I refuse to believe I don't have a musical bone in my body. Perhaps just a way to keep my brain learning something new that requires discipline.
Any recommendations for online resources? Just a basic classical Yamaha for now.

https://www.justinguitar.com is a good place to start.

Decide what songs you want to learn and then go find them on songsterr.com. You'll only practice if it's music you like. I got my first guitar because of the first VH album. Having to learn Love Me Tender and Proud Mary made me quit for a few years.

Free = Justin Guitar. Occasionally Marty Music or Paul David’s but they are more intermediate songs or techniques. Desi Serna for theory. Fender Play for true beginners. Paid online is Guitar Jams or Guitar Tricks. Both should have free trials.

Just making sure, is your Yamaha a classical guitar with nylon strings? If so, you can definitely learn and get your muscle memory started but if you want to learn a variety of songs from different genres you'll probably want to get a steel string acoustic. A classical really isnt made for strumming, so it might cause some frustration if you're learning rhythm patterns.

^ yes, nylon for now. I did see a steel fs800? yamaha this weekend for $109 in a pawn shop but I mostly want to get the basics down before diving in the deep end. Thanks the responses.

I had taken a 10 year sabbatical from playing guitar. In order to get me back into it, I used both Justin Guitar and Songsterr.

I already had a background in both Classical Guitar and blues / rock. I would encourage you to seek out some lessons, just for the simple fact that you can learn good technique without have to try and unlearn bad technique. You’ll also excel faster because you’ll have someone pushing your learning plan. Just my two cents.

One of the big motivators for me to get back into guitar is that I meet up with some coworkers and play at work once a week. We have a group of all ranges of skills from people just starting out to a guy who was full hair band rocker with an album. All in all, this is a great motivational tool.

Congratulations on taking the first step for a really fun hobby!

quote:

Originally posted by Rick Lee:
You'll only practice if it's music you like. I got my first guitar because of the first VH album. Having to learn Love Me Tender and Proud Mary made me quit for a few years.

I took lessons for about 1.5 years and got tired of being taught how to read music and play Mary Had a Little Lamb. Bought a tab book and brought it to my teacher. There was a song in particular I wanted to play but he said it was too difficult and that I should wait. I quit a week later and have been playing for 23 years on my own.

I learned to play in my mid-teens. The Beatles had just been on Sullivan and I bought a second hand piece of junk acoustic. I learned the hard way, a song at a time. It wasn’t too long after that that I was playing a few nights a week in the bars. What a gas.

50 years later, I still noodle around from time to time with one of my 3 guitars and a tenor ukulele.

Go for it.

Been playin for 40 plus years for fun....the first year will be a struggle learning the basics and being able to transition smoothly...not a lot of fun...but as my son told me a year after I got him a guitar for Christmas...he is now having fun now and actually thanked me.
Probably one of the hardest instruments to learn but well worth it if you stick out the first year.

Erich Andreas at yourguitarsage.com
Justinguitar.com
https://www.guitarcontrol.com/

4chords app on my IPad

Are some of them I use

Your fret hand finger tips are going to hurt, but that will go away. Keep at it, a little every day vs. trying to practice a lot only a few days a week. As you learn songs and get better, your confidence and desire to play will increase. Keep us posted on your progress and maybe we can help encourage you.

Agree with the advice of getting a teacher for a while to avoid learning things the wrong way and to keep you motivated and accountable.

Good luck!!!

"We're puttin' the band back together."

get a couple of lessons to jump start you back on your way since you're not starting from scratch

also check out a website called shutupandplay.ca - its pretty good

Justin Guitar is a good place to start.

A local teacher is probably a good idea to get you started right.

Try to learn songs you like and are drawn to.

Just put your fingers on the fret board and explore.

I have been playing guitar since 1968. Honestly I didn't make dramatic improvement until I took lessons after already playing for 30 years.

I played an nylon string acoustic for years. One of my favorite memories is getting to talk with Zac Brown about brands of nylon string acoustics just before they hit the big time. He plays one on some songs during their concerts.

It really depends on what kind of music you want to play, but my recommendation would be to get an electric as your next guitar. As as general rule they are easier to play than a steel string acoustic, and you get way more bang for your buck.

I have a couple of nice Taylors but I mostly play electric. I find it more tiring to play the Taylors. Just my $.02

you might also want to track down a piece of software called Amazing SlowDowner

it can take a song from your PC and slow it down to hear the individual notes but not altering the pitch

I find it extremely helpful when trying to figure out exactly what notes a guitarist is playing

Take a look at “Pumping Nylon” by Scott Tennant

quote:

Originally posted by nhtagmember:
you might also want to track down a piece of software called Amazing SlowDowner

it can take a song from your PC and slow it down to hear the individual notes but not altering the pitch

I find it extremely helpful when trying to figure out exactly what notes a guitarist is playing

YouTube now has the option to play as slow as 1/4 speed now too. Nice when you find a good guitar only cover that’s accurate.

If you know basic chords,Chordie.com and UltimateGuitar, show you the chords for songs. Learn some scales and it will also help you.

No such thing as “talent”, “musical bone” etc. If you want to play, you CAN (except in the presence of obvious physical limitations, such as arthritis). I learnt to play by myself, and some 15 years later I’ve learnt to play with my weak hand (for a Beatles cover; I wanted to have the “correct” basses). If I could do it, anyone can. Go into the rabbit hole of youtube tutorials, and DO NOT GIVE UP.