# learning guitar **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 7, 2002, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learning-guitar/141121 "2002-12-07T11:48:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CrazyDiamond](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d26b3c/32.png) [@CrazyDiamond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyDiamond)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2002, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learning-guitar/141121/1 "2002-12-07T11:48:59Z")
i’ve been playing classical fingerstyle guitar for almost three years. i’m also fairly decent at strumming chords, basic noodling on a steel string… and i’ve been trying to make the transition to electric, but i’ve hit a wall. does anyone have any advice on how i should go about this? where do i even start? i’m mostly interested in jazz/blues/rock… any recommended books? thanks ---
**Author:** ![Cubsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2002, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learning-guitar/141121/2 "2002-12-07T11:58:01Z")
> **[Guitar Tabs with Rhythm | Songsterr](https://www.songsterr.com/)** > > Guitar, bass and drum tabs & chords with free online tab player. One accurate tab per song. Huge selection of 500,000 tabs. No abusive ads Greatest web resource for new guitarists. You can find tablature for any song that you want on there. Thats how I learned was by playing songs that I liked. ---
**Author:** ![KidCharlemagne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2002, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learning-guitar/141121/3 "2002-12-07T12:28:07Z")
Well I just wrote out a list of the best books for someone else but can’t find the thread. Absolute musts: 1. Fretboard Logic volumes 1-3 (comes in two books): Go to [www.billedwards.com](http://www.billedwards.com) (It’s self published). Nothing comes close to these two books. 2. Practical Theory for Guitar by Don Latarski (Do an Amazon) Also recommended: “The Principles of Correct Practice for Guitar” by Jamey Andreas > **[Best Way To Learn To Play Guitar](https://guitarprinciples.com/)** > > Discover the best ways to learn to play guitar without getting Bad Habits from The beginning. Explore the essential Guitar principles, lessons, & exercises. ---
**Author:** ![CrazyDiamond](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d26b3c/32.png) [@CrazyDiamond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyDiamond)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2002, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learning-guitar/141121/4 "2002-12-08T22:30:09Z")
thanks guys. i’ll check those out ---
**Author:** ![stockton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@stockton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stockton)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2002, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learning-guitar/141121/5 "2002-12-09T01:54:52Z")
I was you about 20 years ago. 1. Learn barre chords. You already have your callouses. 2. Don’t buy a cheap axe. Take a pal that knows electric guitars with you to the pawn shop. A bad instrument will kill your will to practice and play. 3. PLAY WITH OTHER PEOPLE. One afternoon jamming with someone new is worth 10 lessons and 50 solo practice sessions in your bedroom. Find someone to jam with, or start a band. You’re allowed to suck, you don’t have to play out. You will get all sorts of criticism (constructive and otherwise) and will develop real tempo and style. 4. Have a blast. ---
**Author:** ![bensonGemini](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eb9ed0/32.png) [@bensonGemini](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bensonGemini)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2002, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learning-guitar/141121/6 "2002-12-09T14:20:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by KidCharlemagne \* > \*\*Well I just wrote out a list of the best books for someone else but can’t find the thread. > > Absolute musts: > > 1. Fretboard Logic volumes 1-3 (comes in two books): Go to [www.billedwards.com](http://www.billedwards.com) (It’s self published). Nothing comes close to these two books. > > \*\* What is your opinion on the Fretboard Logic DVD? ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2002, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learning-guitar/141121/7 "2002-12-09T18:57:28Z")
I would echo **stockton** on the importance of playing with other people. In addition I would try to find a teacher. I don’t how much about music theory you know, although if you want to play jazz you will need to learn some. A certain amount of theory is good even for blues and rock. You don’t have to necessarily spend big bucks for months on end for a teacher, just someone who can give you a few lessons so you have a foundation to build on, someone to set up a program for you to follow on your own. Books are great but you will be limited without someone more experienced to tell you how to get the most out of your practice time, what you’re doing right and wrong, etc. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2002, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learning-guitar/141121/8 "2002-12-09T21:51:49Z")
Since this is about music, I’ll move this to our arts forum, Cafe Society bibliophage moderator GQ ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2002, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learning-guitar/141121/9 "2002-12-09T22:46:16Z")
[This thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=146456&highlight=%2Aguitar%2A) covered some ground about moving from acoustic to electric guitar…