Hi everyone,
Happy new year!
I'm an absolute beginner, who's starting a bit late (I'm 41 :)). But I wanted to learn to play the guitar for 25 years just never got the chance to. So, I'm gonna give it a serious try and I'm hopeful.
My question is do you recommend that I start with learning chords and not notes ? I'm fascinated about playing lead guitar and learning how to read notes more than strumming. But I see that all the beginners courses only teach strumming and chords.
Sharing your thoughts is highly appreciated.
Mel
Since you are an absolute beginner I recommend starting at Guitar Fundamental 1.
There are 2 reasons most guitar curriculums starts with chords. First, the guitar is quite often an accompaniment instrument, which means playing chords to support the vocals, or structure of a song. Second, the wider motions of playing chords is a usually a little easier to start with as opposed to the very small, precise motions required to play single note melodies (for example, lead guitar lines).
If you follow the GF 1 course, you will eventually get to the lessons involving scales & melodies. You could, if desired, simply skip or watch through the material until you get to what you are interested in. But you will probably miss quite a bit of learning context along the way. And the conceptually content of lead guitar is built on, relies on, knowledge of chords, key signatures, harmonies, etc.
For what it's worth, I understand your excitement about & interest in lead guitar. It's very dramatic & fun stuff! But it's only one aspect of what you can do with a guitar to play music.
Hope that helps!
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