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Post by Master Blaster on Mar 27, 2009 17:53:26 GMT -6
This was an awesome set of gifts! Got a rebuilt fender guitar and johnson amp. I have never played an instrument in my life, but always wanted to learn. I am stoked. Going to take it with me on underways and see if I can come back with some knowledge on how to play. Gorgeous guitar, cherry red with a white pick guard. Also came with an instructional dvd, tuner, spare strings and a case.
Any quick start tips? I did the first lesson on the guitar dvd. Learned the E5,A5 and D5 power chords, although I need to go practice some more. Fingers are sore, but the calluses will need to be built.
Going to take scuba lessons in May. Cali is pretty cool so far, other than the actual ship.
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Post by Saggitariutt Jefferspin (ith) on Mar 27, 2009 18:09:25 GMT -6
Sweet!
First of all, practice as much patience as possible. You're not going to shred right away.
One piece of advice that was given to me that helped --- after you start learning the chords, when you're not even playing the guitar, put your fingers in the shape of the chord, and transition from chord (shape) to chord (shape). It's hard to illustrate in words, but this seemed to help me. It helps train your hand with chord transitions, instead of individually putting each finger in place, one at a time.
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Post by iammrhawkeyes on Mar 27, 2009 22:19:39 GMT -6
Sounds pretty cool. Is it a strat or a tele? Does the amp have any built in effects (distortion, reverb etc.). Besides Itheus' fine advice, here are a few suggestions. Learn music theory( I know, boring) as you progress. You'll be able to learn at a higher rate once you learn a few of the music building blocks. Learn the correct scales to go along with the chords that you learn. Along with learning to read music, try picking out the chords/leads to some easy tunes that you like by ear. Set a basic schedule for "formal " pratices (3,4 or more times aweek). Keep the guitar by your favorite tv watching seat. It's a great time to just mess around. Once you get by the intial callus/muscle building, things progress much faster. Watch other players. There are many things to be picked up that aren't "in the book".
P.S. The most important thing if your serious about playing(for fun that is): Buy a metronome and use it during your formal practice sessions. Good luck and feel free to ask any questions.
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Post by Master Blaster on Mar 28, 2009 0:41:26 GMT -6
Thanks for the advice. Just started playing it for the first time today. Obviously a long ways to go, but like having it around. It is a strat by the way. I am guessing it is probably an entry level type model, a Squire, but I don't really care. It's something I always said I was going to do, but always put off. My wife rocks. It's midnight and I am still fooling around with it. As things progress, more to follow.
Edit: I am still trying to translate the notes in the books to the frets and strings on the guitar. The wife is helping me with learning to read basic notes, just gotta develop some basic knowledge.
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