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How to play the guitar?

I got a guitar for my birthday. I have no idea how to play any kind of music. I would love to learn how! help please?


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: That's a very broad question to ask on an answer board. It generally takes six months to a year to master the basics of guitar, and at least three to five years to make it to a journeyman level. This is a situation where you would be much better off learning from a person. If you have a friend who already plays, you might get them to show you a few things. Lessons are also available at your local music stores, Community Colleges, and of course there are private teachers. There are a lot of things you have not yet shared with the board that would help to let us know what kind of help you need. These include:

1. What kind of guitar did you get? (Electric, Acoustic, nylon string, steel string?)

2. What kind of music do you want to play? (Fingerstyle Classical, Rock, Country, R & B, Folk, Gothic, Heavy Metal etc.)

3. Do you own or have access to a tuner. DO you know how to use it?

4. Do you have any musical background at all, or will you be starting from scratch?

These are typical questions that I ask my students when we start classes. I teach fingerstyle Classical guitar at the Elementary and Middle School level. I can give you some links to get you started, but you are probably going to look at them and realize that you really do need someone to guide / mentor you through this process. If there is anything more I can do, you know where I am. Best of luck and I hope to see you back here with slightly more specific questions.