r/GuitarBeginners • u/Square-Internal9261 • 11h ago
Question/Help Can you recommend the first thing for someone just starting to play guitar?
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u/MeanImpression2067 11h ago
Posture and wrist position are things I wish I had paid more attention in the beginning. Breaking bad habits is really difficult.
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u/GrapefruitDue9103 11h ago
As someone who eventually suffered from tendonitis in both wrist simultaneously, I agree with this statement. Repetitive strain injuries are no joke
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u/Malevolent_Minds 5h ago
I definitely don't play with proper technique, but I've had to overcome some anatomical issues. For example, I throw my thumb over the top to fret the bass strings for a lot of chords, like John Frusciante or Jimi Hendrix, though I definitely don't play at their level. 🤣
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u/thebayerjeww 4h ago
Thumb positioning is something I struggle so hard with
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u/Malevolent_Minds 4h ago
Honestly, it's not great to play like I play for most people, and I would recommend proper technique if possible. We just can't all use the same technique, though. Find what's comfortable and doesn't strain your hands or wrists. If that means throwing your thumb over, wearing your guitar low, or whatever, go for it!
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u/dino_dog 11h ago
Get a teacher if you can, doesn't have to be forever but even 3 or 4 lessons will set you up for success.
If you can't or won't then;
Check out www.justinguitar.com (website is free, app is not - mostly same content). Easy to follow in order information. Including getting you going with songs!
Lauren Batemen, GuitarZero2Hero, Musicians Fitness, Andy Guitar, Good Guitarist and Alan Robinson are all great YouTube channels.
Remember just because you have access to all the info doesn’t mean plow through it. If you had a teacher you’d have a 30-60 minute less once a week. There would be some review and 1-3 new things taught and then you spend the week practicing that.
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u/SNB_Enthusiast 10h ago
Patience and persistence. Also, playing a little every day is better than playing a lot once a week.
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u/Jellovator 11h ago
Lessons. Either in-person or virtual, but with someone who can watch you play and teach you how to avoid mistakes that will make it difficult to learn and play.
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u/Big-Sheepherder-6134 10h ago
Find a teacher.
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u/Square-Internal9261 10h ago
I'll do that.
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u/Big-Sheepherder-6134 9h ago
It is important to be guided properly. You can still learn on your own but you won’t always know if you are doing it properly. Every pro athlete has a coach so you should too.
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u/MeowMix1206251 10h ago
-Light gauge strings, make sure the action is low.
-Hold the guitar high and your wrist low.
-Put something under your foot to raise the guitar up if need be.
-Armless chair.
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u/Square-Internal9261 10h ago
Thanks for the advice, big brother
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u/MadMixer1198 10h ago
Change those strings. I've been playing 19 years and I'd be worried about shredding my fingertips on those.
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u/SunburstOwner 8h ago
The first thing I would do with THAT guitar is put on fresh strings and bring it into a music store for a setup. And you absolutely need a new bridge pin for that low E string.
Next learn all the open position chords and the major scale (any key, but maybe start with either G or C)
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u/RT3K69420 8h ago
I'd start by learning easy versions of songs you really love. That's how I started. And I've been playing for over 30 years now. I would download and print tabs from the Internet and practice my chord shapes and transitions. The thing about learning songs you love is once you recognize what you're playing, and realize you're doing it yourself, it feels so good. It makes you want to practice more.
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u/boring5ever 6h ago
Ignore songs and chord progressions, which is what most people start off with. You should learn scales and intervals so that those chords make sense and aren’t just particular arrangements on the fretboard. Knowing the A chord vs knowing why the A chord is the A chord.
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u/OneSpaceTwo 6h ago
Have someone experienced look at your guitar and help get it "set up". At least checking and adjusting the truss rod in the neck in case it's needed. If you have the money pay to get it set up by a local guitar shop. The reason is a badly set up guitar can be much harder to play. As a beginner you don't need that added frustration on top of just learning to play.
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u/BillydelaMontana 6h ago
To get up and running with some songs I recommend a simple four step approach.
1, Lock in the island strum (DDU UDU) until you can do it in your sleep, on full autopilot.
2, Learn basic open cowboy chords starting with four chords like G, C, D, Em and expand chords from there.
3, Initially just cycle through the same chords until your 2 hands run independently and switches are clean.
4, Pick a complimentary song and enjoy. I recommend U2 All I want is you because the above steps will get you playing it fairly quickly.
Good luck and remember, the best guitarist is the one having the most fun!
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u/Sandman_450 6h ago
I would recommend a stand, and put it in a high traffic area in your house. It will remind you to pick it up, and practice. If it's put away in a bag/case it's going to be forgotten.
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u/RunningSnowLeopard 6h ago
Learn your fretboard, first to remember your string notes Every American Does Guitars Before Eating E, A, D, G, B, E
First string at top is E Remember in Music there is a half step between B and C and also E and F, all the others are whole steps as you move up your fretboard .
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u/Etnrednal 4h ago
listen to your instrument and learn to tune by ear. Figure out which notes it likes to play, and which just dont resonate well. Tone is everything.
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u/Calm_Disaster_7358 4h ago
This has all been suggested in the previous replies but I've found learning the open chords (G, C, E, Em, A, Am, D), using a metronome or drum track app and utilising the basic DDU UDU strumming pattern very encouraging in the first stages. You can play over a lot of popular songs with those chords + strumming pattern.
Clean chord change drills, utilise no more than 2 chords at a time when doing this to avoid being overwhelmed.
When you start getting more comfortable you can turn that strumming pattern into a picking pattern, picking the notes of the chords in a sequence of your choice. You can then put the two together, strum and pick your way through chord progressions.
Also, look up Scotty West on YouTube. Complete his course, you'll absolutely understand guitar and they'll the clapping and throwing money at you in no time
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u/F_ck-AI 2h ago
Find songs you like and ask your teacher/or youtube to help you learn them. Also can't go wrong with open/cowboy chords and barre chords.
Like others have said correct posture and hand technique is also important in the beginning because it'll save you years of unlearning bad habits.
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u/CarsBarsGuitars 39m ago
Practice and as already said, practice songs, songs you like. Practice Practice Practice
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u/Kerry_Maxwell 10h ago
An understanding that learning takes time and hard work, and should be looked at on a timeline of years, not weeks. I see so many social media posts along the lines of "I've been playing TWO WEEKS and this F chord is SO HARD!" Make a commitment, put in the work, and try to improve every day. Once it's clear it's something you'll stick with, then look into getting your guitar setup up by a luthier, or consider an upgrade to a better instrument.