Learning to play the Guitar

I think it really depends upon what you want to play and for how long?  Learning chords is a must for every guitar player, but they get bored easily and then quit trying to learn new chords or how the chords work together.  Learn different fingerings for the different chords, before going to barre chords, because basic barre chords are easy.  If you are wanting to learn rock tunes, watch the videos and notice that many of the tunes are done using barre chords.  Learn that many of the tunes are in normal keys like the key of G major for example.

In the key of G  major the major chords are G, C and D.  With the minors normally used are A minor, B minor and E minor.  So in a simple song like Dylan's "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" it is G - D - Am  followed by G D C in the verses.  Another trait by the Beatles is using the diminished which in this case it would be F# diminished in the key of G.

If you are playing a lot of Americana or folk, learn the 1st position chords and the different ways to finger them.  I play with different musicians all the time at jams, and I have seen three or four different ways to finger the same chord, and since I play bass at the jams, I always ask the key of the songs we are playing.  But, just because a songs starts on a "G" chord, doesn't make the song in the key of "G".

In my opinion, once you have the 1st position chords figured out, you should be learning scales in different positions on the neck, so you actually learn the fret board and the where different notes are on the guitar.

Tony, there are also multiple open mic nights around Omaha.  You could go to one of those and talk with some of the musicians around the area to find different music jams, where you can learn different types of music.  I don't attend any of the Omaha jams, because there are plenty of great musicians for me to play music with in southwest Iowa.

I'm definitely working on learning the fret board.  This whole journey started after a discussion with the lead guitarist at our church.  He told me about how there's a mathematical method to learning notes and it was always easier for him.  
I found this tutorial about Guitar mathematics and it fascinated me.  
http://passyworldofmathematics.com/guitar-mathematics/

I do plan to get together with some people to do some jams.  I have only been at it a couple weeks, so I'm mostly practicing chords, scales, and getting general dexterity stuff going.  Once I feel a little more confident over the next few weeks I plan to do a lot more.

I know learning to read music is going to be a challenge for me.  I certainly recognize the importance though, so I'm commuted to learning.

The quickest way to Carnegie Hall...

I am of modest ability at best, so take this with a grain of salt.  A lot of music can be boiled down to 3 chords (and a cloud of dust).  Learning the combinations of the 1/4/5 chord progressions  (G/C/D as mentioned above in the key of G) goes a long way.  As do scales, fretboard knowledge, and finger exercises. All of that is available to you in your own home, with some time and an internet connection.  After a bit of that, I think it is time to learn from others. My playing took a big step up when I started going to the local Monday night Bluegrass jam.  I am not the biggest bluegrass fan, but it got my into an environment that fostered growth and forced me to play better.  I probably waited too long to take that step.  Many guitar players are kind and helpful people, willing to help others get better.  So don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone.  Get out and see what others are doing.

For the record, I still don't read music, which has come back to bite me on only a few occasions in the past 25 years.

Originally posted by Rollergirl

Originally posted by ecpasos I started learning last year. The best site I've found is http://www.justinguitar.comBeginner and intermediate lessons are free and the quality is incredible. Also, his method makes learning at your own pace very simple. Really great video lessons. I did buy the beginner song book to complement the lessons and it's really well put together. EP

I was going to suggest that. This guy is an amazing teacher. I am mainly a drummer but I like to play a lot of instruments (not happy with just one instrument, not happy with just one sport ) and I have learnt tons about guitar playing from him. He's just started a series on ukuele, which I am religiously following. Good luck with learning to play!

I'm loving him as well.  I really appreciate the recommendation EP.

I love his style and humor, and have ordered his first song book.  I am trying to really take my time and practice each section a lot before progressing on.  I tried to play a few years back and was quickly overwhelmed trying to learn a ton of chords and could never remember any of them or get the transitions down.  With Justin's method of D, E, and A for example with timed exercises I'm flying between the chords and have several easy beginner songs down which are huge confidence boosters.  I've gotten D minor, E minor, and A minor down very well too with fast transitions (relatively speaking) with the majors.  

That's pretty much exactly what I'm doing.  I have my guitar right next to my chair in the living room and have been playing it closer to 2 hours per evening.  So far, I've got the following chords down really well and have been working on speeding up my change times with 1 minute drills (from Justinguitar.com).
I've got A, Amin, E, Emin, D, Dmin, G, and C down and have been playing with some songs on those.
I also spend a good 5 minutes or so a night doing the pentatonic scales. 

last night I was learning the intro to Adel, Someone like you which is mostly G -> Emin -> C.  I've found that learning songs really helps me speed up my chord changes.

I'm really amazed at the amount of progress I've been able to achieve in such a short time.  I couldn't even finger the G chord originally because my fingers just didn't want to move that way and I was a little worried.  However, now I barely have to look at the fret board and it's super easy.  Still need to work on my speed, but it's been very rewarding so far.

As for my rig, it's a heaping pile of poo.  lol
It's one of those $200 Strat packs that has an entry level Strat with a little practice amp.  My daughter had it (and barely used it) for several years and it took a fair amount of abuse.  The pick up selector switch is completely broke now so I can only use the guitar acoustically which is fine for just practicing and learning, but I am thinking Santa will be bringing me something much nicer for Christmas.  lol 
I haven't narrowed down my choices yet, but figured I'd spend around $200-300 for a decent quality entry level electric.  I love both a natural "acoustic" guitar sound as well as the crunch of a good metal/rock song, so I'm fairly certain I will want one with at least one Humbucker, but I've noticed some that have a single pickup selector as well as a Humbucker.  I figure it's the best of both worlds for a clean classic sound as well as some crunch.  There's a Guitar Center near my office so I will try out several.

I did pick up a Line 6 Sonic Port for my iPad already which will suffice for my amp needs once I get a good guitar.

Tony, you are on a slippery slope  My 1 guitar is now 5 with 2 amps. Enjoy walking through Guitar Center, it makes me drool like I do in the bike store. 

lol, I know.  However, I can get a lot of guitars for what I paid for my Tri bike, so I can always tell my wife it's a "cheaper" hobby.  haha

I'm still going to look at several and have the sales dude play a few for me, but I've been eyeballing this one the last couple times I was at the store:
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Squier-Black-and-Chrome-Fat-Strat-Electric-Guitar-103212932-i1147427.gc

Tony, Tony, Tony...  Very slippery slope you are starting into.  I have probably owned 15 different electric guitars and 4 acoustic guitars, and bass guitars, and mandolin, and fiddle, and 15 harmonicas, PA gear, effects units, pedals, wireless, and it has exceeded any of the money spent on tri stuff.  But, I quit buying cheap guitars after age 23  or so.  There are sooooo many options in guitars these days, that I am glad I am only playing bass these days and have one well setup bass that I use for my electric gigs and my double bass that I use for my acoustic gigs.  I just sold my last other electric fretless bass, so I am down to one electric, but may start looking for another again. I know much better musicians that can make a $100.00 guitar sound amazing, but that is because they have really worked hard over the years playing guitar.  Make sure you are getting a full setup if you are buying from Guitar Center, because most of their stuff is taken out of the box and thrown on the wall with nothing more than a quick tune.  Most need serious intonation and neck work to get it playing as it should.

Good luck with your new purchase and hope you really get to enjoy learning and playing.

Thanks bud.  BTW, I wasn't saying it's not an expensive hobby, I was merely expressing my strategy to get purchases past my wife.  "It's only $300 dollars honey, but you remember how much I spent on that Tri bike?  Boy, this is a really cheap hobby.. " lol

I've been having so much fun and it just keeps getting better.  I'm finally getting to the point where I'm trying to learn some songs, and it's really hard to describe the feeling of accomplishment when I can play (somewhat close) an intro or chorus to a song I've known my whole life.  

I did just spend the last hour at Guitar center with a really cool sales dude.  I explained what I was looking for and he grabbed a bunch of different guitars and played them all for me with everything from clean sounds to heavy metal.  I'm pretty sure I've narrowed it down to this one.  Come on Santa! 

The Squier I linked above just didn't feel right and the action was really high and hard for me to play.  This LTD just felt right and sounded a lot better to me.

http://www.omaha.com/go/buying-a-guitar-don-t-fret-seasoned-players-have-plenty/article_35c5c124-3d6b-55d2-9603-bac78fcb9561.html#.VIdUCPNUjfk.facebook

Very timely.  thanks

That's awesome.  I'm still hanging in beginner stage 3.  I could move on, but I'm making sure I learn all the chord transitions well and get the songs down before I hit the next one.

Tony, my wife and I were talking about Christmas presents the other day and she mentioned the year that she got me lessons. I think I ended up taking lessons for about 6 months. I improved a lot during that time period, because  of (I think) the accountability and the theory discussions. Once I understood the theory a bit more (chord formations, sixths, minors, sevenths, augs, dims, etc) things came into focus a bit more. Also, once we started into different types of scales such as pentatonic and mixolidian and whatnot, I began to stretch more as a player. Just another avenue for you down the road.

Slippery slope I tell you.

I was goofing around last night practicing my changes between Emin to C9 to Gmaj.  I threw on a Kapo 2 and mixed in a Dadd9 after a while and it started to sound pretty cool.  I have really been focusing on learning chords and cord changes vs. learning songs because I want to get a strong foundation before I start learning them.  However, I thought it was pretty cool how a song kind of appeared out of my practice last night So I thought I'd share.  

For your amusement (mistakes and all)

I'm absolutely amazed at my progress after just 8 weeks.  I still remember freaking out trying to make a G chord and thinking I'd never be able to get it.  Now I'm thinking I might actually be able to do this.  ;-)