Hello all,
Ok, just bought a guitar, (Strat), and have I never played guitar. I played violin for nine years and cello four years when I was a kid. I used to struggle with reading sheet music and usually played by ear and memorized musical pieces regularly with success. Now some 30 years later, I have decided I want to learn and play guitar. I have always been able to play by ear, but don't know squat about the guitar, scales or chords. I am wondering if there are any recommended course, books, DVD, etc. Also, it seems to me there may be a difference with learning an instrument and playing an instrument. "Learning", seems to suggest the study and theory of instrument and it's respective music notes and structure. "Playing" appears to be defined as learning a few chords, scales, licks, tip and tricks so that one has enough familiarity to pickup, learn and play songs. With my history of playing and memorizing music, "Playing" may be more suited for me. Please correct me if I am wrong. I am just trying to dissect this so I can get off on the right foot. I don't mind spending some money on a decent learning method, but private lessons are out of my price range right now.
All comments, suggestions and notions are greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

Dang! I thought this was gonna be another opportunity to vote for rosewood.

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Just think of how awesome a guitar player you could have been by now if you had only spent the last 10 years practicing instead of obsessing over pickups and roasted maple necks.

It really depends on your goals. If you just want to play in your room, just learn the chord, notes and songs. But if you want ton play with other musicians, you will need to do more.

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Guitars:
1. mid 70's Ventura MIJ Gibson l6-s clone (Pre-lawsuit) in Black with Rosewood FB and EMG 81 BR/ 85 Neck
2. ESP KH2 Neck Thru
3. 2008 Am Std Strat in 3 tone sunburst

Someone told us about a book that I bought. It is "How to play Electric Blues Guitar," by Alan Warner, on Amazon I believe. Cost me $5.99. It teaches scales and blues licks, etc. Pretty easy and pretty good.

Ok ncgrayghost, welcome to the Forum! Congratulations, a Stratocaster is a fine solid body electric guitar. As a former violinist and cellist, how you learned to play those instruments is precisely how you learn to play a solid body electric guitar only this time it will be better more fun and easier because you are learning on a Fender Stratocaster. Witty play on words "Learning" as a suggestion and "Playing" ( I wouldn't dream of correcting a Bro) is a suit that you deconstruct and reconstruct although that is a way to learn how to be a tailor. Classically trained musicians are off on the right foot. If you want to challenge yourself learn to play left handed or right handed what ever is not favored unless you are a keyboardist too, then you are ambidextrous and are just joshing the Forum. The Brothers and sisters on this Forum will not charge you for questions you ask and I encourage you to ask. If I may make a suggestion, put your guitar down only when absolutely necessary, play notes and chords, songs and sing them whenever possible and you will notice how much you are learning by playing what you are learning, violin, cello, electric guitar, going around like a Calliope, Circus calliopes were sometimes installed in steam-drive carousels. Music-go-round or play on Bro.

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you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.

Thanks to all,
I will try the book suggested and "Play" while I "Learn". Maybe I will try not to take this thing too serious and concentrate on having fun with it. Thanks for helping me put thing into perspective. Any other suggested books or DVDs?

check out http://www.justinguitar.com/en/BC-000-B ... Course.php

Justin guitar is an excellent online resource

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Welcome to the Forum NCGG,if you had no problem picking up violin by ear and being self taught,the guitar shouldn't be a problem.If you get a song book that has chord diagrams that's about all you need.That's how I got my start with guitar 45 yrs ago,I'm completely self taught and have played professionally since I was 15.You obviously have a knack for music so picking up scales by ear should be a cinch for you.The best bet would be to learn the blues scales first as they are the most common and least complicated.Just pick up a few Muddy Waters,Howlin Wolf ,Buddy Guy etc. CDs and you're on your way.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

Great !
I am liking these replies. Lots of input by beginners and veterans. This is an excellent forum and I look forward to years of playing and chatting with all. In just a few hours I have points and tips to last me till next year. Keep'em coming anytime if you think of a more.
Thanks again for your thoughts and warm welcome,
Chris

welcome ncgrayghost you also have at the top of the page under the community heading an online guitar lessons page you could try out , have fun

this might help Bro
http://www.fender.com/community/onlinelessons/

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you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.

Welcome to the forum grayghost.......Mike

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The blues ain't nothin but a good man feelin bad.

Thanks for the welcome !

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You dig?

Welcome.

The biggest piece of advice I can give you, especially since you have a background in Classical instruments and music is to note the difference in "Pop Music" (et. al) scales vs. what you've been correctly taught in the past.

For example, take your everyday C Major scale. As you know, there are no sharps or flats. Yet in "Pop Music", the 7th is flatted or in other words, a whole step down from the octave. To add to the consternation, if you told say, a Blues player to play something in 'C', inevitably, this player will use a Bb for his or her 7th and possibly flat the perfect 3rd (B to Bb) too at will.

Reading between the lines, you can see per the above, Pop Music scales are more likely to be based on the Phrygian Mode. Consequently, an understanding must be achieved between Classical (or as we say in the business, "Legit") players and Pop stylists when they are playing together. It would have to be specified beyond the key, what the 3rd and 7th shall be for all to be playing in the same key, as it were.

I know the above might sound a bit confusing or even preposterous but this is the way it is.

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You dig?