Learning to play guitar.

[Lexicon]

So I have an electric guitar my awesome uncle gave me oh.. 3yrs ago. Finally trying to figure this thing out.
And moreover, music theory (I really hate that I can't read sheet music when singing- I just do it by ear, which means I need a demo beforehand if the song is unfamiliar).

I'm not much in the way of a kinesthetic learner; have shit coordination, but I'm willing to keep at it.

Just wondering, anyone have any tips? Books [I practically live beside the library], [free/online] video tutorials to recommend?
A few friends in the past have linked me useful things- I'll have to dig through my email for them, but if anyone has any additional info for a beginner, post it here!

Thanks in advance,

- Lex

 

[five sounds]

i taught myself to play guitar by looking up the chords to simple-ish songs that i liked, and then looking up the finger placement of each chord. this site was what i used: http://www.all-guitar-chords.com/

i thought it was important to learn chords so that i actually was learning how to play the instrument, not just where to put my fingers song by song. there are so many songs that are just a few simple chords, so it's rewarding to learn a song you know and like pretty quickly. i've tried to take lots of music lessons in my day (100% dropout rate), and that method was the best for me.

even though it's been a while, i can still pick up a guitar and i know most of the standard chords although i would never claim that i was a guitar player. so that's about how well that method worked for me

 

[Firebird 8118]

I once came across this site while browsing for online guitar lessons for my brother (which turned out to be in vain because he never plays it now ): http://www.guitarlessons.com/

Hope it helps!

 

[zago]

Learning guitar is easier than ever with youtube lessons and tabs readily available. The important thing is finding the right ones - that makes all the difference in how much you will actually practice and play. It is essential to find versions that are both fun to play and appropriately challenging.

This is a running word document I keep of my guitar efforts and where to find the lessons I've learned from. It is not complete, but I figure you could find some useful stuff here. I have put 5 stars ***** next to lessons that are particularly well broken down and easy enough for a beginner or intermediate player.

Just keep in mind, the first time you attempt something you will have to play it very slow and it won't even sound like the song. Over a few days, you'll improve. If you don't improve after a week or two, try an easier song and come back to it when you've improved.

-----

Songs I Can Play At Least Part Of On The Guitar

3rd Planet by Modest Mouse
A Day In The Life by The Beatles
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptVF7ZZZqyc (georgiarose16) (cover)
Band On The Run by Paul McCartney and the Wings
Barnacles by Ugly Casanova
Better Man by Pearl Jam
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAcbfcp1TSQ (Justin Sandercoe)
Blackbird by The Beatles
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAR8csOqzKQ (tripfuse04)*****
Broke by Modest Mouse
Broken by Seether Ft. Amy Lee
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZrAuc7_JGM (tripfuse04) (cover)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tyHFvHsH2o (tripfuse04)****
Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa by Vampire Weekend
Cast No Shadow by Oasis
Chop Suey by System Of A Down
Come As You Are by Nirvana
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvDLlxh88FM (mahalodotcom)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gd-8mWfYgFE (phacacamas guitar instrumental with tab)
Communist Daughter by Neutral Milk Hotel
Crash by Dave Matthews Band
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=094ut39_W6Q (rawtalentguitar)
Cross Bones Style by Cat Power
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wU291yKCbBE (cool music video)
http://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/c/cat_power/cross_bone_style_tab.htm (tab)
Custom Concern by Modest Mouse
Dark Center Of The Universe by Modest Mouse
Dear Prudence by The Beatles
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ErmV1mIF8A (pete thorn)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmnzMsEBdyA (Haylee Legg cool version)
Dec 27 by Talk Demonic
Don’t Speak by No Doubt
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0evEk_IOBI (HowToPlayGuitar2)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bM7wVtangkg (jaeger28)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ihp1kvv0uw (solo)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_RhTz9taWg (better solo lesson)
Drive by Incubus
Dust In The Wind by Kansas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbckL4UwYdc (tonedr)*****
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwFUJmHSq78 (awesome cover by Santimonse on 12 string)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9yxs307OH4 (solo)
Everlong by The Foo Fighters
Everywhere by Michelle Branch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83qZPIV6hNs (23bos711) (sexy cover)
Fade To Black by Metallica
Fire and Rain by James Taylor
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqGagNzr2Kc (Justin sandercoe)*****
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Atyo8UVNXmM&list=PL25E1C2B2FE50183F (garry Bryant) *****
Float On by Modest Mouse
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TzTQ5lL1E8 (cover, simple chords: C-A-Fmaj7) (Dan hardin)
Gallow’s Pole by Led Zeppelin
Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) by Green Day
Gravity Rides Everything by Modest Mouse
Heaven Beside You by Alice In Chains
Heart Of Gold by Neil Young
Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9L2u3CiYJZI (garry Bryant)*****
High And Dry by Radiohead
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPbiy-0uSAc (Jenn Morin cover)
Hotcha Girls by Ugly Casanova
Hotel California
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXzdbCHqI3I (tripfuse) *****
Hurt by Nine Inch Nails (Johnny Cash cover version)
I’m Looking Through You by The Beatles
In My Life by The Beatles
In The Aeroplane Over The Sea by Neutral Milk Hotel
Jigsaw Falling Into Place by Radiohead
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBbvRo5KtNM (warrenmusic)
Kicked It In The Sun by Built To Spill
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRa1oCd_LsU (babyfennel1000 excellent cover)
King Of Carrot Flowers by Neutral Milk Hotel
Landslide by Fleetwood Mac
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkdIfRDK-5g (Jenn Morin)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enjOjh5B4UA (marty guitar) *****
Lithium by Nirvana
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWrUVhsXe7o (mahalo)
Lord Only Knows by Beck
*Modern Love by Bloc Party
Name by The Goo Goo Dolls
Nothing Else Matters by Metallica
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrQcTSzGoVM (Justin sandercoe) *****
Nutshell by Alice In Chains
One Hand In My Pocket by Alanis Morisette
Out Of Gas by Modest Mouse
Paranoid Android by Radiohead
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0y54LgzQOj0 (Pete Thorn)
Perfect Disguise by Modest Mouse
Random Rules by The Silver Jews
Santa Monica by Everclear
Scar Tissue by The Red Hot Chili Peppers
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart’s Club Band by The Beatles
Simple Man by Lynyrd Skynyrd
Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QowMrrAxmGI (pachacamacs)
Something by The Beatles
Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRTAvyBMP-w (Justin Sandercoe)*****
Stay by Lisa Loeb
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LluyRj4LGyY (Jenn Morin)
Steeples by Dispatch
Stockholm Syndrome by Yo La Tengo
Stumbeline by The Smashing Pumpkins
Styrofoam Boots by Modest Mouse
Sweet Child Of Mine by Guns And Roses
Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkbI3J1Lq3g&list=PL39DD86FF7BF2A314&index=27 (tonedr)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EW3MBqeN6gE (marty)
There, There by Radiohead
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOe_j4qRWSg (bluski01 favorite cover)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZR_fVNCcgg (warrenmusic cover)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NlVLKKu3RM (warrenmusic lesson)
Trailer Trash by Modest Mouse
Walk With You by Dispatch
What It’s Like by Everlast
Which Will by Nick Drake
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3KKUnU3KJU (Jonn Dalton cover, played perfectly)
Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd
Wonderwall by Oasis
Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots by The Flaming Lips
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsvAOlXTFGU (my favorite cover)
You Were Meant For Me by Jewel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-z6ShjW49OU (mariaguitar)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5N3jMvjOyVo (julianaeveryday)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOTNHs_Yu6M (strummed, alyssia lopez)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-Qjxm-GWec (strummed, roxy king)
Zombie by The Cranberries
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTW0Wfr8L7I (Jenn Morin cover)


Songs I Want To Learn:

Black Water by The Doobie Brothers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9r9yihPwDs4 (tonedr) *
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gBxjifLwNs (tonedr cover)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ot3UMwAmYO8 (yourguitarsage) (more chordy, with some singing) (noodle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7ojX1JxgGE (tgaacousticlessons)(similar to tonedr’s, good channel)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkUSrq04Yv8 (guitarreference) (slight embellishment on tonedr)
Change the World by Eric Clapton
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsQpuW86QtU (aarontomberlin)
Creep by Radiohead
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JWcgSHJL4c (erinjanus)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuH6x1ObfAk (jayme dee)
Dock Of The Bay by Otis Redding
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwephzH7tfI (Jenn Morin)
Every Breath You Take by The Police
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAWy3qjLnQU (cifraclub) (wow)
The General
God Must Have Spent A Little More Time On You by NSYNC
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLgRTnWr3d4 (boyceavenue beautiful cover)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMl-eW2RO5M (0summerbreeze0) (cover)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVe_jDvCx64 (weksa) (intro lesson)
Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STmMjdseObc (Jenn Morin)
Hunger Strike by Temple of the Dog
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8HqbAVQl24 (guitarteachjc)
Ironic by Alanis Morisette
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6n5atDxoCGE (cifraclub)
Jumper by Third Eye Blind
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1P3MegpkaMI (boyceavenue cover)
Layla by Eric Clapton
Lose Yourself by Eminem
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_Jd0281H8U (mahalo)
One by Metallica
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgXuuwY5vVk (tripfuse04)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUSVPYhEvuI (tripfuse04 part 2)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIH3pbKH9fg (cifraclub – face melting guitar solo at 7:40)
Over the Hills and Far Away
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I13VEEkqeLI (Marty, good lesson)
Pumped Up Kicks by Foster The People
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTM6ZQcrQpg (mahalo)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlLU9_IGymg (jayme dee) (impressive cover)
Purple Haze
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzunEQPIs4o (yourguitarsage)
Redemption Song by Bob Marley
http://www.youtube.com/user/jennimo26?feature=watch (Jenn Morin)
Some Might Say by Oasis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Du-zdBV21Rc&list=PL4A4B872F34F03DA6&index=6 (georgiarose16)
Snow by The Red Hot Chili Peppers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdnSXna57PQ (mahalodotcom)
Street Spirit (Fade Out) by Radiohead
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89wgvOVm5Zo (warrenmusic)
Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton
Teenage Dream by Katy Perry
Tell Me Why by Neil Young
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IblXZhvMZyg (Neil Young Lesson Channel)
Until The Day I Die by Story Of The Year
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuWJco9eb0s (full band cover)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2EDXKdkWl8 (guitar duet)


 
Useful Youtube Channels

Garry Bryant
http://www.youtube.com/user/garrysguitar?feature=watch

Peter Last – Tons of nice Oasis and Beatles covers and tutorials, all strummed and sung. http://www.youtube.com/user/georgiarose16

Jenn Morin – Covers of some good songs
http://www.youtube.com/user/jennimo26

Justin Sandercoe – Hundreds of quality guitar lessons, broken down sufficiently to learn note by note
http://www.youtube.com/user/JustinSandercoeSongs






 
Songs With 2 Parts

Dec27 by Talk Demonic (see above)
Every Breath You Take by The Police (see above)
Until the Day I Die by Story Of The Year (see above)

 

[James W]

I recommend getting a tutor if you've got the scratch for it. Not only does it motivate you to practice, but you're more likely to nip bad habits in the bud straight up. Even little things like you way you hold a plectrum makes a world of difference in the long run. Been learning electric guitar for 2 months now myself and as great as online videos are these days, nothing beats face to face interaction with a professional.

Oh, and I wouldn't too much about sucking on the kinesthetic front, (or else there'd be no such thing as INxx musicians.) A lot of it just muscle memory, like riding a bike etc.

Best of luck.

 

[WALMART]

Find an easily accessible reference to basic chords - A, C, D, G, E, and so on. They sell pocket guides, print posters, or you can just read off your computer monitor.

Now look up common chord progressions (twelve bar blues or something) using your chart to figure out where your fingers go. Some songs you likely know by heart that use simple chords/progressions would be Hotel California, Stray Cat Strut, American Pie, and California Dreaming. Let your mind branch off, don't stick to playing any one song. The point is to get your fingers placed where you want, when you want, while learning the basic structure/sound of each chord. The music is only there for familiarity.

Then learn scales in different keys (do re mi fa etc). Chords are relative to the rhythm section, scales would be lead - needless to say, this is my favorite area of practice. Again, don't worry about tonality so much, the point is to learn the scales and increase finger dexterity. Play them forward, play them backward, start in the middle of the scale and work your way up, loop back to the bottom and touch the middle again... make up your own little tricks. You'll pick up what does and doesn't work as you practice.

Soon you'll understand how a song's "feel" comes together, and you'll be able to play anything while soloing literally forever (vs people who can only regurgitate).

Don't be surprised if it takes three months of regular practice until your fingers aren't raw and you don't sound like shit.

Basically what [MENTION=18819]five sounds[/MENTION] said in a nutshell. Oops.