Never played before. No clue where to go from here. But we all gotta start somewhere!
Just bought this. Now what?
- Thread starter Toothpick
- Start date
What kind of music do you like or want to play?
Do you have experience with another musical instrument?
Do you have experience with another musical instrument?
- Thread starter
- #3
I listen to classic rock and country.
Last musical instrument I played was the recorder in...4th grade?
EclipseRedRing
I smell like a Christmas pudding
I would start by learning eight basic open chords - E, A, D, C, G, Em, Am and Dm, and then strumming along with your favourite tunes.
There are many directions you could go. Easiest is to learn basic chords and play rhythm to songs you know well. Later on, you can advance into things like finger picking and playing leads.
You should learn how to tune your guitar. You can buy an inexpensive electronic tuner or tune to another instrument like a piano.
You will probably want a capo that will allow you to put the guitar into comfortable singing range still using the basic chords.
Many people learn by playing along with records. The easiest songs only have three or four chords and basic rhythm. Chords for many songs are available on the internet, though they are sometimes only approximations.
It's helpful to have a friend to sit down with you and show you some of the basics. A lot of the fun is in discovering and learning as you go.
You should learn how to tune your guitar. You can buy an inexpensive electronic tuner or tune to another instrument like a piano.
You will probably want a capo that will allow you to put the guitar into comfortable singing range still using the basic chords.
Many people learn by playing along with records. The easiest songs only have three or four chords and basic rhythm. Chords for many songs are available on the internet, though they are sometimes only approximations.
It's helpful to have a friend to sit down with you and show you some of the basics. A lot of the fun is in discovering and learning as you go.
- Thread starter
- #6
Sounds to complicated. Never mind
Get yourself a Hal Leonard booklet and pluck away string by string. You will be playing Old MacDonald before you know it. When successful, leave your audience at the peak and put the guitar away.
Very nice guitar by the way. I have a Yamaha myself and it plays very well. Well build and keeps its tune for an extended period.
- Thread starter
- #9
I like your expectations of me. Old McDonald sounds like peak Toothpick guitar picking.
- Thread starter
- #10
I just googled “best guitar for beginners and it was an option”
Slightly tricky rhythm when you get to the "moo moo here, moo moo there, here a moo there a moo, everywhere a moo moo" part.
Chords are very easy - after about 5-6 weeks of learning them. It takes a little time for your fingers to develop the muscle memory for the shapes. Many people learn using the interwebs. Justin's guitar lessons (All Lessons - https://www.justinguitar.com/guitar-lessons) is one mentioned often on the acoustic guitar forum, but I have no personal knowledge of any of the online lesson offerings. Many are free for learning one song, but you won't be ready for those for a while.
The Yamaha is an excellent choice. I believe there are free tuning apps for your phone. It has steel strings and you'll only be able to play for a relatively short time per day for a few weeks until you develop some calluses. It's one of the easier instruments for playing a handful of chords and singing your favorite tunes. It's not complicated, but everything physical takes a bit of muscle memory - and a little time.
It would be very good to start with a reasonable resemblance of good hand positions. Not difficult, but makes things easier in the long run. A friend who plays can show you in half a minute. Alternatively, I'm sure you could use the google machine for a visual example. You want some space between the bottom of your left hand and the neck, with fingers slightly rounded.
Don't hesitate to ask specific questions as you go.
The Yamaha is an excellent choice. I believe there are free tuning apps for your phone. It has steel strings and you'll only be able to play for a relatively short time per day for a few weeks until you develop some calluses. It's one of the easier instruments for playing a handful of chords and singing your favorite tunes. It's not complicated, but everything physical takes a bit of muscle memory - and a little time.
It would be very good to start with a reasonable resemblance of good hand positions. Not difficult, but makes things easier in the long run. A friend who plays can show you in half a minute. Alternatively, I'm sure you could use the google machine for a visual example. You want some space between the bottom of your left hand and the neck, with fingers slightly rounded.
Don't hesitate to ask specific questions as you go.
- Thread starter
- #13
Are steel strings bad? can you put different strings on it that are better?
Yamaha make quality instruments. Good choice.
It's been many years since I played. I can't be of much use to you.
I'll wager Youtube has a lot of content that can teach you.
It's been many years since I played. I can't be of much use to you.
I'll wager Youtube has a lot of content that can teach you.
I bought a Seagull folk guitar a few years after retiring, and even took lessons for 5 months before giving up. I had piano lessons as a kid, so reading music and learning chords came easy. Having Dupuytren's in both hands with finger knuckles that would lock up, was a problem. In the end, I felt like Maj Winchester in that episode of MASH, who said, "I can play the notes, but I cannot make music".
No, steel strings are pretty standard for the kind of music you like. They are a bit brighter, generally a little louder when played with a pick - which is non-standard for classical guitars with nylon strings.
I always gave students two new chords at a time (as opposed to 5 or 6). I always started with Em and A7 because they use the same two fingers and stay on the same fret.
There are lots of chord charts online. Be aware that there are many places on the neck to play the same chord and you want to ignore all of that.
When your fingers start to hurt (left hand) stop playing. It may only take 10 minutes in the first week. They will be fine the next day (maybe even later that day for a bit). If you keep going until they are really sore they might still be sore then next day. This tenderness only lasts a short time, longevity gets gradually longer and everyone goes through it. Be patient with yourself.
If it's not easy yet you haven't done it enough times yet. Everything will get easy with enough repetitions.
If it's not easy yet you haven't done it enough times yet. Everything will get easy with enough repetitions.
- Thread starter
- #18
so you're saying I won't be able to play a 3 hour concert right away?
I know a self taught guy, first thing he ever learned to play was Blackbird.
I was impressed.
I was impressed.
You might be able to get through 30 minutes, but I doubt it. I suggest you hold of on the concerts until you've got three weeks under your belt.
