Easiest way to learn guitar?

[amyjoanna]

I'm wondering which guitar type is the easiest to begin learning on - I obviously know nothing about the general guitar family, so this might sound like a silly question.

Is it advisable to start with an acoustic? Is it best to start with chords or with picking?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

[timmchale]

I would honestly recommend learning on a classical/nylon strung guitar and work out chords and go from there. Once you can play on a neck that wide it means your positioning and technique improves and makes your hands a bit more flexible. Then work on your strumming techniques and eventually you will pick up picking style. however it does depend entirely which route with music you want to go down. If it's classical then you'll finger pick straight away, however most rock and some jazz is more plectrum picked. It is entirely horses for courses :-)

[Huey Lewis]

amyjoanna,

I am currently learning to play on an accoustic as recommended by my dad who has been playing now for over 40 years.
I was bought a really nice Farida for christmas to learn on and to be honest it is an excellent first guitar.
Dad has a posh Martin accoustic which cost about £500 and the Farida was £129 with a hard case and he thinks it plays just as well as his Martin.
You can buy Farida from Dawson's. Hope this helps.

Huey Lewis

[amyjoanna]

Hi guys -

Thanks for replying. An acoustic/classical sounds like the way to go. Do you think I could teach myself with a few of those 'Learn to Play' style books?

[GlennJ]

I taught myself to play when at uni. I was given a knackered electric guitar and spent £30 having it sorted out by the local music shop.

I then spent 3 months learning to play Nirvana, Oasis, Manic Street Preachers etc. I could barely hear what I was playing!

As soon as I had a chance to use an amp it sounded so much better and people commented on how good I was.

So I would say if you want to play rock, then learn on an electric. Don't spend much, only buy something decent once you've been playing a good 3 months and learn the songs you like to listen to!

[Benjamin]

You can get music sheets and print them out, they are easy to follow and make learning much quicker. Just Google 'sheet music' or something similar and you'll get loads of options.

[aftertheiceboy]

I recommend you, practice a lot and why not...buy any kind of book. But the best way, It´s to take classes!!

Try to improve your self playing band's songs with programs like guitar Pro!!

Do your BEST!

[cezzi]

I have attempted this a couple of times and all are great advice that I see here (I never knew that trying wide neck would be easier to start with). I have taken a couple of classes but realized in the end I should stick with what I know (signing) so while I do peek around at my spouse's guitar I can not play that much.

[Chuck]

I play acoustic but I don't read music. I have a decent ear for music so I just follow along if I can. I started learning how to play by learning chords then on from there. There are laminated cards available that have the basic chords on them so you can practice. The best way to learn is just to start playing!

[musiclover]

I agree with Chuck the best way to learn is to just start trying to play doesn't hurt if you have a friend who can show you finger positioning though.