Advice on getting started

[Desiree A]

Hello, I just signed up and I am a bit overwhelmed as to where to start as a beginner. I clicked on the beginner lesson tab but there are so many topics which is great, but I was hoping anyone could help me narrow down what to start with. Thank you!

[Michael L]

Hi Desiree, welcome to AM! This is the place to be to learn guitar. You’re going to love it.
This question comes up often. The best advice is just jump in on a lesson that sounds good to your ear. Every lesson will cover certain topics, and they get repeated across many lessons. There is no set “path”. Have fun, and ask lots of questions. This is a friendly place!

This question comes up often enough that there’s a full discussion about it here: Beginner Guitar Thread

[sunjamr]

Welcome Desiree! Michael’s advice is pretty much what all of us have done. Just pick any lesson that you like, and dive in ans practice it until you feel comfortable playing it. Slow is good. You do need to plan on actually memorizing some of the lessons, because that way you will develop the muscle memory for common licks and tricks. At first you need to start building a “lick library”, so that you can play along to a jamtrack and just cut and paste licks into your own creation. After a while, you can begin to modify your known licks a bit, and then eventually you can create your own licks on the fly, and just play whatever musical phrase comes into your head. It will happen,

Sunjamr Steve

[John H]

Welcome Desiree,
What Michael and Steve said. There is a lot of material in Brian’s vast library. There is no better online guitar community so you are in the right place. Find what you like-there are lessons in just about every guitar genre possible (rockabilly, ragtime blues, folk, delta blues, classic rock, jazz, Western swing etc. etc.) Have fun, take your time, ask questions (like you are), and remember this is a long journey that can be frustrating. Here, you are not alone. Don’t forget you can post audio and or video and when ready there are monthly challenges.

JH

[Bill]

Hi and welcome! The other guys offered some great tips. I’d add, depending on your level, learning the C A G E D chords in the open position (often called Cowboy Chords). Get comfortable switching between these…so many great songs can be played just there with just 3 chords.
So much music is built off these shapes as they transfer further up the neck, there are lots of lessons on that when you are ready!

[Author]

Posts