Should I self-teach myself guitar?

[TerribleAssassin]

Right, I'm looking to learn a few instruments to boost my production, for the fun, and to develop new skills, but, I plan to get drum lessons but my question is, should I buy a 'Guitars for Dummies' book, a guitar and just learn like that, or actually get lessons? Because I don't want it to be to expensive, but I don't want to be able to play guitar half-assed.

Advice, opinions and ideas should suffice.

 

[TheIronRuler]

Right, I'm looking to learn a few instruments to boost my production, for the fun, and to develop new skills, but, I plan to get drum lessons but my question is, should I buy a 'Guitars for Dummies' book, a guitar and just learn like that, or actually get lessons? Because I don't want it to be to expensive, but I don't want to be able to play guitar half-assed.

Advice, opinions and ideas should suffice.

Depends on your resourcefulness and perseverance. If you already delf taught yourself other subjects, you might pull this off by yourself, but if it's your first time I wouldn't recommend it.
Please, please don't be that douche-bag with the acoustic guitar that can't play it properly.

 

[staika]

I know a few people who taught themselves how to play the guitar and they're pretty good, it's not that hard to play if you teach yourself but things like tuning the guitar and how to play some of the harder stuff it helps if you have someone who knows what their doing.

 

[Jonluw]

Depends on what level of skill you want to achieve, and how good you are at learning stuff by yourself, I guess.
Personally, I'd take lessons.

 

[Vampire cat]

If you want to play it well you should get lessons... I give guitar lessons myself and have had all kinds of students, ranging from no knowledge at all to somewhat decent. Those that are self-tutored often have a large amount of things they do wrong that are very hard for them to un-learn and then do right. It's always easier when they don't know anything from before so I can begin from scratch with the really important stuff.

You CAN learn to play guitar on your own, and if your very gifted I'm sure you could do it pretty damn well, some exceptionally good famous guitarists never had lessons. But most will need them if they want their full potential. And know; going for the rock-songs first may seem like more fun and all, but 4-5 months of important basics and techniques will have you playing 4 times the songs you could learn in that time-span in no time.

Basically, how good do you want to be? How musically gifted are you? Do you have a history in music? It's easy to learn a couple songs to play at festivities, but to have a broad range of songs to pick from most people will definitely need more than themselves and a book =).

 

[Lukeje]

a) There's no real need to buy a separate book if you have the internet at your fingertips.
b) It's a lot easier to learn if you have a friend who's either just starting like you (as this will give you the motivation to keep going), or is much more experienced (so they can give you tips, and maybe even free lessons).

Guitar lessons from an actual teacher aren't always necessary, but if you feel that you might benefit (and have the cash) then why not. It'll probably save you a lot of trouble.

 

[newguy77]

FREEBIRD!

OT: If you think that you have the perseverance and self discipline to see it through to the end, go for it. If you don't think you'll be able to see it through to the end, save your money.

 

[x EvilErmine x]

Hm well really it's up to you to decide how you learn best. My advice would be to buy the book and learn the basics your self. Just some simple things like the major and minor chords, maybe a few basic scales, and a few simple techniques (hammer on/ pull off). Get Them down as well as you can your self and try to learn a few simple songs.
Soon you will be able play stuff from tabs fairly easily depending on how much you practice.

Only once you have the basics down fir decently then you should go looking for a teacher to teach you the more advanced things that are harder to learn on your own. A good teacher will make sure you have a solid technique and are playing what you already know correctly then they will help you to advance in the way you want to.

Pro tip
If your looking for a teacher then try having a word with some one at your local music shop, chanced are they will have lessons you can take and even if they don't then they'll be able to point you in the direction of a good teacher.

Above all though have fun....playing the guitar is supposed to be an enjoyable experience. Good luck and rock on dude, hope this helps.

Sean

 

[DannyFree]

I started off watching my friends play a riff and copying it, which developed into playing along.

For rhythm or acoustic guitar, if you just want to be the kind of guy who can start impromptu singalongs, learn all the full chords of Ultimate Guitar or the like and some basic theory. Once you get the hang of that you should start to notice the same chord patterns cropping up on songs on the radio, and hence learn how to play along.

Lead? Get Guitar Pro 5 and practice a lot.

 

[Boxinatorizore]

I play quite well and I'm self taught... But I knew music theory and had played bass for several years previous... so I may not be the best example.

 

[GartarkMusik]

You could teach yourself some basic skills, but nothing beats lessons from an experienced player.

 

[Alex Cowan]

FREEBIRD!

^This^

Personally, I self-taught, but I was already an accomplished pianist and saxophonist, so I knew music-theory and had good overall musical aptitude. Coming from drums, I'd assume you have a good sense of rhythm, so you'll have a better head-start than most. However, once it gets to a certain point, lessons do become necessary. Recently, I started having lessons because I felt I'd exhausted the possibilities of home-teaching, and wanted to do more advanced stuff, like complicated jazz work. It all depends on what you want to play.

 

[No_Remainders]

Right, I'm looking to learn a few instruments to boost my production, for the fun, and to develop new skills, but, I plan to get drum lessons but my question is, should I buy a 'Guitars for Dummies' book, a guitar and just learn like that, or actually get lessons? Because I don't want it to be to expensive, but I don't want to be able to play guitar half-assed.

Advice, opinions and ideas should suffice.

I'd say get lessons from a proper teacher, even for 6/8 months, then you should be proficient enough to learn new chords (unless you keep going, in which case you'll learn even more scales and such), but still, if you want to teach yourself, do the following.

- Get a tuner. You'll need one. An electronic one with a clip so you can tune by putting it onto the guitar head is probably the best idea.
- Start off easy. I know it might sound obvious, but if you need some easy songs to play PM me and I'll give you a couple I like, especially if you're playing acoustic, I've got some great ones.
- Try not to just learn riffs. Get a basic chord base learned first.

 

[emeraldrafael]

Real men learn the Spoons, cause any fool can learn a guitar.

... but seriously, its up to you. I'd do something different then the Guitar or the Drums or those things cause they're so common and overdone and unles you just have a genuine interest it usually goes to waste.

 

[Lord Beautiful]

No, but I would recommend self-teaching someone else how to play.

/backhanded_comment

I'd imagine it'd be more beneficial to take lessons from an experienced player.

 

[Tallim]

I taught myself for a year and got all the basics down, then I went to a proper teacher to learn theory etc. Luckily I only picked up one bad habit which is the danger. That habit took months to get rid of.

So if you are up for it sure, teach yourself but you will need to be very disciplined about it to actually get any good.

Captcha: Smallest forniz - wow it is tiny I will give them that.

 

[AndyFromMonday]

Teachers are there to arrange the material in such a way as to make it easier for you to learn and understand it. The information is readily available and whilst you CAN learn everything by yourself getting a teacher will speed up the process.

 

[MrMoustaffa]

I used to be in a hard rock band, with another guitarist. I was self taught, and he took lessons. He had been playing half as long as me, and yet he could leave me in the dust when it came to guitar solos. He was quick, precise, and could practically play a song as he was reading the tab for it. However, I had a wider knowledge of music and how to apply it to songs, since I had to figure out everything on my own. I could easily piece a song together by ear, or come up with an accompanying riff off the top of my head. These qualities made him a great lead player, and me a great rythm player. Neither technique is "better", they just lend themselves to different mindsets.

I have the "rock guitar for dummies" book and its actually a great read for players of all skill levels. Not only that, but the dude covers just about ANYTHING you could possibly ask. I would get it or any of the other "for dummies" books for sure.

I learned mostly on my own after a few initial lessons, and I got along fine. 4 years later, all of my friends complimented me on my different approach to playing. It got me a great position as a rythm guitarist in a band, because I had a hard hitting sound that let the lead player do whatever he wanted and not have to worry about me (I was the "Malcom" and he was the "Angus"). Learning on your own tends to let you develope a unique style of playing, and helps keep you from playing just like every other guitarist out there.

However, I did pick up some bad habits that I didnt realize I had until I started teaching other people how to play. For the love of god, make sure you learn alternate picking, and how to do it right. I was too lazy to learn it on my own and I'm sure as hell paying for that now. You also will find it takes much longer to learn this way, as you have to figure out almost everything on your own. Use youtube, or other video sites as much as possible. This way you can hear if a song or technique is wrong when a guy is describing it. Relying on tab when you're just starting out is a horrible idea, because 9 times out of 10, that tab you are playing will be wrong.

Its really up to you though, if you've got the discipline and patience, teach yourself. But if you're having trouble, or get frustrated easily, lessons will deffinitely be a good investment.

 

[General Ken8]

I've been playing bass for a few years, I got lessons for about a year, and after I learned enough techniques and tricks, I self-taught myself. I'm starting to get pretty good now, yesterday I learned to play Hysteria by Muse, and it took me like 10 minutes to master

For the love of god, make sure you learn alternate picking, and how to do it right. I was too lazy to learn it on my own and I'm sure as hell paying for that now.

And definitely listen to this ^
Alternate picking seems inconvenient if you didn't learn that way, but I after playing for about two years, I forced myself to learn it, and it's ten-thousand times easier.

 

[TerribleAssassin]

If you want to play it well you should get lessons... I give guitar lessons myself and have had all kinds of students, ranging from no knowledge at all to somewhat decent. Those that are self-tutored often have a large amount of things they do wrong that are very hard for them to un-learn and then do right. It's always easier when they don't know anything from before so I can begin from scratch with the really important stuff.

You CAN learn to play guitar on your own, and if your very gifted I'm sure you could do it pretty damn well, some exceptionally good famous guitarists never had lessons. But most will need them if they want their full potential. And know; going for the rock-songs first may seem like more fun and all, but 4-5 months of important basics and techniques will have you playing 4 times the songs you could learn in that time-span in no time.

Basically, how good do you want to be? How musically gifted are you? Do you have a history in music? It's easy to learn a couple songs to play at festivities, but to have a broad range of songs to pick from most people will definitely need more than themselves and a book =).

My primary (elementary) school ran casual guitar lessons which I took, so I know a few normal and power chords, and I managed to self-teach myself audio engineering/production.

Oh, I can play a few Pendulum tracks on keyboard and know 'Beat It' on bass.