I Love Guitar » how to play guitar http://iloveguitar.net A guitar lover Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:02:56 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Is It Possible to Learn How to Play Guitar Without Taking Lessons? http://iloveguitar.net/learn-guitar/is-it-possible-to-learn-how-to-play-guitar-without-taking-lessons/ http://iloveguitar.net/learn-guitar/is-it-possible-to-learn-how-to-play-guitar-without-taking-lessons/#comments Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:02:40 +0000 Guitar God http://iloveguitar.net/learn-guitar/is-it-possible-to-learn-how-to-play-guitar-without-taking-lessons/ A learn guitar question that should definitely interest you all this week

Question: I want to learn how to play an acoustic guitar but is going to guitar class or taking lessons a ‘necessity’ or just a bonus? can anyone be self-taught, i’m sure theres video links on youtube i can watch to learn how to read music tabs, thats all i need to know right?
Answer: Guitar is among the easiest instruments to learn on your own. This is one reason for its popularity. Get a book, learn some chords, go from there.

Of course if you know people who play, who will come over and show you a few pointers, that would also be good. Much of guitar ‘lore’ is passed on from one guitarist to the next.

If you take lessons (I did for a while) the teacher will teach you to keep your left thumb on the middle of the back of the neck, which gives you more freedom to move your fingers over the fingerboard. But self-taught guitarists wrap their thumb over the top of the neck to get a tighter grip. Watch guitarists on TV, even famous ones, and you see most of them wrapping their thumbs! These people are self-taught.

The hardest thing in starting to learn is that you have to develop strength in your left hand to hold down the strings against the fingerboard. At first your hand gets sore after only ten minutes or so. So you can’t practice longer than 10 or 15 minutes (but you can do this several times a day). It takes a few weeks to build up strength in your hand. So be patient. If it’s a steel-string guitar you also build up callouses on your fingertips.

]]> http://iloveguitar.net/learn-guitar/is-it-possible-to-learn-how-to-play-guitar-without-taking-lessons/feed/ 4 Missing Fingers on My Right Hand and Want to Learn How to Play Guitar.? http://iloveguitar.net/learn-guitar/missing-fingers-on-my-right-hand-and-want-to-learn-how-to-play-guitar/ http://iloveguitar.net/learn-guitar/missing-fingers-on-my-right-hand-and-want-to-learn-how-to-play-guitar/#comments Sat, 03 Sep 2011 16:03:18 +0000 Guitar God http://iloveguitar.net/learn-guitar/missing-fingers-on-my-right-hand-and-want-to-learn-how-to-play-guitar/ What’s this week’s question? Let’s dive straight in…

Question: So, as you can read from the title I’m missing fingers on my right hand. To be more precise I only have my thumb and pinky finger, they both don’t have any joints in them besides the knuckle. My pinky is about 2 1/2 inches jutting out to the right and my thumb is about 3 inches jutting out to the left. Alright here’s the question lol, I want to learn to the guitar using my right hand as the strum hand, I have tried to just using my thumb to strum but it starts to get really soar and inconvenient. I have tried thumb picks but all they do is turn around in circles because I can’t hold it there. I have even resorted to taping a normal pick to my hand, but even that didn’t last long lol. Is there anybody out there that might be in the same situation and have resolved it, or anybody that thinks they can come up with a solution. Thanks in advance for trying to help me out ;) .
Answer: You do indeed have a difficult situation and I admire your determination. A properly fitting thumb pick shouldn’t spin around…and that seems like the most feasible approach. Thumb picks come in different sizes and thickness, so I suggest that you experiment with some smaller ones. An old trick to custom fit a thumb pick is to momentarily dip it in boiling water using needle nosed pliers. Pull it out and while it’s still hot, you can manipulate the shape and fit.

Approaching this from the opposite direction, have you considered playing slide guitar (or dobro) using your left hand to pick? It wouldn’t be too difficult to find a hollow slide to fit over your right thumb or pinky. It may not feel natural at first, but it’s definitely possible to train your left hand to pick.

Best of luck to you.

]]> http://iloveguitar.net/learn-guitar/missing-fingers-on-my-right-hand-and-want-to-learn-how-to-play-guitar/feed/ 4 Would You Rather Learn How to Play Guitar by Yourself Using Youtube or Get Someone to Teach You? http://iloveguitar.net/learn-guitar/would-you-rather-learn-how-to-play-guitar-by-yourself-using-youtube-or-get-someone-to-teach-you/ http://iloveguitar.net/learn-guitar/would-you-rather-learn-how-to-play-guitar-by-yourself-using-youtube-or-get-someone-to-teach-you/#comments Fri, 02 Sep 2011 16:02:43 +0000 Guitar God http://iloveguitar.net/learn-guitar/would-you-rather-learn-how-to-play-guitar-by-yourself-using-youtube-or-get-someone-to-teach-you/ Another learn guitar question has come in this week. Let’s tackle it straight away:

Question: Would You Rather Learn How to Play Guitar by Yourself Using Youtube or Get Someone to Teach You?
Answer: I’ve been playing guitar for 11 years and there is nothing like having a teacher. Youtube can only teach you basic skills. A computer cannot critique you’re technique (hey that rhymes) and fix bad habbits. If I were you, I would get a teacher. Good luck!
]]> http://iloveguitar.net/learn-guitar/would-you-rather-learn-how-to-play-guitar-by-yourself-using-youtube-or-get-someone-to-teach-you/feed/ 7 I Would Like to Learn How to Play Guitar, but I Don't Know a Good Guitar to Buy. What is a Good Guitar? http://iloveguitar.net/learn-guitar/i-would-like-to-learn-how-to-play-guitar-but-i-dont-know-a-good-guitar-to-buy-what-is-a-good-guitar/ http://iloveguitar.net/learn-guitar/i-would-like-to-learn-how-to-play-guitar-but-i-dont-know-a-good-guitar-to-buy-what-is-a-good-guitar/#comments Sun, 21 Aug 2011 16:03:00 +0000 Guitar God http://iloveguitar.net/learn-guitar/i-would-like-to-learn-how-to-play-guitar-but-i-dont-know-a-good-guitar-to-buy-what-is-a-good-guitar/ A learn guitar question that should definitely interest you all this week

Question: Hello, I would like to play guitar. (I’m 14, for your information. [if that helps])
I’m just not sure what a good guitar to start with would be though, could I have any suggestions?
( Please? <3 ) I would like to play electric, but if acoustic is better for beginners, then that would work too.
I would also like to order one online, because that would work better for me.
Answer: Forget what those guys are saying.

Buy an ESP guitar. They are amazing quality and come with great pickups. They also have a shorter neck, so its easy to play for someone your age. If you’re on a budget, I’d go with the ESP EC-50. I own one of those and its siiiccck. best stock pickups i’ve ever heard. :)

You can find it on musiciansfriend.com you can also look there and sort by price to find one you like :)

]]> http://iloveguitar.net/learn-guitar/i-would-like-to-learn-how-to-play-guitar-but-i-dont-know-a-good-guitar-to-buy-what-is-a-good-guitar/feed/ 3 How to Tell My Guitar Teacher I Don't Want Lessons Anymore? http://iloveguitar.net/guitar-lessons/how-to-tell-my-guitar-teacher-i-dont-want-lessons-anymore/ http://iloveguitar.net/guitar-lessons/how-to-tell-my-guitar-teacher-i-dont-want-lessons-anymore/#comments Thu, 18 Aug 2011 16:03:50 +0000 Guitar God http://iloveguitar.net/guitar-lessons/how-to-tell-my-guitar-teacher-i-dont-want-lessons-anymore/ Well here’s a question I just had to answering straight away:

Question: Hey.
I’ve had a few different guitar teachers and they’ve all been trying to teach me how to play guitar like a pro but all I want is to learn how to play some of my favorite songs.
Then my friends told me there’s this guitar teacher that teaches cool rock & pop songs so I gave him a call. He turned out to be a teacher like all the others. We had guitar lessons for the whole school year but I’m sick and tired of it. I want my parents to tell him I don’t want lessons anymore but they said I have to do it.
I know he’s going to give me a call on September 1st and I want to prepare what I’m going to say.
Any ideas?
Thanks so so much xxxx
Answer: First of all tell him you thank him for taking his time out to teach you. Make up an excuse such as saying: "I’ve learned what I wanted to learn", "I’m really busy with other things" or "I want to play another instrument and don’t want to play guitar anymore". I doubt that he will be mad at you for not wanting him to teach you anymore, he was lucky to be payed for it.

Good Luck :)

]]> http://iloveguitar.net/guitar-lessons/how-to-tell-my-guitar-teacher-i-dont-want-lessons-anymore/feed/ 3 I Want to Learn How to Play Guitar? http://iloveguitar.net/learn-guitar/i-want-to-learn-how-to-play-guitar/ http://iloveguitar.net/learn-guitar/i-want-to-learn-how-to-play-guitar/#comments Thu, 18 Aug 2011 16:03:40 +0000 Guitar God http://iloveguitar.net/learn-guitar/i-want-to-learn-how-to-play-guitar/ What a great learn guitar question:

Question: Whats a cheap but good brand of acoustic guitar?
What size do i need (if there r sizes?) i am 5′6" and im 14
Can i learn alone with a book, ratherthan taking lessons?
Pick or finger plucking for beginners?
Any other tips?
And also… How to convince parents its a good idea and not just a phase!
Answer: I wrote out a very long piece of advice thoroughly answering all your questions. However, it was too long to post on this site, so I made a public blog post about it since the advice I gave would be good for anyone starting the guitar. I re-worded your questions and published the post in my new music blog. The link is below. I hope this is useful.

http://aomcmusicgeneral.blogspot.com/2011/08/advice-for-people-wanting-to-start.html

]]> http://iloveguitar.net/learn-guitar/i-want-to-learn-how-to-play-guitar/feed/ 0 How Hard is It to Learn How to Play Guitar? http://iloveguitar.net/learn-guitar/how-hard-is-it-to-learn-how-to-play-guitar/ http://iloveguitar.net/learn-guitar/how-hard-is-it-to-learn-how-to-play-guitar/#comments Thu, 04 Aug 2011 16:03:34 +0000 Guitar God http://iloveguitar.net/learn-guitar/how-hard-is-it-to-learn-how-to-play-guitar/ I just love answering these learn guitar questions. Here’s another:

Question: I’ve always wanted to learn how to. How hard is it? How long would it take to get good?
Answer: It’s pretty hard but it’s as much fun as it is hard. Go for it!
]]> http://iloveguitar.net/learn-guitar/how-hard-is-it-to-learn-how-to-play-guitar/feed/ 2 Where Can I Learn How to Play Guitar Online for Free? http://iloveguitar.net/learn-guitar/where-can-i-learn-how-to-play-guitar-online-for-free/ http://iloveguitar.net/learn-guitar/where-can-i-learn-how-to-play-guitar-online-for-free/#comments Wed, 27 Jul 2011 16:03:05 +0000 Guitar God http://iloveguitar.net/learn-guitar/where-can-i-learn-how-to-play-guitar-online-for-free/ This week’s question is a good one. Let’s have a look:

Question: I don’t have a guitar yet, but I plan on getting one for Christmas. I want to know how to play some chords already, being that we can’t afford private lessons, and my school does not offer this instrument. Where can I learn the chords,
~for free
~easily
~without already owning a guitar
~online
~and using diagrams, and videos.
Thanks for your help!
I don’t need to play the chords, I just need to memorize them.
Answer: Yea honestly there’s not much you can learn about the guitar without actually owning one, you’ll realize that later when you get one.

You can build up finger strength though, for a low price you can buy finger trainers. These may be pretty difficult at first, especially for your pinky. Practice on it every day until christmas, on all you fingers equally, and you will catch on to the guitar much faster then normal. I’d also suggest learning how to read tabs/sheet music too, so you’re atleast somewhat prepared.

]]> http://iloveguitar.net/learn-guitar/where-can-i-learn-how-to-play-guitar-online-for-free/feed/ 5 Guitar Lesson Websites? http://iloveguitar.net/guitar-lessons/guitar-lesson-websites/ http://iloveguitar.net/guitar-lessons/guitar-lesson-websites/#comments Tue, 26 Jul 2011 16:03:26 +0000 Guitar God http://iloveguitar.net/guitar-lessons/guitar-lesson-websites/ Well here’s a question I just had to answering straight away:

Question: does anyone know of a website that gives really good online guitar lessons? im looking to learn how to play
Answer: http://www.jazzguitar.be/

xx

]]> http://iloveguitar.net/guitar-lessons/guitar-lesson-websites/feed/ 4 Is It Possible to Learn Guitar Using a Guitar Simulator on Pc? http://iloveguitar.net/learn-guitar/is-it-possible-to-learn-guitar-using-a-guitar-simulator-on-pc/ http://iloveguitar.net/learn-guitar/is-it-possible-to-learn-guitar-using-a-guitar-simulator-on-pc/#comments Sun, 24 Jul 2011 16:03:04 +0000 Guitar God http://iloveguitar.net/learn-guitar/is-it-possible-to-learn-guitar-using-a-guitar-simulator-on-pc/ A learn guitar question that should definitely interest you all this week

Question: I know no instruments(playing wise), and I am horrible at singing. I thought that I could learn guitar, but just to make it sure that it wont be wastage of money to purchase a new guitar, I thought of learning it on a pc simulator, do you guys think that it is possible to learn how to play guitar on a simulator? Given that I know only the spelling of guitar and no more about it. Please guide me.
Answer: noooo! playing guitar online is terrible. i tried, and you will not know anything. you will just strum random strings. theres so many chords you need to learn. i think you should learn it by hand and get lessons. i tought myself how to play guitar for about 6 months, and now im playing songs on my own. its really quite easy
]]> http://iloveguitar.net/learn-guitar/is-it-possible-to-learn-guitar-using-a-guitar-simulator-on-pc/feed/ 1