Would I just be stringing along?

[Colton]

Having never been musically inclined (in performance), I've always admired folks who could play an instrument, sing, etc.

Please allow me to preface this by admitting I'm guy who bought the "Play the Piano Overnight" course -- but doesn't have a piano.

I'm curious, to those who play guitar, is it something one can work at without being able to read music? In looking for a way to get away from the many burdens that come with my job in this day and age, for some reason, the acoustic guitar comes to mind.

Perhaps it's because it's always sounded soothing to me (the opening of Seger's "Still the Same" comes to mind), but it's something that's crossed my (cluttered) mind from time to time, like now, for example.

Has anyone been successful in picking this up from scratch? I'm just curious if it's something a hack like myself could actually enjoy.

Thanks in advance for any and all thoughts, folks.

 

[Gator]

I got my first guitar my junior year of college, and I was fortunate to have a roommate who knew a thing or two about it. He taught me the basics, which are power chords. From there, I could play a lot of the stuff I was listening to at the time (Nirvana, Pearl Jam), which kept me interested.

Actually, I was hooked ... I worked hard at getting better (with no lessons) and picked things up along the way. I used tabs (which can be found anywhere using Google) to pick and choose songs I wanted to learn, and tirelessly worked on my fingering for new chords (open chords).

Not a week as gone by where I haven't picked up a guitar. I used to play it while watching highlights on SportsCenter with the TV on mute. You get out of it what you put in it. I'm now in a two-man acoustic band, making money on the side for something that I just really like doing.

It'll get frustrating at the beginning, but if you really stick with it, it'll be worth your while.

 

[Buck]

I've played since I was 17. I can't sight read music but can decypher it through laborious effort.
I'm the same way with tablature.
I taught myself chords from simple guitar song books, and I learned how to strum chords and sing along.
After that, I wanted to play with friends, so some friends taught me some ornamentations and some scales.
I taught myself some rudimentary fingerpicking in college when I got a banjo.

It's a great hobby.

 

[NickMordo]

I'm actually going to get my own acoustic soon, and I'm in the same boat as the OP. I was given a plethora of websites and Youtube channels to learn and enjoy the instrument, some of which include:

http://guitar.about.com/library/blguitarlessonarchive.htm
http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/
http://www.justinguitar.com/
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=marty+schwartz+guitar+lessons&aq=1
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=next+level+guitar+lessons&aq=1

I'm going to use these as starting points and hopefully learn over time. Having never played anything in my life, it will be a huge challenge. I'm looking forward to it, though. Good luck.

 

[Gator]

Another helping point is one of those chord posters, or if you have a fancy smart phone, download a chord app. You just put in the chord, and it will show you how to make it.

 

[Batman]

Well, Colton, I'm guessing you're probably too old to play in a dorm stairwell to pick up chicks without getting arrested. Work hard, though, and you might be able to wedge your way into the "Viva Viagara" band.

 

[Colton]

Love the replies, not to mention the encouragement.

Thanks, folks. I'll update when I move on my idea.

 

[I'll never tell]

If you've got the means, it really wouldn't hurt to get maybe six months worth of lessons. I took them when I was real young, and then got wrapped up in sports and didn't pick up my guitar again until college.

I can play maybe 75 songs. Mostly just rhythm, but it's good enough to sit around and entertain myself and occasionally play for people.

And the women soooo love it. Funny video below.