Quote:
Originally Posted by MelBridgeman
take lessons
and practice, practice, practice
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^^ THIS
I started playing guitar when I was 12. I took beginner lessons for about six months and was taught the basics -- how to play the most commonly-used chords, how to care for my instrument (changing strings, etc.), and how to play a few songs. After that, I was self-taught for the next 15 years, learning to play new songs by looking up tabs/chords on the web. I started taking lessons again about a year ago, and I can easily say that I learned more in three months than I did in the previous 15 years.
Finding a good teacher is key, though. Any fool can teach you playing technique and how to play your favourite rock songs. What you want is someone who really knows their music theory and can teach you different scales and modes and when to use them. It may be more boring and not as instantly-gratifying as learning your favourite songs right away, but it will make you a MUCH better player in the long run.