Self-teaching guitar... need a recommendation

[AuntieM]

This is mainly for me, but I would like my high school boys to be able to benefit as well. I mainly want to play chords and move on to some finger-picking, so I am not looking for classical guitar instruction.

 

I would like to be able to play praise and worship music, as well as campfire songs for AHG campouts.

 

Your suggestions appreciated! Thanks!

[joyfulmomSDG]

May be a little *elementary* but I came across this for my 14 yo who wants to learn guitar. I find sometimes I learn better from things for younger kids b/c they really assume you know nothing...which is the category I usually fall in. :o)

 

http://www.amazon.com/eMedia-EG12095-My-Guitar/dp/B000V7RIJ8/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=software&qid=1273617104&sr=1-10

[sbaloue]

My 12 year son and I are using Learn and Master Guitar (Homeschool Edition) and it may be just what you are looking for. www.learnandmaster.com. :001_smile:

[MommyThrice]

We use the homespun videos all the time http://www.homespuntapes.com/ I like the one by David Hamburger to start with. Our family has a bluegrass band - we've been playing awhile - so here are a few thoughts.

 

1. It's hard to get started. The chords sounds terrible at first, maybe for quite a while. Just stick with it. Your have to work through the sore fingers until you get callouses. I don't want to discourage you. I want you to know that when you get discouraged, please know that you are probably almost there!

 

2. Start with the campfire songs. Praise & worship is much harder, because they use more difficult chords. However, hymns are easy. Drag out a hymn book and try it.

 

3. Do you play piano? For me, it is easier to find chords on the piano, then transfer to the guitar. I sing a song, and try to find the chord that sounds right with it. At some point, sooner rather than later, you will want to "hear" the chord changes instead of depending on a book. It isn't that difficult, but some people won't try. Once you can do this, you can play almost any song and aren't dependant on a book for the chords. It's like the difference between phonics and learning whole langage.

 

4. I wish you the best of luck. Music has greatly enriched our lives!

[MommyThrice]

Here's a whole page of beginner videos. The one by David Hamburger is there, but I'm sure any of them would be fine. http://www.homespuntapes.com/shop/category.aspx?id=324

 

I really like using a video because it shows you how to hold the guitar, the pick, your hand, etc... You get a better feel for rhythm and what it is supposed to sound like.

 

And I forgot to mention that once you learn your first set of chords (G-C-D, or A-D-E, it doesn't matter which) you can sing almost any song in that key. You don't have to learn new chords for every song. If you buy a guitar book, they will write all the songs in different keys (and you should learn that) but most vocalists find a key that suits their voice and sing most songs there.

[PineFarmMom]

My ds does take lessons, but he has taught himself a tremendous amount just by watching youtube tutorials. You might do a search there as well.

[Jenn in CA]

 

I reviewed this product for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine.

[ereks mom]

...that a beginner go to Walmart and buy a guitar chords poster and a guitar scales poster, hang them on the wall in the room where you will be practicing, and just start practicing the scales and chords. Stick with it until you get past the sore fingers stage and develop calluses.

 

You can go online and download some guitar tabs for a couple of easy songs you want to learn. Learn those, then move on to other songs that are a little more difficult.

 

This is what my ds did when he was learning (beginning at age 12). He is completely self-taught, and at age 20, he has been a member of three praise and worship bands and has played at many, many venues, including church services, camps, retreats, etc. (If you'll permit me a shameless brag for a moment, I can also tell you that he has been invited to be the guitarist for the pit section of his college's marching band this fall--an honor which carries with it a $1000 scholarship.)

 

So...I say all this to encourage you. Self-taught guitarists CAN be successful guitar players. Just stick with it and don't give up!

[AuntieM]

Thanks for all the wonderful suggestions! We have a guitar chords chart, I will have to get a scales chart.

 

Off to start working up some callouses!