Is there an easy way to learn to play the guitar?

Question:I just want to learn a few chords, but im not having much luck. Is there a how to video out there that works?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I just want to learn a few chords, but im not having much luck. Is there a how to video out there that works?

I have been teaching for 30 years. Different people learn in different ways... so here here is what I suggest.

- Make sure that your guitar is not too stiff. Beginners usually do better with light guage strings, especially on acoustic guitars. Also, a decent guitar can be set-up so that the action is "smooth."

- If you are just going to learn open chords, then you can get those offline and learn to finger them. Link 1.

- You can Google the names of thousands of song and get both chords and tabs for them. Most of my students want to learn songs.

- There are lots of videos on YouTube.com. Just do a search for learn "choose a song name."

- I would also suggest learning some basic progressions that you can learn at your own pace. IE: C, F G or G, C, D or Am, Dm E.(look up on the link)

- Pick some slow songs so that you can get the chords learned before moving onto fast stuff.

- Practice at least 15 minutes every day, no matter what.

Good luck.

Youtube has so many videos. There is also alot of books out there, that's how i started. Though, it really helps to get some private lessons. Playing with a teacher can be very helpful.
drwm

Every person I ever met who really wanted to play learned on their own. Maybe at some point they got a teacher, and that's a good thing, if it's a good teacher. But without exception, every guitarist I ever met who was really a guitarist figured out the basics by just picking up the axe and playing with it til they got it.

There is no easy way. But if you enjoy playing (not just the idea of playing) then you'll get it. But if you 'just want to learn a few chords', I don't think that qualifies for really wanting to play guitar. A guitarist needs to know lots and lots of chords just to be in the game.

Go to a local music store, such as guitar center. They should have some DVDs that teach beginner guitar