I just love answering these learn guitar questions. Here’s another:
Question:Is 16 Too Old to Learn How to Play Guitar ?
Answer:They say that starting young with learning a language gives you an advantage over people who are older and trying to learn a language. I don’t think this is the case at all with guitar. You’re never too old to start. For example, Jack White of The White Stripes started playing when he was about 19, and look where he is now.
A tough guitar lessons question this week. Let’s dive straight in
Question:OK so I’ve always wanted to learn how to play guitar since 5th grade but my dad thought I wouldnt keep i up so he bought me a cheap Toys R Us guitar. It is small and colourful but it is still a real guitar. I quit very quickly because i took a stupid class at school where you didnt learn anything but now i want to learn. I know you can teach yourself but is it difficult? How long will it take you to learn on your own? How would I do it, do I need to research notes and such on the computer? What are the cords called? Is it better to use a pick or your hands? I am in love with We The Kings and if you listen to any of their accoustic songs you’ll hear some of the most beautiful guitar playing, specifically the accoustic versions of Skyway Avenue, Heaven Can Wait, and Check Yes Juliet, and if you do bother to listen to any of their songs just to answer my question, (that would be greatly appreciated) would you say playing that kind of music would be difficult? THANKS SO MUCH IT MEANS THE WORLD TO ME! god bless. <3
Answer:I learned all by myself at home, and now I can even write my own songs on the guitar!!
It’s very easy. It took me about 2 months to play proper.
All you need to do it practice with songs you like. Look for the tabs or chords on the internet (AZ Chords is a very good site), see how the chords are made with your left hand (Chords are C, D,Am,Em,G, and so on).
And just practice. The hardest part is to do the chords with the left hand, but your fingers will adjust with time. Listen to the song, then try to play it and maybe sing it. That’s all.
Question:i want to learn so bad, is it usually fast and easy to learn how to play guitar?
Answer:It all depends on what you like to play and how you want it to sound.
Many songs on the guitar can be played with 1 finger just sliding along, yet they will not sound as full and thick as the normal song would.
However if you try to play a famous piece such as… Sweet Child O’ Mine – Guns N’ Roses it won’t be easy to learn, but when you do learn it WILL be easy to play.
If you have the patience, the time and the will to learn; Then the guitar is right for you.
~Jake
We’ve had a reader question come in on the subject of guitar lessons. Let’s take a look:
Question:this summer i want to learn how to play guitar:) i want to be good, obviously haha so i was wondering if anyone knows a good person/place to get lessons? i live in California in the LA area. thanks all for answering:)
Answer:Hello there,
Check at your local guitar shop and see who they think is the best local instructor. You may want to ask at more than one place to get a broader selection. Ask some of your friends and acquaintances for the names of good instructors.
What’s this week’s question? Let’s dive straight in…
Question:Im fifteen and i want to learn how to play guitar, but I’m an absolute beginner. Is there a really good FREE website that i can learn guitar? Thanks!
Answer:alot of people i see here post things such as ”i taught myself piano its easy”
let me say any instrument is easy (&these are most likely the ramblings of people who have only played guitar a few months), but to properly play it & understand what the heck your doing (this helps your creative process when writing your own stuff or just in general) is another different matter.
i could be taught to recite out 10 basic piano tunes, but give me the likes of Mozarts music & ask me to use certain techniques that are heard on piano. i would fail (as would all the people claiming ”its easy” on their respective instruments)
the problem with teaching yourself guitar (or any instrument) is that alot of people give up they get frustrated. (supposedly 90% of self taught musicians quit)
also alot of people can ”play” guitar, ie bang out a few songs & intros eg starirway to heaven. But there is a notable difference heard between a self-taught guitarist playing a song & a trained guitarist.
guitarists are a dime a dozen, everybody plays guitar (heck i play guitar) however a decent guitarist is hard to find this is where you can benifit from lessons as most people don’t take lessons.
Lessons are definitely a great idea, a teacher can show you techniques & correct you. i still get corrected over things i do at my lessons.
alot of the internet resources aren’t that great, again it is alot of amateurs with bad technique posting who started out similar to you, or looking to make a quick buck.
every music autobiography i have read (& i read quite a fair bit of them as i LOVE music) the guitarist/any instrument, has gotten lessons at some point.
there are a rare few virtuoso (ie talented) people who didn’t get lessons but even at that they start practicing with other people who have got lessons & learn off them.
As somebody said those ”guitar for dummies” are great, however that is as a side tool to reference to. not to just teach yourself, at a glance you learn the basics but when you study those books they can get quite complicated & a teacher can clear any questions you have.
a teacher also encourages you to practice & gives you set goals.
Don’t get me wrong you can learn by yourself but if you are in any way serious about wanting to play music & want to get to a good level, i’d DEFINITELY suggest lessons. Also alot of people seem to start their music career out on guitar as it is such a famous instrument & lots of people own guitars in some form. Don’t be suprised if you feel like quitting guitar because everybody plays it after a few months it happens to alot of people, it doesn’t mean you aren’t musically talented.
PS try not to ask people to give you the chords to a song, its better if you can work them out yourself it creates an ear for certain notes. however make sure what you are playing is correct.
PPS: i read here an answer off somebody who was in a music college, she roughly said ”the teachers would cringe when they heard that a new ’self-taught’ musician was coming to the colllege, because the teachers all knew he/she would have to be retaught due to them having bad technique”
Rory Gallagher- Walk On Hot Coals (ROCK, the 5 minute solo isn’t as good as the ”irish tour” solo, but jesus christ this rules & it highlights the bands chemistry)
”Rory’s death really upset me. I heard about it just before we went on stage, and it put a damper on the evening” Jimmy Page (Led Zep)
Keep the learn guitar questions coming! I liked this one:
Question:I Wanna Learn How to Play Guitar, What Kind of Guitar Should I Buy and Start off From?
Answer:Not to be disagreeable, but I would not recommend a First Act. If you mean should you get acoustic or electric then that is totally your call. Forget the folks that say you have to start on acoustic, that’s just not true. There are pros and cons to both types. Basically, the hardest part of learning guitar, in my opinion, is just sticking with it for the first few months and practicing regularly. If you are into Taylor Swift you may not enjoy playing an electric as much, in you’re into Metallica you probably won’t enjoy acoustic. The point being buy which ever type interests you the most. As far as what specific guitar. In an acoustic try to get a solid top if possible. The Yamaha FG720S is a good choice at about $279. In an electric, a Fender Squire (not Bullet or Affinity model), Ibanez or Dean are all good choices. If you get something in the $200 – $250 range you’ll have a good solid beginners guitar.
We’ve had a reader question come in on the subject of learn guitar. Let’s take a look:
Question:Can play piano and the only thing I know about guitars are the string across are egbdf. How long if would it take appox to learn basics for example. (Acoustic)
Answer:Its all down to commitment ….get some Tabs to download … it will help ..Your fingers will be very sore from the "Fret Work" good luck mate. ( Rock on )
god bless. <3
