What are /r/LearnGuitar's favorite Products & Services?

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You might also order a clip on tuner. There are other ways to tune a guitar, but clip on tuners are handy, cheap, and they work great.

Justinguitar free, structured video lessons.

Here’s a link to Amazon

Yeah, you’ll want to get a capo. I use a kinda cheap model but it works really well. This is the one I use

Are you trying to learn music or learn guitar, as sometimes you need to bias your search. I’d get a beginner theory book first (https://www.amazon.com/Music-Theory-Guitarists-Everything-Wanted/dp/063406651X) then I’d move on to this one (https://www.amazon.com/Hal-Leonard-Guitar-Method-Complete/dp/0881881392).

Get these super-thin .46mm nylon picks: https://smile.amazon.com/Dunlop-44P-46-Nylon-Standard-Players/dp/B0002D0CGM/ref=sr_1_4. They are guaranteed not to catch the strings. Then move up to thicker picks when you're comfortable (I currently use a .73mm nylon for strumming).

Get a pick puncher it’s a life saver

Pick-a-Palooza DIY Guitar Pick Punch Mega Gift Pack - the Premium Pick Maker - Leather Key Chain Pick Holder, 15 Pick Strips and a Guitar File - Blue https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C7AFDVM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_qzDyFbH170VZA

Hey, I’m only a few months ahead of you, having purchased an acoustic in early May, and now that I know I love the new hobby, an electric to keep it company.

I don’t know what people recommend, but I bought a Fender CD-60SCE bundle on amazon. Came with a soft case, picks, strap, tuner, etc. for $350. Also the Fender came with a month or three of Fender Play I believe, a lessons website.

It’s a dreadnought style (big) acoustic but has electronics so you can plug in to an amp if you wish.

I love it.

I’ve since purchased everything from Sweetwater.com (the electric and accessories) and recommend it.

P.S. I use a combination of Yousician and Justin / Andy Guitar. And was gifted a sub to Guitar Tricks which is also excellent. I do recommend one practice app that listens to you and can keep you honest and call you on dead notes or bad timing, like Yousician or Amped, etc. to complement the more “lesson” oriented content like Justin.

Learning to play guitar is a physical workout for some muscle groups and it should be approached accordingly. Same exercise for more than couple minutes does make a sense, muscles need rest and brain needs time to establish neuron connections. You will benefit more in long run if you make gym-like workouts with pomodoro timer several times per week. I practice exercises no more that 5 minutes in total for same technique, next session I do new exercise. No speed targets, no perfect repetition targets ( though I bump bpm when I feel it). With approach I see more progress in last couple month than whole year before.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/ADAGIO-Single-Electric-Guitar-Strings/dp/B01IBOVKEQ/ref=asc_df_B01IBOVKEQ/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310810391039&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15623409676810945964&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqm...

Start learning the layout of the fretboard.

1. Basic music theory (what are notes, how is the major scale arranged).
2. Standard guitar tuning (EADGBE). Understand what's happening with the tuning on the high sounding B and E strings.
3. Given the location of one note on the fretboard, learn how to find all the other instances of that note. This one is really important and can be learned in only ~15 minutes. I wasted a lot of time until I understood this. It will speed up learning the next item tremendously.
4. Learn how to name all the notes on the fretboard.
5. Learn how to project a major scale pattern onto the fretboard starting wherever you want.

You can learn 1&2 with articles and videos. For 3-5 you just need to print a sheet of fretboard diagrams and apply what you learned in 1&2. You will learn a lot more doing it yourself. Once you think you understand each one, check it against online diagrams.

A really nice way to learn all this stuff and more is the Guitar Fretboard Workbook. Highly recommended.

If you come in already knowing this stuff you'll already have a better foundation than 75% of guitarists!

I practice with varigrip and riff bands. But what I've found most effective for my left hand, is this book with barre exercises - at the beginning it was like a torture, after 2 month much easier despite more complex exercises.

You might try used.

Something like this is probably not going to be the best quality, but it should give you something to start out on.

I think a course on scales might be helpful. I practice them, but I am not too sure on why I need to practice them. They're important for lead, I am sure, but which order do I need to practice them in? What's the best way to link them across the neck, etc.

I just got a book on scales which has been good so far, and am working my way through that, so I'm hoping some of my questions will be answered, but I like learning in video format as well.

Guitar Fretboard Workbook by Barrett Tagliarino is one of my favorites. The emphasis is on learning theory as it relates to the guitar. The emphasis is on scale and chord construction and understanding fretboard geometry. Highest recommendation!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CO4CVN4/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

I can't say it's the best app, but I made one to help study how different keys and scales relate and chords in scales. Not a payed app but I'll share it anyway. It's probably most useful if you already know some music theory. It's been useful to me. 🤷fretful

This is guitar headphone amp. Straight from your guitar to headphones with limited effects. You can Bluetooth from your phone to add a backing track. There are a few similar products. Good for keeping setup simple.

KITHOUSE B6 Guitar Headphone Amp Mini Plug Guitar Amplifier Bluetooth Receiver Rechargeable for Electric Travel Pocket Guitar With CLEAN/CHORUS/FLANGER/METAL/WAH 5 Effects(Mahogany Color) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KJD2X96/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_7MP2QHZGS4DKFXTCJABS

I made this application to help me study. It can switch between all the scales and keys automatically and it has really helped to see the patterns.

Fretful

You need to practice technique to make your fingers hit the correct notes. You need to study theory, to understand why they hit the notes. https://wordpress.com/read/feeds/105458668/posts/2678725934

I ended up getting this. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07W44GPZG/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_VN3BTPFN216X15W6K4S7

and https://www.fender.com/en-US/squier-electric-guitars/stratocaster/squier-stratocaster-pack/0371823006.html

what do you mean by "walking down highE onto B"? Do you mean I should alternate between the highE string and the B string while holding down these chords?

Thank you for your response.

I've got three devices with USB audio interface capabilities and I was looking for a way to mix the audio inputs on the PC. I think this software (https://www.vb-audio.com/Voicemeeter/index.htm) will get the job done, maybe it will work for you too (it's free/Donationware).

As far as I've been digging on my jurney, it's good to start with scale and accord theories and accord progression (Note that I don't mean you have to play accord as n actual accord. What's important is relation between notes that happens to be neat in accords). I haven't got deeper into that as reading English text on that subject is not very comfortable for me and I haven't found any good Polish source yet (If you guys know some, I'd be thankfull. Especially if it's free).

Maybe 12tone on youtube could be helpfull for you.

And when I try to write something I have two aproaches:

1. Get down with guitar and some free program like Muse Score and try to write background and melody on multiple instruments and listen to what it sounds like together
2. Improvise on guitar late at night when I don't care about playing anything particullar, come up with a neat riff and forget to write it down.

PVamp20 20 watt amplifier $55

This pick changed my playing for the better.

I hear you on the fenders. I’ve got a PRS CE 24 and it’s incredible, I expect the SE to be the same.

Anyway, here is the audio box I’ve got. https://www.amazon.com/PreSonus-96-Recording-Headphones-Microphone/dp/B07317483W

It’s got everything you need I believe, including headphones. It works very well with GarageBand if you’ve got a Mac. Still works great with a PC though.

So long as you’ve got a computer, this and a guitar will set you up nicely.

No Bull Music Theory for Guitarists

This was recommended to me, and I found it very easy to understand due to the way its structured. So I recommend it as well for a good music theory book for guitar.

I bought a new guitar this year and out of the box, I couldn't play it for more than 10 min without extreme fingertip pain. I replaced the strings with some ultra lights and it is a night and day difference. I assumed I was going to have to adjust the truss rod but the lighter strings actually did enough. I bought these for acoustic:

D’Addario EXP15 Coated Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002E3CHC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It sounds like you're a bit stuck between beginner and intermediate. Your friend mentioned scales but I'd recommend learning some music theory too.

I really like Guitar Fretboard Workbook by Barrett Tagliarino. It isn't just about learning the fretboard. It does teach the fretboard, but it's also a step-by-step introduction to music theory using the guitar. That means it also covers scales! Both major and minor scales, and also how chords are built and used.

You might not like books and it is a bit dry to just read. It has many exercises though that are not too difficult and help build up piece by piece what you learn. All the exercises have answers too for you to check. There are many examples of scales, chords and arpeggios that you can work through too on your guitar and on paper.

This was me back in May. For what it's worth, I got a Fender CD60-SCE bundle ($350) and immediately fell in love with the new hobby. I've since purchased an electric and discovered that Sweetwater is a pretty good place to order online. But no regrets, been having a ton of fun, and I hope you have as good an experience as I've had. It's been a pleasant distraction in a year that's been very short on them.

Also, FYI, that guitar has a pickup/electronics on board so you can easily plug into an amp or computer.

Good luck!

I’ve focused on finger picking. There are lots of books that are actually properly tabbed / notated. If you can read tab and / or notation there is a whole world of high quality literature and songbooks you can work through that Is 1000X better than googling in my opinion.

This is a great intro to blues style finger picking:

Travis Picking: A Guitarist's Guide to Fingerpicking Techniques, Patterns, and Styles https://www.amazon.com/dp/1423494350/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Cw1BFbDYA82B8

This is an incredible catalogue of songs by Mississippi John Hurt. A bit old timey but great fun Travis style picking.

Stefan Grossman's Early Masters of American Blues Guitar: Mississippi John Hurt, Book & CD https://www.amazon.com/dp/0739043307/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Dv1BFbN9NWF5Q

I found that this has sort of pushed me towards working on some classical style guitar too.

I think my take away on guitar so far (I’ve been really focused on playing for about a year) is that reading high quality notation is so much easier / more satisfying than trying to learn riffs from a guy on YouTube. It’s a little bit more of an investment because books cost money, but I think it’s totally worth it.

I'm in the same position, and saw someone on this sub recommending the Berklee Method Book. It's working well with me for theory 'transfer' and fretboard learning, with the caveat that it has nothing to say about physical technique, and specifically discourages relying on fingering/string number notation, in favor of reading the music.

At least so far I don't think it's strongly specific to classical/nylon string guitar, it's just very different from the usual online focus on memorizing chord shapes. To give you a sense, I'm 15 pages in or so, and we've covered 3 octaves of C major with F/G/G7, chord inversions and some etudes, and we've moved on to introducing sharps/flats. So it's material I already know (I think it'd be frustrating to try to learn theory from this book), but it's taken me several weeks of practicing to get comfortable working with that vocabulary on the guitar.

Do you think this Hal Leonard book will have everything you described? https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-Guitar-Method-Book-1/dp/0634010344/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=hal+leonard+guitar+method+complete+edition&qid=1596934486&sprefix=Hal+Leonard+&sr=8-3

I got this acoustic on Amazon.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B004BZU4OW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Had a guitar friend play it for a bit, he was surprised that the action was pretty close to what he likes and thought it was fine for a beginner. He thought it was fine without taking it to a luthier.
For the first year I didn't have any complaints. But now that I play regularly and have played really nice guitars. It doesn't resonate like some more expensive ones and the tuning keys have developed a bit of play over a year of playing. It still tunes fine, but something is going on up there that is iffy. But if you're a hack like me, it's great.

The Rosetta Pattern https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1794677976 really helped me figure out how to name modes and scales easily and to move between diatonic, pentatonic and blues scales. It's a great framework.

If someone did have access to a wide array of tutors in his town, how does one go about picking the right tutor? I just picked up my guitar and was planning on learning through Rocksmith but I quickly learned that that is not gonna cut it. It's an electric guitar made by Epiphone. I hate that I have this beautiful guitar that I can't play.

Edit this is my guitar that I'm trying to learn on

Most teachers would say to start thin, so the pick has more room to bend against the string, and work to thicker ones as your accuracy increases across the strings. As you begin to play faster lead parts a thin pick will hurt your playing as the little bit of time where the pick bends will screw up your timing. I recommended buying these www.amazon.com/dp/B01H31ITWE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_I29BzbA5Z4S8E

I don't think I could do that very well. Especially chords like the G chord. :x

I picked on of these up recently for when I get bored at work.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HB4090I/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A316VD12LWIFJT

Check out a Modern Chord (https://www.amazon.com/Modern-Chord-Progressions-Classical-Voicings/dp/0898986982) Progressions by Ted Greene to start. Then just Google and find any number of sites explaining scales and modes. It's a good idea to try to come up with your own scale patterns and arpeggios based on the chord shapes in the book - figuring those out on your own will help you make sense of it in your own way and ingrain that fretboard knowledge.

Fellow 43 year old here, started a few months ago. I'd say just have fun. And when you practice, have a specific focus. JustinGuitar and YouTube have been a great help. Plus a book by the name of Guitar Fretboard Mastery.

Do you know about this other subreddit? https://www.reddit.com/r/guitarlessons/

If you do decide to grab a new one, spend a bit more and get something like this one: https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-FG700S-Acoustic-Guitar-Natural/dp/B000FIZISQ

I have had mine for 10 years ans they are really, really good for the price. A few months ago they were on sale for 99 bucks somewhere. That might come around again, but I doubt it.

I'd just buy a blues fake book (maybe http://www.amazon.com/Real-Blues-Book-Leonard-Corp/dp/1423404513/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1426142710&sr=8-2&keywords=blues+fake+book) then work at the songs in them. It'll be slow going at first trying to play the melody and chords at the same time, but you'll eventually get the hang of it and every song you learn will sound better than the last.