TeresaBenedicta Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 So, I'm starting a new adventure... guitar playing! I'm getting one for Christmas and am planning on teaching myself (possibly taking a few group lessons... but more likely teaching myself). Does anyone here play the guitar? Did you teach yourself or take lessons? Any advice for a newbie? I'm not musically illiterate... I've played the trumpet for, oh I don't know, over ten years or so. I can play the euphonium, trombone, and some piano. I've never played a string instrument before, though. So that'll prove interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatherineM Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 I went from trombone to guitar. Found out that the music is totally different. My only suggestions are to get a good guitar. Cheap ones will make you not want to play much. I love silk wrapped steel strings, both the sound, and how nice they are to the fingers. Men have tougher skin to begin with, so you will find that they don't understand. I taught myself, but I had lots of time, I was on crutches at the time, seems like I've been on crutches half my life, and I have lots of patience. If you are more of a go-getter goal orientated person, you might do better with lessons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintOfVirtue Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 I've been taught by instructors and by myself, both were equally effective, but an instructor helps you see the little things you miss on your own i.e. different fingerings, chords, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother Adam Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 Tried once for ministry, but couldn't do it, even with lessons. May try again when my MA is done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeresaBenedicta Posted December 14, 2010 Author Share Posted December 14, 2010 [quote name='Brother Adam' timestamp='1292297713' post='2192646'] Tried once for ministry, but couldn't do it, even with lessons. May try again when my MA is done. [/quote] That's part of the reason I'm going for it. And the other plus-- I have a lot of free time on my hands and I need a hobby. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teen_Catholic Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 i just started learning today and was about to post a thread when I saw this. How funny! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luigi Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 Keep your fingernails trimmed, at least on your left hand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeresaBenedicta Posted December 14, 2010 Author Share Posted December 14, 2010 [quote name='Luigi' timestamp='1292303979' post='2192660'] Keep your fingernails trimmed, at least on your left hand. [/quote] Haha, definitely NOT a problem. <-- Compulsive fingernail-biter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tnavarro61 Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 always tried to learn for more than 5 years but guitar didn'twork for me. The only chord I know is D, and i don't even know how to strum beautifully. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sixpence Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 (edited) I took two semester of one-credit classical guitar.... I really liked it... when I got my guitar, I started teaching myself to play... then I found out that I was holding my hand all wrong when I actually took the class... I really liked the classical guitar because even though the strings are farther apart, they are nylon wrapped in steal, rather than just steal.. and i hurt much less for beginning... but you can get used to either one.... I was not music literate when i started... i still have trouble... but taking lessons will forced me to connect the note with a place on the string... which is very good if you plan to get better... Edited December 14, 2010 by sixpence Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
organwerke Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 [quote name='TeresaBenedicta' timestamp='1292298866' post='2192648'] That's part of the reason I'm going for it. And the other plus-- I have a lot of free time on my hands and I need a hobby. [/quote] If you are interested in music ministry, I'd suggest to try the organ instead of guitar... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeresaBenedicta Posted December 14, 2010 Author Share Posted December 14, 2010 [quote name='organwerke' timestamp='1292340573' post='2192701'] If you are interested in music ministry, I'd suggest to try the organ instead of guitar... [/quote] Haha, touche. No, I'm not speaking about liturgical music. I'm speaking about youth ministry. Praise & Worship has its place mostly OUTSIDE of liturgy. But it can be a very effective and powerful tool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
organwerke Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 [quote name='TeresaBenedicta' timestamp='1292340855' post='2192702'] Haha, touche. No, I'm not speaking about liturgical music. I'm speaking about youth ministry. Praise & Worship has its place mostly OUTSIDE of liturgy. But it can be a very effective and powerful tool. [/quote] So it's all ok! Sorry that I can't be of help in this case, I've always played keyboards but never tried string instruments! Anyway I guess that if you learn the chords it shouldn't be too difficult. Good luck!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fides quarens intellectum Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 [quote name='TeresaBenedicta' timestamp='1292340855' post='2192702'] No, I'm not speaking about liturgical music. I'm speaking about youth ministry. Praise & Worship has its place mostly OUTSIDE of liturgy. But it can be a very effective and powerful tool. [/quote] I also picked up the guitar for youth ministry several years ago. The only thing I can suggest is that you spend some time in prayer before each time you go to practice or play. I had tried to pick up the guitar in high school and couldn't, but later when I was a youth minister and we needed someone to lead P&W, somehow I was able to learn enough to do that just by practicing daily at home. I'm not a good picker or anything like that, and I have never taken lessons to learn all the fancy stuff - I don't think I ever will be a good guitar player, but I can at least play P&W songs well enough to lead for teens and young adults, all glory to God. Prayers for the Holy Spirit's help and guidance as you learn to play so that you can use that gift in your ministry for His glory! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YMNolan Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 I have been teaching myself off and on for the last 2 years, but more regularly in the past year. As many have above have said, I'm doing it for youth ministry purposes and personal prayer. I just started by learning some basic chords and then printing some easy songs off line and practicing repetitively with those songs. It really clicked a few months ago and I can learn songs much quicker now. Good luck and don't get discouraged. It's a great skill to have! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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