ok so I really want to learn how to play. I'm more interested in electric. any tips on where to get one and what to look for for a newbie?

 

pawn shop. Something that feels comfortable and sounds decent. Don't knock yourself out the first time around.

 

buy one from a friend or a pawn shop would be good too.

if you have friends that are musicians they prolly have a shitload of guitars.

as far as learning to play, do you wanna actually learn how to read music and play it, or just play popular songs you hear on the radio?

 

I wanna learn how to read music.
is it hard?

 

reading tablature is really easy. reading sheet music is pretty tricky unless you've played another instrument, and even then it can be pretty rough. I could read piano music just fine, but when i tried learning guitar music, I never really got the hang of it.

 

it's not hard, but it also doesn't come overnight. takes practice, like most things. this is the 'real' or 'right' way to learn to play guitar.

the shortcut/cheater/lameass way to learn is by tablature. this is basically a drawing of the strings and numbers placed on the lines (strings) indicating what frets to press and at what times.

i learned by first learning to read/play sheet music, and then after i got that down, i played around with tabs to learn popular music that i had on cds or heard on the radio.

here's an example of tablature.

Intro (without Capo)
e:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
B:3-----------3--------------2--------------------------------------2|
G:------2--------2-----------------------3---------------------------|
D:---4-----4--------4-2------------4--------4--4-2------------4------|
A:5---------------------5-4-----4-----4-------------5-2--4/5-----5---|
E:---------------------------2---------------------------------------|

that is the intro to 'under the bridge' by the chili peppers.

here's another section of the song with chords.

E B C#m G#m A E B C#m A
e:---------------9--9------------------------------|
B:---------------9--9------------------------------|
G:-13--8---------9--9---4---6-------13--8--9---6---|
D:-14--9--10/11---------6---7-------14--9--11--7---|
A:-14--9--10/11---------6---7-------14--9--11--7---|
E:-12--7---8/9----------4---5-------12--7--9---5---|

 

I'm the only one on the internet that publishes decent cardigans tabs h: yes, I know I'm a queermo.

 

tony, if your interested in purchasing a guitar. I have a electric that I barely use. Looks brand spanking new. I will let go for pretty cheap. Perfect beginner guitar. Lemmie know if your interested.

 

even if you get a decent electric, you'll get annoyed of what you sound like if you dont have a decent amp. if you dont have any effects pedals then it might be a good idea do get a solid amp that has effects already on there. marshall makes some really good ones from personal experience. crappy amps are no good.

 

when learning to play, effects are the last thing you need.

IMO, its better to learn on acoustic. but if you insist on electric, a straight, clean, unaltered sound is best.