Learning to play guitar

actually
i know nothing about guitar, but the fact that you alluded to John Locke makes me very happy for some reason
blank slate
love it

andu wrote: thanks a lot guys for the advices... i still haven't recovered after watching the video i've linked

^ I agree. One of the most valuable things you can do in the beginning is to just pick it up and experiment. Push your finger down on a string and then pluck it. Seee what it sounds ike, then try another until it's easy. You can learn about sheet music and tab and music theory from a book, but to really understand the instrument the best thing to do is just play.

Thanks for reviving the thread, Erik. The fact is that after I gave self learning a few tries last year, I quit. Both because I felt like an idiot (even the most beginner friendly learning materials were talking Chinese to me) and because important personal stuff was going on for me. Now, those latter issues have been solved () and I need something to fill some emptyness () here, so I'm thinking about giving the guitar another chance.
Thanks for the advice, btw how would that bow sound on an acoustic guitar?
I'm not the most creative guy so if I manage to get somewhere with the guitar, the first thing would be to learn songs. Then, if I progress enough, my goal would be to write songs for one guitar. The local scene here have only indie bands as emerging acts, nobody would join a progressive band.
Maybe I should pick up the bass instead and set up a band with Rico on keys and Uroboros on drums. That would kick serious ass . However we three live in extremely opposite corners of the country - the odds so are against Romania's first modern breakthrough prog act!

andu wrote: thanks a lot for the site adress. my hands are like this - the left one does the hard work, the simple tasks that need force; the right one does the tricky, complex tasks, that need mobility; it also lacks strenght. for example, i couldn't throw a rock with my right arm for over 20 meters, that i can easily do with the left; opposite, i just can't use the screwdriver with the left hand, and i can easily do it with the right. that's why i feel my right arm would not stand the extensive usage and would get tired very rapid, and my left couldn't handle the chords on the griff because it totally lacks mobility.

I suggest you to turn the string upside-down as on lefty guitar; I'm left-handed myself and I did it so. Otherwise you will progress up to one point and stuck there.
Of course it dependents what do you want to do with the guitar playing? Play and compose your own songs, play in a band, technically improve, sing-along on parties with friends?

You don't need any software, you even don't need books...of course, it easier with them, because they are (or rather, they could be) helping tools.

You need a little bit of theory and lots of practice...you're clever enough to develop on your own...and when you reach a certain level, you may help yourself with some advanced read - if you feel inclined towards jazz, for example. And then back to the developing on your own again...

Just never, never, give up the practice. Your will got blisters on your fingers, and you will cry the first time you'll try to hold the F major chord - for the next 30 days. Keep up the spirits.

Essential tip 1: you're Led Zeppelin fan, right? Get a violin bow.

Essential tip 2: Beware of the misleading advices of quasi-guitarists. Such is me

coleio wrote: www.ultimate-guitar.com Go on the lessons on that site.

indeed, lots of nice lessons for both advanced players and newbies there!

Well Andu, I can read only a little bit music so I started to read 'tablature' a few years ago, that is a great opportunity, I have worked on Mood For A Day and Horizons by Hackett, Dust In The Wind by Kansas, etc. it was fun because of world has opened for me, after all those years I make more progress than ever before , you should give it a try, perhaps to start with playing chords and then simple pieces.

Edited by erik neuteboom - March 30 2007 at 08:43

www.ultimate-guitar.com
Go on the lessons on that site.

thanks a lot guys for the advices...
i still haven't recovered after watching the video i've linked

The Guitar Handbook by Ralph Denyer is a great book for beginners.