C, D just to get you used to it.
FPrefect61
08-24-2004, 12:14 PM
Some good songs to start with
You've Got To Hide Your Love Away - Beatles
Twist and Shout - Beatles
All For You - Sister Hazel
Good Riddance - Green Day
Almost any Bob Dylan
Breakfast at Tiffany's - Deep Blue Something
my first fucking day of playing that damn thing, and a broke a string. my brother had it too tight
:BANG :BANG
JoeOfwhereIam
08-24-2004, 11:53 PM
As with any instrument...you can't replace the benefits of a good teacher with any book.
YknSTONE
08-25-2004, 04:28 AM
it is easier to start with a pick ?
Its personal preference. I usually try and even in out. Finger picking/Pick use.
(It really is a good tactic to learn and come acustom to. But whichever is fair for you, will work also.)
DMDream
08-25-2004, 11:34 AM
everything you need is at wholenote.com...one of the best guitar sites on the web. go to basics, then lessons, then click on one after the other. until you learn all of them.
cyberfret is a good one as well.
my first fucking day of playing that damn thing, and a broke a string. my brother had it too tight
:BANG :BANG
get a good tuner, digital. I haven't bought one in a long time but i'm sure most are today. I used to have the needle tuner when I was first starting out and was always overtighting strings until they would break.
i have learned both Typical and Proudest Monkey. :bounce
i am trying to learn Time of your Life by green day right now.
winterscold
09-01-2004, 10:10 PM
First ide get a guitar of your own so you and your brother can jam, and just practice all the spare time you have. You may not like it but it'll be worth it. Trust me.
Pat M
09-01-2004, 10:13 PM
i have learned both Typical and Proudest Monkey. :bounce
i am trying to learn Time of your Life by green day right now.!!!!! sweet. time of your life was one of my first ones too. :)
my brother decided that he didn't have the patience to learn, so he gave it to me :)
and i am practicing all the time. i am really enjyoing it. i get such a sense of satisfaction when i can play stuff that i like to lsiten to. ie: when i got Typical rightfor the first time, i jumped out of my chair. :lol
winterscold
09-01-2004, 10:15 PM
what a fun song. My bro plays cello so i would really like to play the stone cause he can play and that would be fun. Jamming with other people and soumding good is one of the best things ever
Pat M
09-01-2004, 10:18 PM
my brother decided that he didn't have the patience to learn, so he gave it to me :)
and i am practicing all the time. i am really enjyoing it. i get such a sense of satisfaction when i can play stuff that i like to lsiten to. ie: when i got Typical rightfor the first time, i jumped out of my chair. :lol
One of the best feelings ever. "Clicking" if you will. Once you get that feeling, you feel amazing, and you want to show everyone. :thumbsup
One of the best feelings ever. "Clicking" if you will. Once you get that feeling, you feel amazing, and you want to show everyone. :thumbsup
yep. :thumbsup
i couldn't wait to tell my brother and wife.
pat, do you have any non-dmb videos like the ones on dmbtabs?
Pat M
09-01-2004, 10:20 PM
pat, do you have any non-dmb videos like the ones on dmbtabs?
No, but if you give me a song, I could make one for you.
greenday - good riddance/time of your life would be cool. it should be an easy song to play, but i find that it really helps if i can see how it is played
Pat M
09-01-2004, 10:24 PM
greenday - good riddance/time of your life would be cool. it should be an easy song to play, but i find that it really helps if i can see how it is played
Ahhhh!! shoot! I just realized I have to bring my guitar up to Guitar Center to have it worked (its having neck troubles) but when I get it back, I swear I'll get it done. Should be by mid next week.
Since I'm very forgetful, you might want to email me if you dont hear from me. pat@patmcinnis.com
no problem at all. i will keep practicing.
winterscold
09-01-2004, 10:28 PM
Guitar Center is an awesome place thats where i get all my guitars
Pat M
09-01-2004, 10:44 PM
Guitar Center is an awesome place thats where i get all my guitars
ehhh i prefer little local music shops. they take better care of the instruments.
winterscold
09-01-2004, 10:54 PM
ehhh i prefer little local music shops. they take better care of the instruments.
Ehh, I dont care just as long i have a guitar to play its all good.
tractor
09-01-2004, 10:55 PM
yes, I too have to play
everyday.
i have another question.
i really like playing Proudest Monkey, but when i move my finger from low E to A, my finger sticks (for lack of a better word) to the E string. so, when i lift my finger, it sounds the E string. does that make any sense? i have press the strings really hard to get them to sound right.
here is what i am playing:
E:----------------------
B:----------------------
G:----------------------
D:-------6-----6-----6--
A:----------6-----4-----
E:-4--4-----------------
1 1 4 3 4 1 4
meatball41
09-08-2004, 04:13 PM
Word of advice, don't start by trying to learn DMB songs. Dave's style of playing is very unorthodox and difficult at first.
My biggest mistake. Very frustrating and discouraging!!
i have a question. when you are reading a tab, and there are 2 notes right above each other.. does that mean you strum those 2 strings, or play them seperately?
this is what i am playing (it is the finger-picked intro to Everyday)
Intro/Verse
E:-------------------------------
B:-------------------------------
G:--------9------------9-----9--- <---2
D:-10-----10----10-----------10-- <---3
A:-----8------------------------- x3 then End of Verse
E:------------------8-----8------
3 1 3 1 2 1
bold parts are what i am talking about.
jester29
09-13-2004, 01:58 PM
i have a question. when you are reading a tab, and there are 2 notes right above each other.. does that mean you strum those 2 strings, or play them seperately?
this is what i am playing (it is the finger-picked intro to Everyday)
Intro/Verse
E:-------------------------------
B:-------------------------------
G:--------9------------9-----9--- <---2
D:-10-----10----10-----------10-- <---3
A:-----8------------------------- x3 then End of Verse
E:------------------8-----8------
3 1 3 1 2 1
bold parts are what i am talking about.
Yes, you're playing those at the same time. I would suggest, for this song, keeping your hand in one place. I put my middle finger on G [9], ring finger on D [10] and use my index to go between A and E/
Yes, you're playing those at the same time. I would suggest, for this song, keeping your hand in one place. I put my middle finger on G [9], ring finger on D [10] and use my index to go between A and E/
thanks for the help.
i am pretty sure that is how i have been playing it. i will try it again when i get home.
Pat M
09-13-2004, 03:53 PM
Speaking of this thread - I have my guitar back, and I'll work on your video, Mark.
Speaking of this thread - I have my guitar back, and I'll work on your video, Mark.
awesome!
actually, i *just* sent you a pm about that. :lol
great minds...
Dancing Ants
09-13-2004, 03:57 PM
My biggest mistake. Very frustrating and discouraging!!
not only that, but if you want to transition to playing electric guitar or folky music, it is hard not to just strum your ass off everytime you play something. I'm try to learn lead guitar, but i just have the itch to strum, i mean like dave strum, sometimes. i hate it, specially since i dont' listen to dmb anymore.
winterscold
09-13-2004, 07:39 PM
where can i get tabs for good riddance/time of your life by green day.
http://www.olga.net/dynamic/browse.php?printer=0&local=main/g/green_day/good_riddance.tab
Hudak-Budak
09-17-2004, 01:47 AM
Hey guys, quick question. I'm beginning to learn the guitar, starting with chords, and I've been having a little trouble finding a comfortable finger position for C, which chordfind has as
3
5
5
5
3
0
My fingers keep getting mixed up when I try to figure out which one to put where. Is there any way someone can post a picture showing which finger goes where? Thanks.
YknSTONE
09-17-2004, 01:54 AM
Play the C like this.
e------------|
b--1---------|
g------------|
d------2-----|
a--------3---|
E------------|
Hudak-Budak
09-17-2004, 01:56 AM
Thank you, much much easier
jester29
09-17-2004, 01:50 PM
Yeah, for starting out, try open position chords - it'll bea easier and get you used to different shapes. (That barre-C you had before can just slide around to be other chords... i.e. up one fret = c#, 2 frets = D)
C x-3-2-0-1-X
G 3-2-0-0-0-3
D x-x-0-2-3-2
A x-0-2-2-2-x
E 0-2-2-1-0-0
etc...
Daevian
09-18-2004, 03:38 PM
I just started playing a few days ago. How long till the fret boards quits cutting my fingers in half? I'm having quite a bit of trouble typing anything with my left hand. lol
tdowe99
09-18-2004, 03:59 PM
To quote Bryan Adams, I played until my fingers bled, and they hurt for about a week. Then it got easier.
Daevian
09-18-2004, 04:03 PM
To quote Bryan Adams, I played until my fingers bled, and they hurt for about a week. Then it got easier.
I can't help but question my dedication after reading that post. lol:lol
jester29
09-19-2004, 04:01 AM
I just started playing a few days ago. How long till the fret boards quits cutting my fingers in half? I'm having quite a bit of trouble typing anything with my left hand. lol
depends on how much you play - and whether its an acoustic or electric. Give it a few weeks...it'll get easier and easier, and your fingers will toughen up
Daevian
09-19-2004, 01:30 PM
depends on how much you play - and whether its an acoustic or electric. Give it a few weeks...it'll get easier and easier, and your fingers will toughen up
I'm rockin a REALLY old Gibson acoustic. I play a few chords every few minutes cause it just burns alot and I can't feel the frets after awhile.
tdowe99
09-19-2004, 02:10 PM
When the tips turn purple, then it's time for a break! ;)
Metallinut
09-20-2004, 04:00 PM
Try ultimate-guitar.com for tabs too. I've found that to be a great site. And they've got some pretty decent lessons. But if you've got $30 to throw away, try www.guitarschool.net (http://www.guitarschool.net). I bought two whole lesson plans, and my scales are getting better everyday.
I find I keep hitting plateaus in my playing. It probably stems from never playing with other people [jamming], but I've always felt I'm never good enough to play along with other people...that and whatever I play, I just feel like there's a million people better than me. Oh well. Stick with it...as long as you enjoy it, that's all that matters...
Oh and hey, another easy tab to learn, but real fun to sing with is Bartender. Drop that thick E string down to a D and crank it out! www.dmbtabs.com (http://www.dmbtabs.com) for the "good stuff."
allfalldown
09-20-2004, 06:26 PM
play the C (major) as an open chord instead of a barre chord.
E--x
---3
---2
---0
---1
e--0
edit*
whoa, that was a little late on that advice..hhahhahaha. damn this thread is already 4 pages!
|UAY| |)(V)|3
09-20-2004, 10:03 PM
im just starting up acoustic (again after a couple year break) how long do you think it will take me before i have dave-worthy skill...
( i would kill to learn billies and blue water)
|UAY| |)(V)|3
09-20-2004, 10:06 PM
in follow up anyone know any good sites to learn to read tabs :D
i pretty much completely forget:D thanky
bopanic
09-20-2004, 10:06 PM
i started w/ mel bay's books :thumbsup
RaynorC
09-20-2004, 10:12 PM
im just starting up acoustic (again after a couple year break) how long do you think it will take me before i have dave-worthy skill...
( i would kill to learn billies and blue water)
Blue Water=easy;Billies=very difficult.
|UAY| |)(V)|3
09-20-2004, 11:41 PM
i started w/ mel bay's books :thumbsup
cool that is the book i found
|UAY| |)(V)|3
09-20-2004, 11:42 PM
Blue Water=easy;Billies=very difficult.
good i really want to learn to play blue water
i started w/ mel bay's books :thumbsup
ha, me to, i had a basic chord book and that's all it took.
i just got the Mel Bay book on Sunday :lol
dmb1spe
09-21-2004, 12:16 PM
That book was one of the most helpful resources for me. I just sat there and transitioned chord to chord for hours. Even ones that had no business transitioning... just to get the feel.
jester29
09-21-2004, 03:13 PM
Even ones that had no business transitioning... just to get the feel.
LMAO... great advice, though. Also good, is to find some easy song books or 'fake books' that have the chord names above the music and just trum along. I played lots of Dylan, oldies, and whatever sheet music I could find, just to strum the chords along with the music.
|UAY| |)(V)|3
09-22-2004, 02:05 AM
just got my new guitar :-) time for the fingers to start bleeding!
Speaking of this thread - I have my guitar back, and I'll work on your video, Mark.
any luck with this pat?
i have a question about timing. if a song is in 4/4 time... does that mean that i change chords every 4 beats? i think it does.
also, when i am strumming, is the down and up strum considered one beat? so it would be DU, DU, DU, DU for the 4 beats. :confused:
i am stating to think that i am not coordinated enough to play the guitar :freak
tdowe99
11-15-2004, 12:23 PM
Time Signature and Tempo are different things. You'll have to get to know the feel of the song and change the chord at the appropriate spot. Usually that'll be a multiple of 4.
dukelax2589
11-15-2004, 07:39 PM
Alright, I think that you should probably get lessons. I mean you can teach yourself like I did but it took me a long time to get known. Like last weekend I won the battle of the bands at the Somewhere Else Tavern. It was excellent. I would go for a lesson if I were you. You will get better a lot faster.
so, i decided to take lessons. i found a local guy on another forum that seems like a good guy. he told me that we can start anywhere i wanted to.
last week he taught me the real basics... how to properly hold the guitar, how to properly tune it, etc. we also went over some of the chords.
right now, the F-chord is kicking my ass all over the place. but i will get it eventually.
anyway, short story long, where do you guys think we should go next. he suggested that we go over timing and strumming technique. i think that is a good place to start too. i have a lot of trouble figuring out strumming patterns and how to keep proper rhythm.
thoughts?
tdowe99
02-01-2005, 12:43 PM
Go over the basic chords (open ones), and how to switch between them. That is important.
A Am C D E Em F G
then learn Bm and other barres.
JG2121
02-01-2005, 01:09 PM
good i really want to learn to play blue water
I'm pretty sure Blue water is just Em and C. It's not a tune I listen to a lot though so there could be a little more to it.
dmb1spe
02-02-2005, 10:21 AM
Blue Water is Em and C predominantly
cosmiccharlie
02-02-2005, 05:21 PM
http://www.guitarnoise.com In my opinion the best guitar lesson site on the internet.
Blue Water is Em and C predominantly
blech. i don't like Blue Water :eek
RaynorC
02-03-2005, 08:35 PM
so, i decided to take lessons. i found a local guy on another forum that seems like a good guy. he told me that we can start anywhere i wanted to.
last week he taught me the real basics... how to properly hold the guitar, how to properly tune it, etc. we also went over some of the chords.
right now, the F-chord is kicking my ass all over the place. but i will get it eventually.
anyway, short story long, where do you guys think we should go next. he suggested that we go over timing and strumming technique. i think that is a good place to start too. i have a lot of trouble figuring out strumming patterns and how to keep proper rhythm.
thoughts?
definitely go for the timing and strumming, it will be very useful. But after a while, you will develop your own strumming styles/techniques, and learning new ones won't be hard.
just had my 2nd lesson tonite. he got me started on timing and strumming.
i now know 'horse with no name' :D
Pipsqueak
02-03-2005, 10:35 PM
just had my 2nd lesson tonite. he got me started on timing and strumming.
i now know 'horse with no name' :D
I swear I will be the first guitar instructor someday to NOT teach that song first to my students. :lol
dude. it is one of the easiest songs to play. i love it only for the fact that i can play it without too much trouble, with very little practice. that is what a guitar newbie like me needs to start with. otherwise i would just get really frustrated.
and it was my idea to start with that song. :p
Dancing Ants
02-04-2005, 10:11 AM
dude. it is one of the easiest songs to play. i love it only for the fact that i can play it without too much trouble, with very little practice. that is what a guitar newbie like me needs to start with. otherwise i would just get really frustrated.
and it was my idea to start with that song. :p
ask him to teach you The Weight by The Band. It's really easy.
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