Teaching myself gee-tar?

d8g3jdh · #1 05-18-2006, 09:30 PM

Ok gents, here's the situation. I leave to work at a camp in a month. As it stands I'm planning on taking my bass, but a thought popped into my head today. This could be a good opportunity to finally get around to learning guitar. Acoustic is much more condusive to the campfire and to traveling and whatnot. So I think I want to start learning. I'll start now, and do a little research, but after I leave I won't have access to a computer for most of the time. So...how feasible is it for me to try and learn guitar on my own over those 2 months? I mean, I can work on transcribing and whatnot fairly well, but learning chords will be tricky. Teacher is not an option.

Thoughts? Advice? Should I just screw it and take the bass?

ZombieGhosTrain · #2 05-18-2006, 10:49 PM

I say go for it. Buy a chord chart, so you have all the reference you need right there. As far as the physical playing skills, I'm teaching myself right now. It's not too bad, just keep on keepin' on.

Munjibunga · #3 05-19-2006, 12:12 AM

Who else would you self-teach besides yourself?

dharma · #4 05-19-2006, 03:53 AM

But Scott, the strings are so small.

**baba** · #5 05-19-2006, 08:25 AM

Actually, learning the chords is NOT tricky. It's very easy, you just keep practicing. Get a chord chart, start with the open major and minor chords, and get into barre chords. 7th chords you'll also find a bit in popular acoustic guitar music so learn those.

Aside from just fingering the chords and strumming them, find some easy popular songs that include a variety of chords and just crunch through them daily until your fingers feel like they want to bleed. You know, your 3 chord wonders that everyone knows like "Knocking On Heaven's Door" and "Gloria." Rinse, repeat.

XavierG · #6 05-19-2006, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

Who else would you self-teach besides yourself?

tplyons · #7 05-19-2006, 11:28 AM

It's not that bad. I've been teaching myself very half-assed for about three years. I just don't put much time and effort into it, but I'm finally going on good enough.

When I buckle down and start to learn, it's rather easy.

Two things I recommend: chord chart and the acoustic guitar white pages. Book of popular acoustic guitar tabs (just read the chord changes)

**MAJOR METAL** · #8 05-19-2006, 11:38 AM

Go for it !

d8g3jdh · #9 05-19-2006, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dharma

But Scott, the strings are so small.

I know! It's getting on my nerves.

I'm gonna go for it. Chord chart is a good idea, I suppose I'll pick one up. The thinnest pick that I have right now is still kinda big, should I pick up a nice thin one as well?

**baba** · #10 05-19-2006, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Zoltok

I'm gonna go for it. Chord chart is a good idea, I suppose I'll pick one up. The thinnest pick that I have right now is still kinda big, should I pick up a nice thin one as well?

Whatever, don't worry about the pick thickness right now. If the thick pick really bothers you, get a medium or lighter. Start learning chords and strum with your thumb and forefinger if you have to.

bigcardinal · #11 05-19-2006, 01:43 PM

Hey Scott,

I have been playing guitar since 1990 and just started on bass 2 years ago, so I guess I had the inverse learning experience. I've heard too many guitarists talk about how easy bass is ("no chords", "plunk-plunk" etc.) and I can say from personal experience that the transition was not that easy for me...there is indeed a very different mindset for the two instruments, not too mention differing technical issues.

Everyone learns differently but I can tell you that if you keep at it, you can become quite proficient in two months playing. I bought a book when I started on bass, "Bass Guitar for Dummies" and it was great...still use it. If the the guitar version of this book is anywhere near as good, then I would highly recommend picking up a copy. You already have a good background in the basics of music, rhythm, etc., (I'm assuming!) so many challenges that the beginner guitarist faces will be a cakewalk for you. I do recommend thinner picks for playing an acoustic guitar, too...thick ones are too aggresive sounding and harder on the strings.

I still play guitar alot, mostly fingerstyle acoustic and strumming, never electric anymore. I play it just as much as bass, and I find that techniques used for one can really help out on the other (ex. my acoustic fingerpicking made it alot easier to get 3 fingers happening with the bass).

have fun with it...best of luck

BassGod · #12 05-19-2006, 02:17 PM

Learning guitar has actually helped me immensely with bass. I've been playing for a few years, self-taught. Actually, I just recently bought a new guitar, which I couldn't be happier with.

The reason I bought a new acoustic instead of electric was actually because of the whole campfire thing. And I enjoy performing with my acoustic, as it's very easy to sing with.

I'll be buying an electric soon (a used ESP), but acoustic is certainly my favourite. I just finished learning Under The Bridge. It's a little harder on acoustic, but it sounds great.

If you want suggestions for a new guitar, feel free to ask. I've gained a wealth of knowledge from researching.

Graeme

BassGod · #13 05-19-2006, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Zoltok

I know! It's getting on my nerves.

I'm gonna go for it. Chord chart is a good idea, I suppose I'll pick one up. The thinnest pick that I have right now is still kinda big, should I pick up a nice thin one as well?

How big is the pick you're talking about? Personally, I only ever use Dunlop Gator Grip 0.96mm picks. I find this to be the perfect size for me. Flexible enough for strumming, stiff enough for leads. For more strum-oriented playing, you'll want a thinner pick.

Graeme

Rick Brienzo · #14 05-19-2006, 02:45 PM

How to become a guitar god in 2 months.

1. Learn Smoke On The Water

2. Learn the E and A chord

3. Learn the Power Chord

4. Learn the E blues scale in one position and one position only.

5. Learn some SRV licks

6. Learn to put your foot up on the monitor and wave your hair
around while playing SRV licks

7. Learn to talk to groupies and drink beer while the rest of the
band is loading your full stack.

8. If you plan on only playing the acoustic guitar, disregard all of
the above and just learn the first position chords and look
deeply into your groupies eyes while playing them. Waving
around your hair might help too!

BassGod · #15 05-19-2006, 02:52 PM

^^^^^^^^^

If you can play a sad song on acoustic guitar (I reccomend the Em - C - G - D progression), and have a good voice, women will swoon. Be sure to write sappy lyrics for bonus marks.

Graeme

d8g3jdh · #16 05-19-2006, 05:24 PM

Nah, my voice makes kittens cry.

The pick thing - I'm probably going to stick to acoustic, mostly strumming and whatnot. Plus I have thick strings, and I'm assuming that thick strings = thin pick? Is this correct?

And if I do get a chord chart, what should I make sure it has beyond major and minor chords?

BurningSkies · #17 05-19-2006, 06:01 PM

I opened this thread thinking you said 'key-tar' and was sorely disappointed by the lack of key-tar lameness

The thought of learing to play key-tar at camp does make me happy though.

Here's something to make up for it.

d8g3jdh · #18 05-19-2006, 10:55 PM

Ok, 2 questions about getting a chord chart:

-What chords should be on it? I'm thinking major, minor, 7ths. Anything else is icing on the cake. Or should I look for something more?

-Is there a good printable online sheet of chord charts that I could use? I'm kinda broke, with Uni coming up.

Freaky Fender · #19 05-19-2006, 11:25 PM

If you just want some campfire goodness, learn your basic open chords, barre chords (major and minor) and you're pretty much set. Oh, and bring a capo.

BassGod · #20 05-20-2006, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freaky Fender

If you just want some campfire goodness, learn your basic open chords, barre chords (major and minor) and you're pretty much set. Oh, and bring a capo.

Oh yeah, a capo is essential. I use the Planet Waves NS capo. The best one I've used yet.

I've never owned a chord chart, so I can't help you there.

And do you already own the guitar, or are you looking to buy one?

Graeme