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sherm03's avatar

sherm03

I go balls deep.

7,349 posts
Jun 4, 2010 11:09 PM
I just bought a guitar and have started to learn to play. It's been about a week now.

Any tips for a true beginner? I'm starting to get a little better switching between a few of the chords...but I still struggle really bad with it. What worked for you when it came to switching between chords?
Jun 4, 2010 11:09pm
ohiotiger33's avatar

ohiotiger33

Senior Member

1,500 posts
Jun 4, 2010 11:16 PM
Try and find easy songs that use C-G-D chords at first. There are a ton. The toughest thing in the world will be building up the finger strength for the barre chords (such as the F chord). It will seem impossible at first but you will get it. I am self taught for about 5 years now and consider myself fairly proficient.


What kinda guitar did you buy?
Jun 4, 2010 11:16pm
sherm03's avatar

sherm03

I go balls deep.

7,349 posts
Jun 4, 2010 11:24 PM
I bought a used Fender Squier acoustic. It was only $50...and I didn't want to spend any more than that on my first guitar until I found out if I was really going to stick with it. If I start to get better...and want to upgrade, I'll do that down the road.

I'm kind of decent at switching between the C and G...but I struggle with the D chord really bad!
Jun 4, 2010 11:24pm
ohiotiger33's avatar

ohiotiger33

Senior Member

1,500 posts
Jun 4, 2010 11:30 PM
It honestly seems super hard at first. But it is like anything; one day (pretty soon) it will start to click way more than it did the day before. Once you get C, G and D. Go to Em (easy) and Am (also pretty easy). A is a bit tougher at first. But the best advice I can give is keep working those changes! Strumming will take some getting used to as well. Is this your first instrument? Or were you good at others before?
Jun 4, 2010 11:30pm
sherm03's avatar

sherm03

I go balls deep.

7,349 posts
Jun 4, 2010 11:31 PM
I played the Recorder in 4th grade...so ya, this is my first instrument. LOL.
Jun 4, 2010 11:31pm
ohiotiger33's avatar

ohiotiger33

Senior Member

1,500 posts
Jun 4, 2010 11:33 PM
Haha, well that will make it a bit tougher. But honestly, guitar is its own animal. Just stick with it. I am so happy I picked it up; it is a very fun hobby.
Jun 4, 2010 11:33pm
Curly J's avatar

Curly J

Self Pwner in Training.

7,282 posts
Jun 5, 2010 12:01 AM
Just lots of practice. I bought an Eagles song book with easy chords and taught myself. I taught myself wrong on a few things, but I'm not a pro and never will be.
Jun 5, 2010 12:01am
sherm03's avatar

sherm03

I go balls deep.

7,349 posts
Jun 5, 2010 12:11 AM
I hear that. I'm not trying to be the next Hendrix or anything like that. I've just always wanted to be able to sit on my porch in the summer with a beer and play a little bit.
Jun 5, 2010 12:11am
Curly J's avatar

Curly J

Self Pwner in Training.

7,282 posts
Jun 5, 2010 12:57 AM
Yea, I remember a few years ago when you talked about wanting to play guitar. (at that site that wanted $$$) My first guitar was an inexpensive Alvarez. It was ok, but I did learn sometimes it can be harder to learn on a cheap guitar. I was real happy to move on to an Ovation 12 string. It plays easier that my 6 string Alvarez.

I haven't played since July of last year. My Ovation 12 string has a huge crack at the neck just below the tuners. A friend of mine that builds guitars and Ukes is repairing it. Plus having broken my collar bone, and the following surgery on it, I haven't been able to.
Jun 5, 2010 12:57am
David St. Hubbins's avatar

David St. Hubbins

Senior Member

205 posts
Jun 5, 2010 11:56 AM
AC/DC songs are always good for starting out, they use basically the same 3 easy chords in every song.
Jun 5, 2010 11:56am
sherm03's avatar

sherm03

I go balls deep.

7,349 posts
Jun 5, 2010 12:03 PM
There's the same 3 chords in almost every song. I have a list of about 10-15 that use some combination of C-G-D-E-A. I just have trouble switching between them.

And besides...AC/DC songs aren't going to sound that great on an acoustic guitar. LOL.
Jun 5, 2010 12:03pm
Scarlet_Fever's avatar

Scarlet_Fever

Senior Member

736 posts
Jun 5, 2010 12:05 PM
one thing sherm that may help is putting on some light or extra light strings on the guitar. If you haven't already. Playing a cheaper guitar can sometimes make it harder. Trust me all mine are cheap and I love when I get to play a nice guitar. Although I never really progressed from where I was 12 years ago. I just don't dedicate the time to get better and struggle with bar chords.
Jun 5, 2010 12:05pm
Strapping Young Lad's avatar

Strapping Young Lad

Senior Member

2,453 posts
Jun 5, 2010 1:05 PM
Learn your scales and use your pinky when you play them. When you are sitting around watching TV or whatever just play scales.
Jun 5, 2010 1:05pm
sherm03's avatar

sherm03

I go balls deep.

7,349 posts
Jun 5, 2010 3:31 PM
I really struggling getting a good sound on the D chord. I can a good full sound on all the other chords...but for some reason when I play the D chord it rings weird or sounds muffled. Is that just from a lack of finger strength?
Jun 5, 2010 3:31pm