Am I playing guitar all wrong?

Question:Ummm...I was pretty much just told on here that I'm pretty much playing my guitar all wrong....I'm teaching myself so I wouldn't know...
I think it's a Classic Spanish Acoustic Guitar or something...
It has three metal-y strings (EAD) and three nylon (?) ones (GBE)
I use a pick to play it, but find it easier to fingerpick...I actually only use a pick because all the guitarists I see seem to, and I plan on moving on to either Bass or electric guitar...I was told that you're not supposed to use a pick on classic spanish guitar though...?
I can read music (from choir) except mine confuses me, because apparently, it has two parts maybe. It has a chord at the top of the music, but I don't know how to play a chord, I know they're like a group of notes you strum together, but how does that make a song?
I know 6 chords, C,A,G,E,D, and Em.
Can anyone answer any of my questions, I'm really confused, and am planning on moving on from acoustic around Christmas...?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Ummm...I was pretty much just told on here that I'm pretty much playing my guitar all wrong....I'm teaching myself so I wouldn't know...
I think it's a Classic Spanish Acoustic Guitar or something...
It has three metal-y strings (EAD) and three nylon (?) ones (GBE)
I use a pick to play it, but find it easier to fingerpick...I actually only use a pick because all the guitarists I see seem to, and I plan on moving on to either Bass or electric guitar...I was told that you're not supposed to use a pick on classic spanish guitar though...?
I can read music (from choir) except mine confuses me, because apparently, it has two parts maybe. It has a chord at the top of the music, but I don't know how to play a chord, I know they're like a group of notes you strum together, but how does that make a song?
I know 6 chords, C,A,G,E,D, and Em.
Can anyone answer any of my questions, I'm really confused, and am planning on moving on from acoustic around Christmas...?

I apologize if I confused you earlier.Lets try this.

Tap your foot about once per second,try to make sure the pace is consistent.If you are tapping at once per second this would be called 60 beats per minute=60bpm.

You said that you know how to play a chord.I just want to make sure,when you play a chord you strum all the notes of the chord once.If you are tapping your foot at 60bpm's and you strum the chord everytime you tap your foot you'll be playing the chord as a Quarter note in 4 4 time.

Now play a d chord every time you tap your foot.Do it 4 times at 60bpm's.

Then play a c chord every time you tap your foot.Do it 4 times at 60bpm's.

Then play a g chord every time you tap your foot.do this 8 times at 60 bpm's.

Now you need to play the pattern that is described above(the d chord,c chord,and g chord)in time with your foot tapping with no change in the rate of tapping(TEMPO)and when you get to the last G chord repeat the pattern.

this would be the ryhthym.That is what is being described by the chords on top of the staff.

the staff describes the melody that accompanies the ryhthym
at the same EXACT BPM's or TEMPO.

I have numerous books and lots of material.I suggest that if you still don't understand send me an email(stringlord1@yahoo.com) with your mailing address.I'll send you some lessons and tabulature explanations along with some music to some popular rock tunes.

Also I play spanish classical with a pick,some people play with their fingers,its what works best for you.And if you are gonna move to electric guitar spanish classical is a good exercise,but you need to learn scales,patterns,and chord progressions that are considered to be the building blocks of blues,rock,country,or pop.so in your email you should include what type of music you wish to play.

I hope this helps you,Don't give up It takes a while to learn to play the guitar,but if you stick with it,its your best friend when no one else is.Good luck

Whether you play with a pick or not doesn't really matter, except that it will sound a little different as you play. I find it easier to finger pick on songs that have a lot of single notes, and pick when there are more chords. As you play several chords throughout a song, changing as you go, it will make the song. However, a lot of songs will require that you play only certain notes of the chord at a time. So, if you can finger a C chord, first play the chord as a whole, strumming all of the notes at once, and then play it again strumming only one note at a time. This should help you gain an understanding of how they are the same and different at the same time. Good for you, by the way, trying to teach yourself guitar. I tried, and I couldn't do it.

Sounds like you're doing great. You're taking the time to teach yourself, and not giving up. You can use a pick, or your fingers. Whatever works best for you. You already know a lot of chords to play many songs. I hope you like to sing while you play. If you don't have a chord dictionary, please pick one up. This will show you how to play all the chords in different positions on the neck. Learn a few more chords for now. I suggest Am, F. With the chords you already know, plus the two I suggest, and a chord dictionary, you'll be surprised how many songs you'll be able to play, and sing along with. Go to a music store, or check out the music on line. Look for guitar/piano. The music is the same, and it displays the chords on the top. Since the holidays are coming up, you might want to look for Christmas songs. If you have any specific questions, don't hesitate to email me. Good luck, and don't give up.

The big thing is keeping your thumb behind the neck and wrapping your hand around the neck.

Thumb is NOT supposed to be on top.

Pick doesn't matter.

Most classical players do use fingers.

But there is no formal say there.

Pick or fingers or finger picks.

The use finger picking so they can play BASS as well as high notes at the same time.

Like folk music.

No wrong ways, some just lots better or easier. Keep at it!

Everyone has given you good advice, but the most important thing is to develop your ear.

For instance...you should immediately be able to tell the difference between a G chord and an Em chord,

Beginning guitarists can often confuse these two chords as they are sometimes replacable...so be sure your ear can hear the difference between the major and minor chords.

Get a chord book, and learn all the major and minor chords.

The best advice I can give you is find someone else to play with. You will improve as much in a month as you will sitting alone in your room practicing by yourself for a year.

If you have access...record yourslf playing and listen to it back. this can show you areas that need work that may not be as obvious when you are intent on playing.

Best of luck and keep practicing until those fingers bleed! Haha