Computer-based Guitar Training?

rfischer asks: "I am hoping that Santa brings me a guitar for Christmas this year. I know there are a lot of computer- and web-based tools for teaching yourself guitar, but I'm having a hard time figuring out what's best, and if any of these computer-based methods have any advantage over the classic training courses. Anyone been down this road before?"

GuitarPort Online

[gwynnebaer]

Shameless plug: http://guitarport.com
Don't take my word for it. Take a look.

Chord finders

[barrettlight50]

I use this [gootar.com] one. There are some other tools at their site. This [chordfind.com] one has more of a guitary look.

Basics

[idolcrash]

I'd get the basics down first (reading tab notation at least, posture, holding the pick, etc.), and then get GuitarPro* [mysongbook.com], where you can download tabs and as it goes through, the MIDI sequence is played based on the tablature. It is also quite good for writing music.

*This is the most popular place for getting GP files, however there is a link to get GP

try "real-world" tools first :)

[Vadim Grinshpun]

If you're just starting, most web/computer tools won't be of too much help for a while (IMHO). Instead, try to get a friend to show you some chords/tunes, as well as the basic layout of the guitar. If you are even moderately serious about learning, getting a good teacher will help a lot too. I'd also suggest hanging out in alt.guitar.beginner, it's a pretty nice newsgroup where lots of questions can be answered. Also, from what I've seen, the "guitar for dummies" book is actually quite good and will get you through the basics in a sane order.

After you get acquainted with the instrument a bit, check out www.olga.net, a sizeable archive of guitar tablatures (assuming you don't mind learning to read tab -- it's easy, though it's not a substitute for real music notation in the long run).

One program I'd suggest (non-free, unfortunately) is Guitar Pro. It's a tablature editor that can play the tablature, and there are quite a few tunes available in its format--so you can see the tab and hear the tune played. Pretty nice if you use tabs.

HTH :)

I learned from OLGA

[teknikl]

... but that was a ways back - can you still get it... why yes you can [olga.net] Notice there are no lyics now... just fragments of the beginnings of lines.

I guess a bunch of old text files from thousands of guitar players doesn't work out to be training. Still it helped me quite a lot in figuring out popular riffs and breaks.

Re:Don't. Not as the only source.

[sgant]

Exactly, don't use "one place" to try to learn this unless you're just trying to learn a few songs to impress. If you're really serious about learning the instrument, get your hands on anything and everything.

I've no experience with the computer programs per-se, but there are a ton of links to web sites that can help you along.

Guitar Noise [guitarnoise.com] is a great site that teaches you certain songs and why your doing what your doing within each song as you go. Check it out.

Slowhand Blues Guitar [12bar.de] for a good intro into Blues playing.

Chordbook.com [chordbook.com] for an interactive chord generator. Very helpful.

Hope this helps and good luck!

Power Tab Archive

[istomisgood]

http://www.powertabs.net/pta.php/ [powertabs.net] Simply the best online resource I have seen. My playing has improved immensely since finding this website and the program associated with it.

A good resource once you know a bit

[njriley]

I fmay be somewhat qualified to answer, as I'm largely self-taught, and I have used a lot of online sources. If, as it sounds like, you're starting from the very beginning, it's true that you really need someone to show you the basics. Once you have that down, though, you can learn a lot by downloading the tabs to songs you like. I don't know what you're interested in, but I use these:

http://dsrmusic.com/ [dsrmusic.com]
http://www.singularitymetaltab.net/ [singularitymetaltab.net]
http://www.deathwarp.com/DeathWarp/tabs/tabs.htm [deathwarp.com]

Those are mostly for rock and metal, but you can find similar sites for whatever style you're into. As you'd expect, start with simpler songs and work your way up - you can learn a lot of technique this way, as well as forms and applications of the theory you'll also want to be studying. For some basic chord and scale patterns, check out:

http://www.guitar-dreams.com/ [guitar-dreams.com]

Another good site for a lot of exercises as well as some theory is:

http://ibreathemusic.com/ [ibreathemusic.com]

This is really one of the best guitar sites I've seen; I can't recommend it enough. Along with the above, it forms a very good reference for patterns and exercises, but you're still missing some structure. This is a major problem with online materials - there's so much of it it's hard to sort out. As such, I'd recommend using all of this as source material, but have a friend who plays give you some guidance as to what to practice, even if you don't take lessons per se. If that's totally impossible, buy a method book or two - the Troy Stetina ones are excellent for rock and metal, but they're available for all styles. That will give you some idea of the order in which to practice the various subjects.

Hope this helps,

Nathan

community college

[undef24]

I don't know many online resources, so I can comment on another approach.

My advice is to enroll in a classical guitar night class at a city college. You will learn good fundamentals for whatever style music you like to play, plus all the classical guitar songs are impressive to play--and you will pick up note reading in the process. I learned around 10 or so warm up excercises that you can use for the rest of your life to speed up finger strength and agility.

Most guitar teachers can also point you to hourly rate tutors. Just show up the first day and talk to the teacher after class and ask for a referral if you don't want the class doesn't fit your schedule.