Want to learn guitar (compleat noob)

[Snake]

really want to learn guitar have for a while but have always thought i should have started when i was younger (17now), iv no idea how to go about it suppose the first thing i need is a guitar+other stuff amplifier etc? but dunno which one then i need some lessons i suppose.
kinda music i listen to is mostly death metal stuff, death, possessed, therion's earlier stuff, entombed etc would like to be able to play that kinda stuff some time need some advise though muchly

[NBBChaz]

I wanna learn too ^_^ Same age as you also.

[Pol]

You're not too old to start by any means but i will say that all that death metal etc is tough going for an experienced player, not least a beginner.

Here's a couple of helpful sites to have a look at

Ultimate Guitar

Wholenote

those are some good sites. i must say the way i started off was with tabs and just basically training my fingers to move around fluently. after you get that down the rest isnt as hard. note: there is still pretty difficult stuff down the road.

[RujinXERO]

ive been trying to learn tabs.. but i cant seem to get it down.. maybe its the songs ive been trying to learn thats making it hard.. hahaha.. i wanna learn how to play "Coldplay - Warning Sign" hella bad.. hehe

[Palmeiro]

I would suggest learning acoustic first.

[Archangelis]

look i would suggest starting with an acoustic as it is easy for you to get the techniques under your belt and it is easier on your fingers as if you get an eletric your fingers will get really sore until you develop a calus

[bnjiman80]

hey dudes, good luck with the playing!

Once you got a guitar (preferably acoustic, I found even the big strings were too painful after a few minutes when I started off) I would say you should hang out with some buds who play. 'Cos its so hard being motivated to play when it sounds crap all the time! At least with other people you can hear what it might sound like!

I think the quickest way to get the feeling of actually getting somewhere, so you stick at it, would be to learn a few chords, so you can at least play some songs. Example (thick to thin strings left to right)

A 002220
D x00232 (x means dont play this string)
E 022100

now you have yourself enough chords to jam out something in a rock and roll number, at least! Or you could learn power chords, and shift them for the chords. Power chords are used a lot in heavy rock i.e. all the bits in Smells Like Team Spirit (below) You dont use open strings so you can move the whole shape of the chord up or down to go higher or lower:

G5 D5 C5 E5

3 5 5 x x x => 10 12 12 x x x => 8 10 10 x x x => 12 14 14 x x x

note this can also be played, by moving the shape up:

G5 D5 C5 E5

3 5 5 x x x => x 3 5 5 x x => x 1 1 3 x x => x 5 5 7 x x x


God, theres loadsa different ways to go about it. I think learning normal chords as well (i.e. C, D, Am, Em, F, G etc etc) is good because you can try more songs.

Anyway, my tips would be:

1. Learn to tune it. Get a cheap digital tuner. You're going to have enough trouble getting a decent sound!

2. Make sure you are holding the thing right.

3. Play up and down strokes. I played a couple of years on downstokes only, and it took me ages to play properly!

4. Play it clean at the beginning of a jam, then whack up the volume and the so you are left with a satisfactory feeling when you finish playing and you want to come back for more.

5. Get a folder of stuff you are working on, so you have an idea what you're up to.

This guy has good advice.

http://tedvieira.com/index.html

Good luck

[Inu Yasha]

it's never too late to start, and it's not how long you've been playing, but how much you practice. i've been playing for a month and im obsessed with it. somesay i'm as good as my friend who's been playing for over a year. never give up

[Inu Yasha]

by the way, it's really easy to teach yourself so just go for it. if u got a question just ask a friend

Or us

and don't be afraid to use an amp.. REALLLY LOUD in your own house

[ausiemale]

I aggree. Use an amp.

It's great practice to play through an amp (acoustic or electric guitar) cause everything you do on the guitar comes out of the amp. So you can hear when you're letting strings ring out that shouldn't.

Don't be scared to ask advice of players at gigs. I get asked stuff all the time and I'm only too happy to show them how to play something or what gear I use.

You can never be too old to start. This isn't Jedi accademy

[Henkie007]

I should begin with teaching yourself, so you don't have to do the childish songs you get first, but if you improved I should begin with lessons...

[f_ames]

start off with an acoustic...its cheaper and you will play it alot more because you dont have to plug everything in and have cords in your way...plus you can take it place like on vacation or to school so you get more time in on it

[Marduk]

Honestly, the type of guitar you get should be based on the type of music you're playing. If you're playing rhythm, go with an accoustic. It's hella easy to play chords, and your fingers get used to it easier, since the strings are softer. If you're playing ANY hard rock, or plan on playing lead guitar, skip straight to an electric. Your calluses develop faster, and you can play around with distortion and effects a lot more on an electric. Also, you can't palm mute very well on an accoustic. If you like pm-ing, go for electric.

~Marduk

[lee_2004]

cheers

[cobraxt]

same