Any experienced guitar players have advice on how to learn better?
I played very little in highschool and now, 15 years later, I have the urge to go back to it. I've been playing for an hour or so most days for the last month which I know isn't a lot but lets be honest, it's just for my own enjoyment, I have no illusions of being a middle aged rock star.
Anyway I was wondering if people had any advice, good resources, sheet music that isn't garbage?
In my position would you go the self taught route or is it really important to have a tutor? I'm particularly concerned about picking up bad technique and then practicing that, I feel like that was a big part of why I gave up in the first place - fucking up the same things no matter how many times I did them because I learned them wrong.
Thanks all.
Thanks, I had seen elsewhere people saying "if you're a beginner don't use heavy strings or you'll be miserable" and I didn't really know how heavy is too heavy. I mean all acoustic strings feel pretty bloody heavy to me.
yes, they are all quite heavy!
Its two aspects, having to press on the fretboard (individual notes or chords like with 'bar chords'), and also strumming if not using a pick. Your hands will get used to them over time either way, but lighter is better to start because it takes time to build muscle and callous. But really even if you start with lighter, and later try heavier, you'll have built up the required hands to not find the heavier ones too difficult. But if starting with heavy, to the point where you can't even comfortably press hard enough for long enough to get a note to sound, then its too heavy and you should start lighter, if that makes sense. You'd get too frustrated if you had to put too much effort into pressing a string, it'd slow everything down.
edit: I should add, that for me my occupation helped a lot since I use my hands a lot, but from your other comment, I'd expect a computer based occupation would give the dexterity & speed, with some adaptation, but the muscle development required would possibly be different. There are finger strengthening exercices that would help (you can find online), or I'd expect another simultaenous hobby that requires you to use your hands would also build that. If the strings are difficult to press to the point of it getting in the way of learning either go lighter, do exercises, or (as elsewhere) nylon strings are easier.
Ah ok, while they're very heavy compared to my electric, it doesn't cause me discomfort (except due to lack of callous) I'm a pretty large guy with bigger hands, so that side of things tends to be less of a problem.