Online guitar tuition - any recommendations?

[Dan B]

Random thread for the new year: there's an electric guitar in the corner of my study, which I've had for an embarrassingly long time considering I can't play it worth a damn. Has anyone taught themselves using online resources, and what did you find that was worth looking at? Free or cheap preferred.

 

[Theseus]

Looked into it a few years ago when t1 & t2 were both wanting to learn, but they didn't stick with it and we have 2 instruments sitting gathering dust.

 

[Canrider]

Can't say for electric, but acoustic guitar + chord book + downloaded tabs (when available due to copyright shenanigans) should get you rocking in the free world..?

 

[jim55]

justin sandercoe has a very good site ,,hes a well respected teacher and plays in katie meluas band ,imo the best online teacher about ,,free and very easy to get going with ,,his site is funded by donations and selling a few chord books and stuff(you dont have to pay ,,hes kinda cool karma man )but its fair enough ,,iv bought a few dvds and stuff for learning and it helps all round ,,very very good ...

 

[SmileyBoots]

The main problem with learning from websites, books,etc is that you don't have someone sitting in front of you to point out anything you are doing wrong before it becomes a habit. Bad habits are hard change so try and find someone who can play well, that is prepared to keep an eye on your technique.

Also, record yourself often. When you listen to yourself, you'll hear what you really sound like - and if it sounds ok, you're on the right track. If not, you should be able to hear where you are going wrong.

I've taught many people to play and it is much easier to teach newbies than those that have picked up bad habits/technique already.

But it is meant to be fun, so play a lot, listen more and get a metronome. Good luck.

 

[numbnuts]

have a look on youtube

 

[MontyVeda]

have a look on youtube

Yup, there's loads of great tutorials on youtube...but some folks are so good they make me wanna put the guitar down and give up for good.... spend some time finding simple tunes you'd like to play... do you want to strum along to Coldplay... try some easy classical or just play the riff to Sunshine of your Love? It's all there.

 

[Salad Dodger]

+1 for justin sandercoe.

 

[ColinJ]

One site that I like the look of is Guitar Tricks.

 

[Cletus Van Damme]

I play on and off and I am not much good. Ultimate Guitar (just type into google) is a great place for guitar tablature that is rated and most of it is fairly accurate. Lick Library DVD's are also pretty good as they teach you your favourite artists, although it is expected that you know a little already. Another mate that is a beginner really recommends a free site called justinguitar (type in google). It is a great website seriously. When you get better there is a superb program called the amazing slowdowner, which will slow down your CD's or MP3 files and loop them so you can breakdown your favourite artists tracks to play along too. I believe that VLC player will also do this and is free, but maybe harder to use. I am fortunate that my favourite band is fairly easy to learn the rhythm guitar to, playing it well is a different matter, but the majority of AC/DC riffs are mainly just variations of G, D and A chords with the odd E or other chords but mainly those 3. Playing the lead like Angus is a much harder prospect though. I would possibly recommend the odd lesson though as playing an electric with distortion will sound shoot if you do not learn a bit of string muting technique (using parts of your hands to stop the notes ringing out into each other and sounding shite). But you will possibly figure this out for yourself as I did when I learned the main riff off Highway To Hell, where you have to use the outside of your picking hand to mute the strings after each der, der, der etc, or else it just all sustains into a muddy mess. And if you wanted to learn lead it is good for a decent teacher to show you how to bend strings correctly using your wrist instead of fingers and how to use vibrato. It's a hard instrument to play, but then again I think that most people could play a recognisable riff pretty easily, more so Smoke On The Water. And it is great fun even if you are crap like me to jam along to your favourite track. Depends how serious you want to take it, if you want to take it really seriously definitely get lessons and learn rhythm notation etc. Good luck.

 

[Vapin' Joe]

The main problem with learning from websites, books,etc is that you don't have someone sitting in front of you to point out anything you are doing wrong before it becomes a habit. Bad habits are hard change so try and find someone who can play well, that is prepared to keep an eye on your technique.

Having tried to teach myself a few years back I'll agree with that.

Even one or two lessons with a tutor to get you under way will teach you so much and save you shed loads of time that it will be well worth the money.

 

[growingvegetables]

The main problem with learning from websites, books,etc is that you don't have someone sitting in front of you to point out anything you are doing wrong before it becomes a habit. Bad habits are hard change so try and find someone who can play well, that is prepared to keep an eye on your technique.

+1

 

[BigonaBianchi]

I'm 100% self taught..never had a single real life lesson in my life. I learned by listening to records (in the days when there were no computers let alone you tube etc) and tuition videos . Today there is so much online it's amazing...if I had had access to all that back then I'd be a better player.

New The main problem with learning from websites, books,etc is that you don't have someone sitting in front of you to point out anything you are doing wrong before it becomes a habit. Bad habits are hard change so try and find someone who can play well, that is prepared to keep an eye on your technique.

Totally agree with this...learning alone it's very easy to learn mistakes and not know it.

One of my fav players ever Vinnie Moore once said "Practice does not make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect"

I'd be inclined to have a teacher sit with you to show you the basics...also crucially important stuff like how to tune and properly set up your guitar, how to get the tone you want etc.

There are many of exercises you can then practice...I used Vinnie Moores Hot licks videos at an early stage...moved my on light years.

The single biggest thing though is attitude...I got hooked when I heard Blackmore play, and then when the girls at school all wanted the guys who were in bands..whatever the reason, it must be something that really fires you up...playing is all about the journey, the destination doesnt really exist...there is always something else to learn.

Take each exercice really slowly. GET IT RIGHT, don't rush...speed will come, accuracy is more important. Play along to backing tracks all the time (www.freeguitar backing tracks.com)...youtube for "how to play ..insert your fav song"

I'll happily help if I can online...been doing this 35 year now...it's part of who I am.

 

[TwickenhamCyclist]

slightly off topic but Guitar Pro software is fun and can aid learning... I'm sure there is a trial download, if not ot's only a few dollars and well worth it - loads of tabs for it on the web... search .gp3 files - and the software plays along, allowing you to adjust tempo etc showing you where to put your fingers on the fret board... anyway here's one of the best guitar sketches ever

 

[BigonaBianchi]

Not that I mean anyone is a middle aged dog but this is an interesting article on learning the guitar.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB100...28480043944556.html?google_editors_picks=true