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Thread: Learning to play guitar.

  1. #1
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    Default Learning to play guitar.

    Hello i'm Jeremy and i just recently got into guitar playing. I'm 16 and me and my friends are thinking about starting up a band. But the problem is, I can't play guitar to save my life. The other problem i'm currently having is that I bought a right handed guitar(i'm a lefty) and tried to learn to play that way. Well, that didn't work so now i'm selling my guitar and getting a left handed one this weekend. So, when I get it i'm going to need help learning it. Anyone have any tips for a beginner to share?

  2. #2
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    Hi Jeremy. I'm sure others will weigh in with better ideas than mine, but if you like Metallica, I might suggest learning some power chords. They're easy and will get you started playing something that is fun and sounds like music.

    I think that above all, you have to keep guitar playing fun. It takes time, and if it's miserable, you'll never want to put in the time. Maybe figure out a song your friends want to play and chip away at that until you make some headway.

    Regardless, welcome and good luck!
    Quote Originally Posted by Spudman
    Does anyone read the original post?
    Guitars: Gibson LP Studio, MIA Fender Precision, Carvin C350
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  3. #3
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    Sounds like a good idea. Thanks for the info and the warm welcome Eric.
    Metallica for Life


    1983 - Kill Em' All
    1984 - Ride the Lightning
    1986 - Master of Puppets
    1988 - ...And Justice for All
    1991 - Metallica(The Black Album)
    1996 - Load
    1997 - Re-Load
    2003 - St. Anger
    2008 - Death Magnetic

  4. #4
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    Just take your time, and if you get frustrated, walk away for a minute or two.

    I can't stress enough how important timing is for your rhythm playing. Buy a cheap metronome or drum machine. Use it every day!

    Start with the basics first, chords and rhythm. There are tons of free lessons on YouTube, and Robert and Mark Wein here have excellent lessons online. Guitar Academy and Moander here teach as well.

    If you have something that's frustrating you, post here about it. Someone will help!

    Oh, and as a Metallica fan, don't jump into their more complex tunes right away. James has an incredibly efficient picking hand, and some of the longer tunes can drive you nuts figuring out all the nuances of his playing.

    Have fun with it!
    Guitars:
    Fender 2006 MIM Fender Stratocaster HSS in 3TS
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  5. #5
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    I am going to try to develop some kind of practice schedule to use for a while. Also, since i'm a huge fan of metallica, if you had to pick some of their easiest songs to learn even just parts of, which songs would they be?
    Metallica for Life


    1983 - Kill Em' All
    1984 - Ride the Lightning
    1986 - Master of Puppets
    1988 - ...And Justice for All
    1991 - Metallica(The Black Album)
    1996 - Load
    1997 - Re-Load
    2003 - St. Anger
    2008 - Death Magnetic

  6. #6
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    Seek and Destroy

    For Whom the Bell Tolls

    Enter Sandman

    Fuel

    Those are the four off the top of my head.

    BTW, I'm a lefty that plays righty. It can be done, and I think lefties that play righty have a natural advantage with the most dextrous hand (left!) on the fretboard. It's awkward at first, but you get used to it after some work.
    Guitars:
    Fender 2006 MIM Fender Stratocaster HSS in 3TS
    Ibanez RG 570 with a bridge Invader
    ESP M II Deluxe with a Tune-o-Matic bridge
    Eleanor, the magical, mystical Road Worn wonder Tele
    Blackstar HT Club 40

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    Welcome Home (Sanitarium) is very easy for the verse, the chorus chord changes are hard(well very fast) but the verse is basically a simple 2-finger chord you move around unchanged. One of the first songs I ever learned, probably the first solo I ever learned. (Rather easy the solo as well). Fade to black has nice basic chords you must learn pretty soon anyway. And yeah, Enter Sandman is the bane of all music store owners everywhere...at least used to be. Simple.
    Dee

    "When life's a biatch, be a horny dog"

    Amps: Marshall JVM 410H w/ Plexi Cap mod, Choke Mod & Negative Feedback Removal mod, 4x12", Behringer GMX110, Amplitube 3/StealthPedal

    Half a dozen custom built/bastardized guitars all with EMG's, mostly 85's, Ibanez Artwood acoustic & Yamaha SGR bass, Epiphone Prophecy SG, Vox Wah, Pitchblack tuner plus assorted pedals, rack gear etc. for home studio use.

  8. #8
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    Am I Evil is a great metallica song - heavy and not too much speed until the 2nd half of the song. Metallica is the band that I first played 25 years ago!
    Dave
    Guitars: Ibanez AF-75, Schecter Solo-6 Custom, Douglas SG
    Amps: Fender Princeton 65, Marshall AVT50
    Pedals: Metal Muff, MXR Smart Gate, EHX Cathedral Reverb, Digitech RP-255

  9. #9
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    If you play air guitar lefty, play real guitar lefty. The more natural position is the correct one. It takes more dexterity to pick than to fret.
    LeftyGuitarTrader (dot) com
    The Best place on the net for the left-handed guitarist!

  10. #10
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    if it helps, learn some black sabbath, a little bit of old school but the best school haha. helps your fingering and timing also get a style you can pick up on
    “My vocation is more in composition really than anything else - building up harmonies using the guitar, orchestrating the guitar like an army, a guitar army.”
    -Jimi page

  11. #11
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    I can't stress enough how important persistence is when picking up the guitar. You have a desire to play - the only left to do is to learn how to play. It's not easy (unless you're a natural of course ) and you need to be able to play something over and over and over until you get it right.

    It's time consuming and you'll get better over time. There is no feeling like finally getting something down that you struggled with. So be ready to stick with it and put in the time - it'll come.

    I'm a lefty too but play right handed. I always have though. You've got to play however it feels natural to you.
    Dave
    Guitars: Ibanez AF-75, Schecter Solo-6 Custom, Douglas SG
    Amps: Fender Princeton 65, Marshall AVT50
    Pedals: Metal Muff, MXR Smart Gate, EHX Cathedral Reverb, Digitech RP-255

  12. #12
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    Hey dude, good to see another metallica fan on here \m/ I actually have some very cool metal instructional material in digital format. If you're interested PM me and I'll hook you up.
    Keep it metal
    My gear:

    Jackson RR3
    ESP/LTD M-200 - For Sale PM for details
    Monterey Stage Series Strat copy

    Ibanez TBX150H Head + Cab

    Like melodic, groovy metal? Check out my band Trinatyde on facebook/myspace

  13. #13
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    One of the best investments you can get is buy a guitar stand and leave it in your living room (or the place you spend the most time) and you will find yourself always picking it up and practicing
    Music Teach's You Everything School Can't!

    "Guitars sing through the heart and soul alone but need you to put the feeling and passion into the music." Cavell Clearwater (GREENMACHINE)

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    ...and where the kids and pets can knock 'em over and guide you into the art of repairing guitars as well...:-)
    Dee

    "When life's a biatch, be a horny dog"

    Amps: Marshall JVM 410H w/ Plexi Cap mod, Choke Mod & Negative Feedback Removal mod, 4x12", Behringer GMX110, Amplitube 3/StealthPedal

    Half a dozen custom built/bastardized guitars all with EMG's, mostly 85's, Ibanez Artwood acoustic & Yamaha SGR bass, Epiphone Prophecy SG, Vox Wah, Pitchblack tuner plus assorted pedals, rack gear etc. for home studio use.

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by deeaa View Post
    Welcome Home (Sanitarium) is very easy for the verse, the chorus chord changes are hard(well very fast) but the verse is basically a simple 2-finger chord you move around unchanged. One of the first songs I ever learned, probably the first solo I ever learned. (Rather easy the solo as well). Fade to black has nice basic guitar chords you must learn pretty soon anyway. And yeah, Enter Sandman is the bane of all music store owners everywhere...at least used to be. Simple.
    I am a newbie too, here in forum and in learning guitar. My friend is teaching me how to play the Enter Sandman by Metallica because they said it is the easiest.

  16. #16
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    Truefire.com is a great online resource for learning guitar

  17. #17
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    Dont forget youtube i learn most of my guitar skills from there

  18. #18
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    Hey! welcome. definitely go on youtube..there are some helpful vids for beginners. Try twinkle twinkle little star. Then you can try the simple version of Hey There Delilah.

  19. #19
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    Truefire looks like a very good site!

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