learning to play the electric guitar

[Hey_Mr._Jack]

is it hard to learn how to play the electric guitar? i want to learn how to play, but without going to classes, i mean with an instructional video or book.

[Fastfly]

I know alot of my friends pick it up from doing internet lessons.....sorry I dont know more.

[imbest123]

Just go to your local music store the should have cd's and books to teach you how to play.

[Nuclear Krusader]

Is it trtue that you have to know thow to play the acoustic guitar before tryting the electric one?

[Hey_Mr._Jack]

and the acoustic guitar is the un-electrified one, right?

[Hey_Mr._Jack]

i want to aspire to sound like Tom Morello From Rage Against The Machine

[Swimmfree200]

I wouldnt recommend trying to sound like anyone. Its sort of like singing. i play the base. I picked it up myself. I dont actually know the note but just learn songs. After a while u pick up ur own sound and ur own style. Learning music is the quickest way to get better and u dont get bored bc ur not just doing scales ur playing songs u already know. Start off with something easy like Green Day Espionage or Sweet home alabama and work ur way up. Maybe someday u can learn Van Halens Eruption.

[Cacstus]

It's just a matter of perserverance. The electric is easier on the fingers and the acoustic is easier on the ears. The acoustic is also a lot more portable since you don't have to lug an amplifier around or plug it in. I would suggest starting with an acoustic and an inexpensive tuner. The tuner really is important for starting out since playing a guitar that is out of tune is especially unsatisfying. Also your fingertips will toughen up more and your left hand strength will develop better with the acoustic.


I never have learned to read music, but I have found tab to be effective for learning new stuff, and very available on the web. Try these sites out:

http://www.guitartabs.cc/home.php
http://www.olga.net/dynamic/search.php

Try not to get discouraged too quickly. It will take you some time to feel comfortable with the instrument, and your coordination will get better as you spend more time practicing.
I would guess a couple months will pass before you play anything that really makes you smile inside.

[not important]

Originally posted by Cacstus Try not to get discouraged too quickly. It will take you some time to feel comfortable with the instrument, and your coordination will get better as you spend more time practicing. I would guess a couple months will pass before you play anything that really makes you smile inside.

Very good advice! I've been a percussionist for a little over 50 yrs. It takes a LOT of patience and practice to play any musical instrument well.

[Prew]

Acoustic versus electric- its a different style of playing and different types of songs. Electric can be easier to sound good in the beginning because a good amp and guitar can provide effects (note sustain, reverb, wah-wah, etc.) that make it sound like you are doing more than you are actually doing.

Advice: don't buy a cheap guitar- these can be almost impossible to play (strings are often too high from the neck) and make it frustrating to learn to play (and they sound like crap)

[inflames988]

My friend got real excited about it, played a while then just stopped. If you've got the right motivation yeah, you can do it, i think its better because you can "teach" yourself whenever you have time and not go through lessons. Are youa system of a Down fan? (Hey Mr Jack)

[DrZaius]

Also make sure to learn the real chords (A-G, Am, Em, etc.), not just power chords, which sometimes become a trap for beginner electric guitarists since a lot of recent bands use them almost exclusively.

[coolcps]

The good thing about electric, you can easily make up some crappy tunes and they will likely sound nice, where as on accoustic it sounds wussy I think electric is easier to play because it is easier to hold and you dont have to strum hard at all to get the sound you want.

[Markoman01027]

Originally posted by Swimmfree200 Maybe someday u can learn Van Halens Eruption.

Yeah, just takes practice. After a few years of practicing, my friend can play Eruption and he's pretty good at it too.

[Nuclear Krusader]

Originally posted by DrZaius Also make sure to learn the real chords (A-G, Am, Em, etc.), not just power chords, which sometimes become a trap for beginner electric guitarists since a lot of recent bands use them almost exclusively.

Say that again?

What are the difference?

Sorry to be asking such a dumb question but I know nothing about electric guitars and I wanna learn.

[DrZaius]

NK,

Here's a good intro to Power Chords that explains the differences.

[Nuclear Krusader]

You are most gracious.

[Prew]

Of course- with electric there are two types- the rock guitars (solid bodies- Gibson Les Paul and SG), Fender Telecaster and Stratocaster) and the hollow bodies that jazz guitarists use-- don't be fooled though - all the sound comes from the pick-ups- hollow versus solid doesn't make a difference.

Electrics are easier to start off with- acoustic guitars hurt your fretting fingers until you develop callouses. However, for solo work, you can do more with an acoustic (when you are finger plucking with you right hand. But then this style of playing can be quite challenging.

[Hey_Mr._Jack]

Originally posted by muskie88 Are you a system of a Down fan? (Hey Mr Jack)

YES!!! I love system of a down, but i don't listen much anymore, i've listened to it so much, i know every word/beat/pause, i even have the between-track pause down pat. I listen mostly to the clash, kill your idols, the nerve agents, NOFX, and Bad Religion. l"ve also begun to like the misfits. But it's kil your idols "Autumn" that got me finally deciding to learn to play