Reply #32: I taught myself

[porkrind]

Just like you, I decided I wanted to learn how to play, so I went to a pawn shop and bought a cheap used electric, and the rest is history. :) I didn't know anything about it, even how to tune it. I didn't know anything about music, either, except that I had been in a couple of choirs. All I had was an appreciation of rock/metal style music. I started with simple sheet music with chords, and learned all the chord positions. Then I bought a book with some theory and learned more chords and some fingerstyle techniques. A long time later, I started into scales.

IMHO, scale theory is where the real treasure is to be found. I have played in a lot of bands, and had lots of gigs, and lots of fun, and I'm finally reaching "shredder" status. Some of the best Friends I have, I have because we share a love of the guitar. The guitar is a truly special instrument. Of course you know that already, that's why you're drawn to it the same way I was. :) Come on over to the DU musician's group forum and we'll treat you right. :) Having done what you are doing, I can offer the following advice:

1) Go for it!!! Go buy one tomorrow. You couldn't make a better decision than to pick up the guitar as a hobby. The guitar is a companion, a lifelong Friend, a puzzle of infinite complexity, a harsh taskmaster, and a thing of unspeakable beauty. Lucky you, most people will sadly never be interested in it.

2) You CAN teach yourself. I'm a person who likes figuring things out myself, so I didn't WANT any instruction. I'm difficult that way. :) It's easy.

3) Electric or acoustic: doesn't matter. At some point you will own several of both. :) An acoustic can be as easy as an electric to play, just tune the strings down 4 or 5 half-steps to take some of the tension out of the strings. This will make it easier on your virgin fingers.

4) If you can, go shopping with a guitarist, so they can check the instrument out and make sure it's straight, and plays well. You don't have to spend a lot, but it is important that you have a good instrument. If you are a mechanically inclined person with an eye for quality, you will know a good guitar by looking at it.

5) Get some instruction and theory books. Start with learning how to tune it. Then learn all the basic chords and their names. Develop some strumming techniques. Then learn barre chords. Then learn some right-hand picking techniques. Then delve into the wonderful world of scales. Understanding scales unlocks how chords are constructed. SCALE THEORY AND PRACTICE CANNOT BE OVEREMPHASIZED!!! From these single notes come an astounding array of intervals and an infinitude of chords and their inversions. You will learn the major and several minor scales, and the modes, which are really just inversions of the major scale. There are also lots of synthetic and exotic ethnic scales that are very cool. Once you've played these scales a million times, you intuitively know how they sound and you can improvise anything you can think. At this point you should also learn to read music.

6) Never compare yourself to other musicians. There are ALWAYS lots of guitarists that will never be as skilled as. There are also lots you will be more skilled than. Don't get into that mode of thinking. Just have fun and be positive. Be creative and start inventing your own music.