How difficult is it to learn to play guitar by yourself?

It justdepends. Some people do better with lessons. Myself, I felt that 30 minutes per week with the bullshit material the guys at House of Music taught me wasn't worth it. I had a cool teacher for a while, Tony Dyer (of the bands F5 and State of Mind, voted in the Illinois Times as best guitarist in central Illinois) but after he quit, so did I.

I progressed a lot faster on my own. With the wealth of information on the web, you can do pretty well on your own if you're self motivated.

I haven't played regularly in 2 years, 1 of which I didn't have my guitar around, but I'm about to get a new amp (old one was stolen) and pick it back up.

My life's goals were always as follows:

1. Move to southern California/LA area.
2. Hook up with a gorgeous woman.
3. Join/form a band and become famous.

I've already accomplished 1 and 2, and I'm ready to go for #3 (although I have been in bands before, in Illinois).

EDIT: In regards to what smalien said, it really is a good idea to learn to read music. But for now, you can easily learn some simple songs via tablature, which just tells you which frets and strings to place your fingers on.
 
[quote name='Matt Young']

I've already accomplished 1 and 2, and I'm ready to go for #3 (although I have been in bands before, in Illinois).[/QUOTE]

If I learn to play something or sing, you can join my band Death Leprechaun. :)

OP, don't give up hope on learning guitar.

Jack Black from Tenacious D started learning from scratch, self-taught, at the age of 23.
 
[quote name='Saucy Jack']If I learn to play something or sing, you can join my band Death Leprechaun. :)

OP, don't give up hope on learning guitar.

Jack Black from Tenacious D started learning from scratch, self-taught, at the age of 23.[/QUOTE]


He's in California, so he's joining my band... Got it, Tex? :p
 
[quote name='Saucy Jack']If I learn to play something or sing, you can join my band Death Leprechaun. :)

OP, don't give up hope on learning guitar.

Jack Black from Tenacious D started learning from scratch, self-taught, at the age of 23.[/QUOTE]

damn! 23 years old!
 
if you just want to learn songs, not that hard.

if you want to learn how to play, might as well take a few lessons first.
 
Lessons would be the route to take, but if you have the gift then no. Lessons help you start off on a right path, I didn't take lessons and I picked up several bad habits (because they were easier) that made it harder to get really good later on.
 
[quote name='Apossum']if you just want to learn songs, not that hard.

if you want to learn how to play, might as well take a few lessons first.[/QUOTE]
Just songs. What's the difference betweent the two?


What would be an ideal price for a cheap low end guitar?
 
[quote name='DT778']Just songs. What's the difference betweent the two?


What would be an ideal price for a cheap low end guitar?[/QUOTE]

Songs - Pre-Made
Just playing - Talent/Free-form
 
I was about to make a thread like this. More for tips about playing. I have been practices on and off for a year. And I still around the area of seeing a guitar for the first time and playing not a lick. I know nothing about playing. I know about guitars but can't play at all. On itunes their is free lessons from iplay music 35 of them. They have helped a little. I really think some people are not able to play instruments.
 
[quote name='Graystone']I was about to make a thread like this. More for tips about playing. I have been practices on and off for a year. And I still around the area of seeing a guitar for the first time and playing not a lick. I know nothing about playing. I know about guitars but can't play at all. On itunes their is free lessons from iplay music 35 of them. They have helped a little. I really think some people are not able to play instruments.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, pretty much the same here. I know a little about playing (I can do A Major and E Major) but not much else. I just don't think it'd be worth spending money on anything, if not lessons. I spent $40 on a tutorial thing with a DVD and all, and it's just not the same when you can't ask questions or learn at your own pace.
 
[quote name='DT778']Just songs. What's the difference betweent the two?


What would be an ideal price for a cheap low end guitar?[/QUOTE]

Be wary of super cheap guitars. Most big name manufacturers have beginners lines that are good, reliable instruments for a fair price. You can get a Fender from the Squire Affinity series for between $150 and $200 new (if you want an electric) or a low-end Epiphone acoustic for around $100. Both lines are solid. I buy most of my new gear from Musicians’ Friend, but you can also check local guitar shops for used equipment.
 
If your have some natural talent at music or have played other instruments then I doubt it'd be too terribly hard. I have 2 or 3 friends that are pretty good at guitar and all were self-taught. I know you have to practice though, especially if you don't have lessons to go to regularly, you'd need to practice a hell of alot.
 
I think most anyone can teach themselves to play songs with chords and stuff but it will take your entire life and then some to master. I'd say all it takes is a solid year with practicing most every day to get some chick to take her pants off for you though. Totally worth the effort.
 
[quote name='javeryh']I think most anyone can teach themselves to play songs with chords and stuff but it will take your entire life and then some to master. I'd say all it takes is a solid year with practicing most every day to get some chick to take her pants off for you though. Totally worth the effort.[/QUOTE]

:rofl:
 
Does anyone know of a good starter guitar for under $100?

I saw a nice little electric guitar with a small amp at Wal-Mart for $100, heh. I thought it sounded nice, but a true player would probably laugh at it.
 
[quote name='Troopa']Does anyone know of a good starter guitar for under $100?

I saw a nice little electric guitar with a small amp at Wal-Mart for $100, heh. I thought it sounded nice, but a true player would probably laugh at it.[/QUOTE]

This Epi Les Paul Jr and this Squire Bullet are both fair starters for under 100, though Squires sometime require a little care and some re-soldering of the pickups if you're rough with 'em (which I'm known to be). I'd shy away from the Wal-mart specials though. :)

Musician's Friend sometimes has a double cutaway model of that LP Jr for 99 bones, but not right now. The single cutaway isn't bad or anything, I just like the look of the double better.
 
The best cheap accoustic guitar Ive ever played is a Rogue 100D Dreadnought Guitar. You can get it on MusicansFriend.com now for about $79, but they often have it on sale for about $50 or $60. Keep checking.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=guitar/search/detail/base_pid/511192/

For a good cheap electric check out the OLP MM1. This thing sounds and looks great for the price. Its a replica of the Eddie Van Halen musicman he played in the early 1990's. MusiciansFriend has them for about $199, but you can find them on eBay for as low as $125.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=guitar/search/detail/base_pid/516000/

Also, pick up a DVD called "Fender Presents: Getting Started on Electric Guitar" or "Fender Presents: Getting Started on Accoustic Guitar". These are both VERY good basic DVD lessons. The teacher, Keith Wyatt on these DVDs is excellent. And the best beginner DVDs I've ever seen. They sell for about $20 each, but you can find them on eBay for about $10 occasionally.
 
[quote name='DT778']I've been interested in learning how to play for a while but I don't want to pay for lessons.[/QUOTE]
If you've played another instrument, playing guitar will be exceptionally easy to pick up. I learned on my own by reading information on the internet, visiting harmony central to pick up simple tablatures and by watching guitar players live.

Watching people play live is probably one of the more crucial point in my guitar education. I see how the pros actually do things.

If you've not learned to play another instrument, then, the learning curve may be a bit high. You would be best picking up a book or two on music theory, so that you can learn about music before attempting to really play it. Or try and learn music theory with your guitar.
 
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