Starting out learning acoustic guitar

BIGREDIOWAN said:
I started to learn when I was about 17, then the guy that was teaching me moved and I stopped my lessons. I was just starting to build the calluses up on my left hand too. That was one of the more painful things through the whole process. Just holding the strings down right and getting your hand in the correct form was half the battle. I just recently wanted to start learning again, but I'm 30. Don't know if it's worth it now.
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Definitely worth it. At 40, you'll wish you had started at 30 - and you would have had 10 years of practice. At 50, you'll with you had started at 30 - and had 20 years of practice. At 60...well, you get the idea.

 
Plus, the older you get, the tougher it can become to play guitar. My father just recently turned 50 and his wrists can't handle playing the guitar for very long.

 
After a week and a half or so of pretty consistent playing I've gone from struggling with simple strumming patterns and barely being able to move from one chord to another without a few second break, to being able to averagely play these songs:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaEEEPU2MgA



I've also learned a good handful of chords and am being able to progress through them at a much faster rate.

P.S. - How long until i develop some calluses? My fingers are killing me.

 
AR Husker Fan said:
GSG5545 said:
AR Husker Fan said:
Probably the best self-teaching course I've ever seen is Metal Method.
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AR, I noticed this isn't the first time you've mentioned that website when someone asks about guitar. Did you actually use it or know someone who used it?
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Both. I found it to be better than the usual canned lessons - kind of a case of it showing things to keep you interested and not merely progressing from learning the notes to the cords to structure, etc. They put in things that keep your desire to practice up. I actually tried it when some members of a Boston (the band) discussion board I once ran recommended it - and these guys were damn good axe men. Of course, they also had one thing I lack, which is talent, but it still worked for me to make me at least competent.
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The more I read about the courses, the more I think I'd rather just go electric. It's not like I'm going to be sitting around a campfire playing Kumbaya

 
AR Husker Fan said:
Landlord of Memorial Stadium said:
***SNIP***
P.S. - How long until i develop some calluses? My fingers are killing me.
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Several weeks - and that's assuming you don't limit your practice/playing. If you do, add several more weeks.
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this.

and its amazing how fast you'll lose them if you take a break.

stop playing for a week or two, and be prepared for pain. its even worse once you know what youre doing and want to play a long time.

at least thats how it is for me...and i hardcore work with my hands for a living. playing calluses are some different beast i havent quite figured out yet.

 
Can anyone recommend a reasonably priced electric to start out with? I'm really considering doing the Metal Method thing.

 
Thread necro!

Thought I'd give an update on this in case anyone was interested. I was playing pretty heavily for about a month or so back when I started the thread, then I got busy and distracted and lost interest for a while. Started back up again about a month ago, just recently getting my calluses to a nice place. Anyways, I've been plucking away whenever I could and so far I've satisfactorily learned:

3AM - Matchbox 20

For the Moments I Feel Faint - Relient K

The Messenger - Linkin Park

Closing Time - Semisonic

Wonderwall - Oasis

I Want it That Way - Backstreet Boys

Good Riddance - Green Day

Mighty to Save - Chris Tomlin

Holy is the Lord - Chris Tomlin

Broken - Secondhand Serenade

You & Me - Lifehouse

Kountry Gentleman, Wobble - Family Force 5

a pretty modest list to be sure but it's sure been enjoyable!

 
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