Hey, I just got a Fender Stratocaster yesterday to start learning how to play guitar. The only chords I know at the moment are E, A, and D. Is there anything I can try and play using just those 3 chords? How long did it take you guys to learn how to play decent because I've only had mine a day and I think I suck.

Welcome to the Forum.

I have been playing off and on since the 1960's and I still think my playing sucks.

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Chet Feathers

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I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

Welcome

There a re a ton of 3 chord songs

Try
King of the road Roger Miller
Wild Thing the Troggs
Louie Louie By what was it??? the Kingmen???
Also check out justinguitar.com for tabs for beginers

Good luck

Bil

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Hey, Boy Blue is back!

The intro to back in black by acdc

Hi and welcome, you are way ahead of me, I haven't received my Strat yet and I cannot play any chords at all. Maybe I suck at playing a Strat also!
You are going to have at least a week ahead of me, may be we could have a little competition, see how many chords in a months time

you've only had it for a day, of course you suck. but thats the thing, you've only had it for ONE day. it takes a lifetime to learn to play decently. At least you are learning "real" chords already. You'll progress faster that way. When I started playing, I only played two note power chords for about 6 months straight. It took me about a year to really start making progress at guitar.

I asked John 5 once how he got so good at guitar, and he told me "practicing 4 hours a day for 10 years."


By the way, if you haven't yet, take a listen to some of John's music. He is one of the best guitarists I have ever heard, and he is the nicest person I have ever met. And if his music has the same effect on you as it did on me, it'll really open up your eyes to what is possible with a guitar.

I learned the intro to Metallica's "The Day That Never Comes". It's incredibly easy. I found out how to do it with this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8PTBnwfVrw

Learn how to read tabs, very easy and check sites like ultimateguitar for tabs. Watch lots of videos on youtube...

there are different ways to learn. make a mix. learn from tabs and learn from cd, radio etc to train your ears.

good luck

cheers

I feel like I am always learning. Either playing, if not able, listening or even the forums on here. Web has some interesting info as well.

learn Aminor and F major and you can play House of the Rising Sun...a good one to learn to change between the chords used quickly and effortlessly...

Welcome to the Forum. You just got your first guitar...now you need to learn to play it. Not everyone can pick one up and play it like a pro in a day. For some people it takes years of playing to consider themselves as tolerable.

You have taken your first step. Your next step is to immerse yourself into it. I recommend taking lessons from a good instructor. Also if you have anyone around you to mentor you, that will help too. I would say I was playing in a garage band about a year after I started to play. 20+ years later I am good enough for the only one that matters, me. I have had no formal instruction and play by tabliture, ear, and feeling. I would love to be able to read and play music at the same time.

To this day I think I am an average player. Some people think I am awesome while others think I suck. Remember everyone has opinions, the object is to use those opinions in a possitive way. Practice makes perfect.

Have fun, it really is a great hobby and who knows, one day we may see you on stage if you are truely serious. RK

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RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head

Welcome!

Learn a C chord too and you can play, "For What Its Worth" by Buffalo Springfield.

'For what its worth', I think it took me about 9 months before I was holding my own when it came to the more common chords in popular songs.

I must say this though: Knowing all the standard chords isn't enough to get you going in the right direction. Of VITAL importance is the fact that you MUST have good timing to go with them. Do yourself a huge favor and start working on your timing now too. And from now through eternity, never slack off! To this day, I see so many players who can play their you know whats off if they are familiar with whatever song it is that they are playing. Yet, this same lot cannot play any song they never heard, even with the complete information on paper in front of them because they cannot deduce nor even follow the established timing. At this point, they are hopelessly lost and consequently, miss out on MANY opportunities, regardless of how many chords (or solos) they happen to know.

DO NOT LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU!

Be patient and keep at it. Sure, you'll get frustrated, exasperated, etc, etc. We've ALL been there and still are at times. So, consider it your 'initiation' into the club. Remember, "Slow and steady wins the race."

Needless to say, ask questions and remember too, the only dumb question is the one not asked.

Best of luck!

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You dig?

Wow, your doing better than i did.
i didnt learn any chords till after a few months of playing.
and on the first day all i could manage was dive bombing the whammy bar on open strings cause it "sounded cool"

Ive only been playing a few years and I think my playing sucks.\
But i love playing guitars, well. i love playing strats.

So, just have fun. its the most important part of starting, with out the enjoyment you will have to initiative to play. and you wont want to get better.

Just keep playing, have fun, and enjoy your strat!

There are literally thousands of popular and rock songs using those three cords. Try the old classic rock song "Gloria" by the Shadows of the Night (among others). It's a good one to get your timing right and to practise "hammering on" the chords.

E (2 beats/ 4 strums) D (1 beat/2 strums) A (1 beat/2 strums) repeat this again and again. That's it.