From knowing nothing to actually playing something

ranthalas everyone progresses at a different rate some catch on quickly others struggle at first but with desire and practice results follow,if you just learn chords and strumming you should be able to play moderately well within 6 to seven months depending on how much time you devote to practice and what your practicing if its reading music from start this will take a few years to really be proficient which is why most newbies opt for a quicker method sort of a fast lane to mediocre guitar playing there's really no secret,hard work pays off no matter what you do in life so its up to you

I figured there'd be different answers, in fact that was kind of what I was looking for. See, I actually picked up the guitar many many years ago when I was about 8 yrs old, dad bought me lessons and I went for a year, then he canceled them. I don't remember a THING I learned in those lessons, but I do know thats where I learned to read music. I know some music theory and know how to read sheet music so, I'm not having to struggle through that. I found that when I sat down with some of the primer books that teach you different melodies I was able to play through their example songs as soon as I knew where the notes were on the guitar.

I guess, I just kinda want to see what other people ran into while learning. I know we're all different but its one of those ways that I learn. If I know where people in general have stumbling blocks I know what to look for myself. If I know how long the different spread is I can generally figure out where I am.

Noone knows your ability to learn as well as you do. For me it helps to find an average of where people are so I can pace myself and know where I should be. Gives me a challenge

Mostly I just appreciate hearing other people's stories and advice while I'm learning. Besides that I'm jonesing for my guitar. I've been spending close to an hour a night with it and it feels wrong now that its gone to the shop.

So, thanks guys ! Any tips, advice all appreciated. Love the links, the help and the information. This forum has so far been the BEST learning device and motivational device I have found.

Everybody progresses differently. Take your time, learn the chords, their progressions, scales and your timing. Everyone has to crawl before they can walk so don't expect too much without learning the basics first. For me I would concentrate on learning the chords and developing some rythem before trying to learn a bunch of songs. Once you learn how to hear the rythem of a song you will begin to develope the strum pattern for the song. Scales are very important but timing and rythem are more important because without that knowledge you will not be able move into any lead patterns.

Learning chords, chord progressions and how to change from chord to chord can be difficult but will get easier as you develope your skills. (If you are right handed) You must learn to strum with your right hand to the rythem (strum pattern of a song) Start with something simple such as (4/4 time) down, up, down, up, down, up, down, up, down ( this is read as 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 (repeats). Now your right hand strums and your left hand forms the chords. You must develope your timing for in order to get your right hand and left hand working together. As you strum - 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and 1..... your chord changes will come on the "1". Each 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and will be a "bar".  Make up your own progressions such as G...C...D or D...G...A or A...D...E (with these 3 simple chord progressions you can play thousands of songs). Start with the G chord and play it for 4 bars, change to the C chord and play for 2 bars, change to the D chord and play for 2 bars, change to the G chord and repeat everything. (do the same with each progression) Learning to form the chords with your left hand correctly to achive a good sound will take time but your right hand is just as important as that is where your timing will come from. As you strum NEVER - EVER stop your right hand - ALWAYS keep it in motion. Your left hand will need to be brought into timing with your right hand in order to maintain the tempo of any song. Start slow and your timing will come.

This is kinda off the topic but it is something I wish I had been told when I started. Learn how to form a "G" chord with your middle, ring and pinky fingers instead of your index, middle and ring finger - this makes it much easier to switch to a "C" or "G7" chord. Learn to form a "E" chord with your middle, ring and pinky fingers -  this will make it easier to form E shaped barre chords. Learn to form a "A" chord with only your ring finger as it will help later on in forming an A shaped barre chord.

Anyway, I hope this helps.

Nela

Good advice Nela,

   Where the heck were you when I needed you. I too feel the g fingered with the pinky is the way to go. I learned it that way and now on some songs I switch the other way, but I feel it has more advantages than index, middle, ring. We have argued this one several times in other posts.
    You are right on on the strumming also. I have helped people with strumming and it is good to get them to sound out the Up down Up down  especially when you get in to some d du udu type patterns. Counting 1 & 2 & 3 & 4. Another thing that can move you along in progression is playing with others. You can pick up alot of tips and shortcuts playing with others and most are more than willing to help.

I agree, it is the way I prefer to play it  and I think the advantages are "more better", but some folks prefer the other way and I think it has a lot to do with styles and types of music you play. They are both accepted as correct.

I read somewhere that the "typical" talent progression (whatever that is) goes something like this:

Playing one year: you will think you're pretty good, but no one else will.

Playing two years: start getting complements from others.

Playing 5 years:  folks start asking you to bring your guitar over.

Playing 10 years:  if you don't bring your guitar, people will send you home to get it.

I always figured that was based on the "practice one hour a day" schedule; your own innate ability and willingness to practice will cause your mileage to vary.

Rant
6 months before you're entertaining to yourself.
18 months before you're entertaining to someone else....as long as they don't live with you.  If they live with you, they've heard that song 1000 times and wish you'd stop.  ha!