So I Picked Up a Guitar Today...

[Neuqua]

Over the past year or so, I have noticed that I had not been too productive with the little free time that I tended to have and so have been looking to pick up a hobby on the side to fool around with. I've always been somewhat interested in learning how to play a music instrument and while my first choice wouldn't be plausible where I live (drums) I have still had a little fascination with a basic acoustic guitar. Because I do not know whether this would end up being merely a fad or something I genuinely will enjoy doing for the rest of my life, I did not want to spend too much money at all so decided to instead of going to the local guitar shop, just wait around and see if I could find a good deal online.

A friend directed me towards what he said was a pretty good value the other day and I went ahead and pulled the trigger. I've held a guitar in my hands a couple times in my life and am literally starting with just about zero knowledge. I have no doubt that the journey on trying to get comfortable and playing even the most basic of songs is going to be long and frustrating but I think it is going to be a good experience overall and I am just hoping I learn a thing or two in the process.

I already have done a search on this forum and read through a few of the previous discussions so I know we have a few guitar players here. Any wise words of advice to a complete newbie? I don't plan on doing anything serious with it but I see myself practicing for about an hour or so a day and I am hoping that after some time I can just see some basic progress. I recieved the guitar this morning and have already started fooling around with the early lessons in the DVD that was packaged with it.

Oh, and this is the place I recieved the guitar from:
http://www.music123.com/Baja-Pack---Acoustic-Guitar-i228748.music

[st.cronin]

Play along with music. I recommend the Jamey Aebersold series - the beginning ones, you can pretty much just jump in after a couple of basic lessons. I think I still have some lying around somewhere.

[sabotai]

I just recently did the same (decided to pick up a musical instrument), but I chose the keyboard. Good luck.

[lordscarlet]

I have had a bass for years that I keep meaning to learn how to play. :(

[Karlifornia]

When you first start playing, your fingers are going to start hurting almost immediately. Play until you have to take a break to rest your left hand (assuming you're a righty). You're eventually going to build up calluses on your left fingertips.

I never tried lessons from a video. They probably work pretty well. I took a few lessons from a music teacher, and they really helped me. I'd buy a chord chart you can pin up whereever you most often play. If you don't want to do something quite that tacky, chordfind.com is a great site that has all the chords you need. Also, if you want to play modern songs as opposed to classical, go to ultimate-guitar.com.

Good luck! It's a worthwhile hobby!

[Vince]

...if you want to play modern songs as opposed to classical, go to ultimate-guitar.com...

Yeah, what he said. The bit about pain and calluses is good advice as well -- don't be discouraged by that.

[Tiphnie]

I have been learning to play the guitar myself. Just started about 2-3 months ago. Not sure what kind of music you listen to but a good song for me to start with was Blizkreig Bop by the Ramones as is only uses 3 chords. Here is also a good site to look up how to make certain chords http://www.chordfind.com/

I started with absolutely zero knowledge of how to play. My musical knowledge was limited to playing the clarinet in 6th grade. But I'm learning how to play Shades of Truth and Along the Way by Bad Religion and they are at least recognizable now lol.

Hope I was a little helpful :)

Tiff

[cartman]

Back in school, I played (no shiite) the flute and tuba. I wanted to cover both the high end and the low end. Flute for marching band, and tuba for concert band. I can rock out Jethro Tull-style on the flute. I never was able to play with any amount of skill chord-based instruments like the guitar or piano. I eventually picked up proficiency in the clarinet, oboe, trumpet, saxophone, and sousaphone.

[Neuqua]

My choice of music is the 80's rock genre. Favorite bands being Bon Jovie and U2. Right now I am just trying to find a central collection of recognizable 3 chord songs that I can practice with. I know it'll take a good amount of time but once I feel comfortable with the 3 chords I will make the next bump up, and so forth. I just think if I can hear myself eventually playing a recognizable tune then that will build up my confidence as I move forward.

[sterlingice]

I know this sounds silly but ever since Guitar Hero went nuts in popularity, I've seen a lot more guitars for sale in more prominent places in stores...

SI

[Tiphnie]

http://guitar.about.com/library/bleasysongs80s.htm I havn't tried many of these yet but it says they are supposed to be easy :)