Guitar?

It''s very much fun, yeah. Learn by a) getting some good book that shows you some chords and some simple songs.
b) practice, practice, practice.

Many people (me included) had a rather slow start, but then it all takes off and you''re in heaven for a while.

Later, you''ll most likely get into a rut, and not feel you''re progressing. This can last for a year or so, but then it picks up again.

It''s still a good way of picking up women late at night after the clubs close.

2DNow - Specializing in yesterday''s technology today!  

Is playing the piano fun? Of course! And since you''ve been playing the piano for that long you don''t have to fuss much with learning music theory at all either - you know what chords are - now it''s just a matter of figuring out how to form them on a guitar. you now what scales are - not it''s just a matter of figure out how to finger them on the fretboard. No need to hash over time signatures, keys or arpeggios either.

Ok so you have access to a guitar. I''ll bet there''s a song/chord book somewhere around too. It doesn''t matter if the songs are all cheesy or what not either - all that matters are the chord diagrams with the fingerings (and if you don''t have a book you can find plenty of chord charts on the www). Start off with the easier chords -for example an open A minor (Am). Force your fretboard fingers - if you''re right handed that would mean your left hand - to conform to the fingerings for the Am chord and then strum away for as long as you can holding down the strings so the chord sounds right to your ear. Keep doing this until you can automatically form the chord without much fuss. Then move on to the next chord - E minor. The fingering is very similar so it shouldn''t be too difficult of a transition to make. Strum like hell on that chord too until it sounds good to your ears and you can automatically form that chord without much fussing either. Now that you have these two chords it''s time to practice switching between them. Start off easy - two measures of one, two measures of the other. Don''t worry if you loose time switching between them at the beginning - that is to be expected. Keep working on the transition until you can make it without loosing any time at all. Then shorten the duration - one measure of one chord, one measure of the other and so on. If you practice like hell everyday you should be able to get this down in about a week or so. Then move on to the next chord G. That one is a little tougher to get at first because it spans across the fret board - but it will sound really good with Am and Em so after you learn how to form it, work it into the transitions. After that move on to C and then to D and when you feel comfortable will all of those move on to F and Bm, A, E and B (as barre chords) and by that point you''ll be ready to play campfire songs at least. Don''t forget what you know about chords and keys from playing the piano either. C F G sound good together. C D G sounds good. A E B sound good. From there start mixing it up, find a scale book and work through it and before you know it you''ll be rocking with the best of ''em. Actually, at that point you should probably find yourself a teacher or at least a buddy or two who''s also learning. Don''t be afraid to try to play songs off the radio or mp3 or what not either. This pattern describes how I taught myself to play when I was 13. It might not be the "prescribed" way but it''s definitely a fun way and don''t ever let the riguers of schooling ruin your passion for the music.

Pretty similar to the way I taught myself when I was younger...

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DracosX:

Master of the General Protection Fault

Listen to LessBread''s advice and learn as many chords as you can. Then, learn the scales and which chords go along with them (that way, if you ever play someone, and they want to solo in G Major, you''ll be able to play some rhythm chords underneath). And the same is true the other way: if you know the scales, you can solo why someone else plays rhythm.

Oh, and if you have any aspirations of playing professionally, or playing with anyone else (outside of a small band), learn how to read music. I am in my school''s guitar ensemble (class + performance group), and it is really frustating because a large percentage of the class cannot read music well, which is partly the fault of their teachers.


|.dev-c++.|.the gimp.|.seti@home.|.try2hack.|.torn.|

Playing in a band is actually a good way of getting better. It kind of forces you to practise and become a better player. Particuarly if you join/start a band with another guitarist. That way you both will be always trying to show the other one up. Healthy competition is a good thing. Just my 2 cents.

Shamless Plug: My band''s website.

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Cool. Hehe, too bad my sis gave away her electric guitar... I think I''ll listen to LessBread. I already know how to make an A, E and G, from 6th grade music class. I don''t know if I can remember though... I can''t wait to start trying!

This should help get you motivated,

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pan narrans
Study + Hard Work + Loud Profanity = Good Code

The guitar is really fun, and is great for playing around, coz loads of people have guitars that you can show off your skills on. I have played for 10 years (since I was 7) and I am now pretty good. You just gotta practise and everything will fall into place :D

- Weasalmongler