Help a Newb out!

[Falstaf]

Hey, I literally just bought my guitar TODAY.  Now after much frustration tuning my new fender (apparently the guitar is backwards from the violin, which I played for a good while) I have come across the fact that I suck BALLS.  I know its my first day and all, but daaaam.  I can't even get the power cords in succession right.  That and my fingers are like almost bleeding (apparently, guitar strings are MUCH thicker than violin strings...and for some frigin reason they have texture....).  So can anyone help me out with some good tips or something?  Initially I wanted to play the guitar instead of the violin because...well...the violin gets kinds gay at parties, where as the guitar gets all the girls.  I tried looking at the "Hey there Delilah" tab which SOUNDED fairly easy because theres only really 2 switches for finger position.  Horrible horrible newby mistake.  Then I look at most other acoustic and vocal songs and they are pretty much the same.  So please, help a guy get laid here.  Advise me!   

[Engel]

Practice chords... find some .crd (it's like tabs but just tells the chords) of some songs you like and practice them.  Try out different types of picks and strings and see what ones feel the most comfortable to you.  It does help to play with others.


practice practice practice.

[rAndolf sHitler]

well...the violin gets kinds gay at parties, where as the guitar gets all the girls.

  True dat!

Like Engel says, practice.  It will take a couple weeks for the callouses to build up on your fingers.  And the only thing that will build them up is playing.

I've been playing for close to 4 years now and I STILL suck.      But at least I can muddle my way through a few songs.

I found this site helpful for going through some beginner tutorials:  http://www.guitarnoise.com

[VoteNo4Pants]

Lower the action, Tune flat, SHRED!!!!

Then everyone will want to sleep with you.

But seriously, just keep at it. Look up Steve Vai's 10-hour workout session. You can easily break it down to a much smaller time frame, it's extremely useful, and I'm pretty sure there's a section on it.

As for chords and progressions, it's all about building wrist and finger strength. The whole progression thing should be easy for you, having prior musical experience.

Remember, it's not your ability to play that gets you lay. It's showmanship. I strongly suggest you practice standing up whenever possible.

Always try to jam. With your friends, with the radio, by yourself. Always devote time to jamming, otherwise your practice routine gets really stale. For example, I'm doing the Vai workout currently, but I've broken it down to 3 hours (Get a metronome, despite the fact that they are annoying pieces of shit) And then jam out to some old Sabbath, AC/DC, Metallica, or whatever.

Once you've learned enough to get by, start learning shit that you wouldn't normally play. Flamenco, Jazz, etc. Incorporate that into your playing. Example. I'm in the process of learning Bach's Fugue in D using two-handed tapping, and putting in a quick pedal tone thrash rhythm in the background. It takes a hell of a lot of brainstroming, but I think it's going to turn out awesome. Even if that's not your thing, learn to do it anyway, because it will improve your ability in other areas.

Oh, I don't know what they teach you in the sissy choir, but no matter how good you get at guitar, you still suck ass, and you need to improve. Healthy attitude for an aspiring guitarist.

[CallOfCthulhu]

Your fingers are almost bleeding probably from the thin B and e string.  Just play and play, if they bleed, rest, then play and practice.  The tips of your fingers will eventually harden.  I can run my fingers over the blade of a saw and hardly feel a thing.

A good song I used when I first began playing when it came to using power chords was Am I Evil by Diamond Head.  I played it wrong, but it sounded good and was great practice for them.


|-------------------------|
|---------5-----7-----8-7-|
|---------5-----7-----8-7-|
|-0-0-0-0-3-0-0-5-0-0-6-5-|


That's how I played it.  Edit: Adjusted the tab.

[mrbagel]

u wont be able to get all the chords right the first day.  i had to take like a minute  btwn chords to get my fingers in the right spots when i first started playing.  practice.

[OzGuitarPlayer]

Hey none of us learned guitar without large amount of pain and frustration, it's all part of becoming a guitarist, hang in there dude, if you're keen enough you'll get there in the end, and the more you play the faster you learn.
There are some good beginner tabs at www.nofretguitarlessons.com.au on the Tabs Tech (tabs for technique) page.

[BMM]

Hey none of us learned guitar without large amount of pain and frustration, it's all part of becoming a guitarist, hang in there dude, if you're keen enough you'll get there in the end, and the more you play the faster you learn.
There are some good beginner tabs at www.nofretguitarlessons.com.au on the Tabs Tech (tabs for technique) page.

OK, I've seen your post for this "www.nofretguitarlessons.com.au" twice now, are you a !#@!in' puppet or WTF? It ain't there! OK, my bad, I found it now, but still....................

[OzGuitarPlayer]

Hey BMM I think a parrot stole more than your beer....tosser!!

[Twaddlefish]

I chew semen.

FYP

[Sans Script Myth]

I would take breaks regularly during practice. Don't overwork your hands, wrist, fingers, etc. Treat like a work out routine and take a break in-between sets. Otherwise you might get arthritis like and not be able to play bar chords anymore. *tear*