Learning the guitar

What are your best suggestions on learning the guitar? I can read music, it's just the guitar that I can't play. What is the best, easy way to do this?

I guess the best way would be to find someone who teaches guitar although it may cost quite a bit, I'm not sure. I have an older brother in Wales, UK who is an amazing guitarist, his favourite group is The Shadows (have you heard of them?) and he plays many of their tunes. He has started a Shadows club in Wales where he gets together with other guitarists.

Good luck Milo!

I don't know about Milo, but I did Ruth
It was one of my favorite groups in the 70 and 80ties
and still is!

Milo - congrats! it is always great to learn something new and to have hobbies.
Good luck kiddo!

Risa

The original bass player of the Shadows Jet Harris just died.
They still play together sometimes. My husband was a fan.
Saw them in concert a few years ago.

To learn guitar, which a play badly but my son plays brilliantly.
I have one piece of advice which was given to me.
DONT learn chords.
Get a book of easy tunes that you like.
And just learn a few tunes.

Many many songs are 3 chords.
Learn those chords, usually C G and A or D.
Practice those songs.
It is soul destroying to just learn more and more chords and play nothing.

I got a John Denver one years ago because I liked his stuff.
DONT get anything like Abba or Beach Boys, they are scored and hard.

Blowing in the Wind and Let it Be are good starter songs.
And it feels good to be able to play a tune.

Then you move on and learn the chords you need as you go.
The hardest for me is barring "F".
My fingers are just not strong enough and it hurts.

If the noise isnt too pretty at first, just go for it.
It will get better.

I hope this helps a bit Milo.
Its how I learned and I taught my son.
But he is Eric Clapton and I a still strumming....

What kind of guitar are you learning to play, Milo?

I just remembered my daughter took piano lessons here:
http://www.musicanddance.org/

They have one person classes, friendly atmosphere.
She liked it there, maybe you'll like it too?

But he is Eric Clapton and I a still strumming....

wow, you are a talented family, Pen!

Risa

Ok, I have mastered one song now "I can see clearly now". Yes, it's very simple. Then I bought an app that has all of the popular songs mapped out, so I can start trying some Adele songs. My fingers will take a long time but if I practice every day I should be doing pretty good soon.