new to guitar, need quick advice

Decohead · #1 November 13th, 2007

How long does it take to build up calluses? I ask because I'm sick n tired of my fingers hittting other strings....

is it a month...couple years....?

I try to do scales for about an hour a day but, it's getting pretty boring...I know I have a LOT to learn but, some progress to making sound that doesn't sound like alley cats screwing on a plate glass window...

some advice please!!!

mattz196 · #2 November 13th, 2007

I think months guessing two or three for calluses , why not intersperse your scale practice with just playing a song or two you really enjoy. Try to make your practicing fun

Matty22 · #3 November 13th, 2007

Seconded. IF your not enjoying what you are practising you'll grow tired of it quickly.

As much as scales and exercises are important. They're not where near as satisfying as playing your first song all the way through.

Try cutting your teeth on some songs, and chords. You can make music quicker that way in the early stages. Thousands of songs share chords, but its rare to find two songs with the same lick/riffs.

The calouses will come with time, each person will be different, but for me it was around a month, and after 3 months, my fingers strengthened and i didnt get callouses.

-Matt

cshude · #4 November 13th, 2007

Ditto- play some songs! Scales can get awful boring after more than a couple minutes. The calluses will come quickly if you are playing an hour or so per day. Also, you will find that your fingers will "shrink" as well so that you won't be hitting those other strings.

krissovo · #5 November 13th, 2007

Same from me as the others, play songs first.

I use a looper and I will play a tune into it and then jam away with my scales, much more fun and for me is a better learning tool than just playing scales. Its the best of both worlds!

StateRd84 · #6 November 13th, 2007

Deco,

Not sure whether I can give good advice since I am only about 12 days into learning, but I'll share what I have done.

When I practice I first run through the scales I've learned (two, right now), then I run through the chords I know (12). This limbers up my fingers and works on the calluses. After a week in I started to look for songs to learn and also am working on lessons on this site (great lessons). Try this one: Changing Chords
I did this and now am adding different strum patterns. You'll notice progress and it'll make you feel great when you realize you can make pleasing sounds. Most important is make it FUN. Of course, practice, practice, practice.

Thom

allthumbs · #7 November 13th, 2007

I don't do scales at all. As long as your fingers are in contact with the strings, you will develop calluses no matter what you play. It isn't the calluses that improve your accuracy. It is the time spent practicing too develop them.

Stratrat · #8 November 13th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by allthumbs

... As long as your fingers are in contact with the strings, you will develop calluses no matter what you play. It isn't the calluses that improve your accuracy. It is the time spent practicing to develop them.

Great advice right there.

+1 to the other above advice also. I'd go nuts playing scales an hour a day - I think I would have quit playing after the first couple of weeks! Learn a few easy songs and mix them in there to make it fun. Kriss' advice about a looper is a good one also. I'd also add in to play with backing tracks/drum tracks/mp3 player/whatever. Developing rhythm and timing is very important - a song with a few muffed chords played with good timing is much more pleasing to listen to than a song with perfect chords and terrible rhythm/timing.

starsailor · #9 November 13th, 2007

Same as above really, just a bit of moral support, it is a bit painful starting off but those callouses will harden up in a couple of months, and I agree about mixing your practice up, I would think the pain of starting off and getting bogged down in one area of practice would be significant factors in people giving up, so learn a few simple songs, stroll around the fretboard a bit and improvise a bit and make practice fun, anything involving education requires a pupil to have some playtime otherwise the whole process becomes mind numbing and destructive, just my 2 cents, enjoy your playing Decohead and if you do feel you're getting in a rut, Members will be more than willing to help you out.

murphaph · #10 November 13th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by allthumbs

I don't do scales at all. As long as your fingers are in contact with the strings, you will develop calluses no matter what you play. It isn't the calluses that improve your accuracy. It is the time spent practicing too develop them.

I don't even know what scales are! I play songs and get enjoyment out of it. Maybe someday I'll get planetalk and just skip scales altogether?

Decohead · #11 November 13th, 2007

thanks everyone for the advice, I went to the "changing chords" link and I was able to go thru each chord. But, I've got an electric guitar and I don't know what it supposed to sound like. Right now, all 4 chords sound the same. I've tried using the online tuner but, I don't know if I'm tuning it properly.

The guitar I am learning on is one that I bought for my daughter at SamAsh and I'm wondering if the strings are supposed to be so close together.

If I press on the 5 string 2nd fret with my middle finger at 90 degrees I am nearly hitting the 4th and 6th string.

I know I'm new at this but, this just seem logical that I don't have any room to press on a string without hitting other strings.

mattz196 · #12 November 14th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Decohead

If I press on the 5 string 2nd fret with my middle finger at 90 degrees I am nearly hitting the 4th and 6th string.

If its only nearly don't worry about it thats good

, as was mentioned above by cshude your fingertips will start to seem smaller especially as those calluses form , remember to use the least amount of force possible to fret the note , it takes time but does become easier, keep at it . good luck.
Cheers

Matty22 · #13 November 14th, 2007

The other thing of course, is making sure the guitar is set up propperly.
Even a $5000 guitar with a bad setup, can be a pig of a thing to play.

papadog65 · #14 November 14th, 2007

Decohead, you mentioned that the guitar you're playing is one that you'd gotten for your daughter. So, is it one of those kid-sized instruments? You might want to try some other guitars at a music store to see if there's one with a better fit for you. You'll probably get GAS, but what the hey?

erikjordan · #15 November 17th, 2007

i just started, im having some trouble learning new notes, im really dumb at this stuff, but i want to learn really bad... what should i do???