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Brother wants me to teach him how to play guitar. Where should I start?
Posted on 2/7/18 at 7:47 pm
Posted on 2/7/18 at 7:47 pm
I was thinking the basic open/cowboy chords along with some basic power chords... Strumming pattern, picking technique..
Lay down a good foundation and then try to incorporate the chords into playing simple rhythm for simple songs..
Am I in the ballpark?
I've played for about 10 years and started with lessons but didn't stick with them for long before just taking the long, painful road of teaching myself. I don't want to give him bad habits as he's starting from scratch.
I'm lending him one of my acoustics to start on, is that wise? or start with electric?
He wants to play country/campfire type songs. I started on electric because I wanted to play rock n roll.
Any help is appreciated!
Lay down a good foundation and then try to incorporate the chords into playing simple rhythm for simple songs..
Am I in the ballpark?
I've played for about 10 years and started with lessons but didn't stick with them for long before just taking the long, painful road of teaching myself. I don't want to give him bad habits as he's starting from scratch.
I'm lending him one of my acoustics to start on, is that wise? or start with electric?
He wants to play country/campfire type songs. I started on electric because I wanted to play rock n roll.
Any help is appreciated!
Posted on 2/7/18 at 10:51 pm to 225bred
I picked up rocksmith for my Xbox to relearn a few things. Not to really play but just enjoy playing a song here and there. The game really does a good job of teaching
Posted on 2/7/18 at 10:58 pm to 225bred
Personally, I feel like most people forget to give lessons in the basics of how the instrument works. Basic music theory that could really help in how fast he picks up on how it works.
After that, it's just the patience of learning the chords and transitioning between them.
After that, it's just the patience of learning the chords and transitioning between them.
Posted on 2/8/18 at 6:40 am to BigOrangeBri
Not so much theory ... applied theory in the direction in which he wants to go.
Start by asking him examples of the country/campfire songs he wants to learn to play. Pick the simplest one or two from a chording standpoint and go from there. There's a high likelihood they will be basic I-IV-V or similar structures. When he gets those songs down, show him how that structure is the blueprint for similar songs he ultimately wants to learn. That will show him that a little bit of applied theory will get him great mileage. One song from a theoretical standpoint will serve as a catalyst to learning dozens in many genres, as it introduces new chords and tempos/strumming patterns into his vocabulary.
Since he wants campfire/cowboy, acoustic is the better idea. Make sure his guitar is set-up properly so it's as easy to chord under the left hand as possible, and strung with a light gauge string. Remind him that sore fingertips will cease as he practices more.
Here's a novel idea a lot of folks forget ... teach him how to tune the instrument properly or make sure he has a cheap clip-on tuner so his ears are dialed in to what sounds right from the onset. Ear training is a vital component many take for granted.
Start by asking him examples of the country/campfire songs he wants to learn to play. Pick the simplest one or two from a chording standpoint and go from there. There's a high likelihood they will be basic I-IV-V or similar structures. When he gets those songs down, show him how that structure is the blueprint for similar songs he ultimately wants to learn. That will show him that a little bit of applied theory will get him great mileage. One song from a theoretical standpoint will serve as a catalyst to learning dozens in many genres, as it introduces new chords and tempos/strumming patterns into his vocabulary.
Since he wants campfire/cowboy, acoustic is the better idea. Make sure his guitar is set-up properly so it's as easy to chord under the left hand as possible, and strung with a light gauge string. Remind him that sore fingertips will cease as he practices more.
Here's a novel idea a lot of folks forget ... teach him how to tune the instrument properly or make sure he has a cheap clip-on tuner so his ears are dialed in to what sounds right from the onset. Ear training is a vital component many take for granted.
Posted on 2/8/18 at 6:43 am to 225bred
quote:don't fret
Any help is appreciated!
Posted on 2/8/18 at 7:59 am to 225bred
I have never taught anyone, but if I did I think I would do 3 things every lesson. Work on learning the fretboard, then some basic music theory and how that applies to the fretboard, then chord or fingerings and how they apply to the music theory.
Posted on 2/8/18 at 8:49 am to 225bred
Most people are never going to become good guitar players. I know I didn't. So, he needs to do as much as he can the first 6 months - I would teach the basic open chords, strumming patterns, but get right to songs quickly.
Sounds like mostly acoustic, so I would skip power chords (those are stupid easy to go back to later) - and focus on some slower songs, then a few faster ones - maybe harmonics if called for.
Good basic acoustic guitar picking and even fingerpicking would be my focus.
Just my $.02 (Caveat: I'm more of a guitar collector than player, although I insist I'm going to start playing again regularly - )
Sounds like mostly acoustic, so I would skip power chords (those are stupid easy to go back to later) - and focus on some slower songs, then a few faster ones - maybe harmonics if called for.
Good basic acoustic guitar picking and even fingerpicking would be my focus.
Just my $.02 (Caveat: I'm more of a guitar collector than player, although I insist I'm going to start playing again regularly - )
Posted on 2/8/18 at 9:01 am to TheFretShack
quote:
Here's a novel idea a lot of folks forget ... teach him how to tune the instrument properly or make sure he has a cheap clip-on tuner so his ears are dialed in to what sounds right from the onset. Ear training is a vital component many take for granted.
I’ve been playing for 50 or so years. You can have the most expensive guitar or the cheapest. If it’s not in tune it’s not going to sound right.
I think that is why a lot of people get discouraged because it doesn’t sound right when it would only need to be tuned.
Learn how to tune.
Posted on 2/8/18 at 10:57 am to 225bred
Step one: simple chords (no bar chords)
Step two: how to read tab
Step 3: power chords and simple bar chords to start building strength and callouses.
Step 4: scales (major, minor, & pentatonic) and rudimentary theory (4 chord songs, I/V/VII, b flat blues, etc)
step 5: full bar chords
Step 6: hammers/bends/tapping
Step 7: finger picking
Step 8: bends
Step 9: advanced scales (modes like dorion and ionic) and theory
Step two: how to read tab
Step 3: power chords and simple bar chords to start building strength and callouses.
Step 4: scales (major, minor, & pentatonic) and rudimentary theory (4 chord songs, I/V/VII, b flat blues, etc)
step 5: full bar chords
Step 6: hammers/bends/tapping
Step 7: finger picking
Step 8: bends
Step 9: advanced scales (modes like dorion and ionic) and theory
Posted on 2/9/18 at 8:43 am to Nicky Parrish
quote:
I’ve been playing for 50 or so years. You can have the most expensive guitar or the cheapest. If it’s not in tune it’s not going to sound right.
Wut
Is this an epiphany?
Posted on 2/9/18 at 9:31 am to Broke
The most important thing when it cones to picking an instrument for a beginner is picking one that is physically easy for them to play. Some of those cheap acoustic guitars are hard as hell to play and painful. If I had started out learning on that, I never would have stuck with it.
Posted on 2/9/18 at 9:41 am to 225bred
quote:
Brother wants me to teach him how to play guitar. Where should I start?
Wonderwall
Posted on 2/9/18 at 8:40 pm to 225bred
Bob Seger And Skynyrd have some really easy songs to learn and sing.
Sometimes just learning that first easy song,can get them really interested in learning more.
A 3 chord song like Simple Man is my suggestion.Then maybe he'll try hard. If he does,then your job is mostly finished,just suggest things to learn on youtube.
Sometimes just learning that first easy song,can get them really interested in learning more.
A 3 chord song like Simple Man is my suggestion.Then maybe he'll try hard. If he does,then your job is mostly finished,just suggest things to learn on youtube.
Posted on 2/9/18 at 10:07 pm to auggie
justinguitar.com is amazing and free.
Posted on 2/10/18 at 12:45 pm to 225bred
quote:
Where should I start?
START by teaching him a basic 3-chord song in the genre of his choice. Something easy, with a simple DDU UDU strum pattern. When he finds himself making actual music, that is the switch you want to flip ASAP.
Playing guitar is NOT easy, especially at first when you feel like you have no proprioception beyond the wrist in either hand and tender fingertips that make it even worse...starting on an electric is usually a help with this part, too.
Instant success is what will hook a new player, and that hook, if set properly, will make the next steps easy. Some light theory, how to tune it himself, chords and pentatonic scale, etc.
ETA:
OR
if he's starting on an electric, some power chords with a distortion capable amp should do the same trick. Iron Man, paranoid, etc.
This post was edited on 2/10/18 at 12:50 pm
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