I just bought a guitar today.

ALittleDeathAroundTheEyes · #1 June 6th, 2006

First time i've held one... I thought it would be a good thing to know how to play, I'm useless and it feels like im not going to get anywhere with it, ever...

I've been reading online lessons, I can't even grasp basic chords... can some one dumb it down for me or am I wasting my time...

D-Dawn · #2 June 6th, 2006

Congrats! & Welcome!
You'll learn a lot here

its all seemingly complicated at first....
Try playing single notes ....then chords..at least thats the way I did it...toughened up my finger tips too

try here ------------>True beginner? Here's a lesson for you! it does get easier!!

Dawn

ALittleDeathAroundTheEyes · #3 June 6th, 2006

I cant read or understand chord diagrams though, I consider myself fairly intelligent, but my brain won't comprehend it... haha.

Clancy · #4 June 6th, 2006

Have you had a look at this - http://www.guitarforbeginners.com/chords.html?

Clancy

ALittleDeathAroundTheEyes · #5 June 6th, 2006

< these diagrams mean nothing to me...

edit - any one want a guitar?

8LU3 · #6 June 6th, 2006

the dots signify fingers, the vertical lines are strings, and the horizontal lines are frets. keep with it, you ll figure it out!

Clancy · #7 June 7th, 2006

You might want to check out the anatomy of the guitar here - http://www.guitarforbeginners.com/anatomy.html

Clancy

Avex · #8 June 7th, 2006

Umm, yeah. If u're a beginner like me, try plucking methods for a start, that's what my frens told me. Altho i tr learning some strumming methods. It depends on yourself. Take it slowly, there's no rush..

nagukush · #9 June 7th, 2006

Check out the below site, Buddy ! Has some free videos on Basic-Playing and other Techniques. I sincerely hope this helps you :

http://freeguitarvideos.com/

Beginners-Section :
http://freeguitarvideos.com/guitar_l..._beginner.html

Techniques-Section :
http://www.freeguitarvideos.com/guitar-techniques.html

There are actually other sections too, but you can check out the rest I guess

All the best Pal

, You WILL do it

Kindest Regards and Lot of Care
Kush

lorirocks · #10 June 7th, 2006

I remember feeling that way. It does get easier. I wish my digital camera was working so I could take a picture of my fingers doing that chord.

Stick with it. I'm glad I did.

Avex · #11 June 7th, 2006

Thanks a lot. The videos are great. The sound's system are very clear. Now i know how to place my fingers correctly, cos i sometimes have problems placing fingers. Heh. Thanks.

DKN · #12 June 7th, 2006

You are not alone. It is hard for me to grasp a lesson when I can't see it visually and/or hear it. So I always look for videos and sounds online, and try to duplicate what I see and hear. Then I eventually understand what I read.

WernHalen · #13 June 7th, 2006

I have a similiar problem... If I dont understand something then I have difficulty learning it...

Keep at it and work through the examples one at a time... Use the beginners lessons from Kirk and Neilsonite, the are helpfull and have gotten numerous guitarists off the ground...

Try learning what makes up the guitar and quiz yourself on this regularly. Youll find that you understand better when people speak about terms which you would not have known previously.

cshude · #14 June 7th, 2006

Don't be afraid to ask questions- all of us started out not knowing squat. We've all been where you are now and have learned and grown.

DharmaBum · #15 June 7th, 2006

A little patience, death...

You posted a diagram of an A chord, The second, third, and fourth highest (or thinnest) strings are fretted on the second fret. There's a variety of ways to place fingers on the frets. All you need to know for now, I guess, is the fret those three strings on the second fret. There should also be a little "x" above the sixth (or thickest) string which means it is not played.