Q. Is it normal that I'm not getting guitar hand muscle memory quickly? I just got a guitar 2 days ago and learned how to read chord charts and just started to play songs. But I have to remember the chord progressions, my fingers don't fly to them like they do when I'm playing piano. How can I get better at this? Is it just practicing?
A. Yes, it is just practice. 2 days is no time at all. It always feels weird taking up a new instrument - you feel that it should be almost as easy as the one you're familiar with but, as you say, you need to develop the muscle memory . . . which takes time, though it should come much quicker than if you hadn't played any instrument before.
Do you think that I can take up guitar?
Q. I'm only 13 right now and I'm a girl (not that it matters) and I take piano right now and written music theory. I'm really good at piano and I'm working on grade 7 for the Royal Conservatory and grade 3 harmony too. I can read treble, bass, alto, tenor, and soprano keys but I think guitar is either treble or bass. I want to take electric with the amp and stuff. Do you think I will be able to learn it by myself? I am a pretty quick learner and if anybody knows stuff on guitars can you tell me that too!
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A. Hi
I would say to go ahead and start fooling around with it. I picked it up myself and for the most part, I learnt fast and within 6 months, i started studying, reading and writing but i had very good ear training by listening to lots of guitar work. So, you have a head start by knowing your music and harmony.
Plus, you have sense of independence and know how to use both hands.
Here is a good start if you feel the need for it :-)
http://www.8notes.com/guitar_chord_chart/C.asp
Their is even a guitar tuner there LOL
Okay, I have a question about the Guitar!?
Q. I would like to learn how to play guitar.I can already play a bit of the piano (not completely but I know the basics) and I have two questions. I'm prepared for sore fingers!
Can someone buy you a guitar, or does it depend on the size of the person, like the violin or does it not matter?
Secondly, is it possible to teach yourself or should I just go for lessons. If lessons is the answer, how many weeks/months till you sort of "get the hang of it" and can play.
A. When it comes to guitars in general, only the neck portion of the guitar is the part to pay attention to when just starting out. A matter of physical comfort and playability.
Body size only matters as secondary comfort, as some sizes feel more secure to the player in the beginning. Necks come in different lengths too, for even more playing convenience, but just different scale (fret numbers). Same playing technique all around.
But one has to sacrifice tone quality and volume due to smaller 'box' of acoustic guitar sizes. And electric guitars is just a matter of overall feel, balance and weight factors. Ask about neck 'set ups' for any guitar you may purchase at a music store. This will make sure that the playing area (fret/fingerboard) is as comfortable as possible for your fingers and hand.
You have a choice of either standard steel (folk/dreadnought) or a nylon 'classical' guitar to begin with. The nylon strings of the classical will be more forgiving in conditioning the fingertips but will have a thicker and wider neck, thus as well, really providing exercise for the hand and chord reach. Once learning from this particular guitar, you can tackle most any other guitar on the market.
Of course it is possible to be self taught but what will determine this is how much desire you have for the guitar in the first place. Depends upon if you enjoy even the music it represents, the thought you can create your own in time, and if you continue to have love for the instrument overall.
But lessons will expose you to the elements of playing and real discipline in what it will take to learn more seriously, even as a result, a little quicker than on your own.
And the time-line will depend once again on your willingness to learn in any situation when just starting out and over the next few months to come. Give yourself at least those months to see any real progress. Most instruments of any kind, if one sticks with it, will show true results within a year.
Plan on getting some good reference material in the meantime. Instruction books of beginner guitar, chord chart and finger position instruction. CDs for the music, and DVDs for video training will help as well. All even before you may decide upon lessons with a good instructor.
Lastly, get with someone (or group) who is already into guitar playing and buddy up as both of you can bounce off one another for the experience, if not a good lesson in a social relationship with such common ground.
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Title : Guitar muscle memory question?
Description : Q. Is it normal that I'm not getting guitar hand muscle memory quickly? I just got a guitar 2 days ago and learned how to read chord ch...