smq
Rocker Rollin'
Posts: 257 
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Post by smq on Jan 1, 2018 18:32:34 GMT
While having few regrets in life, at 51 (nearly 52) my New Year resolution is to have a proper go at learning to play the guitar as I’ve always wished I had tried seriously earlier. Literally know next to nothing and using a basic acoustic. Any advice would be much appreciated as I know the board has many knowledgeable guitarists. Really hoping I can avoid the five up after three weeks syndrome!
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Post by Whoppa Choppa on Jan 1, 2018 18:52:13 GMT
Get a song that you really want to learn, and search the net for tabulature (tabs) for that song. Any Quo-song, you'd get the help here...  Best of luck your way! What kind of guitar are you using btw?? * I really must learn when a blind man cries....* Sit in front of the telly when learning the changing of the chords... It worked for me!  |
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Post by 4th Chord on Jan 1, 2018 19:00:29 GMT
As you're no longer a spring chicken, pay for professional leassons. And never give up. What are leassons? Do they attach to the bridge? |
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Post by 4th Chord on Jan 1, 2018 19:47:49 GMT
What are leassons? Do they attach to the bridge? Shut it, tit...or the booted boney thing attached to the end of my leg will make a short, sharp connection with the collection of soft, dangly objects in your trousers. Happy new year to you too!  |
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Post by Victor on Jan 1, 2018 20:00:30 GMT
When mentioned syndrome turns up, do not give in to it. Hang on through it and it will get easier. As Davy said, never give up. Your fingers will hurt in the beginning, that´s the hardest stage, once you get through that, it becomes quite a bit easier.
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Post by curiousgirl on Jan 1, 2018 20:56:50 GMT
Yes, to having some lessons to get you going. They will make you practice between each one, to get your money's worth.
But I also noticed this at Christmas because my young nephew got a guitar he'd asked for. He wanted to learn both the chords and a song simultaneously whilst not actually knowing either. Its very frustrating and hard on your brain to try and learn these two things simultaneously. You need to break it down.
I tried to explain that he needed to be comfortable with the chords first. He needed to be able to move between say 3 chords without having to watch exactly where to place his fingers. And then move on to learning the song. Of course, its less fun simply learning chords and moving between them. But once you've mastered that - and the sore fingers as they toughen up - then applying chords, 3 or more to actual songs, is far more rewarding.
Good luck. I hope you succeed.
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Post by Railroad17 on Jan 2, 2018 12:33:50 GMT
This bloke seems to know a bit about it.
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Post by Railroad17 on Jan 2, 2018 12:35:51 GMT
There's him as well.
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smq
Rocker Rollin'
Posts: 257
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Post by smq on Jan 2, 2018 14:18:57 GMT
Thanks all! Indeed, I am no “spring chicken” (thanks for that 😂) and am looking into finding someone locally to take some lessons. My youngest son plays a bit and has got me started on a couple of basic chords and I’ve found some basic online videos so was planning to get a little more competent before paying for tuition (as well as toughening up my girlie fingertips - can only seem to do about 10 minutes at a time at present before strings are seeemingly close to chopping my fingertips off!)
I’m just using a very modest steel strung acoustic guitar at present and unfortunately I am nowhere near being able to strum a basic tune! Literally at the forming chords stage and struggling to avoid dampening the strings as my son keeps telling me 😟
I’m fairly determined to persevere with this and will let you know how I’m doing in a month or two........
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smq
Rocker Rollin'
Posts: 257
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Post by smq on Jan 2, 2018 20:25:57 GMT
Cheers Davy. Yes, I think it was a fairly cheap/basic one my wife used to play to the kids when she was a nursery teacher! “Wheels on the bus” kind of stuff. Probably the action is too high but I’ve got nothing to compare it with really. Been working through these online videos tonight and starting to strum a bit better and sounding vaguely musical. Also discovered how easy it is to tune the guitar using an app on the iPad (probably why I sound a bit better 😂)
Quite exciting really to be learning something new. Thanks again for all the encouragement 🎸
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Post by Whoppa Choppa on Jan 2, 2018 21:06:31 GMT
Cheers Davy. Yes, I think it was a fairly cheap/basic one my wife used to play to the kids when she was a nursery teacher! “Wheels on the bus” kind of stuff. Probably the action is too high but I’ve got nothing to compare it with really. Been working through these online videos tonight and starting to strum a bit better and sounding vaguely musical. Also discovered how easy it is to tune the guitar using an app on the iPad (probably why I sound a bit better 😂) Quite exciting really to be learning something new. Thanks again for all the encouragement 🎸 Bin it and get yer arse to the guitar shop. You can get a good, playable acoustic like a Yamaha for £90-£100. It'll make all the difference. Go try some out. You'll be surprised at what's out there for not much dosh. Yep! A correct adjusted guitar makes a hell of a difference... My Tele was unfeckingplayable for some ten years, (78 CBS, knao wot ah meen) then I found a great luthier thanks to a great friend... I told the luthier that I'd like the setup to be like Rev. R. Parfitt, and told him the string gauges. 4 days later I picked the dreaded wood up from his shop... First chord went bang from the neck up my left elbow. Amazing! I play better now than before thanks to that monster setup and adjustment... So go out and get a decent piece! It will get so much easier! |
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smq
Rocker Rollin'
Posts: 257
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Post by smq on Jan 2, 2018 21:49:37 GMT
Cheers Davy. Yes, I think it was a fairly cheap/basic one my wife used to play to the kids when she was a nursery teacher! “Wheels on the bus” kind of stuff. Probably the action is too high but I’ve got nothing to compare it with really. Been working through these online videos tonight and starting to strum a bit better and sounding vaguely musical. Also discovered how easy it is to tune the guitar using an app on the iPad (probably why I sound a bit better 😂) Quite exciting really to be learning something new. Thanks again for all the encouragement 🎸 Bin it and get yer arse to the guitar shop. You can get a good, playable acoustic like a Yamaha for £90-£100. It'll make all the difference. Go try some out. You'll be surprised at what's out there for not much dosh. I think I will. Have been trying out my son’s electro-acoustic and the strings are definitely closer to the fretboard although the neck is narrower so I’m struggling to avoid dampening. Thinking that a wider neck but strings closer to fretboard will help. Someone told me that nylon strings are easier? Suspect they probably don’t sound so good though....? Think we may have hit upon a 52nd birthday present 😀 Anything else to look for when buying please? I’m going to stay acoustic for now I think |
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Post by 4th Chord on Jan 2, 2018 22:05:08 GMT
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smq
Rocker Rollin'
Posts: 257
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Post by smq on Jan 2, 2018 22:11:24 GMT
There’s a great shop in Brighton (GAK - guitar amp and keyboard shop). Will head down at the weekend and try a few out. Will probably clear the shop as I strum along to the only chord I’m half competent at (E minor I think) 😬
Prices seem to range from £70-1000. I’m guessing upper end for experts so £200-300 should get me something pretty decent? You sure about the nylon strings 😏?
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Post by Mrs Flittersnoop on Jan 2, 2018 23:44:28 GMT
E minor to D and back again. Minimum fingers PS C is a b***er. There's always something. No! No! Just checked. That's G. C is OK. You'll need G as well though. |
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Best of luck your way!
