Guitar players please enter

**OreoLt1** · 09-18-2008, 06:44 PM

For all those that know how to play the guitar(electric if it matters) do you have any words of wisdom or any little tidbits of info that you would care to share with a newb?

I'm trying to learn the basics as much as possible in my spare time and any extra info would be much appreciated!

**0rion** · 09-18-2008, 10:40 PM

practice....practice.....practice. There is no easy/quick way. Just takes a lot of practice. I will say to find you some good finger excersizes ( there's many different ways) and do those for 15-20 minutes everyday before you start playing. That will greatly accelerate your dexterity. Also, start out by alternate picking (up,down,up,down) instead of all down strokes. I would also start out playing standing up instead of sitting down. Maybe sit for the first month or so until you get the hang of hand positions but after that go ahead and play standing up. I learned exclusively sitting down and then it was almost like learning again when I started standing up because I was used to having it in my lap. Did I mention practice??? Good luck. Get some tabs out of magazines or online and that'll help keep it from getting boring to you.
I would really recommend you taking lessons from someone. That'd help you quite a bit. Then after taking lessons from one guy for a few months switch and take some from a different guy. You'll learn a ton of things doing it that way.

**Boomer Sooner** · 09-18-2008, 10:46 PM

also, hope you have alot of patience. ive been lacking patience lately so i havent touched my guitars in about 2 months.

good luck.

**Bottesini** · 09-19-2008, 12:29 AM

Not a guitar player, but I do know a bit about learning/teaching music. One of the best ways to get better fast is get a good teacher. There are alot of hacks out there, but if you find a good one you will get alot more done. Be warned a good teacher might have you doing some tedious stuff like scales, but it pays off. As said above just practice, and make sure you have lots of patience.

**ibanez7** · 09-19-2008, 06:17 AM

modes, scales, chords - practice them!
develop and ear, try to learn things just by listening to music you like

dont be afraid to play and try totally different things. dont limit yourself. Learn how to play linear and in the box. experiment

check out guitar teaching DVDs such as: (you can you tube many of them)

paul gilbert
Michael angelo batio
john petruccii
yngwie malmsteen

**67CamaroRSSS** · 09-19-2008, 08:27 AM

Originally Posted by 0rion

practice....practice.....practice.

This can not be stressed enough.

Although I play drums it's the same for any instrument. You've got to practice a lot to become proficient at anything worth doing....

**LS16SPD** · 09-19-2008, 09:00 AM

practice,practice and more practice. ive been playing for 28 years and i still pick it up and run through modes and scales all the time!!! stick with it!!

**TempleU_WS6** · 09-19-2008, 02:15 PM

Yeah, definitely practice! Buy some books for beginners and run through scales!

**hamburger68** · 09-19-2008, 03:38 PM

what everybody else said, with an emphasis on getting a good teacher. keeps you from getting stuck with mistakes that slow down your progress. and don't use too light strings, that way you'll exercise your muscles and be able to play longer and faster.

**Spaz** · 09-19-2008, 04:27 PM

i've been playing for years... since i was 13... but i don't play every day like i used to (and it showes)... you got to be able to devote at least a half hour a day to hone in on your skills... but becareful not to over do it...

**Boomer Sooner** · 09-19-2008, 07:34 PM

Originally Posted by Spaz

i've been playing for years... since i was 13... but i don't play every day like i used to (and it showes)... you got to be able to devote at least a half hour a day to hone in on your skills... but becareful not to over do it...

i think i just got burned out from that right there. i would play 2-3hrs a night. lock myself in my garage with my guitar and my amp.

**Spaz** · 09-19-2008, 07:35 PM

Originally Posted by Boomer Sooner

i think i just got burned out from that right there. i would play 2-3hrs a night. lock myself in my garage with my guitar and my amp.

i've done that many times... but i'm really talking about over working your tendons... i've done it and it hurts like a mofo...

**TempleU_WS6** · 09-19-2008, 07:37 PM

Originally Posted by Spaz

i've done that many times... but i'm really talking about over working your tendons... i've done it and it hurts like a mofo...

Ive done it too. Ouch! Hurt for days!

**Boomer Sooner** · 09-19-2008, 07:37 PM

Originally Posted by Spaz

i've done that many times... but i'm really talking about over working your tendons... i've done it and it hurts like a mofo...

oh. my bad. yea, that too.

**Bottesini** · 09-19-2008, 07:44 PM

Just to add on what has already been said. You can very easily hurt yourself with an instrument. If you start to feel pain then stop and start evaluating what might be causing the pain (sore fingers is alright

).

A side note on practicing more time is always good, but if you are efficient you can gain alot more in a short time. I could write a small book on practicing, but basically just think.

(Hours of practice) x (Practice methods) = Improvement

**hamburger68** · 09-20-2008, 01:09 AM

Originally Posted by Spaz

i've done that many times... but i'm really talking about over working your tendons... i've done it and it hurts like a mofo...

Originally Posted by Bottesini

Just to add on what has already been said. You can very easily hurt yourself with an instrument. If you start to feel pain then stop and start evaluating what might be causing the pain (sore fingers is alright

).

A side note on practicing more time is always good, but if you are efficient you can gain alot more in a short time. I could write a small book on practicing, but basically just think.

(Hours of practice) x (Practice methods) = Improvement

that's really an issue, and again, that's where a good teacher can avoid the worst.

btw: two good things coming from mexico:

**Spaz** · 09-20-2008, 09:46 AM

Originally Posted by hamburger68

that's really an issue, and again, that's where a good teacher can avoid the worst.

btw: two good things coming from mexico:

i prefere Elixers nanoweb... they are the best strigns you can get... especially for accoustic... the sound they make is the best...

**hamburger68** · 09-20-2008, 09:54 AM

Originally Posted by Spaz

i prefere Elixers nanoweb... they are the best strigns you can get... especially for accoustic... the sound they make is the best...

never tried them, i've been through a lot of brands and i like the money value and the crisp bass of the martins. i also like to change the strings rather frequently. and with 18 guitars (number 19 on the way), price becomes an issue...

**Bombhunter** · 09-20-2008, 03:53 PM

If you are playing an electric guitar and you like metal, rock, etc. find a tone that you like. I started out playing clean, and hated it. Almost quit because everything I tried to play sounded stupid clean. I went out, bought a distortion pedal and let er rip...haven't looked back since. It has to sound good to you first, before it sounds good to anyone else, or else you'll wind up giving up...

Oh yeah and practice...