Hello:

I've taken lessons before, but now I'm trying to relearn guitar. I got a free DVD with my Fender Squier guitar set called "Fender Presents: Getting Started on Electric Guitar with Keith Hyatt." Is this a good DVD to follow? I've been trying to practice to it, and I think I'm doing alright. I have to learn by DVD because getting out to do lessons is not an option.

Is this DVD any good? What other suggestions would you have about learning guitar? My big problem right now is getting my fingers to move as a group and muting strings (since my fingers are a bit short--my music teachers always said I had guitar hands rather than piano hands whatever that means)

Any feedback would be great. Thank you.

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"While My Guitar Gently Weeps."

My dad said, "I'm going to miss you."
I said, "Well, now that I broke that sight off your rifle..." (Emo Philips)

Your fingers aren't short they need scales to loosen them up. You've got to start somewhere. There will be a lot of lesssons and none will be too many when you are learning on your own until you figure out which one works best for you.

After about 20 years, self taught, I've come to the conclusion that I need scales to build speed. I'm doing 1,3,4 and 1,2,4 on all strings per Andy Aledort's "Lead Guitar Boot Camp" and have discovered I have no speed and get easily confused. (Try doing 1,2,3,4 frets up the strings after the first excercise without missing.)

I think when starting out you just want to learn songs but then you realize there are certain things you just can't do. So then you see the flaws in your abilities. Build on those flaws and you will save yourself a lot of agony.

Take a look at Learn & Master Guitar by Steve Krenz. It's a product of Legacy Learning Systems. The student forum there is very active (11,000+ members) and helpful. Most of the students are a little older and have tried other programs before. The swear by this one. It is self study with DVDs, CDs, and Session manuals. There's also a home-schooling supplement if you want to direct the study in that situation.

Hi LVA,
If you like DVD lessons, give this link a try http://www.licklibrary.com/ you can pick these DVD's up on eBay, amazon market etc. Another site I found a few days ago may interest you http://www.songsterr.com/

Good luck

I agree with Snowy72 Licklibrary.com has the best DVDs for any level player. I have been a member of that site for 7 years and it just has so much great stuff on it. A great dvd to start with id Danny Gills Rock Essentials that my son has been making great strides with when I am at work.

Listening, and I mean really listening to music is just as important if not more so then practicing.

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Tune Low, Play Hard & Floor it!

+100 on that.

WHen they play, you can hear the difference between an ears open musician and a guy who learned a bunch of licks in about 30 seconds.

+100 on listening to music method from me too. I am more in the learning "gipsy" way. Meaning, I am from eastern europe originaly and as a kid I listened to a lot of gipsy music and 99% of those guys play strictly by ear and feeling.

Of course, once you get better and get over the phisical capabiliy (hand muscle memory). You will hit the plateau and you will need to refresh music theory (dry theory but important).

DVD are ok but at the end you will learn licks and templates and that might work for you.

Try both ways and see what is best for you to enjoy and advance.

I find www.justinguitar.com to be a good resource for beginner and advance techniques. It comes with Brian May's approval!

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