Campfire guitar help needed

[JonesFamilyJayco]

A year ago I wanted to learn how to play the guitar, but I still am having trouble.  Nothing fancy, just simple songs, especially for around the campfire.  The books I have tried have not been very helpful- I have trouble still with chords and putting them together without long pauses.
I tried a lesson, but the teacher wasn't very interested in helping me.  I played trumpet in my high school band and I enjoyed that- I think if I could just get a good start, it would be easier to stay with it & practice.

Do any other members play guitar?  How did you learn?  Do you have a method that worked well for you?  Are any of the video's or DVD's any good/better than book & cd.

Thanks for your help!

[labontefan]

I learned to play the guitar when I was in college. One of my sorority sisters played and that got me interested. My folks gave me an inexpensive little guitar for Christmas and my sorority sister showed my some of the basics. She taught me some basic chords, and a few basic strums. (I can't use a pick too well. I either strum or finger pick.)

After that, I bought a couple of books that showed the various chords. If I wanted to learn a song that had a new chord in it, I'd look it up.

I also discovered that almost every song can be transposed to simpler chords. If the song had a bunch of chords I didn't know well, I'd transpose it to chords I did know and use my capo!

As far as changing chords quickly, there's no real secret to it. You just have to keep practicing. (Practice helps keep those calluses built up also.)

I took piano for several years when I was in school, so I knew how to read music. Learning the guitar was a lot easier than the piano!

Several years ago, I decided I wanted to learn to play the dulcimer (mountain dulcimer or lap dulcimer--NOT hammer dulcimer). So I bought one and a couple of books. I mostly taught myself, although I did attend a dulcimer workshop a couple of years ago which was a lot of fun. And now I have two dulcimers.

Haven't touched my dulcimers in a good while, and it's been years since I played my guitar. I still have it, though. I need to get it back out and see how much I've forgotten!  :rolleyes:

[deniski]

I'm working on learning to play the banjo, and I think the thing that is helping me the most is a teaching book that has a CD to go with it.  Once I figure out the basics of the song, I can then play along with the CD.... over and over and over and over.  ha ha.... enough to drive others in your family nuts....  but I think it's been really helpful!!  I'm sure that their are similar book/CD combinations out there for guitar too...  Just go check out a local music store that carries that kind of stuff.  Or order it from the internet... the one I like the best so far is a Mel Bay publication, but there are lots of others too.  It's way more fun to play with a group, than by myself... even if the "group" is on the CD!!!

****geez, I just realized that you already mentioned book + CD and evidently weren't very happy with it!!  sorry!  but I still think it works pretty good.  I think individual instruction (with the right instructor) is the best method of all.  That's how I learned to play piano and flute.

[B-flat]

Go to the music store and get a book called EZ Guitar Method.  That will have the basic chords.  Then, find someone who does know how to play that will show you a few basic chords......go from there.  Then, if you want more, hang out where people play music and watch what they are doing and maybe try joining in.

I played a bit of guitar years ago but found my real interests are in playing Piano and Organ.  Even better than that I just enjoy listening to Bluegrass and Country music, though I have a genuine love for many different kinds of music.  My fiance plays guitar, banjo, piano, steel guitar, organ and whatever he can pick up.  His favorite is banjo and he plays with a group for fun at a minimum of two night per week. :M

[calstate360]

Do any other members play guitar?  How did you learn?  Do you have a method that worked well for you?  Are any of the video's or DVD's any good/better than book & cd.
Thanks for your help!

All the suggestions you have received are good ones. I have been playing for 40 years and am self taught. At one time I even played professionally.
Here is a tip, go to the music store and get the sheet music for your favorite song or a really popular song. You know the one you just can't get out of your head all day long after you hear it. Then learn those chords (be sure you get the piano or guitar music as they have the chords printed above the words).
Be sure you look at the cords and make sure none of them are those killer chords that will drive an adult to tears because fingers just do not bend that way. :J
Then practice, practice, practice. Whenever you have free time or are watching the tube pick up the guitar, even if it's just for a few minutes. This will get you used to fingering the chords and after that the progression from one chord to another will become a lot smother.
With time and patience you will hear yourself becoming better and it will be easier to play. Once your fingers get used to switching chords and your eyes become used to seeing the letter of the chord above the words you can progress to more difficult songs.
I do not care for most people who give lessons. Most of them expect you to catch on as fast as they did and have no patience at all. In fact most of them at a music store are just more advanced students making extra money to pay for their further lessons. Once you have the basics down you can attempt the lessons again if you wish. Although I have never had a guitar lesson in my life, I have given a few and have seen numerous people who were supposed to be instructors. :mad:
Hope this helps
Sal