Learning to play the Guitar

[DemNoir]

In order to take my mind off some other things going on in my life I have decided to learn to play Acoustic Guitar.

Going to someone to take lessons may not be the best option for me. Any ideas about learning methods? Websites? Also what kind of instrument should I buy?

Thanks!

[edbermac]

1. I've seen infomercials for this guy Esteban selling guitars...

Don't know how good they are, maybe some DUer can help out...

[XNASA]

7. He's an idiot.

I could play better than Esteban when I was 12. I'm pretty sure it's a scam.

[ProfessorGAC]

47. Not A Scam

Someone we know bought the original $100 one for their kid, on our advice. They didn't have to trudge from our neck of the woods to the suburbs looking for a cheap guitar, and didn't have to go sight unseen to buy some used piece of junk.

When they got it, they brought it to my friend and me first. It's a perfectly good guitar for $100. Probably it won't last even 10 years, but not many starter guitars do. The top collapses into the bracing and the action becomes terrible. Old Harmonies, Yamahas, Epiphones, and Fenders all did this too. That'll happen on cheap acoustics eventually.

But, the Estaban guitar is legit. I agree that he is not what he's cracked up to be as a player. I could flip the guitar over and play left-handed that well. (OK, i'm exaggerating, but i think you know what i mean.)

But, the guitar is ok, and the instructional tapes are pretty darned good.
The Professor

[jdots]

18. Bad habits who to trust etc.....

If you can find an indy music store (good luck) take a day off so the place will be empty,introduce your self to the people and tell what you want to do.This is what music stores used to be like,they can help you find a decent playable guitar for cheap and
teach you how to hold the thing so you don't kill yourself.Bad habits are easy to correct if you learn first,it sucks because you fell like a bozo taking that first lesson but do it.Also if you have a person that knows guitars they can find you one that isn't garbage,so if you decide uh-uh you can sell the thing without owning a piece of shit you can't give away. You will know by just holding a guitar if you really want to play it,there is a kind of sexual thing i can't explain.never keep it in the case,put it on a cheap stand so it's there in front of you.You can watch tv. and do things with the guitar just on you and get to have that sick relationship with it,don't listen to any amazing guitar players for a while because it makes you feel like WHATs the sence.
chances are you will quit everything and become a guitar loony,hey it beats t.v..

[Shakespeare]

26. About keeping guitars on stands.....

I DO NOT recommend doing this if you have dogs, cats or children in the house. WAY too easy for it to get knocked over and damaged.

[ProfessorGAC]

46. I've Got Three On Stands

And five hanging on the walls. I have a 110# dog and two cats. Never have any of them been knocked over. Not even once.

Besides, unless you've got a PRS on a stand over gravel, or a 1925 Martin D-40, i don't get why anyone would worry much. To me, a guitar is a tool. I refuse to get nutty about care and feeding of my guitars. So, i don't get the "don't let it get knocked over" thing. I was just say "Oh, Well" and stand it back up.
The Professor

[NoodleBoy]

2. find someone who already plays guitar

and jam with them, it's the best way to learn. for now, just fool around, look up the tabs (www.olga.net) is a good place to look for songs you like and don't sound too complicated.

method books usually suck, and teaching yourself how to read music is usually better then those things.

I'm not too familiar with acoustic buying practices, so I'll pass that on to someone else. you'll probably want a steel-string though, because it seems like only classical players and metal bands (for their intros) ever use nylong-stringed classical guitars.

[el_gato]

3. My advice is this

(aside from the obvious things like learn the basic chords etc.)

When you first start your hands will feel uncomfortable and awkward.
Alot of people start thinking they can't do it because it doesn't feel
right and people who play look so comfortable and seem to do it with ease. Just keep working at it and before you know it the uncomfortableness goes away. I think that is the biggest problem for people who start playing.

[Voltaire]

25. Thank you

My fingers get really sore and I keep thinking I can't hold the guitar right. It's getting easier though and its a nice break away from reading the headlines.

[phantom power]

4. Consider staying away from steel strings for a while

Stick with nylon, until your fingers callous up a bit. Or, at least use light-gage steel.

Yamaha makes reasonably priced, decent guitars. Good for a beginner.

I've also seen this new line of instruments at places like Cosco. I forget the brand name, but they appear to be designed as low-cost instruments. I have no idea what their quality/price ratio is.

[no name no slogan]

33. Those yamaha nylon-strings are GREAT for the $$

A couple of years ago, I decided to take up nylon-string acoustic after playing steel-string electrics and acoustics for the last 20 years. I got one of those entry-level Yamahas, and it was the best guitar investment I ever made.

IIRC I payed $200 for it, and it was very playable-- good neck, great tone, all in all an exceptional first instrument. Even the strings on it were pretty good, for the price. And very easy on the pocketbook, too.

Since then, I've "evolved" into playing nylon-strings full time. I have a Cordoba 30F student-model Flamenco I use for jamming/unplugged, and a Godin Multiac ACS SA solidbody nylon-string that I use for plugging in and turning up. The Godin also has a 13-pin Roland output for plugging into guitar synths and MIDI guitar systems, so now I've taken up guitar synth, too, on the side.

And all because I wanted a decent nylon-string acoustic guitar to knock around in my free time. :D

[XNASA]

5. I LOVE this topic!!!!!!!

I'd get a couple of beginners (Mel Bay?) books and learn to play some rudimentary chords. You really need to get your fingers in shape before you take lessons or you'll just get frustrated. It tough at first because your fingers don't have the callouses you need, but after a month or so, you'll be fine.

I wouldn't spend more than $300 if I were a beginner. You could buy used but if you don't know what to look for, you might get hosed.

I'd trust Epiphone and Yamaha acoustics on the low end of the scale.

[Magrittes Pipe]

6. Don't try to learn on a bad instrument.

It'll only frustrate you.

I'd suggest a guitar in the $400 range (a bit steep for a new toy, I know -- but with an acoustic, you DEFINITELY get what you pay for). Try looking for a lower-end Martin or an Epiphone (Gibson's budget line). Used is good, as long as it's got a straight neck. Most importantly, get thee to a guitar tech to make sure it's set up properly (even new guitars do not get delivered set up).

As far as learning? Surround yourself with players. I advise lessons, but if that's not in the cards, get a couple of good books on technique (go to amazon.com and read the reviews) and hang out with fellow guitarists.

[southern democrat]

14. I agree completely

Do yourself a big favor do not try to learn on a bad insturment. Good quailty American guitars are expensive, but you can sometimes get your hands on a good used Yamaha cheap 200-300 dollars. They make great starter guitars. If you find one I would highly recomened choosing one with a backstock, (a strip of wood that run down the inside of the guitars back). Also an adjustable neck that has the adjustment at the head(tuning keys) is preferred.

As far as learning guides go the book and CD guitar for dummies is a great starting guide. They also have a DVD to go with it.If you can afford lessons, getting them form a good teacher is valuable. My teacher is awesome, worth every dollar he is paid. Sometimes learning on a acoustic can be tough on the fingers, you may want to start with an electric. They are way easier on the fingers and easier to chord. Hope this helpe.

[toddzilla]

8. i manage a guitar store..

if you can afford to take lessons, even if it's only one a month, do it. i've taught for several years and there's no substitute for a good teacher.

spend as much as you can for a quality instrument, you'll run the risk of getting an unplayable piece of junk otherwise.

stay away from guitar center, they suck.

[toddzilla]

11. if you're really interested, PM me..

i can give you some sound advice or even get you a good instrument at a reasonable price.. we ship stuff all the time.

[Magrittes Pipe]

16. Agreed on Guitar Center, unless you can set up your own instrument.

The money you save by shopping at Guitar Center will be less than it'll cost you to get a case and a set up (neither of which will you get for a budget instrument at GC).

[TrogL]

9. Take a few lessons, otherwise you'll learn bad habits

You need someone to show you the correct finger positions for basic chords and bridged chords and a few basic scales. If you get your basic hand positions wrong you'll have trouble later on with more complex chords and also may have problems with carpel tunnel.

[Coyote_Bandit]

10. Try the Instrument Out

before you buy it. Some will feel better than others. As suggested earlier use light guage steel strings (unless you do classical guitar) until you become comfortable with the instrument. There are lots of mail order and internet options to purchase but be wary of these. I bought a Takamine G series accoustic/electric with a hardshell case (usually a $100 or so by itself) earlier this year for less than $500 tax included.

There are lots of tab sites on the internet and many also have free instructional materials and basic exercises available.

Good luck. Enjoy. I have found my guitar to be very good therapy. And very relaxing.

[toddzilla]

12. which takamine did you get?

we sell those.. they have some neat models.

[Coyote_Bandit]

21. It is the Black Cutaway Model EG531SC

I am very happy with it. I used to work in a teaching studio. I actually have six guitars (and have gone through a few others):
(1) Fender Strat (American made alder wood - heavy)
(2) Custom electric hollowbody tele style body with humbuckers that can be played either single or double coil (fat or sassy)
(3) Yamaha Classical (solid top)
(4) Alvarez six string accoustic (my first real guitar from many years ago - now kind of beat up)
(5) Yamaha nylon string electric accoustic (standard size fretboard not classical style - cool sound for fingerstyle playing)
(6) Takamine G series

Several years ago I experienced sudden hearing loss due to a virus. It really screwed my hearing up for awhile. I was fortunate and did get all of my normal voice range hearing back. But I lost some of the high frequencies. Sound doesn't have the same depth to me that it used to - now I just noodle around and play for my own enjoyment.

This little Takamine is one of my favorite guitars ever. Feels good, sounds good, looks good.

[toddzilla]

22. that's the best selling model..

they sound pretty good and seem to play well.

I'm a bit of a snob and only look at the handmade series.. naturals and up.. i'm buying an AN10 next year..

[Coyote_Bandit]

23. Those are Nice

If I were still working in the business it would have been hard to pass one of those by. As is, I just really couldn't justify the expense. Of course, I still want a Les Paul and maybe another amp or two....

Never satisfied. I really do understand how the real pros end up with hyndreds of instruments.

[toddzilla]

24. I had 7 or 8 at one time..

then i realized i just played my strat 90% of the time anyway. I put alot of work into getting it as versatile as i could. I do have a USA Hamer, which are massively underrated guitars, and a high-end ibanez prestige which was a gift from my boss. I sold a handmade tak last year and have been missing it lately so i need to replace it. i only have one amp, a peavey classic 5 4x10, which does everything i need and only cost 350 bucks.

[Coyote_Bandit]

31. Sometimes I Think Guitars Are An Addiction

At least for me. I could easily consolidate and find new homes for at least a couple of mine. And I really should find a new home for the classical which I no longer play at all. But they each have their own history and personality.

I've got a little practice amp, a Fender Concert and a Buddy Guy model Blues Pearl amp that is really sweet. And a Fender bass amp that I run the digital piano and drum machine through. It would be great to add a nice clean accoustic amp to that group. But it will have to wait. Nice equipment is no longer a tool of the trade.

[no name no slogan]

34. I got a decent Behringer accoustic amp for only $300

I ordered it thru one of those online mega-stores about a year ago. And yes, I know Behringer is supposed to be cheap Chinese-made garbage, but this amp is not half bad, especially for the price.

It's 60wx2 (stereo), with built-in 24bit acoustic effects, two input (one line, one balanced XLR), and also stereo ins for a CD player/drum machine. The instrument inputs are also fed through a tub simulator which gives the digital signal some warmth. I run a Godin Multiac ACS nylon-string thru this and get a very nice, clean sound with enough volume to be heard above the drummer.

For the $$ it's a decent amp. No Marshall or Fender, mind, but good enough for semi-pro gigging or just hearing yourself play.

[ProfessorGAC]

44. That's What I've Got!

I've got the bottom of the hand made line. (I forget the number right now.)

It's a single cutaway, all natural wood look with the 3 band EQ. It doesn't have the block inlays or the fancy rosette and the binding is just a black pin line inside of white.

But, it sounds really good. Nice and woody, without being boomy, even if i use the bridge pickup. It's not the best pickup in the world, but i hardly ever play it plugged in. I got it used and the deal was too good to pass up.
The Professor

[Squeech]

13. Find at least one guitar-playing friend you trust

You want an instrument that's going to fit comfortably in your lap and under your fingers, that you're not going to have to fight with in order to form the chords. And when you're just starting out, you don't have the experience to judge this, so you're going to have to get advice from somebody who does play.

For beginners, I recommend a nylon string "classical" guitar. Steel strings will irritate your uncalloused fingers to the point of pain much faster, and the sad truth of the matter is, you're going to have to practice many hundreds of hours before you can even tolerate yourself on the instrument. (I wheedled a guitar out of my parents at the age of ten, but I didn't get good until I was 15, in high school, with megatons of adolescent hormones coursing through my veins and a firm conviction that being able to play like the Beatles was the path to peer group acceptance and maybe even girlfriends, so that year I ran home from school and woodshedded 4-6 hours a day.) The downside of that is that nylon strings have a delicate sound, which doesn't convey a lot of authority to those of us who've grown up with Anglo-American rock. Maybe the trick is to promise yourself a better guitar once you can play anything harder than "Smoke on the Water." (And when you can, try out other people's guitars and see what you like.)

As for how to learn the techniques, you're still going to need some instruction in how to tune up, how to recognize the basic chord shapes, and how to read tablature (the notation system that shows you exactly where to put your fingers on the strings, which I think is easier than having to interpret dots on staves). But that much you can learn even from the greasy-haired twerps at Dopey's House of Music. Then just listen to everything you like and try and figure out how they do it, comparing your attempts against the plethora of tablature sites on the net. Your ear and your fingers will reinforce each other as you get better.

Hope this helps.

[NoMoreMrNiceGuy]

15. I've played for over 20 years...take lessons from a person...

When I started I too wanted to teach myself...all that did was take it longer for me to learn. Good site is Wholenote.com...I believe is its name....do a search on wholenote....also you may ask me any questions you have. I'm at a pretty high level now. I can play Eruption by VH,Little Wing(SRV version),Voodoo Child(SRV version)....there are probably people better than me out here but I am just giving you an idea of what level I'm at not bragging...believe me anyone can do it...just takes alot of practice.

[ET Awful]

17. Lots of good advice here so far, I'll add one suggestion though

for a GREAT beginner guitar, I recommend a Seagull (any model) made by the same folks that make the fine Godin guitars.

What these offer is excellent action (rare on a lower-priced guitar), solid wood top (as opposed to laminates/plywood and also rare in low-priced instruments), and most importantly, a lacquer finish instead of a vinyl coating which results in much greater tonality and sustain. Most low-end guitars use a really thick cheap finish that serves to deaden the tone of the wood. A hand-rubbed lacquer finish is normally found on only more expensive guitars, but all the Seagulls have it, and it does make a huge difference.

I've never found a better beginner guitar than the Seagulls.

For good info on instruments and loads of other information, check out harmonycentral.com.

[johnnie]

19. I never went to lessons, so I just kept learning as much as I could

I think one of the ways that will help you is to get yourself some music books of a band or tunes that you like and are familiar with. Most music book have the pictures of the chords above the lyrics, so then you can look at where to place your fingers. Start with songs you really know and play them with the book. It will be slow at first, but it gets your fingers working right and your knowledge of chords will grow.
This is just one way of learning the guitar that I tell people who want to learn. I like it better than getting the music books with "Little Brown Jug" and "This Old Man".
If you look you will find something like "The Beatles easy guitar book". They have those books set up for beginners, and like I said...if you really dig the tunes you will have fun learning.
This is just my suggestion. There are a lot of ways, but in my opinion if you just want to pluck around and play tunes and sing, this is the best way to go. If you want to become the next guitar hero, it would probably be best to take lessons and practice 21 hours a day. Oh, and have some very influential people in your family that are tied to the recording industry. j/k

[DemNoir]

20. Thanks for all the ideas

Obviously a rich and complex topic, just what I like.

[happynewyear]

27. Takamine

Very excellent guitar (nylon string acoustic). I traded my old guitar for one of these and I like it a lot - easy to play and that is what I need being my hands aren't as good as they once were.

I've taken lessons many times over the years. Check with your local community college - that is the cheap way to go and good for beginners.

:kick:

[telex54]

28. Ovation!

I highly recommend them.

www.ovationguitars.com

[happynewyear]

30. Ovations are good but ...

pricey as hell ... does a beginner really want one of these?

[toddzilla]

37. ovations suck..

i've owned several.. they sound like.. plastic bodied guitars..

a quality solid top/back acoustic smokes them for tone. any acoustic plugged in sounds like shit if you ask me..

[immoderate]

39. Ovations slide around in my lap

They are hard for me to keep in position.

I started with a nylon string guitar that I bought at Radio Shack for $29.95 in 1969.

I do recommend steel strings if you want to play with a pick. Nylon strings for classical, flamenco, bossa nova. There seem to be many playable steel string guitars for under $270 because of the imports.

Be prepared for pain as you learn to press the strings. Callouses will build and that will help. The callouses will diminish as you build technique.

An electronic tuner is a good accessory.

In the beginning, I only wanted to learn a few chords so I could sing some songs. I'm much farther than I ever thought I'd be, but still not a musician.

Jamming is as good a pleasure as you'll ever have with your clothes on. Except for tap dancing.

--IMM

[telex54]

40. It's not plastic!!!

It's the same material helicopter rotor blades are made out of. And they really do sound better than your standard guitar. Maybe that's why guys like John McLaughlin, Al Di Meola, Preston Reed play them! :thumbsup:

[toddzilla]

42. obviously it's subjective...

having owned several ovations,including some high end models, and several high-end acoustics, and also having played some VERY, VERY expensive acoustics ($6,000 +) i can honestly say that ovations sound like complete crap compared to a real acoustic.

they do have great playability, but i certainly wouldn't buy one unless i was going to play amplified 100% of the time.

I know all about the helicopter blades and the history of ovation, and frankly, all that is nothing when in the end you have to sit down and listen to the guitar.

[happynewyear]

43. I like Martins myself

I've owned two different 00028s - sweet is all I can say.

Re: Ovation guitars - I have an awful memory about one - a person I knew owned one and thought it was the best thing since sliced bread. I found out sometime later he had stolen it. Ever since this time, which was well over 20 years ago, I've never particularly cared for them. :shrug:

[toddzilla]

45. martins have great tone..

my experience is that the playability is pretty mediocre at best. I've set up quite a few at the shop here and they come around a little, but a good handmade takamine or taylor will play much easier, for about 1/2 the money, or less.

[mulsh]

29. great guitar site-guitarnote.com

here's a link:

http://www.guitarnotes.com/

they have lost of self instruction sites, forums, etc.

my advise is to learn the basic cow boy chords, E,F,A,B,C,D,G,
but especially pracitce E major and bar (laying your index finger across the fret board while fingering the basic E form. it's a movable chord which means you can play it up and down the fret board and play different notes.
enjoy and try not to get too frustrated I've been learning guitar since 1966 and I'm still not there.

[mitchum]

32. Play in open tunings (don't be one of those suckers who have to...

do all of that fingering :))

[no name no slogan]

35. Become the next Ritchie Havens!

However, Richie does do barre chords, but he chords with his thumb, too. Very cool technique, IMHO.

http://www.richiehavens.com/HM3365.htm

[NMDemDist2]

36. do like i did, learn 8 or 10 chords, then sing REAL LOUD to cover

the ones you don't know :evilgrin:

[Tikki]

38. I've been playing quite a few...

...years, now. I can remember my son saying..."Well, mom you're only getting good because you practice so much"

My guitar teacher, then, told me.......Talent is the ability to practice.

[alarcojon]

41. I really think lessons are best

I can only go by what worked for me, but I took lessons at a local guitar shop for a couple of months. A friend suggested I learn classical guitar because if you can play that, you can switch to any other style later. As it turns out, while I have made forays into salsa and rock, I have pretty much stayed with classical (check the avatar!)

I also second the advice to invest in a decent guitar. I started on a cedar Kamouraska.

[paulk]

48. here's a good site I found

http://www.guitarnoise.com/index.php

try some of the beginner's songs.

I've been playing the guitar for 30 years - I recently decided to try to become a better acoustic player (mostly I'd played electric) - and this site really helped. I went through some of the songs and learned how to play them note for note - and it really helped the level of my overall playing.

If you can't take lessons (which I would recommend) - this site is a step in the right direction.