Desire and time spent are the two critical factors. A famous concert pianist always tells the story he always has people come up to him and say, "Oh, I wish I could play like you." His answer is always if you play for 8 hours a day everyday for 20 years you'll be able to play like me. I friend of mine is a decent player. For 10 years if you went to visit him you sat and listened to him play. He would be playing even if you were not there. To get good takes a level of obsession most don't have. I've never played a Taylor or a Martin. I've always been an Ovation fan. Also check to see if you have any luthiers in your area. Here in Pueblo we had one made for my oldest. I picked it up and strummed a couple of chords and put it right back down again because I didn't want to have to have one.

A classical guitar has softer, farther apart strings that are easier for a beginner to navigate. Aside from that, so long as you're playing you're getting better. Don't get too bogged down with apps and lesson plans. Just play so you enjoy it and you'll keep wanting to play.

My best advice, quit now before you make an expensive mistake.

10,000 hours is all it takes. My brother, a professional guitar player and recording artist practices hours and hours each day - and has since he was in his teens. He’s nearly 70 now. He practices, not to get better, but to maintain.

I think i just found my GRAIL this past week. I bought a Breedlove "Legacy Concerto E" Adirondack Spruce and Koa..... My Wife has to pry me out of my practice space! My Tech is doing a slight setup mod on Monday. I am soooo not worthy.........feast your eyes.. https://imgur.com/a/sldWec8

I have NEVER heard a guitar sound so good, balanced, articulate, and Loud...

quote:

Originally posted by sybo:
I think i just found my GRAIL this past week. I bought a Breedlove "Legacy Concerto E" Adirondack Spruce and Koa..... My Wife has to pry me out of my practice space! My Tech is doing a slight setup mod on Monday. I am soooo not worthy.........feast your eyes.. https://imgur.com/a/sldWec8

I have NEVER heard a guitar sound so good, balanced, articulate, and Loud...

Dude! That is really nice! I like it!

Thanks Man! It’s Magical

That IS a beauty, Jim!

Rigby, get playing!

same boat as you....key for me is to stay interested and eager and not push too hard. I tried when kid and then again with series of DVD from Marty's Music...good instruction but using DVD player was awkward though better than anything else.
Then I found JustinGuitar, a UK fella, all of his stuff is on Youtube and he also has his own website with a dashboard to track your progress...he splits up practice to chords, rhythm, songs, finger exercises, etc...and progressively challenges you. He is easy to understand and very thorough....even has instruction books and song books based on your skill level and place in his instruction...beginner, intermediate, etc. It is unbelievable how much content and how much detail he shares for free.....donations are welcomed though to help him keep going.
I have tried everything...Yousician, the Fender stuff, other online or youtube people and they all skip areas, dont provide tabs and such, or dont break it down without you having to pay for their premium offering. I guess is BIG BUSINESS. Give Justin a try.... https://www.justinguitar.com/users/brock#welcome

quote:

Originally posted by rchermanjr:
same boat as you....key for me is to stay interested and eager and not push too hard. I tried when kid and then again with series of DVD from Marty's Music...good instruction but using DVD player was awkward though better than anything else.
Then I found JustinGuitar, a UK fella, all of his stuff is on Youtube and he also has his own website with a dashboard to track your progress...he splits up practice to chords, rhythm, songs, finger exercises, etc...and progressively challenges you. He is easy to understand and very thorough....even has instruction books and song books based on your skill level and place in his instruction...beginner, intermediate, etc. It is unbelievable how much content and how much detail he shares for free.....donations are welcomed though to help him keep going.
I have tried everything...Yousician, the Fender stuff, other online or youtube people and they all skip areas, dont provide tabs and such, or dont break it down without you having to pay for their premium offering. I guess is BIG BUSINESS. Give Justin a try.... https://www.justinguitar.com/users/brock#welcome

Thanks for this! I'll check it out.

OK guys, I have a question. . .I'm looking at a couple of different guitars. I couple that I really like don't have pick guards. I'm worried about scratching up a nice guitar. I strum a lot right now. I eventually want to learn more finger style, but right now I'm mainly strumming chords. So what do you think? Do I need to look for a guitar with a pick guard? I've read different opinions--some think pick guards are mainly for ascetics and others think they are necessary and protect the guitar from scratches. What are your thoughts?

quote:

Originally posted by Rigby470:
OK guys, I have a question. . .I'm looking at a couple of different guitars. I couple that I really like don't have pick guards. I'm worried about scratching up a nice guitar. I strum a lot right now. I eventually want to learn more finger style, but right now I'm mainly strumming chords. So what do you think? Do I need to look for a guitar with a pick guard? I've read different opinions--some think pick guards are mainly for ascetics and others think they are necessary and protect the guitar from scratches. What are your thoughts?

Willie Nelson says no. Just look at his guitar Trigger. You can always add one later. Some people make custom ones too.

I started playing on a Yamaha 6 string in about 1968, played the hell out of it. I bought a Mel Bay chord book, and just played chords, over and over, building up muscle memory. Also played the outro to Suite Judy Blue Eyes over and over, until I would play each chord only once, and switch as fast as I could. (G Am Em C D) (Protip, play your G not using your index finger, use your middle finger on the 5th string 2nd fret) Then I started learning covers, and playing in high school bands (electric, had a Gibson SG Special, white, sold it for rent in the late 1970's, never do that). Went to Univ of Denver as a music ed major, jazz guitar emphasis, learned a lot of cool chords there, great progressions. Some are party stoppers, essentially chord solos. If you practice enough you'll get it.

I bought a Martin D-28 in 1976, it's my daily guitar, though it needs a little work (going to the local luthier on Monday)

So here, at age 63, played for about 53 years now, I have about 8 originals that I consider good enough to record for a legacy-vanity project. Going into the studio in September to record demos, hiring some musicians, and am excited to hear the finished product. 3 of the songs are excellent. Not interested in fame, or radio, or spotify (though I'll probably put them there for family and friends). Just want to leave something interesting for the kids and grandkids. And yes, I probably have more money than I do sense. It's going to be pricey.

Bottom line advice, play your ass off if you want to learn. You don't have to aim for excellence, aim for competence. A few hours a day should do it, within about a year.

quote:

Originally posted by Rigby470:
OK guys, I have a question. . .I'm looking at a couple of different guitars. I couple that I really like don't have pick guards. I'm worried about scratching up a nice guitar. I strum a lot right now. I eventually want to learn more finger style, but right now I'm mainly strumming chords. So what do you think? Do I need to look for a guitar with a pick guard? I've read different opinions--some think pick guards are mainly for ascetics and others think they are necessary and protect the guitar from scratches. What are your thoughts?

Depends on how aggresive you strum. Are you hitting the top of the quitar now strumming? As your skill improve most likely a non issue. Can always add a clear pick guard later.

Whatever guitar you purchase can't recommend enough having the action adjusted to how you play.

When looking at guitars you'll read this is a great fingerstyle guitar... My buddies Mcilroy A25C sounds amazing strumming.