How to learn guitar quickly and cheaply?

skintchick

I have decided I want to learn to play guitar. I'm fairly musical anyway, and before my daughter was born I was taking piano lessons, but now I have her it is very hard for me to go to weekly lessons as well as practice, as it is too noisy to do while she's asleep and when she's awake she wants to join in!

I got up to grade four in music theory but never took a practial playing exam in piano. I played brass at school but can't remeber doing any exams.

I sing, and have sung in bands, so I understand music and think that the guitar might be the answer for me, as I want to be able to play an instrument when I lead worship at my church. Currently I do it 'just' as a vocalist, with other musicians, and have done for some years, but it would be much easier if I could play something, which is why I started piano, but that was about 5 years ago and if I'm honest, I'm never going to be good enough at the piano.

So, I have ordered a cheapish electro-acoustic from amazon, it's an Encore, and a friend of mine is going to have a look at it for me when it arrrives to check it's all right.

Which bring me to my question, which is how to learn? My friends will happily teach me 'a few chords' but I am thinking I will need some structured plan to ensure I actually do it.

The guitar comes with a DVD but I don't know if that's the best way for me. What would people suggest? Are there any good online plans?

Also, do give me your opinions on the guitar I've bought http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004FKB0SC/ref=oss_product

Thanks!!

gordikin

There is nothing to beat practice...however QVC do a quick chord player I think?

BritRael

Encore are a low end guitar and it is not going to be the best to learn on. You would have been better off getting a friend to take you to a music shop and try some. But putting that to one side, as said above, practice (as with piano, or any skill for that matter) is the only way. To make it easier, I'd get a capo, and possition it up a few frets (3 ish). This will make it much easier to learn a few chords and get you started. Also, get some new strings. The thinnest E string at 0.010 will be light enough not to hurt your fingers too much. Or, change the strings to nylon and avoid the pain completely
I'd also recommend not trying to learn finger picking at this stage. Reason being, you will make lot of mistakes in your fretting hand. Therefore, if you are finger picking you will introduce another factor which will have mistakes and it will not be clear where the mistake is coming from. Better to simply finger a chord, then strum the strings and see if it sounds clear. Followed by picking the strings individually in turn. Again to hear if they are clean.

Whatever you do, you'll get out what you put in. You should try and practice every day. 20 minutes per day is much much better than 2 hours straight once a week/month.

Good luck

jeff_chandler

To be honest, the guitar to learn on makes no real difference.
I bought a Fender acoustic a few years ago and found it was very difficult using the fret board as it hurt my fingers. A friend told me to buy an electric. I purchased a Tanglewood Nevada, not the best by far but a decent make. I also was introduced to a web site run by a music tutor called Justin Sandercoe, I liked it so much I sent for his DVD beginners set which cost thirty quid. Since I bought that, I can play all sorts of tunes and I enjoy and am proud of what I have achieved in such a short space of time.http://www.justinguitar.com/en/BC-000-BeginnersCourse.php
He shows you the basic chords and in detail. Im a left hander and even I could understand it.
Enjoy.

Jeff

nonnatus

Hello,
I recently bought my teenage son a guitar like yours as he was begging for ages and it looked a reasonable price. I'll upgrade if it looks like he's getting serious!
He's actually really enjoying it and learning a lot from youtube instructional videos which cost nothing so perhaps worth a look?

Have fun anyway

BritRael

Just to add that Justin (mentioned in a reply above) does loads of free videos on youtube which are very good. I would recommend him as the best on youtube for beginners.

trumpton

You Tube has loads of good videos on how to play certain songs. I can also recommend the 'chord library' sites like Ultimate Guitar:

http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/

You can just search for the chords to a song you like. If you can read music and know music theory you have a good head start on most people so I wouldn't bother with a book for now, just learn a few chords and get started on some songs. Books tend to be expensive and it's often hard to find the one pitched at the right level.

I know that many teachers and schools use the 'Rock School' series of books if you really want a book to sit with.

I think a Yamaha at around £100 would have been a better choice as a beginners guitar. Amazon are good with returns - you can always send the Encore back if you aren't happy with the sound. A problem with buying over the web is that the guitar may not be set up correctly when it arrives, plus a lot depends on how the guitar feels as well as sounds. So trying out in a shop is better really to make sure you are comfortable with it.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Yamaha-F310-Acoustic-Guitar-Starter/dp/B000I1V5KA/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1304435981&sr=1-1

An electronic tuner is a good buy - it will save you lots of time. Good luck.

yakface77

Like you i also had the same desire, i have been playing now for 4 weeks. I can play about 5 songs (while singing) Just like the other posters have said, i echo 'ultimate guitar' website, and you tube, good songs to start are
1) house of the rising sun 2) wild thing

use you tube for 'chord exercises' and as soon as you feel the strumming patterns, you will be off. The web is awesome for this.
Best advice i can give, keep a notebook, practice your chords, practise just a few minutes here and there. make the chord shapes with yoru fingers even if you are not home.
Try to get a few buddies together to have a jam, it realy helps to motivate you and the others.
I now have 3 guitars, an acoustic, semi acoustic and an electric on the way. Try a basic guitar first, see if you like it then buy a decent guitar. Car boots usually are teeming with guitars and amps. good luck and let us know how you get on.

scooby088

I think everyone says go acoustic when they learning to play but electric is just as good to learn on plus you can get some decent electric combos for about £100. I am self taught and have been playing for about 15 years now, youtube seem to be good but you can use books too, there are some good ones out there

skintchick

THanks for all the replies. I take the point about it being best to go into a shop and try guitars but my guitar-playing friends don;t have time to do that with me, and I don;t really either as I have my little girl to look after, plus I have no idea what I am looking for! I thought a cheap one (my mate will check it's not entirely rubbish) would be a good start and I can always upgrade later.

I already have a weekly jam with my fellow worship leaders at church, so I'll be able to practice there and get help, plus I do intend to practice at home if it's quiet enough not to disturb my sleeping toddler. I might even be able to do it with her around in the day if I'm lucky.

THanks also for the link to the other guitar, but I wanted an electro-acoustic so if I get reasonably good I can start playing at church without needing another guitar.

I'm getting really excited now. I want to be playing in church by Christmas which I hope is a reasonable aim; I only mean playing some chords with another guitarist to cover my mistakes!

I really appreciate everyone's help.

skintchick

Just to update, I ended up getting this http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0039I03U2/ref=oss_product and my guitar-playing friends have played it and tuned it for me, and they think it's a really good buy for the money. It's very attractive, with a nice finish, low action, and sounds really nice, especially through an amp.

Just thought it might be of interest to others, as it's a reasonable price although doesn;t come with any accessories.