Who plays music?

[BengalsRocker]

(09-25-2020, 01:52 PM)Wes Mantooth Wrote: So I actually gave mainly beginner lessons for awhile, years back.  My biggest takeway from it was that if people can just get through the first part (maybe 3 to 6 months or so) then it's somewhat smooth sailing from there, as far as it keeping your interest.

I'd say 90% of people who quit, do so in this timeframe.  Why?  Because it can be frustrating with the calluses and feeling like you're never going to be able to really play anything.  For a lot of people it's not a lot of fun (yet).

BUT... once you learn just a few chords and you can change them up and move around a little with them, it opens up a TON of songs you can play.  And you'll finally be able start to feel like your progressing.

Another big piece advice, if it's not fun or if starts to feel like a chore, just take a break.  Be it a night, or a week.  Just do it in your own time.

One day, and it won't take that long, it will click from "Man this is so hard" to "I really want to learn this song" and you'll look forward to it.

Fwiw, chords I would start out with:  C, A Minor, G, D.  (You can cover a lot of ground with these 4)  Don't feel like you have to learn every major chord at once, and then every minor chord.  Break them up in chunks like these.

I quit guitar twice before it clicked for me.  Most people would disapprove of my philosophy, but I think students should start on either a nylon string acoustic or an electric guitar with light gauge strings. Young players are usually so enthusiastic about playing that they tear their fingertips up and it deters them. Another thing that is highly overlooked is someone's physicality. Finding the right radius and neck/fret scale is important but usually not recognized until later in a player's future(if they make it that far).  A lot of times students are given crap guitars that don't stay in tune, high action, and bad intonation.  Basically not set-up at all. It makes a huge difference and much more enjoyable playing.

Also, like you said if you learn a few basic chords there are a TON of songs to play.  YouTube has made this highly accessible for players from beginner to expert levels.