orange-utan
New member
i have been playing the piano. i dont really want to get a guitar teacher, is the guitar easy to learn?
is it possible to self teach how to play the guitar?
- Thread starter orange-utan
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vickomaniac
New member
i have many friends who learn from ultimate-guitar.com
and they laugh at me cos i have a teacher,
but i wanted a teacher cos he can teach me alot more and correct my mistakes which a website cannot do.
and they laugh at me cos i have a teacher,
but i wanted a teacher cos he can teach me alot more and correct my mistakes which a website cannot do.
billthegeek
New member
Possible. Learn through friends who know how to play, as well as useful websites. And since you already know how to play the piano, so I assume you have already grasped fundamental music theory.
Just google keywords like "beginner guitar lessons" or something like that and you should find a few useful websites. Beginners usually start with playing the basic chords. It is also highly advisable to practice some finger exercise to strengthen your fingers.
Guitar can be easy, if you are into simple strum-and-sing-along. It is difficult if you venture into lead playing and other higher level stuff.
Just google keywords like "beginner guitar lessons" or something like that and you should find a few useful websites. Beginners usually start with playing the basic chords. It is also highly advisable to practice some finger exercise to strengthen your fingers.
Guitar can be easy, if you are into simple strum-and-sing-along. It is difficult if you venture into lead playing and other higher level stuff.
Teachers can help you pace yourself and help with discipline when you practice.
But of course it's possible to teach yourself as long as you take it slowly at some point. I think learning the guitar requires less speed more haste. Never underestimate the power of slow, that's what my teacher said, lol. Find a couple of friends that are skilled in the guitar to help you incase you develop some wrong techniques along the way.
But of course it's possible to teach yourself as long as you take it slowly at some point. I think learning the guitar requires less speed more haste. Never underestimate the power of slow, that's what my teacher said, lol. Find a couple of friends that are skilled in the guitar to help you incase you develop some wrong techniques along the way.
IbanezFreak
New member
no offence,but i know of people who have lessons for one whole year and the hardest song they know is smoke on water...
but i guess its because they don't practise..having a teacher will deffinately benefit you..but in what terms i don't know because i myself prefer learning myself...just practise i guess...a lot...
i myself don't want lessons...i've learned how to play guitar myself...first,learn how to read tabs,that will help you a lot..well,depending on whether you depend on tabs to learn songs...there are plenty of videos on youtube which will help you out too...
so maybe try learning yourself for a period of time..and if you need help,den grab a teacher..just make sure you get loads of practise..
EDIT: i find that learning yourself is really faster than getting lessons...lots of my church buddies learn themselves for less than a year and their jamming off with wicked songs like canon rock..hah,
but i guess its because they don't practise..having a teacher will deffinately benefit you..but in what terms i don't know because i myself prefer learning myself...just practise i guess...a lot...
i myself don't want lessons...i've learned how to play guitar myself...first,learn how to read tabs,that will help you a lot..well,depending on whether you depend on tabs to learn songs...there are plenty of videos on youtube which will help you out too...
so maybe try learning yourself for a period of time..and if you need help,den grab a teacher..just make sure you get loads of practise..
EDIT: i find that learning yourself is really faster than getting lessons...lots of my church buddies learn themselves for less than a year and their jamming off with wicked songs like canon rock..hah,
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bin4christ
New member
if u have the discipline, i would say yes. i would be much better of if had gone to a teacher. oh and u should be able to manage your time well too, so that u wont be improving on guitar while everything crumbles..
crozzfire
New member
Self teaching is pretty much about self discipline. You're on your own, so you have to really take up the initiative to practise. And of course, practise correctly. I've come across plenty of people who attempted to self learn but give up at a certain point cause of "too hard la, lazy" those sort of things you know. Initial stages might be hard, but that's always the case no? Do your research well, and I'm sure you can pick up the guitar yourself.
Its good that you have piano background, this way you won't struggle that much with theory. When mixing both theory and practical together, it is quite a huge jump from piano to guitar, so don't expect it to be easier.
Been there done that.
Its good that you have piano background, this way you won't struggle that much with theory. When mixing both theory and practical together, it is quite a huge jump from piano to guitar, so don't expect it to be easier.
Been there done that.
I never got the chance to learn guitar from a certified teacher. But, I was lucky enough to have friends who has been playing guitar for like 2-3 years at the point of time when I started playing. So, I asked them to help me out. But, you can't totally depend on others you see. You must be disciplined and motivated enough to learn. Search through the internet, read up some books and lastly, practice, practice and practice. There are aplenty of useful stuff around the internet. In fact, there are sites which provides free online guitar lessons. It helped me till today, so I think it'll help you too. Give it a shot, bro. Good luck.
To answer to your question above, I'd say, yes, it is possible to self-teach.
To answer to your question above, I'd say, yes, it is possible to self-teach.
pianomankris
New member
'is the guitar easy to learn?'
-Depends on how good you want to be. It is like all instruments - some may be easier than others to begin with, but all are difficult if you want to become an expert.
Get a good teacher. There are so many things that you won't notice as you will be focusing so much on the music, things such as thumb/wrist/arm/shoulder position, posture, general tempo (you will probably speed up when something is easy, as the brain isnt challenged, and slow down when something is difficult, as the brain is overloaded) etc etc.
Nothing is impossible - you could teach yourself - but a good teacher will save you lots of time, and avoid bad habits/potential injuries (and bad habits are very difficult to fix if they are ingrained through years of self-learning).
Put it this way - pianist Evgeny Kissin still has someone there when he plays/practises to keep an eye on him... he isn't exactly amateur...
Same with many top musicians, regardless of instrument.
-Depends on how good you want to be. It is like all instruments - some may be easier than others to begin with, but all are difficult if you want to become an expert.
Get a good teacher. There are so many things that you won't notice as you will be focusing so much on the music, things such as thumb/wrist/arm/shoulder position, posture, general tempo (you will probably speed up when something is easy, as the brain isnt challenged, and slow down when something is difficult, as the brain is overloaded) etc etc.
Nothing is impossible - you could teach yourself - but a good teacher will save you lots of time, and avoid bad habits/potential injuries (and bad habits are very difficult to fix if they are ingrained through years of self-learning).
Put it this way - pianist Evgeny Kissin still has someone there when he plays/practises to keep an eye on him... he isn't exactly amateur...
Same with many top musicians, regardless of instrument.
hi,
ya i do agree with crozzfire, self-learning at certain point of time, u might stop when u find it too hard, or might be discourage if u find urself not progress well enough. actually sometimes u might have TONS of questions that u wanna ask, like techniques etc. having a teacher will be able to answer ur queries and kinna "force" u to progress every week. LOL. Self learn is possible of coz... but sometimes i find that resources online are not very clear sometimes. y not u try it out first and see how it goes. u can always get those cheaper guitars to try out. no harm though. enjoy playing pal.
ya i do agree with crozzfire, self-learning at certain point of time, u might stop when u find it too hard, or might be discourage if u find urself not progress well enough. actually sometimes u might have TONS of questions that u wanna ask, like techniques etc. having a teacher will be able to answer ur queries and kinna "force" u to progress every week. LOL. Self learn is possible of coz... but sometimes i find that resources online are not very clear sometimes. y not u try it out first and see how it goes. u can always get those cheaper guitars to try out. no harm though. enjoy playing pal.
chrisiscoolerthanyou
New member
i got a little help from my buddy at first when starting out,
he taught me some basic chords.
then off i go, teaching myself from the internet.
get some help from your buddies if you need to,
after that you should be able to teach yourself =D
GOODLUCK!:mrgreen:
he taught me some basic chords.
then off i go, teaching myself from the internet.
get some help from your buddies if you need to,
after that you should be able to teach yourself =D
GOODLUCK!:mrgreen:
foundation matters
i second this....
i've been self-learning guitar for about 12-13 years now, and i totally regret not going for lessons to really get my foundation right...
i think that you should enjoy yourself while playing your instrument- but good foundation goes a really long way... or else there's a chance that you'll end up like me- playing sub-standard guitar and spending quite a bit of time unlearning your mistakes...
all the best, and find a good teacher!
i second this....
i've been self-learning guitar for about 12-13 years now, and i totally regret not going for lessons to really get my foundation right...
i think that you should enjoy yourself while playing your instrument- but good foundation goes a really long way... or else there's a chance that you'll end up like me- playing sub-standard guitar and spending quite a bit of time unlearning your mistakes...
all the best, and find a good teacher!
theunknown
New member
unless ure good at (admitting and) spotting ur own mistakes, get a teacher. the pros are all mentioned by pianomankris especially and the others. the con? unless its free, money issue.
why u wanna be self taught? set ur own pace. freedom. save money. no restrictions. and sometimes to satisfy ur EGO.
why u wanna be self taught? set ur own pace. freedom. save money. no restrictions. and sometimes to satisfy ur EGO.
lester_music
New member
Learning from a teacher has a steeper learning curve...but it will give you good foundation......
Many guitarist i know played for years without a teacher...still do know know very simple things but important things...
Let alone the deeper ones....
If you just want play for short-term fun....then getting the tabs...and just play straight from it..is ok
Cause a teacher will able to explain why this and that...the logic behind it....why G..why triads, why 1st/2nd inversion, also they will also drill rhythm sense into you....meaning you have to know what rhythm you are playing and
why and if possible put it into notes for communication purposes...
HOw one progess also does not really depends on the teacher...it is very much on your own practice...and your exposure..you must be wiling to spend on extra books, CDs, music clinics etc...mixing around with the right crowd for learning...or BEWARE..you will learn all the wrong things from the wrong crowd...
Many guitarist i know played for years without a teacher...still do know know very simple things but important things...
Let alone the deeper ones....
If you just want play for short-term fun....then getting the tabs...and just play straight from it..is ok
Cause a teacher will able to explain why this and that...the logic behind it....why G..why triads, why 1st/2nd inversion, also they will also drill rhythm sense into you....meaning you have to know what rhythm you are playing and
why and if possible put it into notes for communication purposes...
HOw one progess also does not really depends on the teacher...it is very much on your own practice...and your exposure..you must be wiling to spend on extra books, CDs, music clinics etc...mixing around with the right crowd for learning...or BEWARE..you will learn all the wrong things from the wrong crowd...
kdash
New member
i second this....
i've been self-learning guitar for about 12-13 years now, and i totally regret not going for lessons to really get my foundation right...
i think that you should enjoy yourself while playing your instrument- but good foundation goes a really long way... or else there's a chance that you'll end up like me- playing sub-standard guitar and spending quite a bit of time unlearning your mistakes...
all the best, and find a good teacher!
i third this... hahah...
anyway no one can overemphasize the importance of having the right foundation, getting the basics right. the best way to do it would be to get a teacher, but it is still possible to self-teach and correct yourself along the way.
like untilted, i self-taught guitar, though not as long as him haha. had to correct and refine my technique along the way, and there will come a point when you find that you need a teacher to improve further. or at least someone to point out to you what are the aspects that you can improve and work on.
if you can get a really good teacher, you can let him/her know why you want to learn guitar, and which aspects you want to learn. from there the teacher can teach based on what you want. the music theory will still come sooner or later haha.
doggieshaman
New member
i have self-learned for about 2 or 3 years, and i am safely able to say i am a decent guitarist and songwriter/arranger. But as of now I am at a 'saturation' point and I don't feel I am learning anything new anymore...
maybe I should find a teacher too! haha but i think self-learn is a good start, and of course passion is important. Don't listen to people who say 'you kind of suck, don't even try that song cause it's beyond you'
my first song on the electric was 'weekend' from X japan and on the acoustic it was "forever love", then "voiceless screaming". And learning those songs, while it took me forever to grasp, let me improve by a lot. So i think self-learning is pretty savvy
maybe I should find a teacher too! haha but i think self-learn is a good start, and of course passion is important. Don't listen to people who say 'you kind of suck, don't even try that song cause it's beyond you'
my first song on the electric was 'weekend' from X japan and on the acoustic it was "forever love", then "voiceless screaming". And learning those songs, while it took me forever to grasp, let me improve by a lot. So i think self-learning is pretty savvy
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