I Love Guitar » tabs

Should I Teach Myself Guitar or Take Lessons?

Guitar God — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 16:02:24 +0000

This week’s question is as follows:

Question: Hey, I’m 13 years old and have been attempting to teach myself guitar. I’ve been trying to play TABs rather than from chords, because I find TABs easier to play. Kinda frustrated at how slow my progress has been, I’m wondering if I should just take lessons. What do you guys think?
@icantgetaname tabs are easy as fuck to read

Answer: Get a teacher. "Teaching yourself" is a crock. I don’t know why so many people think it’s a good idea. In the words of Mitch Hedberg "I didn’t know how to play it, so I was a shitty teacher. I would not have went to me."

No book, website, software, or video can replace one on one tuition from a real musician. Those things are supplements, not replacements. No professional musician or educator would ever claim otherwise.

There is so much that a good teacher can help you with that you would NEVER realize on your own. They can point out little things that you would have never noticed or paid any attention to, and those "little things" are what separate a capable but unremarkable player from a great one. You will see much greater progress and develop as a whole musician.

A Good Some What Simple Song to Learn on Guitar?

Guitar God — Sat, 21 May 2011 16:02:23 +0000

Another learn guitar question has come in this week. Let’s tackle it straight away:

Question: so i all ready know a few songs on the guitar, and i keep playing the same one over, because i like it, but i want a new song to try and learn.

so if you know a good, some what simple, not too hard, song on guitar, i would really like to know what it is

i also know how to play tabs

all song opinions welcome! thanks

also i play on an acoustic guitar

doesnt matter to much, just putting that out there just in case

k well thanks

Answer: Be Like That by 3 Doors Down is easy to
play. Simple chords.

What's a Good Death Song to Learn on Guitar?

Guitar God — Fri, 20 May 2011 16:02:17 +0000

What a great learn guitar question:

Question: I’ve already learned Pull The Plug, The Philosopher, Scavenger of Human Sorrow, Bite The Pain, Spirit Crusher & Voice of the Soul
partially by tabs & partially by ear
any suggestions?

BQ: favorite song from your favorite Death album

Answer: Try Overactive Imagination. That’s what I’m gonna try next

BQ: My favorite album is Leprosy and the best song from that album is Born Dead IMO. My favorite overall song is Destiny though

Guitar Websites to Learn How to Play?

Guitar God — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 16:02:51 +0000

Keep the learn guitar questions coming! I liked this one:

Question: i can play by reading tabs and watching videos but i want to like learn all the scales, know the positions on the fretboard, etc. all the stuff that a music teacher or something would teach like reading musical notes. the website needs to be free.
guitarjamz has a free trial but it doesnt teach notation and it only teaches a few scales.

Answer: If you’re serious about learning how to play, get lessons from a professional guitar teacher. There is no substitute for that.

Do I Absolutely Need to Take Lessons to Really Learn How to Play Guitar?

Guitar God — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 17:02:51 +0000

I just love answering these guitar lessons questions. Here’s another:

Question: I’m 16 and I would REALLY like to learn how to play guitar, and I have my own acoustic guitar. I know taking lessons from a expert would really be the best way to learn, but I am really busy these days and I don’t know if I have the time to do that. If I want to become good at guitar, do I really need to take lessons? Should I just keep learning from online tabs? Or is there a website that helps? Thanks.

Answer: As you now know, you have split answers to this question. personally ,I’ve been playing twenty years, and I have a blast with my guitar. As a matter of fact , I started playing at your age.

I noticed some one mentioned god given talent! If you have that you still could use guidance. The one thing I wished I would have done is put more time into my passion.

You should keep going to the internet for your info on songs you want to play but it’s very easy just to waste a lot of time in limbo too! Don’t get lost just envying people who can!

You should turn to the internet for lessons once you’ve turned playing the guitar to a passion. The internet is still at your leisure and once you dig in and enjoy yourself, you will find the time to do what you love.

here’s a link to where i study. and yes I will get credit if you buy, but at the very least soak up the free material they give!

http://mrsupermom.jamorama.hop.clickbank.net?page=4

How Do I Find out About Bass Guitar Lessons Near My Home?

Guitar God — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 17:02:41 +0000

We’ve had a reader question come in on the subject of guitar lessons. Let’s take a look:

Question: i want to learn bass so i started to teach myself a little. but i found it to be quite hard and want lessons. and i want to learn jazz, so i dont want to be taught by some metal head who only knows how to play tabs

Answer: if you live around long island ny i know someone

How Do I Plan a Guitar Lesson for a Good Guitarist Who Doesn't Know the Fundamentals?

Guitar God — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 16:02:30 +0000

What’s this week’s guitar lessons question? Let’s dive straight in…

Question: So I told my friend I could give him some guitar lessons and teach him the fundamentals of guitar. How should I start this? He doesn’t know any scales or that kind of stuff, but what kind of scales should I start him out with?
Pretty much he’s a guitarist who’s learned everything from online tabs. What can I teach him that’s not note reading?

Answer: Well if he has technique down good enough, that’s a good start. Unfortunately, people who do this are often unwilling to learn the ‘basics.’

Start by making sure he knows the notes on the neck; sharps, flats, etc. If that’s good, start with the minor pentatonic scales. Those are definitely the most used, they’re easy, and sound great!

Depending how much you know, you can teach him different things about theory like harmony, etc.

How Easy is It to Learn to Play Guitar with Tabs?

Guitar God — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 16:03:06 +0000

This week’s question is a good one. Let’s have a look:

Question: and why do some people say they learned to play by mimicking other people like their favorite musicians? (fyi im learning to play classically right in a guitar class at my jc) I wonder about this because I sing and play a little piano and am more interested in being a musician than a classical player so am I better off with tabs or should I learn to play notes?
thank you!

Answer: A musician and classical player are the same thing, for one. I would say since you already have a headstart in classical training, forget about tabs completely. Standard notation is better in the long run, and if you want to be a musician, you pretty much must know it.

Anyone Know Any Challenging Songs to Learn on Guitar?

Guitar God — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 16:02:34 +0000

Well here’s a question I just had to answering straight away:

Question: I’ve been playing almost a year and a half now, I never took any formal lessons, just looked up tabs and stuff. I do picking, chords and fingerstyle and some bass guitar stuff too but I don’t feel like I’m reaching my potential, so any type of suggestions would be great, thanks.

Answer: free bird, comfortably numb, eruption or crazy train

Should I Take Guitar Lessons?

Guitar God — Wed, 05 May 2010 16:02:41 +0000

Keep the guitar lessons questions coming! I liked this one:

Question: I’m 12 years old and been playing guitar for about 2 years. i’m self taught and never taken a lesson before and i learn by reading tabs and playing along with songs. i’m doing pretty good and learning different skills throughout songs. so far I think I am a beginner in intermediate or maybe in the middle. lately my family told me i should take guitar lessons and i don’t if i should go or continue what i’m doing.

Answer: Hi! I think I am the perfect person to answer your question because I started playing the guitar when I was 7 and I started taking formal lessons when I was 12! I always played everything by ear. My advice would be this: if you have the gift of being able to play the guitar by ear, I wouldn’t settle for just any guitar teacher. You don’t want a guitar teacher who is just going to teach you tabs and spoon feed you how to play songs. I’ve seen so many people waste money that way. You want a guitar teacher who is going to cultivate your ‘ear’. Someone who is going to respect the fact that you have natural ability. You want to find a teacher who will teach you theory. Playing tabs is fine and all, but by taking lessons–even beginner theory (like I learned at 12), this will make playing by ear even easier! I never bothered to learn to read music because I could play everything I wanted to by ear, and it was easy for me to write songs from the heart. That was until about 5 years ago when I realized that I couldn’t play any of my favorite jazz or classical music by ear (your tastes in music mature as you get older! I still love Steve Vai and Zappa!). Basically, I would say this: there are many great guitarists who didn’t know anything about theory and never learned to read music. Personally, I believe a whole new world opens up at your fingertips once you start learning music theory. The possibilities are endless, and I can guarantee, if you start learning theory at your age, you will never grow tired of your instrument. Just do a little shopping around, and don’t settle for a teacher until you find one who knocks your socks off with his or her playing. You want your teacher to inspire you! I hope you get a lifetime of enjoyment out of playing the guitar!