acoustic guitar. (in Off-topic)

hey. just started playing acustic guitar could really use some tips and hints. Like where to begin and stuff.

I've seen many guitarists use these little triangular things (usually made from plastic) called picks...

wow. Good call. your like a geniass.

At first, try to practice in 10-15 minute sessions (several daily) until you build up nice calluses

When I first started, I played the scale from the sixth string to the first and back. i.e. (6th string) E, F, G, A, B, C, D, E (1st string), F, G. This built up some callus for me and eventually a bit of speed/accuracy. Then you'll eventually move on to chords and play real scale. By real scale I mean for example C Major, D Major, etc. etc.

I feel like moving on to chords earlier then later is a good idea and makes practicing more interesting (just use a basic down down down down strum). Em is simple to learn and Am to C is easy when first practicing chord changes (just keep strumming the same pattern and don't stop when you make a chord change...even if you don't quite make it at first).

I'd recommend lessons. And, if you know anybody else who plays or is learning work with them on playing. You'll learn a lot faster that way. Later on when you know some of the chords find out a few songs you like and learn to play them.

Both playing music with other people and playing music you know is pretty important, because it makes it fun. Learning stuff is a lot easier if you enjoy it.

When I started playing, I had millions of blisters. I'd recommend you start with nylon strings (I started with steel)

---->Practice makes perfect. <----

Oh yeah, ditch that sheet music. It's really confusing. Use tabs.

0. get a teacher and take private lessons, it makes it easier, as they can show you more than any book can.
1. learn to read music
2. get a book to teach you all the major scales and arpegios, then move to minor.
2 & 1/2. learn some songs so you dont get too bored in between.
3.practice the crap outta that book

If you have any questions, feel free to ask me, im a Music Major.

Oh, and learn the circle of fourths.

having fun and enjoying urself is key. yes i know how lame and frustrating it was when i could barely switch between chords but practice pays off over time. if u get disgusted with something or burnt out, then definately just walk away! come back another day or maybe a few hours later if ur up to the challenge.

always try and play as loose as possible. when you strain ur fingers and use a lot of force, ur fingers will be tense and will be harder to move as ur muscles will be working against u. if u use as little effort/energy as possible, u'll find ur fingers are easier/quicker to move/position.

when bending a string, dont be afraid to use ur other fingers to help push it up, especially when u need to use ur third or fourth fingers.

use light gauge strings at first, they will be much easier to hold down and that will be more rewarding than laboring over heavier/thicker gauge strings.

a lower "action" on the guitar may also help holding down chord shapes. the closer to the fret board the strings are, the less effort it takes to press them down and keep them held down. kind of an advanced suggestion but i've known a few peopel who tried to learn to play on a poorly setup guitar and it was near impossible to have any fun when the strings were so high above the fret board.

try to get some basic chord shapes down. Some basic Majr. shapes are E, A, D, G, C, B, F. After u get used to forming those shapes, work on your minors . Best way to practice with those chord shapes is to find songs you like that use them. For example, Steve Miller Band's The Joker uses just G, C and D. Tom Petty's You Dont Know How It Feels uses E, A, Bminor, and D. Johnny Cash's cover of a NIN song, Hurt, is Aminor, C, D, F and C.

Heck, if u like those three songs and practice them, you'll pretty much have learned all the basic chrod shapes! u'll notice other songs using those chords are much easier to try out.

trust me when i say it gets easier as u play. i know its the last thing u want to hear because u want to be good now, but it will get easier and it will take time.

eventually ull be bleeding from the finger tips and be using super-glue to keep ur fingernails from constantly separating while u do some crazy bends =)

Apart from that, play songs you like off tabs, that's how I got started.

"Oh yeah, ditch that sheet music. It's really confusing."

Seriously?

No, definitely don't ditch sheet music...

Inspiration, man. It's all about "Wow, that is awesome - I want to be able to play _that_!" Use youtube, look for artists who you admire, songs that you want to play (cough Paul Gilbert, Shawn Lane, Jason Becker, Fernando Miyata).

Learn to read sheet music. But use tabs too - they teach you a lot about how to hit the notes, that sheet music doesn't (it just tells you which notes).

Powertab tablature editor, and the powertab archive.

Learn to play songs you enjoy. There are so many songs that are awesome, that only have like 4 basic chords! Hey Joe - one of Jimi's most famous covers, is just C, G, D, A, E, iirc.

Don't feel discouraged that you can't play 6 string sweep arpeggios - they take practice. Learn simple things first, learn good habits, then move onto harder things.

Your picking hand is just as important as your fretting hand! A relaxed, angled, controlled pick action makes playing complex licks much easier.

Finally, a little bit of music theory goes a long way. Knowing what the different modes are, how they are formed, what effect an augmented or diminished note has on a chord, etc, can really add to your playing. Use the piano to help you - it is very easy to build chords on the piano, which can then be translated to guitar.

Listen to La Campanella, Claire De Lune, Fantasy Impromptu, Rage Over The Lost Penny, etc - these pieces will help to train your ear.

Good luck!