[Caribou]

Hi I was wondering If it was possible for someone to learn guitar From scratch and get to a point where they would be good enough to play in a band.I'm 19 years old will be 20 in a couple of months In wondering if it's too late to make it.I'm willing to practice for 3 hours every day to help achieve This goal.If any of you could give me any advice It would be greatly appreciative.

[lskdfjldsf]

Of course it's possible. Which instrument are you considering playing? Some general tips:

- For stringed instruments (guitar, bass) it's best to teach yourself initially. Learn how to read tabs, referencing sites like Ultimate Guitar and browsing the forums there for tips and suggestions. I started by jumping right into very difficult songs, rather than working my way up; it took a while, but I covered more bases in a shorter span of time.
- Don't buy a cheap, shitty instrument. A good guitar is easier to play than an entry-level guitar. I wouldn't drop $2,000-$5,000 on a new instrument, but something between $500-1,000 would work well. I recommend Ibanez guitars, and Warwick basses.
- Take lessons after a few months. Find a good teacher, maybe on Craigslist, and be willing to alternate to learn different styles from different instructors.
- Don't overestimate your ability. Playing in a band is difficult, and if you're only playing for the sake of being in a band, you'll likely get tossed to the curb. A band is a second job, and an enormous time/money investment. Make sure you're passionate about the music you're playing.

Bass is the easiest instrument to learn, but the most difficult to master. I would suggest starting with bass until you're familiar with the mechanics of stringed instruments (scales, picking, etc.) which will allow you to join a band quicker than usual. Guitarists are a dime a dozen, so it's naturally very competitive.

[Guitarman]

If you practise three hours a day you will do fine. A friend of mine was a lifelong huge music fan and took guitar lessons in his late 30's then singing lessons. He worked up a repetoire and now gets regular paid gigs and a following.

Even I regularly see him play and sometimes jam.

So it's never too late. If I were you I would get lessons, then buy every music book you can lay your hands on for the type of music you love and practise as much as you can.

[UroboricForms]

Absolutely. I started learning bass when I was around 16 years old, but I only played my first show with a band this year in June. Long overdue in my mind, but that just goes to show.

(09-04-2015 01:10 AM)Blick Mang Wrote:  

Warwick basses.

Are very high quality. Personally I'm a big fan of Ibanez in terms of how they feel and the cost/feature ratio. Yamaha is much the same. I'm a really big fan of Spector, Wal and Pedulla basses too but those tend to get pretty expensive, especially the Wals. If you want a great entry level bass look at Ibanez or even Squier who have really stepped up their game in recent years. When I started Squier was still considered something of a joke, but a lot of what they're putting out at the moment is held in high regard by bass players, for what they are.

[Windom Earle]

It would be a good idea to go for a style of guitar that your guitar heroes play too. I think it will draw out your natural passion toward it.

I'm a massive Hendrix fan, so when I started playing in my early teens, I leaned toward the Fender Strat.

There was something about it that just drew me in, the shape (like a woman's curves), the tones, and of course the music that was being created with it.

Strat man for life here (also partial to Tele's now too though).

[Guitarman]

Good point! I'm a massive Led Zeppelin fan so my favourite guitar is my prized 79 Cherry Sunburst custom, I also have a USA strat.

As for starting to play, I would advise learning the open position chords first.

G major, C, D, E major and minor, A major and minor. And then some scales and some simple riffs from classic songs.

[FilipSRB]

Raja Ram, a man who some people call The Godfather of Psy Trance practically helped to create the genre in his late forties, and is still a top act now in his eight decade. Although he was a good musician since his teens (he was a flute player in a prog rock band from the 60's and actually performed at the first Glastonbury), if you have a gift and a drive, it is not too late. He is also not the lone exception in the genre, I like listening to Norma Project, a former blues rock guitar player from Serbia turned prog trance producer in his fifties.

One thing I learned from the manosphere is that it is never too late to turn your life around.

[StudebacherHoch]

The notion that one MUST start playing ANY instrument "as a child" in order to develop good technique is largely overstated. Granted - certain instruments which involve a lot of embouchure such a winds/brass, or unfretted string instruments are best started when young. Guitar, piano, bass, drums? Go for it! My younger sister began learning guitar/vocals at age 45 ten years ago, she has since played numerous acoustic/folkie (her favored genre) shows and done quite well.

As for my "ongoing musical instruction" - I simply refuse to stop learning. The undergrad degree in music composition 38 years ago was a good basis, but I've continued to study, study, study everything from advanced jazz harmony to mastering tracks AND my life's goal to proficiently play as many instruments as possible in the vein of Todd Rundgren & Prince. I'll be 60 in four days - and can play flutes, saxes, clarinets, oboe, bassoon, EWI, Theremin, Seaboard, keyboards, vibraphone, drums, bass, guitar, banjo, mandolin, sitar, lute, pedal harp, harmonicas, melodica & vocals.

As the late, great Frank Zappa once said, "Music is the best!"

[wi30]

I took up bass in 6th grade orchestra, switched to bass guitar during 7th grade jazz band, and had my own band from 8th to 11th grade. We played in battle of the bands, local youth program shows, and school dances. My best buddy growing up played guitar. We covered Blink 182, Foo Fighters, Nirvana, etc. but also wrote dozens of originals. We actually put out an EP that we sold to our school friends.

My biggest regret is selling my setup for quick college money. I had a silver ESP LTD F-254 that sounded as sexy as it looked. They don't even make them anymore and I know I will eventually pay 5 times the cost to get my hands on that memory again. I bought a cheap acoustic electric bass to mess with when I miss it but I'll never go back to that level of dedication I had when I was an adolescent. My passion was hockey and unfortunately music took the back seat.

This is the greatest bass ever created (biases included in this analysis)

[samifon]

Definitely. After a year and a half of bass, I was able to play and perform with a band. Make sure you avoid buying a low-end/ beginner guitar, you'll be more motivated with a better sounding and feeling instrument. When you start the band, MAKE SURE YOU'RE LEAD ISN'T A FEMINIST. I had to kick her out after she accused my lad of promoting "rape culture".

[wi30]

Damn, my link went bad after posting.

Here is another photo

[Enjoythedecline]

I would suggest you to buy a Squier. They're now as good as mexican made Fender and they're cheap. Best bang for you bucks IMO.

[Parlay44]

Of course you can. You live in a great age for information. You can watch endless youtube video from your favorite guitarists showing
step by step how they play their most popular tunes. Not to mention guitars are cheap these days.

Just take it slow at first. Practice one hour a day until you fingers stop hurting and callous over

If you can afford guitar lessons then do it. It's always nice to have someone walk you through something in the beginning.

Good luck and have fun

[General Mayhem]

Dude if you have the time and motivation to practice 3 hours a day then go for it.

Pick up a decent guitar and you will be able to entertain yourself for hours. When I was younger I would spend a ridiculous amount of time on ultimate guitar learning my favorite songs and eventually I could hold my own.

I wouldn't focus on being in a band right away. Getting good on your own and doing solo gigs can be a lot of fun. Even if you just hit up an open mic night. I've met a few hot bitches doing that.

I also used to gig a little with one other guy who was a killer blues player and all I had to do was play rhythm. It was a fucking blast even though it wasn't an actual band. Lots of easy pussy and free alcohol.

He is on tour now with some broad and I haven't touched my guitar in months