The Fancy Bastard Forum

When you're trying to hit those more spread out ones, a controller with smaller buttons is the way to go. Although it may seem harder, using your ring finger in place of your pinky is often helpful.

2 schools of thought here:

1) dont worry about songs until you can switch between all the major and minor chords (+ power chord) at will

2) start with simple songs that will reinforce the basic chord switching and make it a little more fun.

75% on rock songs are G, C, D chord progression. Learn that and you will know more songs than you ever through possible.

Step it up a notch with G, D, Bm, C and you know about 200 more songs.

I would also spend some time with Em, G, A5, C

A few of these basic chord progressions and you'll have a good foundation for learning songs. If all else fails, practice the power chord and learn every Green Day song.

Nirvana is always great to start with, most other simple, grungy bands make good simple music. I started with old school (Ramones era) punk and grunge and that was a good basis for my musical skills. I've played guitar and bass (bass mainly[it's my favourite and best instrument]) for 7 years, drums for around 6 and piano for 12. It depends what songs you like, just look at some tabs, some may seem daunting at first but it feels really good when you master a song that seems impossible when you first try it. Also, try things from different genres, you'll pick up skill as you go and almost subconsciously figure out where to play and what sounds good. I had about a year's worth of lessons for bass and a little less for guitar and went from there (I learned piano for quite a while) and now I'd consider myself semi-pro (I've done recordings and been in many different bands). Oh, also, speed trials are great, find a scale and start of slow, forwards and backwards and slowly go faster as you consecutively play the scale, it hones your picking and fingering (hehehe) ability...

Posted By: DramWhen you're trying to hit those more spread out ones, a controller with smaller buttons is the way to go. Although it may seem harder, using your ring finger in place of your pinky is often helpful.This ship arranges its own eclipses.

oh fuck, I think I angered the forum. Either that or it doesn't like tiny, squeaky, plastic instruments.

Anyway, while I appreciate the advice, I was hoping for some specific songs. I'm already working on chord progessions and the like, but I want something a little more substantial, and it's daunting whenever I want to learn a random song, go onto google and enter "beginner rock songs" or something like that, and end up either learning "mary had a little lamb" on a guitar lessons site, or finding some guy's list of "THE ONE THOUSAND GREATEST ESSENTIAL ROCK SONGS EVER OF ALL TIME" on a random metal forum.

While this isn't the most musically inclined forum on the internet, I wanted a reason to join for the longest time, and since Joel seems to be some sort of living anthology of 90's rock songs thanks to a misspent youth worshiping the devil and drawing pornographic comic books, I figured you could give me a point in the right direction.

Posted By: ¡Señor Facekick!Anyway, while I appreciate the advice, I was hoping for some specific songs. I'm already working on chord progessions and the like, but I want something a little more substantial, and it's daunting whenever I want to learn a random song, go onto google and enter "beginner rock songs" or something like that, and end up either learning "mary had a little lamb" on a guitar lessons site, or finding some guy's list of "THE ONE THOUSAND GREATEST ESSENTIAL ROCK SONGS EVER OF ALL TIME" on a random metal forum.

While this isn't the most musically inclined forum on the internet, I wanted a reason to join for the longest time, and since Joel seems to be some sort of living anthology of 90's rock songs thanks to a misspent youth worshiping the devil and drawing pornographic comic books, I figured you could give me a point in the right direction.

Well you can always learn to play the songs you like. I've always been told tabs are bad, but they're pretty decent if you want something to keep you hooked on guitar for a little bit until you can get to the real learning. You can use the tabs, then work your way up to chord tablatures. Ultimate-Guitar.com is what I use.

Play with other people? Jamming always seems to fun, and if you're with other people, you can learn from one another. Learning chords is key, though, since almost all songs have them.

Googling for beginner songs to learn isn't that bad of an idea. I've done it when looking for songs in a certain tuning, but "beginner" is really relative. It depends on what you know. Beginner to the satanic metalhead who eats, breathes and sleeps metal guitar might differ from a real beginner.

You don't want to follow in my exact footsteps, but I learned a lot of cheese rock when I was starting. Wonderwall was probably my first, and you'd be surprised how far it gets you. That song, at least to me, forced me to learn chord shifting and different strum patterns besides up/down/up/down/up/down, etc. Songs I learned in the beginning, when I didn't really know jack, was some Foo Fighters, Green Day, Nirvana. Also, listening to a lot of music that was complex-er than "I can play these chords!" made me want to learn more complex stuff. I listen to a lot of Jonathan Coulton and he is basically my go-to for songs to play now. If I was Joel, JoCo is my Creed. JoCo's a music major from Yale, so a lot of his stuff kicks my ass. But so worth it when I learn.

Posted By: John DarcWell you can always learn to play the songs you like. I've always been told tabs are bad, but they're pretty decent if you want something to keep you hooked on guitar for a little bit until you can get to the real learning. You can use the tabs, then work your way up to chord tablatures. Ultimate-Guitar.com is what I use.

Play with other people? Jamming always seems to fun, and if you're with other people, you can learn from one another. Learning chords is key, though, since almost all songs have them.

Googling for beginner songs to learn isn't that bad of an idea. I've done it when looking for songs in a certain tuning, but "beginner" is really relative. It depends on what you know. Beginner to the satanic metalhead who eats, breathes and sleeps metal guitar might differ from a real beginner.

You don't want to follow in my exact footsteps, but I learned a lot of cheese rock when I was starting. Wonderwall was probably my first, and you'd be surprised how far it gets you. That song, at least to me, forced me to learn chord shifting and different strum patterns besides up/down/up/down/up/down, etc. Songs I learned in the beginning, when I didn't really know jack, was some Foo Fighters, Green Day, Nirvana. Also, listening to a lot of music that was complex-er than "I can play these chords!" made me want to learn more complex stuff. I listen to a lot of Jonathan Coulton and he is basically my go-to for songs to play now. If I was Joel, JoCo is my Creed. JoCo's a music major from Yale, so a lot of his stuff kicks my ass. But so worth it when I learn.Move over, bananas! I've got a new source of potassium!

Posted By: Rerun
People say tabs are bad because they want to be snooty. Being able to read musical notation is better and does provide a better basis for music, yes, but if you just want to learn a song quickly, look up the tab. I'd suggest 911tabs for all your tabby needs. =)

Posted By: joel

Posted By: Rerun
People say tabs are bad because they want to be snooty. Being able to read musical notation is better and does provide a better basis for music, yes, but if you just want to learn a song quickly, look up the tab. I'd suggest 911tabs for all your tabby needs. =)

Being able to read proper music for guitar is pointless. Tabs are the only real way to learn songs until you can pick them up by ear.Artist and Creator of HijiNKS Ensue

Posted By: Locke Cole117

Posted By: joel

Posted By: Rerun
People say tabs are bad because they want to be snooty. Being able to read musical notation is better and does provide a better basis for music, yes, but if you just want to learn a song quickly, look up the tab. I'd suggest 911tabs for all your tabby needs. =)

Being able to read proper music for guitar is pointless. Tabs are the only real way to learn songs until you can pick them up by ear.Artist and Creator of HijiNKS Ensue

If one wanted to learn how to read proper music for guitar, for the sake of being able to compose music through any instrument, would you reccommend it?

You could always just learn the magical Four Chords that let you play every song ever made...ever.

Posted By: SeanYou could always just learn the magicalFour Chordsthat let you play every song ever made...ever.I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy

If your want to learn a touch of classical-style, I would suggest something like "blackbird" or "road trippin'", which is mostly picking with your right hand around a few chord progressions. They are also nice 'impress your friends" songs. Tabs are great, but also look up tutorial vids on youtube. Some of them are actually really great.

Jazz chords will seem like they want to break your fingers, but they sound nifty. 'Autumn Leaves' is a good place to start.

Blackbird is fun when you actually want to move your fretting hand around instead of keeping it in a certain position.

Posted By: John DarcBlackbird is fun when you actually want to move your fretting hand around instead of keeping it in a certain position.Move over, bananas! I've got a new source of potassium!

The best way to learn is to take lessons. Go to your local music shop (non-Guitar Center if you can) and get some lessons. Find a teacher who can play how you want to and learn from them. I didn't start to get as good as I wanted until I found a skilled teacher.

If you don't want to spend that kind of money ($15/week, $20 if they are really good), or just don't want that kind of commitment, what Joel says seems to be the best answer. If you want to start learning more of a lead style and want to start soloing, do what Joel said and then start learning some scales. That knowledge of chords helps a lot. I started with the minor pentatonic scale. Most people add an extra note between the 4th and the 5th and call it the blues scale. Look it up though. With that you can solo over a lot of songs without much effort and get it to sound good. It works especially well with many classic rock songs and blues songs. That should give you a taste for scales, soloing, etc. I'm starting to get past the beginner point, so I'll stop there...

$15 a week? Where do you live, 1850?

Posted By: John Darc$15 a week? Where do you live, 1850?Move over, bananas! I've got a new source of potassium!

Posted By: Kazuo

Posted By: John Darc$15 a week? Where do you live, 1850?Move over, bananas! I've got a new source of potassium!

$15 to $20 usually will get you half an hour, and if you find teachers who know what they are doing, that should be plenty to practice for a week.

Fixed. Make sure you "Format comments as" "Html" next time.y halo thar

Around where I live, that seems to be the standard price. I found a couple of great guitarists giving lesions for that price. I guess I've been somewhat connected in the music community where I live and know where to find this stuff... The last guy I took lesions from runs a lot of events at small venues, studio recording, and works at Sound Stage giving lesions. The guy I was going to take lessons from was a better player than him, but decided that he would stop giving lessons a week after he told me that I would be his last student... He owns his own guitar shop now. I also could have taken lessons from Steve Ono, acclaimed local smooth jazz artist. He is a really awesome player, but makes his money from terrible smooth jazz. All great players, all giving lessons for about $15 to $20 for half an hour.

If you are still in high school, or even if you are in college, go to your local jazz band director/whatever and ask him where you can get some good lessons. Helped me find some good names. Also, if you do have a jazz band at school, especially high school (you have a better chance of getting in at high school), join it. I decided that I hate the trumpet and got to play guitar in the B jazz band my last year of high school. It kicked my ass, but improved my playing a lot. I kind of had a stickler for a jazz director though. He was the kind of guy that hated everyone who didn't want to play their instrument 8 hours a day. It forced me to up my guitar skill. In fact, once you feel sort of comfortable, try to join any band. It will motivate you to play more and be better. That or just find people to play/jam with if you don't like the stage.

Posted By: Kazuo$15 to $20 usually will get you half an hour, and if you find teachers who know what they are doing, that should be plenty to practice for a week.

especially if you notice he wrote "lesions" a few times.

Sorry, I can't spell correctly... I got all A's in elementary school, but I almost failed spelling. Maybe I'm partially dyslexic or something. I am also typing on an EeePC, and this keyboard is terrible... The only reason I started posting on forums again was because I have a portable laptop now.

Lessons around here are more in the $30-50 a week range, but are still a good option if you don't want to go it alone. I would also recommend searching Youtube for guitar lessons. I've found some great stuff doing just that.

Posted By: joelLessons around here are more in the $30-50 a week range, but are still a good option if you don't want to go it alone. I would also recommend searching Youtube for guitar lessons. I've found some great stuff doing just that.Artist and Creator of HijiNKS Ensue

Next level guitar used to be good before they got C n D'd.