I have decided to finally learn the sacred art of the guitar. I was hoping the musicians out there could give me some good easy songs to start with. I like heavy metal, which I know is a lot of barre chords and such but I also would like some easy non-barre songs.

What do you suggest for a poor and humble beginner.

 

Whiskey in the Jar is the typical newbie song to learn. It's pretty damn simple, only about a half dozen chords in the initial riff repeated over and over for most of the song.

 

Are you learning by tablature or actual note-reading? If it's tabs, then pretty much every song has an 'easy' tab version, so you're probably safe there.

If you're learning by reading notes, then I'd suggest any song you like: it'll motivate you more than just by practicing something easy but boring.

Edit: I don't know much about heavy metal, but if you're into rock, any Pink Floyd song has an easy version somewhere.

 

Tablature is really easy to pick up so I decided to start with note-reading since I wanted to be able do classical guitar and I am learning the music-theory for it as I go. I really like Whiskey in the Jar, but which version should I do? I want to record it and put it up when I finish, so should I do the metallica version or the older version by the Irish Folk bands?

 

I prefer the Thin Lizzy version, and it's probably the most famous of the lot.

 

It depends on how much of a beginner you are. There are a lot of songs I could recommend for a 'beginner' who already knows a few basic chords. There are a lot less for people who just picked up the instrument.

It also depends on what kind of metal you like.

 

I mean like fresh out the oven beginner. And I like all kinds of metal

 

The best thing you can do is learn power chords. Once you can do those, you open a lot of opportunities.

In case you don't know, a power chord is a chord made out of the root and fifth of a chord. Being a beginner, you probably don't know what the means, but you said that you wanted to learn notation.

In layman's terms, a power chord is a chord on either the low E and A strings, or the A and D strings. They consist of a note (lets say, for example, the third fret) and a note that's one string and two frets higher than the root (in this case, it would be the fifth fret.) once you can do these, they can be moved anywhere on the neck. Songs by a lot of bands are made up almost entirely of these chords.

 

Are you playing an electric, acoustic or classical guitar?

I'm not really great with notation, but if you ever want to practice using tabs the ultimate-guitar forums has a thread for beginners right here:

http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/forum/showthread.php?t=125532

and for intermediates here:

http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/forum/showthread.php?t=625297

Their list is pretty good imo.

As Fiat said, learn those chords (and maybe even the basic major scales). I wouldn't say the basics are the end-all of your playing but they help a lot if you want to move in to classical.

Anyways quite a few tabs have the notations on top to help you along, so you could always consider purchasing (lol) guitar pro 5. Also on demonoid there used to be a download that got you 3.5 GB worth of guitar method books, so if you're into that kind of thing there's always that.

Once you've got the basics down, there are a LOT of tutorials on youtube on right and left hand techniques that may help you improve your play.

Anyways, a good tip for a beginner is to not press the strings too hard with your left hand fingers. An easy way to tell the optimal pressure to apply is to press slightly behind a fret moderately hard and then constantly picking that string with your right hand as you slowly release pressure until you buzz out. You'll be able to find the lightest touch that way and it'll really help let you play/practice longer.

 

I know for a fact that Demonoid has a copy of guitar pro 5. It's worth downloading. It helped me improve more than any real guitar teacher I've ever had.

EDIT: And, for the Whiskey in the Jar question, go with the metallica version if you want to record it.

For a first song, there is no metal for beginners. Learn Wonderwall for your first song because it seems a lot more impressive than Smoke on the Water, and they're the only real suggestions for first songs.

 

Step 1: Realize that you will never finish learning the Guitar/instrument, the title master is thus false as nobody ever really masters any musical instrument.

Step 2: Finger style or Pick? It makes a difference, especially when playing Classical and metal.

Step 3: Get a teacher. I don't care how determined or how easy it comes to you. Get. a. teacher. You'll be amazed at the differences it makes.

Step 4: five minutes every day of the week is more productive then three hours once a week.

Step 5: Stay calm. Don't get frustrated.

Step 6: Practice your posture until you have it perfect. Imperfect posture can lead to health problems down the line.

Step 7: Guitars can be thrown out of tune due to the weather, if you're going from one extreme to another make sure to tune it again before playing.

Step 8: Remember to have fun. The Guitar is one of the funnest instruments to play out of them all.

Step 9: This isn't really a step, more an observation, but each instrument in existence has at least one type of music it excels in above all others, for instance Saxophone has Jazz. If you learn this you can put your skills to maximum use.

Edit: First real song I ever played was Ode to Joy, a real dumb down version of it. Still It felt like magic. The first time I put notes together to make a sound that was coherent, and even enjoyable.

 

I agree with this, but not because having a teacher there will really make you learn a lot faster. Some people do it better by themselves and some really excel with a good teacher, but you should definitely try getting one to see which category you fall in to.

Personally having a teacher at the beginning really helped, but after learning the basics I didn't really feel much need for one anymore and just did my own thing since I'm a casual player (also didn't feel like spending that kind of money).

Edit: Cruentus, I wish I had learned Ode to Joy first (learned it as my tenth or so) because when I started, I stupidly tried to learn Rylynn (Andy McKee) and then Spiritual Groove (Antoine Dufour). I managed it after three weeks of struggle but had I learned basics first it would have made my beginner experiences much more enjoyable and a lot less discouraging.

Very true. A lot of Greenday songs are also extremely easy to pick or just strum through. They're a breeze for fingerstyle as well. I found a pretty good version of Wake Me Up ... for finger picking if anyone is interested.

 

In contrast I still have the same teacher from when I started, going on three years now I think. It's helped that I generally like the guy and we've become friends.

Edit:

Ouch. That sounds a like it was a bit harsh. When I first played it right I was so excited I nearly flung my Guitar across the room, I tend to lose control of my hands when I get overly excited.

 

Can one pick an electric guitar?

 

Pick as in fingerpick or plectrum pick? Anyways, yes to both.

Fingerpicking: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yw74sDWPH7U

 

It took me a second to understand what you were asking.

You were asking if someone could use a guitar pick with an electric guitar, right? If so, then, yes, you can. You can also use a pick with an acoustic guitar.

I also recommend you get a teacher. Try to find one with similar tastes in music.

 

You'll also have to choose your pick, if you decide to use one.

There's width, length, hardness. This will actually make a big difference later.

 

Picks allow you to play really, really fast. This is helpful in a lot of contemporary music, mostly rock and metal.

Finger style doesn't let you go as fast, but you can play much more complexly.

If you're going for Classical then eventually you'll have to get finger style down, the simpler songs can be played with a pick, but the harder ones are pretty much finger only.

 

I just remembered, for fingerstyle beginners there is some really great advice and lessons on youtube on Ulli Boegershausen's page.

http://www.youtube.com/user/Boegershausen#p/u/35/vb_45gzfpCo

If you scroll down on his uploaded videos, you'll see a short list titled "Ulli's Workshop ..." . Good information to have. The intended audience is beginner fingerstyle players but really most of his advice can be carried over to picking as well.

Edit: Jesus Christ a huge wave of skunk just hit me and I threw up a little in my mouth. I hope it's coming from outside O_O.

 

Be sure to know how to read notes and such.

OH! Pay attention to rhythm. That's one of the most important things in music.