How to learn how to play guitar (2 Viewers)

[SFBayDuck]

I got an acoustic guitar for Christmas. In 2023. Still haven’t taken it out of the case, but I’d like to change that. Anybody learned how to play guitar recently? I see apps and YouTube channels and obviously I could hire somebody. Just curious if anybody has been through this recently and might have some suggestions, either self-taught or via an instructor.

I don’t play any instruments, and haven’t since I was a kid when I played cello for three years and stand-up bass for one. I was told I had some natural abilities by my music teachers back then (the school music teacher tasked me with trying to figure out how the new synthesizer she got worked, even though I didn’t play piano), but that was 40 years ago so I don’t put too much stock in that! So I’m starting completely from scratch.

 

[Gatorade]

No help here. I bought one 30 years ago. Never learned to play and got rid of it a few years later.

 

[bigbottom]

I got an acoustic guitar for Christmas. In 2023. Still haven’t taken it out of the case, but I’d like to change that. Anybody learned how to play guitar recently? I see apps and YouTube channels and obviously I could hire somebody. Just curious if anybody has been through this recently and might have some suggestions, either self-taught or via an instructor.

I don’t play any instruments, and haven’t since I was a kid when I played cello for three years and stand-up bass for one. I was told I had some natural abilities by my music teachers back then (the school music teacher tasked me with trying to figure out how the new synthesizer she got worked, even though I didn’t play piano), but that was 40 years ago so I don’t put too much stock in that! So I’m starting completely from scratch.

It’s hard to learn an instrument late in life. And guitar has a bit of a learning curve, particularly an acoustic guitar that requires some finger strength and will hurt your finger tips until you build up some callouses. But if you stick with it, it can be an incredibly fun hobby. I’m not sure if he’s posting regularly, but @fatguyinalittlecoat is a success story in this regard. Picked it up a few years ago and is now playing publicly.

There are lots of great YouTube videos to learn song you like, and Justin Guitar is a great resource. And if you are really serious, I would suggest you start by taking private lessons. This will keep you committed and accountable, and an in person instructor will help you develop good habits from the start.

 

[Parrothead]

lessons... practice... lessons.... practice.. play every da till your fingers hurt bad.. practice. play every day.. eventually your fingers will form calloses on the tips, making playing much more enjoyable, then you can practice more.

lessons will teach you the basics- learn the fretboard. learn your chords.. then some theory- like your basic keys- learn how to play different chords up and down the neck.. learn bar chords and then the fretboard is yours.... learn a few scales and play them in different keys..

practice.. learn how to play some songs you like- play them often.. experiment in different keys.. practice

oh- make sure you use your pinkie finger- it is critical for acoustic..

 

[UncleZen]

For anyone just starting to learn, I always recommend buying an electric guitar. You can buy some relatively inexpensive electric guitars that will be just fine for learning on. They are way easier on your fingers. As already stated, you tube and private guitar lessons are the fastest way to learn. No shortcuts though. It just takes practice and more practice.

 

[bigbottom]

For anyone just starting to learn, I always recommend buying an electric guitar. You can buy some relatively inexpensive electric guitars that will be just fine for learning on. They are way easier on your fingers. As already stated, you tube and private guitar lessons are the fastest way to learn. No shortcuts though. It just takes practice and more practice.

Agreed. Much easier to learn on an electric guitar.

 

[dickey moe]

For anyone just starting to learn, I always recommend buying an electric guitar. You can buy some relatively inexpensive electric guitars that will be just fine for learning on. They are way easier on your fingers. As already stated, you tube and private guitar lessons are the fastest way to learn. No shortcuts though. It just takes practice and more practice.

Was going to post this suggestion if someone else didn't.

Also, if you really insist on starting out on acoustic guitar, try a cheap parlor-sized guitar like Recording King or something like that with a small neck rather than a classic guitar with a wide neck.

 

[Captain Cranks]

For anyone just starting to learn, I always recommend buying an electric guitar. You can buy some relatively inexpensive electric guitars that will be just fine for learning on. They are way easier on your fingers. As already stated, you tube and private guitar lessons are the fastest way to learn. No shortcuts though. It just takes practice and more practice.

I'd take this a step further and say buy Rocksmith, an Xbox or PC based video game that teaches you how to play. The electric guitar plugs into the game console/computer and senses what notes/chords you're playing. It's a fun way to learn.

 

[Jayrod]

I'd stay with the acoustic 1st because once you can play it, electric is very easy.

You should also start with light strings out the gate to help with the fingertip pain (although they break easier which can be frustrating).

Learn your chords and get used to strumming those, then you can build up from there.
Good luck!

 

[rockaction]

Harder later in life huh? Seems to be that way with everything except for one thing.

Anyhoo, I’m working on an obsolete TK3000 I guess. Kinda sucks, but it’s the model I got from the lot when they were passing out baby cakes I guess. Functional, less than sweet.

Good luck with the guitar! I’d love to take up piano, but that’s not happening due to aforementioned obsolescence.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Much like a speed bag, dribbling a basketball jumping rope, etc -

5 minutes every day >>>>> 10 hours once a week.


Acoustic is hard mode but still doable.

Electric - You can wear headphones and almost nobody can hear you “shred”

 

[higgins]

Do yourself a favor by starting out doing things you know you’ll enjoy (so you’ll stick with it): Get tablature for music you would LOVE to learn (relatively simple-sounding). Build on that with what others have suggested. You want to build momentum in enjoying it.

 

[beer 30]

Ask this guy, seems to have mastered it.

 

[tuffnutt]

Got my first guitar at 32... also acoustic. Cant really add much to what everyone else has said... just practice every day. learn your basic chord shapes and focus on getting up on your fingertips and playing chord crisp. Your fingers will hurt, but eventually they will callous. Learn G-D-C-A-minor and you can play ALOT of popular songs. Good luck! learning to play has been one of the greatest joys of my life.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Also, don’t get overwhelmed worrying about music theory or how you’ll ever get your fat fingers to cooperate. Eventually, the theory stuff will get clear and your fingers will be like little ballerinas.

 

[Riffraff]

Coming this Christmas 2025... SFBayDuck live in concert.
Over 1mil subscribers and living off the youtube ad residuals.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

Use the scroll at bottom for various musical genres.

 

[E Street Brat]

I remember having to use my right hand to place the fingers of my left hand in the correct positions, and thinking to myself. I'll never play this thing.

 

[SFBayDuck]

I remember having to use my right hand to place the fingers of my left hand in the correct positions, and thinking to myself. I'll never play this thing.

I'm sure that will be me.

 

[fatguyinalittlecoat]

I got an acoustic guitar for Christmas. In 2023. Still haven’t taken it out of the case, but I’d like to change that. Anybody learned how to play guitar recently? I see apps and YouTube channels and obviously I could hire somebody. Just curious if anybody has been through this recently and might have some suggestions, either self-taught or via an instructor.

I don’t play any instruments, and haven’t since I was a kid when I played cello for three years and stand-up bass for one. I was told I had some natural abilities by my music teachers back then (the school music teacher tasked me with trying to figure out how the new synthesizer she got worked, even though I didn’t play piano), but that was 40 years ago so I don’t put too much stock in that! So I’m starting completely from scratch.

It’s hard to learn an instrument late in life. And guitar has a bit of a learning curve, particularly an acoustic guitar that requires some finger strength and will hurt your finger tips until you build up some callouses. But if you stick with it, it can be an incredibly fun hobby. I’m not sure if he’s posting regularly, but @fatguyinalittlecoat is a success story in this regard. Picked it up a few years ago and is now playing publicly.

“Playing publicly” is a bit of a stretch - I’ve had two shows with the School of Rock Adult Band, with a bunch of other relative novices. It’s super fun though.

If you can’t afford lessons but you still want to be held accountable, find a friend and agree you have to send videos of yourself playing every month. That’s what me and @ToughAsNails did when we were getting started and it helped me a lot. OMG those first few videos were terrible but I got better.