I’ve always wanted to be able to play the guitar but had no idea where to start. Does anybody have some helpful tips to guide me on my way?
That poster titled "Guitar Chords" is brilliant. Start with your open chords… C, A, G, E, D. Then, add a few minors. Am, Em, Dm. Then it’s on to barre chords. F, B. Then do those minor. Fm, Bm.
With those, you can play just about anything.
Also, learn guitar tabs. www.ultimate-guitar.com Some of the tabs will be horrible, some will be so well written that it’ll bring a tear to your eye. Tough to tell which are which when you’re starting, but I’m just trying to save you from the frustration that comes with the territory.
There’s two types of songs you should start with. First, and obviously, simple stuff. Hope you like Nirvana… Second, songs you love. If you can hear the song in your head without it being on, then you’ll know when you’ve got it down, just working off of tabs.
Once you’ve got that, you’re well on your way. Learn a few scales (pentatonic and harmonic major/minor, for starters) and see what you can pick up off of fellow musicians. Develop a voracious appetite for learning guitar and you will get there eventually.
And finally, PRACTICE!!!! What, did I hear you stop playing? Aw, your fingers hurt? Seriously, how many times did you play the second to last level before you beat the game? It’s the same thing, only so much more satisfying. Practice a LOT. When people complain, tell them to shove it (unless it’s your mom, dude) and maybe, just maybe, consider turning it down a bit. Then turn it back up when they go away, gradually, so they don’t notice as much.