Trying to learn first song

[Lillis]

I’ve been poking around on the guitar for a long time but I’m just now really trying to learn how to play a song. Chose “wish you were here” enjoying it but I wouldn’t say I’m a fast study. At least it’s obvious what I’m trying to play. I’m having to play it over and over so many times I’m kind of getting sick of it. i’m using Marty’s music YouTube videos as a guide.

Jim

[HodgdonExtreme]

Marty Schwartz is a great resource!

One complaint I do have about his approach is rhythm/timing... He presents a strum pattern, for example: Down, down up down down up down.

It's an ok approach for getting a beginner up and running, but I found it very limiting. I think working out the rhythm with 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 is much more empowering - allowing you to get into the "groove" to make your guitar playing much more musical - and allowing you to apply what you've learned to future songs better.

[cliff_the_stiff]

Originally Posted by Lillis

I’ve been poking around on the guitar for a long time but I’m just now really trying to learn how to play a song. Chose “wish you were here” enjoying it but I wouldn’t say I’m a fast study. At least it’s obvious what I’m trying to play. I’m having to play it over and over so many times I’m kind of getting sick of it. i’m using Marty’s music YouTube videos as a guide.

Jim

I try to focus on the challenging changes, Incorporating those musical sections with other chord changes Im comfortable with, then make up a new set of chord changes using easy ones that come second nature to me and adding the tough changes from that song Im learning.

Doing this creates a practice song to help me with the actual song, but because of the other notes and chord I add, it doesn’t get as old.
I then go back and forth and apply my newly practiced changes to the song and and surprise myself when it sounds better...

[Lillis]

Originally Posted by cliff_the_stiff

I try to focus on the challenging changes, Incorporating those musical sections with other chord changes Im comfortable with, then make up a new set of chord changes using easy ones that come second nature to me and adding the tough changes from that song Im learning.

Doing this creates a practice song to help me with the actual song, but because of the other notes and chord I add, it doesn’t get as old.
I then go back and forth and apply my newly practiced changes to the song and and surprise myself when it sounds better...

Thanks. As I progress I’ll try that.

[foxo]

My first song was Quinn the Eskimo with all down strums. I drove my (ex) girlfriend insane with it.

[llew]

"Come on without!"

[Peepaw]

Originally Posted by Lillis

I’ve been poking around on the guitar for a long time but I’m just now really trying to learn how to play a song. Chose “wish you were here” enjoying it but I wouldn’t say I’m a fast study. At least it’s obvious what I’m trying to play. I’m having to play it over and over so many times I’m kind of getting sick of it. i’m using Marty’s music YouTube videos as a guide.

Jim

When I learn a new song it takes me many, many renditions of it to get it right.
Many hundreds at least. That's just to get the playing right. Then it takes me forever to get to where I can sing along with it.

Keep after it. I finally got to a point where I can learn a new song in a couple of hours. Then it's lot of repetition to smooth it out.

Singing while I play was and still is a large challenge to me.

[DWKitt]

I found Steve Stine's instruction very helpful:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwVKH89k0jQ

I also like to play along with the recording, but this acoustic only cover by a couple called The Running Mates is very nicely done:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrvBYMTscmE

Enjoy!

[tonyo]

Originally Posted by DWKitt

I found Steve Stine's instruction very helpful:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwVKH89k0jQ

I also like to play along with the recording, but this acoustic only cover by a couple called The Running Mates is very nicely done:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrvBYMTscmE

Enjoy!

Great lesson, thanks

[JonPR]

Originally Posted by HodgdonExtreme

I think working out the rhythm with 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 is much more empowering - allowing you to get into the "groove" to make your guitar playing much more musical - and allowing you to apply what you've learned to future songs better.

Totally agree! I've seen the "down-up" way of describing strum patterns confuse countless people.

[JonPR]

Originally Posted by Lillis

I’m having to play it over and over so many times I’m kind of getting sick of it.

Ha! That's the downside! You can end up hating a song you used to love.

Tip: as soon as you start getting bored or frustrated with what you're practising - stop. Leave it and come back to it later. Or start playing something else. If you're not enjoying the process, you'll learn nothing of any use.

[Riverwolf]

Originally Posted by Lillis

Chose “wish you were here” enjoying it but I wouldn’t say I’m a fast study. At least it’s obvious what I’m trying to play...

Hang in there, it is a deceptively hard song to play correctly.
It was also one of my first songs and the strumming drove me nuts!
I think I watched every single Youtube lesson multiple times.
I had pages and pages of notes and printouts.
Even now I can play the solo note for note but something is still off...
My advice is to find a real simple beginner version and then keep adding to it.

Seven years later and I am learning the Stones "Sweet Virginia".
I think my girlfriend is about half sick of hearing it.

[JonPR]

Originally Posted by Riverwolf

Seven years later and I am learning the Stones "Sweet Virginia".
I think my girlfriend is about half sick of hearing it.

Why, was that the name of your previous girlfriend?

[Lkristians]

There's another youtube tutorial called "Shut Up and Play" and his lessons are great. Wish you were Here is one of his lessons. It's good to listen to various teachers (IMO) to see the various nuances.
ENJOY!
Larry

[mr. beaumont]

If you're practicing strummy songs, find 2 or 3 that use the same chords. It's ok to keep a few pots on the stove, "learning to play the guitar" is not a linear thing. Work on a few things that reinforce each other, and you won't get as bored.