Where to start?

G

Where did you start learning, are you self taught, did you go for lessons, etc..

With all the books, websites and videos, it seems a bit tricky to even know where to start.

Any advice will be appreciated.

nick

I learnt basic chords etc from this many years ago ?

Bob-Dubery

G wrote: Where did you start learning, are you self taught, did you go for lessons, etc..

With all the books, websites and videos, it seems a bit tricky to even know where to start.

Any advice will be appreciated.

There is a lot. And it can be confusing.

I got shown some rudimentary chords: C, G and D I think. Bought myself a guitar and started strumming along. At some point I got Am, Em, G7, D7 in there, then a couple of barre chords.

I wish I'd gone for lessons. I'd have learned more and quicker, and I'd have learned in a way where one thing builds on another rather than haphazardly.

RobK

There are a number of sites you can learn from, some good ones are even free. ? (try http://www.justinguitar.com) I started out browsing through them and also going through a few books, but I only saw real progress when I started with one-on-one lessons. I think it helps a lot if there's someone who can give you immediate feedback as you go along (at least it seems to be working for me).

Keira-WitherKay

yeah get a tutor.......

and one who has a reputation of teaching well......

often the most brilliant musician won't make a good tutor

and also be careful of learning from people barely or a hint advanced to you.... they may teach you many bad habits.......

books are good if you can have the self discipline to use them successfully and not skip the parts you feel you don't need or is too difficult to understand....

so yeah pitfalls everywhere.

but find a good tutor.... and he/she will guide you

G

Thanks for the replies.

I know some cords and can play along some more basic songs, but feel i might have sloppy a technique. How does one go about choosing a good tutor? Do you look at the style they play and go to them if you want to learn a similar style, or do you gauge them by the students they have taught?

Bob-Dubery

Asking around is good. If a teacher gets a lot of recommendations then that suggests that they are doing a good job. Ask at music shops as well.

Some teachers will not take beginners. Some will only take beginners. So try to get an idea of what level the teacher works at, and give an idea of what level you are at.