Picking up new instruments?

How hard is it to pick up a new instrument and learn how to play. I'm interested in learning how to play electric guitar but I'm not exactly sure how one would go about learning.

My music background is:
-I learned how to play recorder in elementary, xylophone and what not. Learned to read music as well.
-Then there's also high school band for a year where I played the clarinet, other than that acoustic guitar but I only learned a few chords before high school was over from a friend.

For Fakku members out there, how much would a basic electric guitar set me back, and how to approach learning other than practice everyday.

If you are musically inclined chances are you'll pick it up quick. I myself never had lessons and picked up the piano first all on my own and then guitar although I wasn't that good so I switched to Bass which I now play at a bit of a higher level than amateur but not quite expert as of yet, Still need to keep practising.

Honestly given your background I'd say you'd have no problem, and would not "set you back". As with every instrument you'll never see progress without practice. I looked up several things online to try and teach myself a little bit more about guitar, since I couldn't really pay for lessons from a real teacher.

Again, probably with most instruments, you'll feel as if you're not getting anywhere, that you must be doing something wrong. Trust me... it just takes time. You'll get it eventually.

I myself played like once every 3 days when I first got it. I think I'm a pretty decent player today after 3 years and a couple months of having first played guitar.

It's not really an issue of difficulty, just an issue of practice. Play often and improve quickly, or play sparingly and stagnate. That's the only real choice to make.

Basically this, then of course some people learn fast, some slow, some(myself) learn some parts/basics fast but get stuck at more difficult things.

Also, if you have played music earlier so you easily can tell what sounds good, not to mention if you can read music you'll probably pick it up quickly enough. Then it's just a matter of practice.

It depends on your eagerness to learn, and also your interest on what you are doing.

Price for a basic electric guitar? Depends on what brand you want, but generally, plan to spend $150 and up for the guitar, and at least $50 for the amp and whatever other effects pedals you want.

For guitar, the approach to practice depends on what your goal is.

Most casual players learn by playing riffs that they know from popular songs by ear and then might move on to tabs. Or else they learn chords and play along with music, or improvise chord progressions. This works well enough if your goal is to lay down a few riffs/chords and have some fun.

If you want be to play solos and virtuostic passages, it is extremely important to develop good hand position and independent finger technique from the outset. In this case, the best bet might be to study a more classical style guitar method(it doesn't matter if you have an electric guitar, you can still play this material.) This might not be as fun starting out, but building a strong foundation of scalar and arpeggio patterns in addition to chords is a necessary pre-requisite of most fast, technical playing, especially that of metal, which is influenced strongly by classical music. If you know specifically that you want to play a certain style, you could seek a method for that style of playing, but if you don't have a specific one in mind, classical is a good choice because it teaches good fundamental technique.

If you are more toward serious side, it is also a good idea to practice playing by ear, reading tabs, and reading traditional notation. Many guitarists can't do all three, but if you can, it makes you more flexible as a musician.

Here is a highly respected guitar method book that is definitely worth a look: A Modern Method for Guitar

And as Grover said, practice is the most important thing. You don't get better by not practicing. Lessons are also extremely valuable if you decide to get serious and can afford them.

Finally, I will share a warning I got from my guitar teacher: the classical guitar style is one of the more frustrating possibilities for a beginner. You suck starting out and many of the most important exercises are boring. If you can tough out the first several months and regularly practice though, you'll have a much stronger base than someone who learned by playing riffs and strumming chords though.

So would saving up around $250 be enough to start practicing? I pretty much just want basic stuff to practice with.

Electric guitar, 20 watts amplifier, digital tuner, chord chart , picks and operation manual for 159.95 at a music store near me. Wondering if I should pick
this up for a beginner's package?

EDIT: I ended up getting this one:

http://www.stevesmusic.com/images/attributes/37789505_640.jpg

for 220 at the place. I got a guitar book too, starting to learn from it.

Good call, iast. Squier is a good choice for beginners. As for your question regarding the difficulty in picking up new instruments, it depends on how often you practice and your compatibility with said instrument. SLAYER NEXUS is a prime example.

I wish you good luck in your endeavor.

I fully agree with you. If you are not emotionally invested in your instrument then their is no point in picking it up. I've seen way too many cases of kids learning an instrument like the guitar and being able to play super complicated stuff but they have no emotion on their face when they are playing it. My eagerness to pick up the bass fueled my skill levels quick climb and now I am playing at an above amateur level and this is without any professional lessons.

Or overdo it, like Yngwie.

Thanks!

I also picked up a book called "Alfred's Basic Guitar Method 1" to learn. Been practicing daily from this book. Any other teaching tools out there? Thanks guys! Everyone will get rep on recharge in this thread :)

You could add your learning material by watching some instructional videos. Usually they demonstrate the correct playing position and such.

You will develop this on your own in due time, but it would help you greatly in the long run if you strengthen the basics.

The internet is an amazing resource for learning. Just youtube some instructional videos, and check out tab sites for...tabs.

Also, taking a lesson or two never hurts. One thing videos can't do is give you feed back and critique. Maybe you're playing something wrong, or doing it harder than need be, and a instructor can quickly correct you.

Try to find other musicians/guitarists as well. You can learn so much from playing with more experienced people.

Check out Ultimate-Guitar Tabs for tabs, and also an awesome online forum. They have a great newb section and tons of support to answer questions and hand out tips.

Most importantly, practice, practice, practice.

Thanks Kyoh! I joined the forum though it seems rather intimidating since I don't know what a lot of the terminology is.

I went through the Alfred book in 2 days ._. Now all I do is practice the same 4 chords I learned from the book and play the few notes that are on there. Feel kind of ripped off for 15 dollars plus tax.

Also for tabs online, since finger position isn't given for the notes, and searching only brings me chord fingerings, do I just it the way I like? (For example, no idea which finger would be proper for a B (5th fret))? For now I'm just using my index to pick the note.

And how did you guys learn how to do the electric guitar techniques? Off youtube?

It's practice and determination that are key.
As some others have said here, youtube videos have helped people learn the basics.

learn your scales, be able to play them through at least one octave, possibly two. if you like jazz, learn your modes (both major and jazz minor modes) they come in very handy. this is also useful knowledge for any of the more complicated play styles as you'll recognise the shapes allowing for faster learning. Practice daily (i'm typing this one handed whist doing scales on my bass with the other hand). It is important that you have fun too. if you're not enjoying it STOP. there is no use in forcing yourself to play an instrument you're not having fun with. Watch professionals play. Try and work out what they're playing without using tab. if you've got the know how: completely transcribe what they play. you'll be able to understand solos better and construct better ones yourself. your knowledge of music is as important as, if not more important than, your ability to play the instrument itself.
As for your first electric guitar: get something you're comfortable with playing and that actually plays well and for the love of all that is holey avoid wacky shaped guitars (shudder) they're generally horrible to play sitting down.
Your fingers may hurt at first if you're not used to it but they'll toughen up over time. your hands will strengthen quite a bit too.
I look forward to hearing of your progress.

^ this. Though I'm not so sure about the videos. Eh different strokes for different folks. Unfortunately I lack the patience for an instrument, but if I could pick an instrument, probably guitar.

If you are determined to play then you will do well. If it's an instrument you really want to play, it's fun, but can be a pain in the ass sometimes. I play the Alto and Tenor sax, and I enjoy it. There have been times where I just wanted to give up on it, but I knew I should stick with it. Don't push yourself to hard either, or else you will always think you sound bad or that you're not good enough or something.