Picking up a new hobby

[Rhode Island Red]

I have been having an overwhelming urge to pick up music again so I decided on the elec. guitar after talking with my brother. I picked up a Right handed Made in Mexico Fender Standard HSS Stratacaster (FAT Strat) It is black with a Rosewood Fretboard. I mention Right hand as I'm a lefty as is my brother.

Considering I am a blank slate, I wonder how I will probgress. wish me luck

[Jeff_in_Atl]

As you can tell from my avitar I am partial to the Les Paul.
3 things,
1. Learn the major chords. More importantly learn to switch back and forth between them. A, C, D, F, G
http://www.all-guitar-chords.com/
2. As boring as they are learn the scales. When you hear somone playing a run where they start low and end high all that is is a scale. Up 3 notes down 1 note, then up 3 down 1 up 3 down 1.
Start with the C scale at the 0 position.
http://www.all-guitar-chords.com/gui...2=Get&choice=1
Then move it up to the 12 position and you look like a pro.
http://www.all-guitar-chords.com/gui...2=Get&choice=1
Now at the 12 position play E F G then go down 1 note back to F then G then A then down 1 to G A B A B C B C D C D E D E F well you get it. up 3 down 1 up 3 down 1 bla bla bla
3. Bar chords are your friend to playing quickly. After a few you get the claw. Your hand cramps and pulls into a deformed claw. LOL
http://guitarsecrets.com/bar_chords.htm

[Joe 1320]

Congrats on you endeavor........ playing music is a blast.

[Joshu]

Like Jeff said alot of it is motor function. Practice transitioning between the chords. The usual chord learning progression goes A, G, E minor, D, C, F. Looking back C was a bitch. F is still a bitch I am dealing with. I am a lefty playing a righty guitar and its ok, I can't see there being a difference even if I picked up a lefty. Plus there will be more guitars for you to choose as a righty.

[Rhode Island Red]

Thanks for the tips and links. From what I've been told was that practicing the chords to ad nauseum will be pretty much it for a while. After getting the chords down then comes the scales.

Funny thing is Ace, my dog, starts to howl on the lower base notes

[wolfdogs]

want me to sing!?

[Happy_Dan]

want me to sing!?

NO!!
Please NO!!!

[Joe 1320]

NO!!
Please NO!!!

You are wise......


besides, it's more like a howl anyway.

[Happy_Dan]

If Ken sings, I will take out my accordian.

[Jeff_in_Atl]

You are wise......


besides, it's more like a howl anyway.

So did Ken teach the wolf dog or the other way around?

[Rhode Island Red]

guitar came in Waiting for my amp as it's on backorder. I have to go buy some books to teach myself now.... starting at the very basics like "those 6 long things are called strings" ...

[RAF7789]

Learning to read music is much like learning a second language. Reading tablatures (tabs) is much easier and there are many websites that have guitar tabs for many popular songs.

As tabs are a good way for a beginner to learn songs, I would still recommend learning to read music though. Good luck and happy strumming!

[Rhode Island Red]

Well, time to give an update. Had my 4th lesson Tuesday. Started in August. calluses are building. up. Working on Fretwork, Remembering where all the note are on each string, some practice 1234 on each string, then backwards, then move up a fret and repeat till the 12th, then go back down to the 1st fret. Practicing a E pentatonic (open, 3rd then open, 2nd, etc) . Now learning a beat and transitioning between the 7 major chords (Fmaj is a pain for me) . Now it is beginning to sound like music now that I'm on chords. Safe to say I'm liking it more. My instructor recommended some Neil Young books to practice with. Should be getting some chili peppers books in this week safe to say even 30+ year Base players say that playing that is beyond them (Flea)! looks like I have high expectations.

Figure It will take a year if not more. Who needs TV! Gotta laugh @ my dad. He's learning the BAGPIPES.. they take 7 years to get decent! (He got a pair in Edinburgh while we were on vacation)

[Jeff_in_Atl]

Hey in a few years ya'll can play "Its A Long Way To The Top" by AC-DC together.

[Joshu]

Hey in a few years ya'll can play "Its A Long Way To The Top" by AC-DC together.

I thought the same thing!