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Message
Frustration With Learning Guitar
Posted on 7/15/12 at 5:50 pm
Posted on 7/15/12 at 5:50 pm
Hi all,
So I set out this summer to learn how to play the acoustic guitar. Bought this course that I could play on my computer and learn, but I quickly became frustrated.
I don't know if it's because my hands are small, or if it's the fact that I don't have a real human being teaching me and telling me what I'm dong wrong, but I can't seem to move my fingers fast enough to go from one chord to another.
How do I move past this frustration and stay on course? I just thought it wouldn't be so difficult because so many people before me have been able to teach themselves. I don't want to give up, but I have found myself making excuses for not being able to practice.
What are ways I can move past this? Any good websites that work with beginners better than others? Any words of encouragement or advice? TIA
So I set out this summer to learn how to play the acoustic guitar. Bought this course that I could play on my computer and learn, but I quickly became frustrated.
I don't know if it's because my hands are small, or if it's the fact that I don't have a real human being teaching me and telling me what I'm dong wrong, but I can't seem to move my fingers fast enough to go from one chord to another.
How do I move past this frustration and stay on course? I just thought it wouldn't be so difficult because so many people before me have been able to teach themselves. I don't want to give up, but I have found myself making excuses for not being able to practice.
What are ways I can move past this? Any good websites that work with beginners better than others? Any words of encouragement or advice? TIA
This post was edited on 7/15/12 at 5:52 pm
13
Posted on 7/15/12 at 6:15 pm to When in Rome
youtube is pretty awesome for learning how to play guitar
Posted on 7/15/12 at 6:31 pm to When in Rome
quote:
but I can't seem to move my fingers fast enough to go from one chord to another.
Thats not something thats really going to be able to be taught.
You've just got to play.... a lot.
I'm pretty sure you're a neil young fan, right?
Try learning to play Rockin in the free world.
Just three chords for the most part. Em, D and C with a G thrown in during the chorus. Simple strumming pattern to boot.
I would forget about lessons right now, just look up chord charts to your favorite songs and play till you are comfortable changing between all of your basic chords. It takes time and makes you want to throw your guitar out a window every now and then but one day it'll click.
You've only been playing around a month, no one is comfortable with it in a month....... no one.
Posted on 7/15/12 at 6:36 pm to CottonWasKing
quote:
just look up chord charts to your favorite songs and play till you are comfortable changing between all of your basic chords.
a really good way to learn
Posted on 7/15/12 at 6:36 pm to When in Rome
It is possible that the guitar is too big for you? Ah, maybe so. If it REALLY bothers you, maybe get a baby Taylor or something smaller? That really is a comfort thing, you'll get used to it. You'll figure out a way to hold it that fits for you. Also, the changing from chord to chord will feel awkward for a while, the more you do it, the better your dexterity becomes. That is the hardest part of guitar playing. Anyone who is a beginner will struggle with it some.
Start by learning songs with simple chord progressions and work your way up. Maybe something like:
G – C – D – G or
E – D – A – E
Could also go from working in and out of E to Em or A to Am, and so on.
Along with this, youtube and tab ( very easy to read ) websites are great tools.
Keep working at it, and it'll get easier. My apologies for the rambling. Good luck to you, Rome
Start by learning songs with simple chord progressions and work your way up. Maybe something like:
G – C – D – G or
E – D – A – E
Could also go from working in and out of E to Em or A to Am, and so on.
Along with this, youtube and tab ( very easy to read ) websites are great tools.
Keep working at it, and it'll get easier. My apologies for the rambling. Good luck to you, Rome
This post was edited on 7/16/12 at 6:57 am
Posted on 7/15/12 at 7:03 pm to When in Rome
If you're serious about this, get a human teacher for at least 3 months or so. He can show you things, comment on what you're doing, and answer your questions in ways that aren't really possible using the Internet. At some point, you'll be able to use the Internet lessons on your own and learn on your own in general.
Get your guitar set up properly with reasonable action and light strings, even extra light would be OK if they're really hard on your fingers. I can just about guarantee you your hand size is not an insurmountable issue even if they are on the tiny side. Simply holding the guitar right can make a huge difference in playability, and that's the sort of thing a teacher would bring up. A properly fitted strap can work when sitting, but the NeckUp guitar support is much better; it's the best thing I've ever bought for my guitar playing:
LINK
Unlike any other support I've tried, the NeckUp can be used on the right or left leg, not just the left, the left being classical style. It's a great, great product.
Get your guitar set up properly with reasonable action and light strings, even extra light would be OK if they're really hard on your fingers. I can just about guarantee you your hand size is not an insurmountable issue even if they are on the tiny side. Simply holding the guitar right can make a huge difference in playability, and that's the sort of thing a teacher would bring up. A properly fitted strap can work when sitting, but the NeckUp guitar support is much better; it's the best thing I've ever bought for my guitar playing:
LINK
Unlike any other support I've tried, the NeckUp can be used on the right or left leg, not just the left, the left being classical style. It's a great, great product.
Posted on 7/15/12 at 7:16 pm to Spock's Eyebrow
I would work on just simply changing chords over and over again maybe three different chords at a time until you feel comfortable moving on to other chords. YouTube is a good place to learn. Personally I would advise against lessons right now until you at least learn chords because with or without a teacher you are gonna struggle, and it's gonna take repetition. After you learn basic stuff, then decide if you want to take lessons and work on songs and theory, just my personal opinion.
Posted on 7/15/12 at 7:18 pm to luvdatigahs
Oh and good luck and keep trying.
Posted on 7/15/12 at 7:19 pm to When in Rome
quote:
I can't seem to move my fingers fast enough to go from one chord to another.
99% of players had the same trouble when they were learning. As others have written, take a few three-chord songs you like and go over and over 'em. Set aside 30 or more minutes a day and just go over 'em slow, working on correct chord shapes first and chord changes second. Over and over, starting slow ... and put the instrument down after a fixed time, like 30 minutes (unless you're inclined to keep going).
If you keep it up you'll be like 99% of players: "I couldn't change chords for shite when I started. I kept practicing. Now I can do it in my sleep."
FWIW, I have small hands too. I can't stretch my fingers across more than three frets. But I do okay. So can you.
Finally, Dylan has a lot of great three-chord songs ... if you like his music.
Good luck.
Posted on 7/15/12 at 8:13 pm to When in Rome
keep at it once you get past the soft fingers tips, you'll have it licked .... 
once you get past the soft fingers tips, you'll have it licked .... 
Posted on 7/15/12 at 9:04 pm to When in Rome
I found this guy's website through Youtube when I started playing, and it helped me a lot. Justin Guitar
Posted on 7/15/12 at 9:30 pm to Tigerwaffe
quote:
FWIW, I have small hands too. I can't stretch my fingers across more than three frets. But I do okay. So can you.
Yup. Its all repetition. shite I have smallish hands AND only 3 fingers (if you include the thumb) on my fretting hand. I had to relearn it but I still play fairly regularly. The biggest setback is getting discouraged. You don't learn overnight.
Posted on 7/16/12 at 1:24 am to When in Rome
I just taught myself less than a year ago and used all online tools (youtube song lessons, chords form ultimate-guitar and justin guitar)
speed between chords is not something you "learn", its something you just gain from practice
just keep practicing and dont stop. a month is nothing, just keep moving from one chord to another over and over and over and over and over and over and over. I actually just took the basic chords and would play them alphabetically A, Am, C, D, Dm, G, F and would just play them through in order until I was completely able to play each one without thinking about it...I would run through them in that order about 10-20 times a day
your fingers will get stronger and your callouses will develop which will allow you to press down on the strings easier which will help your speed
once you get it its like riding a bike or learning to swim...you wont be able to figure out how it was so hard before
ETA: once you get the basic open chords down, then your strumming will come, then you will be able to start with bar chords and scales and it will all just keep building...just dont stop
speed between chords is not something you "learn", its something you just gain from practice
just keep practicing and dont stop. a month is nothing, just keep moving from one chord to another over and over and over and over and over and over and over. I actually just took the basic chords and would play them alphabetically A, Am, C, D, Dm, G, F and would just play them through in order until I was completely able to play each one without thinking about it...I would run through them in that order about 10-20 times a day
your fingers will get stronger and your callouses will develop which will allow you to press down on the strings easier which will help your speed
once you get it its like riding a bike or learning to swim...you wont be able to figure out how it was so hard before
ETA: once you get the basic open chords down, then your strumming will come, then you will be able to start with bar chords and scales and it will all just keep building...just dont stop
This post was edited on 7/16/12 at 1:31 am
Posted on 7/16/12 at 9:38 am to When in Rome
Good luck, romey! I taught myself in high school, and while I was able to get basic chords and strumming down, I never really progressed past that. In retrospect, I wish I would have taken lessons. You might want to consider that.
FWIW, you might want to check if LSU offers credit for private lessons. I know my school did, but you had to use approved instructors, of course. It could be an easy and fun way to learn while completing electives.
FWIW, you might want to check if LSU offers credit for private lessons. I know my school did, but you had to use approved instructors, of course. It could be an easy and fun way to learn while completing electives.
Posted on 7/16/12 at 10:13 am to When in Rome
Wow, thanks everyone, for the fabulous advice! I have a new sense of motivation. If it's okay, I might report back to let y'all know how it's going in a few months.
Every post has been helpful, and I will take all of your advice into account.
Every post has been helpful, and I will take all of your advice into account.
Posted on 7/16/12 at 10:36 am to TheDoc
quote:
a really good way to learn
The biggest problem with learning that way is not actually learning. Too many people learn songs rather than what they're actually doing.
Posted on 7/16/12 at 11:10 am to Srbtiger06
That's all some people want out of the instrument though, and there is nothing wrong with that.
Regardless the best way to learn IMO is to build a foundation around your basic open chords first then make your decision regarding what you want from the instrument. Learning songs is a whole hell of a lot more likely to hold a beginners interest than theory and exercises.
Regardless the best way to learn IMO is to build a foundation around your basic open chords first then make your decision regarding what you want from the instrument. Learning songs is a whole hell of a lot more likely to hold a beginners interest than theory and exercises.
Posted on 7/16/12 at 12:20 pm to Srbtiger06
quote:
The biggest problem with learning that way is not actually learning. Too many people learn songs rather than what they're actually doing.
yea but I think you only make the decision of how far you want to go once you get the basic open chords down
Posted on 7/16/12 at 12:25 pm to When in Rome
quote:
Frustration With Learning Guitar
I learned a long time ago, that I liked listening to music wayyyyy more than I liked to play it (barely more than not at all).
There was too much practice involved for me to get any good at it...
So, my guitar gets played by other people when they come over...
Posted on 7/16/12 at 1:10 pm to When in Rome
quote:
What are ways I can move past this?
Practice. We're talkin' bout practice.
Just keep working at it. It'll come. There are no shortcuts. Your hands will become stronger as you keep working at it. Everyone goes through it.
<< playing for 25 years and still improving.
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