I want to learn to play guitar

[u2spirit]

How much time should I devote to it to make it worth my while? Any guitarists out there have any advice?

[BillZBubb]

1. The results are tied directly to the amount of time you practice.

It will take at least a year to be passable. More than that to be good. The more time you spend practicing the better. For that reason, you need to find ways to make it fun, not just drudge work.

If your schedule allows, I'd practice at least 1 hour per day. The minimum, I'd say is 20 minutes.

It takes time, so don't get discouraged. Both hands have to learn to do things they haven't had to do before. Your "off" hand has to gain strength to press the strings and make weird chord shapes. Your "good" hand has to learn to make smooth rhythm strums and pick individual stings.

PS: Learn your scales! Not just chords. Good luck and have fun.

[SlackJawedYokel]

2. More info.

What sort of music?
What sort of guitar?
How profficient do you want to get?
Do you have any other musical training?

Easiest is to buy a cheap little guitar/amp combo for around $300(they're all actually pretty good these days) from Sam Ash or somesuch and an EZ guitar tab(tabulature) songbook and practice your Pete Townsend windmill in front of the mirror.
:D

I've found that tab sites are useful as is the Guitar Pro software(it plays midi files of your favorite music).

One of those "million and one chords" book would be a good thing to have.
And learning scales is an absolute must.

I'd spend at least an hour a day just figuring out chord fingerings and getting the calluses built up at first, working in scales as soon as possible.
Then I'd work up to more complex chords/changes and singing along.

After than it all depends on how accomplished you want to get.

Good luck.

Cletus

[immoderate]

3. One of the beauties of the guitar is that...

you can learn three chords and play songs forever, or spend a lifetime mastering one of the most versatile and expressive instruments.

It will be a little painful at first while you build up your fingers, and gain the technique of pressing the strings without using extreme force.

Do you know what you want to do with the guitar? What kind of music would you like to do? The methods range from learning chords to strum, to classical technique. Do you know people who play? They would be a good source.

The best advice, which you will get from many, is to find a good teacher.

--IMM

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

4. practice until your fingers bleed

that's what I did when I learned. Didn't even realize I had blisters, I was so fascinated by being able to make music.

[u2spirit]

5. I appreciate the advice

I have a real nice acoustic guitar. I want to learn to play it first. As far as the kind of music. I love rock with a tune. U2, Third eye blind, Wallflowers, Oasis, Coldplay,Train, Travis. I am currently enjoying the acoustical sound of Damien Rice

[immoderate]

6. It's good to start with acoustic.

It builds your chops. And whatever you learn there will apply to electric.

Because the electric is usually strung somewhat differently, there are some other techniques that apply there, such as note bending. (Electrics use lighter strings and the third (G) string is unwound.) That's even without the stuff that depends on amplification such as effects and feedback. Learn to play first, though.

When I was living in NYC, I got a lot out of taking a couple of classes at the Guitar Study Center. There may be similar things where you are. Else I picked up tips from friends, and charts that had chord patterns on them. Knowing some music theory helps a lot: scales, chord building, resolution, transposing. It's not very hard, think of the geeks who can do it.

--IMM

[SlackJawedYokel]

7. Couple things to start on acoustic.

Use light/extra-light guage strings to start.
Tune down a half or whole step.
Your fingers will thank you.
Once you develop callouses(bleeding is optional :D) you can switch to heavier strings(better tone) and to normal tuning.

If you need to play in key with other people you can use a capo.
Learn to finger-pick and flat-pick on the acoustic.
You'll transition to electric easier if you go that route.

I love rock with a tune. U2, Third eye blind, Wallflowers, Oasis, Coldplay,Train, Travis.
Sounds like you might want to move to a semi-hollow guitar at some point.
Ibanez makes very nice ones that won't cost you an arm and a leg.

Have fun.

ps. check out some of the alternative tunings in the musicians group.

Cletus