who can play guitar? - any one?

[arethemad]

I can't, but I wanna learn.

Those of you who can play, did you just teach yourself, or did you take lessons?

Also, any suggestions for ways to start (guitars to learn on, etc -- preferably cheap)? Even before I first played Guitar Hero last year I'd been interested in learning to play, but this summer I took up golf so I only had time for one hobby, heh. Now I'm back at school and whenever I come home I have nothing to do.

Only do it if you're really dedicated. It might be a fad, with Guitar Hero coming out and all, but only do it if it's something you'll take seriously. I've seen a lot of people waste a lot of money on a good guitar and then they don't play it.

I play in a band, and have been doing so for about 8 months. I'd love to play better than I can, but I just do harmonics, rhythm, and the occasional easy bass line. I'm lead singer, which is what I wanted to do, but I feel like I do most of the work.(Typical front man, eh? :p ) I write the lyrics, main riffs for the lead guitar, main riffs for our bass player, and my riffs, if I have any. The only person I think actually cares about the band is our drummer, but that's another story.

Back to guitar. I started with a cherry red Washburn X8, ended up getting sponsored about 4 months ago, and still have 2 months left on the sponsorship deal. 6 months for a new guitar for me, our bassist, and our lead guitarist, a couple new pieces for our drummers set, a new mic, and to top it all off, a couple of the nicest amps I've ever heard. Considering we've never played on any stage bigger than 1000, I think it's safe to assume that we got the better part of that deal :p

[Michele]

I've been playing guitar for about the last 3 years. I used to take lessons, and took a class at school... but that all ended about a year and a half ago. Since then I haven't really improved much . but I'm going to get private lessons again after I'm done with piano lessons for a school project.

[Funcoot]

Right now I got an O.K. guitar, but it is missing 2 strings and is out of tune, so for now I'm teaching myself, just strumming around, I almost got the smoke on the water riff down.. well on one string .

I'm using an acoustic guitar.

[zombiedave]

I ended up getting sponsored about 4 months ago

After only 8 months of guitar playing you got sponsered? good on you!

[arethemad]

I ended up getting sponsored about 4 months ago

After only 8 months of guitar playing you got sponsered? good on you!

If anything at all, it's out drummer that got us sponsored. He's amazing. It's not really a fair sponsorship either. We aren't exactly a city crawling with rock bands.

I still enjoy it nonetheless.

[el nini]

I've been playing almost 2 years. Completely self taught on a Peavy Raptor. Looking to get an acoustic too though.

[RCagent]

Well, I'm planning on learning a Guitar, I had always wanted to, and the only other instrument I can play is the Trumpet.

My Mom wants me to get one too so I can do other things besides playing games (giving out ownage.) And she seemed to come up with the idea for a Guitar from watching me play Frets on Fire. So she's planning on getting me a "Esteban" Guitar from HSN for me and my dad.

Although, I have the obvious thought that the Esteban Guitar will probably suck in quality, I can hopefully use it as a beginner then find a nice Guitar.

[Dodecatron]

Yeah, ive been playing for about 4 years 2 with lessons, 2 without

[eragonus]

I just got one last sunday and am learning to play. I'm eaching myself but i snapped a string trying to tune it and need to get it replaced and the guitar in tune.

[magicash]

2 1/2 years, self-taught and not to shabby if i do say so myself

[Joe]

I have played bass for 1 year and 6 months and guitar for 6-7 months and me and my friend had done gigs at a local coffee shop about 7-8 times.

[Raizer Sabre]

i can't play guitar.....although kinda in keeping with fof i actually play keyboard lol (musical keyboard :p)

[Adiman423]

I am a beginner at the moment. I can play the chord parts for smoke on the water, love is only a feeling, boulevard of broken dreams, and the intro to paradise city

[zannredwater]

Ive played for about 6 years. it actually doesn't help on guitar hero i dont think. its set up to differently.

[fretshredder89]

i've played for just under 8 years right now. completely self taught. i play many styles, i have 2 electric guitars, and one acoustic. all very nice, and easy to play. like many, i'll give you an idea of my playing ability so you can judge for yourself how good i am..and what i have to show for 8 years of playing. and unlike fozz, i got lucky and figured out alternate picking, the second month that i was playing. i love the speed that gives me.
i have a band..but none of the members have near as much musical experience under their belts..but thats okay.
you can ask them..i can play darn near anything you ask me to.
there's only one advanced technique i haven't mastered, and thats sweep picking. i write arpeggios all the time, and i can somewhat sweep pick...but not good enough.
i learn extremely well by ear. i took ten minutes and just from memory, not even an mp3, i learned about half of Yngwie Malmsteen's "Arpeggios From Hell" it wasn't hard, just takes a good ear.
i can play most of EVH's "eruption" with very little mistakes, though i'm not really a speed guitarist.
metallica is easy, even stratovarius is easy..just takes time, and practice.

now, none of this is too brag, because i have much room for improvement. also, i am not some super arrogant guitarist thats so good that he looks down on those just learning, in fact, i'm teaching 2 friends, and trying to get another one to let me help her learn.

my advice to anyone trying to learn, maybe take a few lessons...but thats not the important thing. i only ever learned a smaller number of scales. i focused mainly on learning technique by playing other artist material, then writing something in my own style, but using the same technique.
play for at least an hour a day, if not more.
even now, i still play at least 2 hours a day.

i would also advise anyone trying to learn, to start for a couple of months on an acoustic guitar. it will build callous and finger strength, and when you switch to electric, it will make life so much easier. i would know, thats how i learned.

as for equipment, try to find a guitar that fits your hand size, and finger length. i prefer something with a somewhat wide neck, but thin, front to back, tho i do have large hands..
i play a gibson sg, and i love it. ibanez make very good guitars also. good for fast playing, along with schecter.


amp-wise? i use a behringer gmx 212. and a crate glx 212.


i love playing. and i love playing for people...just to make them happy...i don't really like to hear that i'm good or not...

i wish good luck to anyone who is learning or wants to learn.

i think that most of this post sounds like bragging...but like i said above..i don't like bein told that i'm good or anything..so i'm really not tryin to brag.