Welcome to the Forum!
Daler wrote
Welcome ? I picked up a guitar for the first time in January of last year and this forum is very helpful. To re-iterate some of the previous comments:
1) Get a mentor/teacher. Yesterday in my own weekly lesson I needed advioce on how to play the 9th chord (5th string root) correctly as I was really battling. My teacher adjusted my thumb position immediately and now I can (well sort of ?)play that chord. Bad technique is hard to unlearn so get instruction, at least in the beginning.
2) You will not be Mark Knopler tomorrow. Accept that it is a gradual process and it is not talent, but hard work and dedication that will reap the rewards. Don't be too hard on yourself in the beginning.
3) 15 minutes a day is better than 2 hours once off each Friday night.
4) Your fingers will be sore in the beginning. It does get better after about a month.
5) Don't practice only the stuff you can do, spend more time on the stuff you cant.
6) Justinguitar is a great site, as is Guitarjamz and numerous others. Use technology as there are some fantastic apps for guitarists these days.
7) Put your guitar on a stand where it is in reach so that it is easy to pick it up and strum whenever an opportunity arises. Don't put it in a cupboard at the top of the stairs.
8) Learn the 1st position of the minor pentatonic scale as soon as you can. Then practice this scale as much as you can. Not only is this a great scale every guitarist should know, it is also the best way to build finger dexterity and co-ordinate left and right hand in my opinion. When you are too bored of that shape, learn the other 4 positions, then move on to modes etc etc. I found that practicing scales also did wonders for my basic chord changing.
9) Everybody sucks in the beginning. Even Clapton must have butchered brown eyed girl or Knocking on heavens door at first.
10) Have fun and persevere. Today you might think that Barre Chords are impossible. In a few months you will wonder what the problem was. You will never master any instrument. There is always some area you can improve on, and that ultimately is what makes it so fulfilling and enjoyable.
Give it horns 8)
Sho , some good tips in here !
