OT: How can you tell if you suck at guitar?

[VegasDave]

So I asked for a guitar for Christmas... then I did some research and saw how hard it was to learn. I immediately asked NOT to receive a guitar but it was too late, they had already got one for me.

So as I mess with it, I realize I suck and will probably never be good enough to even strum out the most basic of songs, let alone songs I actually LIKE or WANT to play. I can't seem to get chords down. My fingers are awkward. I just generally suck.

Everyone I talk to says this is natural, that it takes a while to learn, they all went through it, etc.

But the way I see it, for every natural musician out there there has to be someone who naturally is just flat out terrible and no amount of hard work can make up for it.

So...

1. How do I tell if I am just going through growing pains OR if I should give up because I suck,

2. Any tips or suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

[Iwinyourmoney]

If the virtual crowd boo's you, YOU SUCK (anyone who watches South Park knows whats up)

[rjt721]

Well, if you're asking if you suck, you probably do suck. This is completely natural, though, especially considering you just started playing last week. Taking lessons is the fastest and most effective way to get better. Most lessons runs generally run once/week for about an hour, although you'll have to practice often to get to where you want to be. Try focusing on two or three chords and playing them together in every combination. When you become more comfortable, move on to another set of chords, and so on...

Learning to play isn't easy, particularly if you have no prior experience. It takes time.

[louisvillekid]

i tried to learn , i've had a bunch of friends that have played in bands, different ones have tried to teach me, and it was a no go, i just don't have the rhythm and finger dexterity. some people just pick it up naturally, a friend that grew up with me can't read music but can listen to a song and play around with a guitar for a few minutes and start playing the song, the dude is amazing, he can play guitar, bass, drums, saxophone, keyboard, harmonica. he just has an ear for music.

[20Four7]

I like playing but don't think I have an ear for music. I have learned piano, organ, guitar and clarinet. I say work on the guitar playing for a month or so, if you still think you suck then you suck. But if I can learn guitar anyone can.

[Dark Horse]

Give a concert in front of family and friends and slam that baby into the ground.

[jon13009]

If you played other instruments and have a knack for music, I would give keep at it for awhile and see if you can pick it up. Guitar is difficult for some because it requires a decent bit of finger strength and dexterity.

I would suggest taking a few lessons (look for some group lessons at the local high school or community college) if you don't have some friends who can help you.

Otherwise, learning to play can be fun by simply learning some basic chords (you only really need to know 3 or 4 for most simple songs.) Unless you are gifted, learning any musical instrument really takes a bit of work, and that is part of the challenge.

However, if you want to sound like Eddie Van Halen or Clapton right now, I would take the guitar back and buy the Guitar Hero or Rock Band video game.

GL

[Cee]

I play guitar also on xbox

[McRich]

So I asked for a guitar for Christmas... then I did some research and saw how hard it was to learn. I immediately asked NOT to receive a guitar but it was too late, they had already got one for me.

So as I mess with it, I realize I suck and will probably never be good enough to even strum out the most basic of songs, let alone songs I actually LIKE or WANT to play. I can't seem to get chords down. My fingers are awkward. I just generally suck.

Everyone I talk to says this is natural, that it takes a while to learn, they all went through it, etc.

But the way I see it, for every natural musician out there there has to be someone who naturally is just flat out terrible and no amount of hard work can make up for it.

So...

1. How do I tell if I am just going through growing pains OR if I should give up because I suck,

2. Any tips or suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

Did you get an acoustic or electric guitar? I have played guitar for 25 years. The acoustic is much harder to start with. Electric does not require as much pressure on the strings. You can also amplify the electric to make some cool sounds without being an expert player. I would consider myself an above average guitar player. I spent the first two years I owned a guitar playing every day for two hours. After these two years I was able to sit in with bands and jam. Then I started my own band and my playing really took off. This is the point where I really started becoming good. That is my advice and experience. Good luck.

[janus]

i play classical guitar, but i can still remember my college roommates bitching about how bad i was... and they were right. stick with it, it'll come.