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learning to play guitar

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Phrosty
Posts: 9956 - Karma: 18
How long does it usually take before someone can go from not playing guitar to being able to play simple tabs? I'm thinking about learning but I'm afraid it might just be too late to start.


Signatures are gay, and so are you.
May 19 2003 9:59PM
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Phrosty
Posts: 9956 - Karma: 18
o and also where does one start? Like personal lessons? Books? Screwing around? and what kind of guitar should I look for. really i have no idea what is going on.


Signatures are gay, and so are you.
May 19 2003 10:02PM
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bigskia
Posts: 3463 - Karma: 35
Find a teacher and ask him to teach you chords and songs instead of notes at first...then work your way into notes...songs are actually a lot easier than you think. green day has tons of easy songs,


----------------------------------------
Life's not a bitch,
Life is a beautiful women,
you only call her a bitch
because she won't let you get that pussy...-Aesop Rock
See all y'all at Session 3 of High North
May 19 2003 10:24PM
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ghettoprep
Posts: 1075 - Karma: 10
cyberfret.com is a great place to start. tons of free lessons and they help you get started if you have never played. It took me about 3 or 4 months to be able to play tabs good. but i learned other stuff first.

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-Nell Cop
May 19 2003 11:12PM
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ghettoprep
Posts: 1075 - Karma: 10
as for guitar depend on what kind of music you are into. what kind of stuff do you want to be able to play?

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-Nell Cop
May 19 2003 11:13PM
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drastic_
Posts: 518 - Karma: 11
Yamaha Pacifica is a good electric for cheap, Crate GFX amp is a good amp for cheap




Is there another word for synonym?
May 19 2003 11:49PM
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Ds91260
Posts: 9984 - Karma: 19
buy a book learn the basics, then just start playin songs u want to and just random ass shit and ull pick it up
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'i was grinding with this one guy at a gay bar called 'From Behind' and he had a huge boner' - Lateralis the great

'i knew a kid at 12 who didnt know how to masturbate, until i showed him el porno' - petek

Newschool Underground, cleanin up NS, one bitch at a time

**NEWSCHOOL UNDERGROUND**
May 19 2003 11:56PM
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mikee
Posts: 7813 - Karma: 5
Start out playing around with tabs and shit check out some cyberfret. I have A pacifica and its really good. feels good sounds good. I got it for 200 candian used without a scratch. Very nice beginner guitar. I can play all the punk shit easily now and I started writing good riffs and shit but now Im looking for some lessons to lern how to shred and play jazz and shit.

-MiKeE LiFsHiTz-

***NEWSCHOOL UNDERGROUND***
May 20 2003 1:35AM
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Ski_Instructor_Mike
Posts: 6146 - Karma: 73
just go into your local guitar shop and look around, you'll find a good deal if you look hard enough. you can learn to play by the end of the summer (start of school) for sure. forget about buying a book, get someone to teach you basic chords (A, A minor, E, Eminor, G, C, F and D) and how to read a tab with that you'll be able to play the rhythem guitar in most songs.

Learn 'horse with no name' first, it is freakin easy.
-Mike

Dude I was fine before you tried to turn me into a cake - me after ralphing after being antiqued
May 20 2003 3:00AM
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hucksterjibber15
Posts: 4255 - Karma: 11
ya, i taught myself, just learn how to read tabs and go to guitartabs.cc
i stole this icon from lateralis cuz it made me giggle. Some times when im alone, i like to grope myself. Pot is the cause and solution to all of lifes problems
May 20 2003 10:34AM
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Lateralis
Posts: 1228 - Karma: 332
^^^ THIS FUCKER IS PISSING ME OFF


President of the OTC!

Everybody, Lateralis drinks alcohol and smokes marijuana cigarettes. You're burned now, Lateralis! - halo

'ive been shavin since i was in 5th grade, yea the girls made fun of me then, but now they grovel at my feet just to pet me' - Alex aka Ds91260

**NEWSCHOOL UNDERGROUND**
May 20 2003 3:32PM
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wolfmansbro
Posts: 2155 - Karma: 137
its never to late to start. now is always a good time
May 20 2003 5:18PM
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enemy1080
Posts: 510 - Karma: 11
As far as how long it takes to learn something, it depends on how musical you are. I am pretty musical and it took me about a month to be able to play the basic stuff along with a few scales, but my friend has been playing for years and sucks. So really it depends on you. Lessons are always nice if you have the money and can find a good teacher. As far as a site, i use mxtabs.net this is a good site cause it has rated tabs so you know if something is going to suck or not. they also have all that theory horse shit if you get really bored and have lots of time on your hand. as far as a first guitar. buy one thats in your price range and that way you can always up grade it. the amp doesn't really matter just find a good deal.
Rocking Mother Fucking Roll!
May 20 2003 6:53PM
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WIfreeskier
Posts: 8125 - Karma: 65
I've been playing guitar for 5 years now. My first year, i had a guitar teacher, and he taught me the basics of chords, scales, and learning how to play rhythm and lead. After that, i taught myself and i'm pretty fucking good now. Learn to play on an Acoustic first, you'll be a much better player when you get an electric. That's what i did at least, now i have a new Fender American Series Stratocaster and a Crate GFX212+ amp, not too cheap, but it was worth it. Just start out with simple chords at first, then work your way into bar chords. Be sure to get really good at playing bar chords, then just look at simple tabs, and just figure things out. Once you're good enough, teach someone else to play the 12-bar blues, then you can play lead with them. Just keep on practicing, you'll get good over time. Now i can play any Hendrix song, and lotsa Metallica, pretty much any song. Lately i've been playing the solo parts of Metallica - 'One' and also just screwing around with playing lead and Jazz stuff. Stick with it, you'll have fun. Oh and by the way, chicks love guys that can play the guitar. once you're good enough, you can just sit on a bench outside and watch them flock around you, it's great.
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-I don't trust anything that bleeds for 7 days and doesn't die

HIGH NORTH SESSION 2!
May 20 2003 9:27PM
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weazelzb
Posts: 4454 - Karma: 12
im starting this summer


jigga say wha??
May 20 2003 9:35PM
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Triple_Strum
Posts: 6384 - Karma: 953
learning the guitar is all about how much time you put in a day. I played for about a year before I got really good(lots of leading, blues, etc) But I only played like an hour every couple of days. My friend picked it up and played for hours each day and was nasty good within a couple of months. Just like skiing, all about dedication. As for guitars, look at the post on the other thread
May 21 2003 2:32AM
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Ski_Instructor_Mike
Posts: 6146 - Karma: 73
and look for a guitar with a thinner neck and fretboard it'll be easyer to play, a lot of people have a ton of trouble just getting their hands into positions in the beginning
-Mike

Dude I was fine before you tried to turn me into a cake - me after ralphing after being antiqued
May 21 2003 2:32AM
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CTripper
Posts: 6520 - Karma: 20
this year i took a guitar class in school. I played for about 45 minutes each day, and picked it up pretty quickly. don't get serious about practicing, like don't tell yourself 'ok, now i must stop doing everything else and practice' but if you have a good time with it and actually try, you'll get it.
-chris
May 21 2003 11:02AM
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Phrosty
Posts: 9956 - Karma: 18
thaks for all the great advice, and if someone forgot to mention something keep it comming, the more info the better.


Signatures are gay, and so are you.
May 21 2003 7:42PM
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CTripper
Posts: 6520 - Karma: 20
yeah start out getting some easy tabs, listen to the song and stuff, but don't get worked over learning to play guitar, it is supposed to be fun.
-chris
May 21 2003 8:48PM
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ESB
Posts: 9274 - Karma: 10,648
Lessons are a great start for any instrument.

If you want an acoustic, I'd recommend Takamine... they kick ass.

I'm learning, too, and what I've found works best is to get a beginner's book and some chord charts. The book will teach you technique, and you can screw around learning different chords. Practice fingering scales as fast as possible, and switching chords as fast as possible. Always start slow, then build up your speed.. but dont slack off into a bad technique because it will hurt you in the long run.


KAMIKAZE: MAKING NS MORE CORRUPT ONE THREAD AT A TIME
*NSFD Station Chief*
May 22 2003 1:12AM
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wilkesyachtingco
Posts: 4425 - Karma: 41
i just want to second the idea that it is best to start off on an acoustic... it will make your fingers stronger, and will get you some gnar callouses on your fingers... its never too late to start...








-karma police arrest this girl. her hitler haircut is making me feel ill, and we have crashed her party-
May 22 2003 2:43AM
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Lebbo
Posts: 1258 - Karma: 6
O bought an acosutic guitar about jsut under a year ago. I have basically taught myself (had 2 lessons but they're so fucking expensive) and although I am no master I can play a few songs and have learnt a few chords. Just look around the internet for tabs to teach yourself. Ben Harper sopngs are excellent song to learn, especially on acoustic.

Acoustics are better to learn on co u got to press hard onthe strings which helps build strength in your fingers (also dont have to buy an amp).
May 22 2003 10:02AM
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snow-bunny
Posts: 571 - Karma: 10
get an acustic, so you can learn the basics and everything, then move onto electric

*~*SUPER BUNNY*~*

slow minded

olives taste good

how can a fat cow get all the way over the moon??
May 22 2003 12:20PM
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221
Posts: 3488 - Karma: 11
fuck guitar. too much skill required. you gotta bend your hands into all these hurty positions. play bass. way easier. but sounds like shite without guitar.

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'Dude, check out this nasty gouge.'
'Your mom has a nasty gouge.'

Turn up the cool. Turn down the suck!!!
May 22 2003 1:34PM
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deathbystereo163
Posts: 486 - Karma: 10
i took a class at school so i got a whole bunch of practice and stuff and i was playin a whole bunch of after a few months. take classes or lessons. i tried to use this book and it was hard. but once i took the class i learned so much faster and easier. guitar was easy for me. :)


DEATH BY STEREO IS THE BEST BAND!!
May 22 2003 4:29PM
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anomericas
Posts: 8237 - Karma: 61
I would say buy a squier strat pack for like 250, comes with a small amp and a guitar and chords and stuff, and just get a book and devote yourself to it. I taught myself how to play guitar just by practicing all the time. It's never too late to start... If you really enjoy it you'll probably be playing till you die. playing guitar kicks
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Accept no one's defitnition of your life: Define your self. Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim.
- Terrible One

JBarmb(lineskinj): east coast is to high strung
May 22 2003 9:19PM
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gordo
Posts: 1323 - Karma: 31
i would learn on an acoustic, but thats just how i learned. if you have a friend who can play have him show you whats up with tabs and have him teach you the basic cords. G,C,Am,Em ect... then from there go on to barre cords. ive been playing guitar for about 4 months and right now im at the point where im writing some descent stuff. but ive had a lot of musical exsperience. just put as much time into it as possible and have fun wiht it


'my choice is what i chose to do...and if im causin no harm it shouldnt bother you...' Ben harper
May 23 2003 12:08AM
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LoneBoarder
Posts: 104 - Karma: 10
Im currently learning to play as well.. in fact I just acquired an acoustic this afternoon...

My advice is to learn chords... thats what I've been doing. Maybe it helps that I know piano, but I've found that chords are much easier to learn then just reading tabs. Within a week I memorized like, 8 chords. Not to hard at all.

It's gonna take practice...
But hey, chicks love guitar players... I know this.. im a chick... and guitar players are sexy.
* Officially Not A Moron - Featuring the Matt Harvey Seal of Approval *


May 23 2003 12:29AM
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Phrosty
Posts: 9956 - Karma: 18
a yes, soon my challace will be overflowing with pimp juice.(that line better make it into someones signature or at least a greatest fourm posts collection). I think I'm gona start with an acoustic, I mostly just want to be able to play popular songs that people know and can sing along too.


Why do black people dislike me? If it wasn't for white dudes they would still be slaves.

And I'm sure I would own a few.
May 23 2003 1:01AM
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Ski_Instructor_Mike
Posts: 6146 - Karma: 73
I think I love you... haha nah, but it goes both ways. chicks with guitars are hot. and don't buy a squire pack. it comes with an amp right? bah it'll make a better seat then an amp.
-Mike

Dude I was fine before you tried to turn me into a cake - me after ralphing after being antiqued
May 23 2003 1:02AM
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-scot-
Posts: 8 - Karma: 10
i tried to learn on my own, but i got basically nowhere, then i got lessons, and now my challice is overflowing with pimp juice
May 30 2003 4:57PM
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dilla_says_go
Posts: 5333 - Karma: 168
buy a chord chart at your local shop for 4 bucks. its got everything you'll need to know. guitar is like skiing, the more you work at it the better you'll get. i taught myself how to play in about 2 or 3 months, and now im playing phish, sublime, and jack johnson

pirates. they just don't fuck around.

SMS session 4
May 30 2003 6:53PM
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SaraJ
Posts: 366 - Karma: 52
I learned how to play twinkle twinkle over the summer and all the guys crowded around me for 'moral support' while I was being taught, but I haven't played since then cause I don't have a guitar. Does it help to be able to read music when you learn, cause I can do that.

-Sara

*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
Member of the OTC!

Skiing is not for the simple minded, that's why they invented the snowboard.

skihood.com
May 30 2003 7:57PM
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_alli_
Posts: 1792 - Karma: 34
lessons are good to begin with, i actually just got my friend to teach me how to read tabs, then just went on my own from there, and i'm getting on fine, it all depends on how much time u put into it. I'd definitely recomend getting a chord book. I got one and it makes it a hell of alot easier and quicker to learn tabs.
Jul 3 2003 12:34AM
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l_KeViN_l
Posts: 2108 - Karma: 16
I memorized about 3 NOFX songs, a couple super easy blink songs, and some oldies but goodies only by picking it up and tabs.
________________________________________

----------------------420 Crew----------------------
________________________________________
Jul 3 2003 1:07AM
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nipe
Posts: 2586 - Karma: 6
hmm.. i aquired my dad's acoustic.. i know a couple chords but im gonna try and persue it more.. i play the violin once and awhile so at least i have some music theory shit in me
______________
seth

Fairygirl: Why must you be so damn good looking? Why?? lol
nipe: Thats right Diabhal, because we're skiers
Jul 5 2003 12:57AM
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shibby
Posts: 7088 - Karma: -19
hhmmmmm well to learn acoustic might be better because the chords are made out of nylon instead of metal so it pinches less. also the acoustic has a wider neck therefore your fingers aren't all crammed together. but electric is way funner to lay down some tunes.

i'd say get a teacher and when your not taking lessons just screw around a lot so that you have a good feel for the strings and can make your way around the guitar.

[D][O[M]
Jul 5 2003 8:35AM
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shibby
Posts: 7088 - Karma: -19
and if you have any musical backround such as playing piano it will be much easier.

[D][O[M]
Jul 5 2003 8:39AM
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weazelzb
Posts: 4454 - Karma: 12
im learnin.. its fun. i can play enter sandman... yay for me


hoked on foniks wurked fur me.kant u tel?
jigga say wha??


*OFFICIAL NS SQUID*

LISTEN TO GUNS N' ROSES
Jul 6 2003 8:41AM
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Phrosty
Posts: 9956 - Karma: 18
ok so I'm finally gona take the first step and buy a guitar, it's gona be an acoustic. Now For my fisr guitar I don't need or want the best or most expensive. I've been looking at a few that arn't too highly priced, they are 38 inchers, with STEEL STRINGS, BETULA TOP, LINDEN BINDING, GEARED TUNING. and what not. is that what I should get to just start with? all I wanna be able to do is play tabs to popular songs.



Have you ever been hit by a Uhaul?
Sep 4 2003 7:57AM
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enemy1080
Posts: 510 - Karma: 11
Umm I don't have a clue what all those things are that you just mentioned. When i bought my first guitar, I just looked for the closest one too my price range. It's always good to learn acoustic cause then your fingers are good and strong for elctric. Glad to hear you are taking the steps too learning the second best thing behind skiing. Good luck

Thats just my opinion

B.F.S.C

We do it froggy style!

Sep 5 2003 1:41AM
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Gdawg3
Posts: 1956 - Karma: 10
Get a cheap electric, that's what I did, it's a LOT easier to play chords and songs compared to acoustics, at least for beginners like us.


We have an old saying down on the bayou....Blehhhhh!!!
Sep 5 2003 1:54AM
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teresak2
Posts: 1344 - Karma: 11
i tried to teach myself, i got frustrated and failed miserably... hey, that allmost sounds like last ski season... DAMN IT


Live every day, like today is your last.

SEASON 04 --> Call me the bus driver, cuz im takin you to school!

NORTHEN REPRESENT
Sep 5 2003 2:04AM
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Phrosty
Posts: 9956 - Karma: 18
ok, well I think I'm gona get it, it's pretty cheap.


Have you ever been hit by a Uhaul?
Sep 5 2003 7:32AM
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Phrosty
Posts: 9956 - Karma: 18
well I bought one tonight, I think I got a good deal too,
38 INCH STEEL STRING BLACK ACOUSTIC GUITAR SET, FREE TUNER, FREE GIG BAG, FREE STRAP, FREE EXTRA SET OF STRINGS, STEEL STRINGS, BETULA TOP, LINDEN BINDING, GEARED TUNING




NS Fags:
666, linejibber550
Sep 6 2003 6:20AM
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Mykel
Posts: 1560 - Karma: 84
how about good pedals and shit...my guitar sounds shit when I try to lead into a new note while playng lead metal riffs....I can't reproduce the sounds I want
My future's so bright I gotta wear shades.

I miss my old signature.
Sep 6 2003 7:23AM
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anomericas
Posts: 8237 - Karma: 61
Uhhh, if he's just learing how to play it would be horrible for him to get pedals and stuff... Especially on an acoustic, he probably doesn't even have an amp or a pick-up. Either you really know nothing about guitars or you didn't read any of the posts.

Phrosty - Definately Listen to Killy802- Get a chord book and just start learning chords. Once you do that, you can go to and search for a song you want, then download the .crd (those are the chords for the song).
|Carl F-G|
____________________
Accept no one's defitnition of your life: Define your self. Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim.
- Terrible One
Sep 6 2003 5:54PM
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anomericas
Posts: 8237 - Karma: 61
Whoa, don't know what happened, but yeah just go to www.olga.net.
|Carl F-G|
____________________
Accept no one's defitnition of your life: Define your self. Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim.
- Terrible One
Sep 6 2003 5:54PM
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