Purchased my first guitar yesterday!

CWMCALL · Unread post by **CWMCALL** » Wed May 28, 2003 3:37 pm

Hello all....

I purchased my first guitar yesterday, (an Alvarez) and a few books on how to play the damn thing...

I read through the first few lessons in one of the books and worked on a few chords that the book suggested (C and G7, I think). I had a lot of trouble keeping the fingers on my left hands from touching strings that they weren't supposed to...

But with time and practice, as well as a little help from the Internet, and you all, I am sure it will get easier. All suggestions for a newbie that has never played a musical instrument before are welcome.

(thanks to dmbtabs.com i was also able to teach myself the first part of typical situations)

Ben41 · Unread post by **Ben41** » Wed May 28, 2003 4:16 pm

u said it just practice and practice and practice and practice. It will become easier for you in time. Start off with some easy songs like typical situation.

MWR · Unread post by **MWR** » Wed May 28, 2003 4:25 pm

Congrats on the new guitar and welcome to the club. First off I think learning Dave songs will help a lot which it sounds like your already doing. Try learning some scales (major,minor,pentatonic) they will help with left and right hand coordination. Learn how to alternate pick these scales(up,down,up,down etc.) not just down strokes. Rhythem is absolutely key so you should really concentrate on it as much as possible. I would also recommend learning some theory. Begining guitarists often neglect theory because it's not as easily applied on guitar. Most importantly you have to make it through the initial pain of playing. In order to do that you have to play day in and day out. I have a handful of friends who just couldnt make it thru the pain. DONT GIVE UP! I envy you cause that first year of playing is probably the most rewarding.

GuitarGuy610 · Unread post by **GuitarGuy610** » Wed May 28, 2003 5:45 pm

Yeah, good luck and keep practicing!

QuattroDore · Unread post by **QuattroDore** » Wed May 28, 2003 6:57 pm

One thing that has not been mentioned is to not be afraid to ask questions on this board. All of the people here are good folks and will help you out when you encounter some theory, technique or terminology that is unfamiliar to you. This board alone has enabled me to become thrice the player I once was.

Congratulations. I hope you have the hundreds of hours of extra time that is necessary with the guitar addicition.

DreaminBassMunky · Unread post by **DreaminBassMunky** » Wed May 28, 2003 7:48 pm

just practice until it feels like your fingers are gonna bleed. Then break for a minute or two, then keep playing. Guitar is an addiction and I know that DMB is one of the best ways to feed it. Keep working man.

taylordb · Unread post by **taylordb** » Wed May 28, 2003 9:20 pm

Congratulations and welcome!!! We are all here to help and give you encouragement, just ask

Oh.....did we mention practice..practice..practice :wink:

DustyDave · Unread post by **DustyDave** » Wed May 28, 2003 9:41 pm

Welcome to the boards CWMCALL :lol:

Everyone has a problem touching strings that shouldn't be touched in the beginning , it takes alot of time and practice to get everything right

VTDreaminwithDMB · Unread post by **VTDreaminwithDMB** » Thu May 29, 2003 1:44 pm

Just keep jammin on no matter what. Don't get frustrated and quit.
Just remember that you only get out of it what you put into it.
When those finger tips are on fire just concentrate and get lost in the music and the pain will go away. Peace

QuattroDore · Unread post by **QuattroDore** » Thu May 29, 2003 3:13 pm

And don't forget there is music beyond Dave Matthews Band. So many of my friends are Dave or nothing when it comes to appreciating music and it drives me crazy. Learning some simple Beatles tunes such as Yellow Submarine will get you on the track of learning your chords. If you here a song that you dig, look it up on the internet and try to play it.

firedancer86 · Unread post by **firedancer86** » Thu May 29, 2003 3:30 pm

congrats dude...I just played a Koa Alvarez last night...work hard, and make sure you start putting up some recording soon

CWMCALL · Unread post by **CWMCALL** » Thu May 29, 2003 8:52 pm

Thanks for the kind words everybody...

Is there any kind of drills or practice routine I should be doing to help find the right strings with my right hand and my way around the fingerboard with my left?

Also, is there any way to make my left had more flexible? I have small hands anyway and often find myself barely touching strings that I shouldn't, causing a mute or a buzzing sound.

I am having a great time...

Thanks in advance for the advice.

Ricky the Pilot · Unread post by **Ricky the Pilot** » Thu May 29, 2003 9:13 pm

Try learning these open chords from Acoustic Guitar Magazine's Lessons webpage.
http://www.acousticguitar.com/lessons/f ... ds/1.shtml
Congrats on the guitar and like everyone else said, practice, practice, practice.

DMBTabs.com

Purchased my first guitar yesterday!

Purchased my first guitar yesterday!

Your first chords

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