KSUFans Archives
Fan Life => The Endzone Dive => Topic started by: pissclams on March 10, 2008, 09:09:47 PM
-
I want to learn to play but have no idea how hard it is and how much it costs to get started. My guess is that the biggest investment is time, then money, etc.
How hard is it to learn acoustic guitar and what's the best way to do it?
-
First, get a guitar. Next, learn some basic chords that you can fool around with each time you pick up the guitar - G, F, & C, for example. This will help your fingers get used to the basic concept. Then, learn to play songs. Youtube has stuff and you can search for tablature (and don't need to be able to read music for that). You'll be horrible at first, but will get better the more you do it. After that, the more songs you learn, the more adept you become.
That's the fun way to go about it in a nutshell.
-
there is a learning program out that involves your computer ....its like a real version of guitar hero. You place the color stickers on a real guitar and the computer teaches you how to play. It claims you can master the guitar in 1 week and being playing numerous songs in less that a day
This is similar to what I was talking about
http://www.guitarrising.com/index.html
-
You don't have to spend a lot of money on a guitar. There are decent acoustic guitars for $200 and less. There are also a lot of Web sites with basic guitar instruction. I recommend learning the Em and D which are simpler to finger; they don't require separating and stretching your fingers across the neck. You can also play a G chord with one finger (third fret on the thinnest) and strumming the four lightest strings. A lot of good songs use Em, D and G, like Brown-Eyed Girl by Van Morrison.
-
thanks guys, i'm going to spend a couple weeks guitar shopping and will let you know how it goes. :thumbsup:
-
I'll add that you can get a lot more bang for you buck buying a good, old guitar than a new one. Good new ones are pricey.
-
Helps to have a realistic price range and consider that you may need or want things like a strap, a case, strings, string winder, guitar picks, guitar polish, a stand ... sometimes some of these things can be negotiated into a price. Also, don't buy on the spot. Get a brand and model number and we can offer some opinions here. A good site for user reviews is Harmony-Central.com.
-
very cool, thanks
-
Buy an acoustic. Washburn is a decent inexpensive brand.
-
Just started myself.
Some good stuff here: http://www.guitarnoise.com/easy.php
-
i used to teach guitar for a bit. it doesn't take long, you just can't get frustrated. it takes a little bit of time and practice to get your finger strength up and your calluses to form (it will hurt).
my advice is to definitely start with an acoustic, as most of them have higher action, meaning they will be harder to play and make sure you aren't cutting corners so when you switch to an electric it feels like you are playing 10 times faster and easier. if you pm me i can tab out some easy training exercises for you to play. if you want to get good you should play everyday for at least 30 minutes, but the key is you have to play. it takes a little bit to get used to it. all that was said up above are good ideas as well, but i would recommend just looking up all the basic chords (A, B, C, D, E, F, G) and practice playing each one of them and then switching to another one. Practice doing this over and over again in different patterns and your fingers will start to catch on.
As far as guitar buying advice, if it is something you truly want to get into and play for years to come, i wouldn't skimp on your first guitar. It just doesn't make sense, especially when you are talking about acoustics. A good acoustic will age with you and sound 10 times better once you have broken it in and have been playing for a while. If you buy a cheap guitar that is what you are going to get. It may or may not be with you after 5 years. I'm not saying you need to go crazy, but if you pick up something try and note the craftsmanship, the type of wood, if it has a binding around the outside of the guitar, the fretwork, the neck work, etc. Most of all choose your sound. If you want a luscious full body sound go for that big full bodied guitar. If you want a crisper sound maybe go for a cutaway. Most of all just strum it. Learn one chord and play it on every guitar you see. You will, most likely, get a different sound out of every one of them. Also, for the future, only play elixir strings on acoustic, as they make your guitar sound so so so so much better. I haven't really been in the guitar market for a while, so i couldn't tell you any new stuff that is worthwhile, but i think it is important to spend a little bit on your first guitar so it pushes you to play it longer and want to play it. I can't tell you how many students i had give up because their guitar didn't help them along.
I hope this helps, and good luck.
-
i used to teach guitar for a bit. it doesn't take long, you just can't get frustrated. it takes a little bit of time and practice to get your finger strength up and your calluses to form (it will hurt).
my advice is to definitely start with an acoustic, as most of them have higher action, meaning they will be harder to play and make sure you aren't cutting corners so when you switch to an electric it feels like you are playing 10 times faster and easier. if you pm me i can tab out some easy training exercises for you to play. if you want to get good you should play everyday for at least 30 minutes, but the key is you have to play. it takes a little bit to get used to it. all that was said up above are good ideas as well, but i would recommend just looking up all the basic chords (A, B, C, D, E, F, G) and practice playing each one of them and then switching to another one. Practice doing this over and over again in different patterns and your fingers will start to catch on.
As far as guitar buying advice, if it is something you truly want to get into and play for years to come, i wouldn't skimp on your first guitar. It just doesn't make sense, especially when you are talking about acoustics. A good acoustic will age with you and sound 10 times better once you have broken it in and have been playing for a while. If you buy a cheap guitar that is what you are going to get. It may or may not be with you after 5 years. I'm not saying you need to go crazy, but if you pick up something try and note the craftsmanship, the type of wood, if it has a binding around the outside of the guitar, the fretwork, the neck work, etc. Most of all choose your sound. If you want a luscious full body sound go for that big full bodied guitar. If you want a crisper sound maybe go for a cutaway. Most of all just strum it. Learn one chord and play it on every guitar you see. You will, most likely, get a different sound out of every one of them. Also, for the future, only play elixir strings on acoustic, as they make your guitar sound so so so so much better. I haven't really been in the guitar market for a while, so i couldn't tell you any new stuff that is worthwhile, but i think it is important to spend a little bit on your first guitar so it pushes you to play it longer and want to play it. I can't tell you how many students i had give up because their guitar didn't help them along.
I hope this helps, and good luck.
That is some good info right there. I'd had told people previously not to get anything more than a 100-200 dollar guitar. Washburn is pretty standard. I picked up an acoustic Washburn a couple years ago from the musicians friend clearance (highly recommend near ameristar). You won't get any service there or anyone helping you try stuff out, but damn they have a lot of guitars.
I'd been using the Ernie Ball strings previously. I've been playing guitar for about nine years, but have never taken it really seriously. Most of the time, I play thirty minutes per week, depending on how ambitious I am because of a new sound I hear. /shrug
I'd definitely be interested in those training exercises though. Anything to improve or the ability to make me learn something else is good for me. I still have the damndest time with the F and barring in general. I think it hates me (and I have smallish hands) and I chew my nails. :ohno: Chewing nails and playing guitar; not so nice on you. :flush:
But I sure enjoy picking up a guitar and trying to be a real guitar hero. My latest obsession is underdog by Spoon. It is a great song, plus I found a song to force me to barr that I like.
-
As far as guitar buying advice, if it is something you truly want to get into and play for years to come, i wouldn't skimp on your first guitar. It just doesn't make sense, especially when you are talking about acoustics. A good acoustic will age with you and sound 10 times better once you have broken it in and have been playing for a while. If you buy a cheap guitar that is what you are going to get. It may or may not be with you after 5 years. I'm not saying you need to go crazy, but if you pick up something try and note the craftsmanship, the type of wood, if it has a binding around the outside of the guitar, the fretwork, the neck work, etc. Most of all choose your sound.
Great advice there, including the remainder that I removed. I'd argue that the sound is really secondary in a first guitar, it's far more important that it be a very playable instrument. The chief problem with really cheap guitars is that the neck will be crap (twisted, warped, bowed, etc.) and the action will, or will soon become, so high that it's difficult to play. Unless you're adept at cutting nuts, replacing bridges, and adjusting truss rods your cheap guitar will probably require enough $$$ be spent with a tech in an attempt to get it playable that you'll be better off just spending a bit more on something more substantial.
Aside from the body volume probably the biggest factor that affects tone in cheaper guitars is the top wood. Really cheap stuff features non-resonant plywood that just doesn't really act much like a soundboard resulting in a dull, muffled, & muted sound. Try to be sure the guitar you buy has a hardwood top.
If you can shop around and buy used, you should be able to score a $400-500 acoustic for $200-300 if you're patient. No reason to take the depreciation hit unless you just have money to burn.
-
thanks everyone for the great info, keep it coming. i'll update as things progress.
-
I already knew asava knew a lot about guitar playing/buying before he ever posted anything about it fwiw.
-
(http://www.school-clipart.com/_small/0511-0708-1411-3812.jpg)
-
thanks everyone for the great info, keep it coming. i'll update as things progress.
I have 2 friends that picked up playing just using tablature(sp?) they started from scratch. they said the hardest part is training you fingers to work like that and getting them stronger.
I don't know anything about buying guitars/maintaining. But if these guys could pick it up I'm sure that a blind monkey could. (not calling you a blind monkey pissclams, just saying).
-
If you're really into the school color, here's a nice guitar that retails for about $500:
Ibanez AEF30ETVS
(http://images.guitarcenter.com/products/optionRegular/Ibanez/229565jpg.jpg)
This has the ability to plug this into an acoustic guitar amplifier, although that's NOT the same as an electric guitar.
If you want a high quality acoustic guitar and have a bigger budget, then you should check out Taylor guitars.
-
I already knew asava knew a lot about guitar playing/buying before he ever posted anything about it fwiw.
you know me so well! i will have your major award done possibly tonight, maybe tomorrow. i promise.
also, so this post relates to guitars....
If you're really into the school color, here's a nice guitar that retails for about $500:
Ibanez AEF30ETVS
(http://images.guitarcenter.com/products/optionRegular/Ibanez/229565jpg.jpg)
This has the ability to plug this into an acoustic guitar amplifier, although that's NOT the same as an electric guitar.
no... do not buy this.
If you want a high quality acoustic guitar and have a bigger budget, then you should check out Taylor guitars.
[/quote]
there are actually some affordable Taylors like the Baby series. They sound pretty amazing for their price, and they have that Taylor name.
I personally wouldn't really go for a Taylor or Martin (my choice in acoustics, even though I don't own one), because if you get one for your first you will never appreciate how incredible they are. To me a Taylor or Martin is one of those things where the player better be good enough to play. Thats just my opinion, though. They are beautiful, and pieces of art, but they need to be played.
-
Clams is a big guy. He'd probably break a baby Taylor in a heartbeat. I've heard great things about Seagull guitars, fwiw.
-
The Ibanez is a decent guitar. I have a friend who has one of those, a Taylor 12-string, a vintage Martin archtop and another acoustic (can't remember the brand), and he says that he ends up playing the Ibanez more often than his other guitars. The neck is narrower and good for smaller hands.
-
i forgot, waks you play guitar don't you?
The Ibanez is a decent guitar. I have a friend who has one of those, a Taylor 12-string, a vintage Martin archtop and another acoustic (can't remember the brand), and he says that he ends up playing the Ibanez more often than his other guitars. The neck is narrower and good for smaller hands.
i've got really big hands, like waks said, i'm really tall. part of the problem i'm worried about is having enough room for my fingers.
-
i forgot, waks you play guitar don't you?
The Ibanez is a decent guitar. I have a friend who has one of those, a Taylor 12-string, a vintage Martin archtop and another acoustic (can't remember the brand), and he says that he ends up playing the Ibanez more often than his other guitars. The neck is narrower and good for smaller hands.
i've got really big hands, like waks said, i'm really tall. part of the problem i'm worried about is having enough room for my fingers.
ZOMG!!! DO you know who else had big hands?!! HENDRIX!!!
But seriously...you'll be fine, I'm sure. You're just going to want to do what Dr00d and Asava said, play the guitar before you buy it. Even if you don't know how to play well yet just make sure you're comfortable playing the one you buy. And yeah, I wouldn't buy the Ibanez. You should probably read some reviews as well, though they may not be that reliable.
Curious. Does music come easy to you? Or do you not have any idea?
-
fender makes an affordable reliable acoustic guitar.
i have the good old DC-9
-
i forgot, waks you play guitar don't you?
The Ibanez is a decent guitar. I have a friend who has one of those, a Taylor 12-string, a vintage Martin archtop and another acoustic (can't remember the brand), and he says that he ends up playing the Ibanez more often than his other guitars. The neck is narrower and good for smaller hands.
i've got really big hands, like waks said, i'm really tall. part of the problem i'm worried about is having enough room for my fingers.
That could be a problem. The Ibanez neck is similar to what you'd find on an electric guitar. I mainly pointed it out because of the color. There are lots and lots of guitars to choose from, so it's a matter of finding one that suits you. Be aware there are different body sizes and neck sizes, so try out several.
-
ZOMG!!! DO you know who else had big hands?!! HENDRIX!!!
But seriously...you'll be fine, I'm sure. You're just going to want to do what Dr00d and Asava said, play the guitar before you buy it. Even if you don't know how to play well yet just make sure you're comfortable playing the one you buy. And yeah, I wouldn't buy the Ibanez. You should probably read some reviews as well, though they may not be that reliable.
Curious. Does music come easy to you? Or do you not have any idea?
What have you heard about Ibanez's being unreliable? My friend hasn't had any problems with his. Also, the Jazz professor at K-State, Wayne Goins plays and swears by an Ibanez hollowbody electric.
-
ZOMG!!! DO you know who else had big hands?!! HENDRIX!!!
But seriously...you'll be fine, I'm sure. You're just going to want to do what Dr00d and Asava said, play the guitar before you buy it. Even if you don't know how to play well yet just make sure you're comfortable playing the one you buy. And yeah, I wouldn't buy the Ibanez. You should probably read some reviews as well, though they may not be that reliable.
Curious. Does music come easy to you? Or do you not have any idea?
What have you heard about Ibanez's being unreliable? My friend hasn't had any problems with his. Also, the Jazz professor at K-State, Wayne Goins plays and swears by an Ibanez hollowbody electric.
Oh I've heard great things about an electric Ibanez. I just haven't ever heard anything great about an acoustic Ibanez and the one that I played once seemed extremely cheap. But I've never owned one or seriously looked into one so I'm not going to have the best advice to give on said guitar.
-
I'm going to go over to Guitar Center (http://www.guitarcenter.com/) at lunch today and begin looking around, I think it's pretty a pretty big place. You guys keep telling me to play the guitar before I buy it, but I have no idea how to so I'm not sure what to do other than see if it looks cool and ask questions.
Curious. Does music come easy to you? Or do you not have any idea?
not sure...i got on my friend's drum set once (eric melin from Truck Stop Love, Dead Girls Ruin Everything, etc) and couldn't figure out how to play them very well, the kick pedal killed me.
-
I'm going to go over to Guitar Center (http://www.guitarcenter.com/) at lunch today and begin looking around, I think it's pretty a pretty big place. You guys keep telling me to play the guitar before I buy it, but I have no idea how to so I'm not sure what to do other than see if it looks cool and ask questions.
Curious. Does music come easy to you? Or do you not have any idea?
not sure...i got on my friend's drum set once (eric melin from Truck Stop Love, Dead Girls Ruin Everything, etc) and couldn't figure out how to play them very well, the kick pedal killed me.
You're friends with Eric?? He's an old KSDB guy like me. Cool dude; just saw him on TV on Who Wants to be a Millionaire a couple of weeks ago.
As far as playing the guitar, just check to see if you can hold it comfortably, see if you can reach across the body to strum it without it being awkward. See if the strings are relatively easy to press down. Try to make sure the width between the strings allows you to press down one string at a time per finger. Get a salesperson to help you and be sure to explain that you're a beginner. A good salesperson could teach you a chord to play and check to see that you're holding the guitar properly. Good luck,
-
yeah we went to high school together then worked at the station together as well, a very long time ago. i think he was music director at the time, under joe montgomery.
-
yeah we went to high school together then worked at the station together as well, a very long time ago. i think he was music director at the time, under joe montgomery.
I remember that Eric helped with the Welcome Back concert in the fall. They had some pretty cool shows and some good bands ... God's Favorite Band, Kill Creek, Fastball, House of Large Sizes, etc. Those were good times. KSDB hasn't really been the same since then.
-
Oh yea, well I know the bassist's brother of Ultimate Fakebook! so there!
-
My cousin played tuba for Van Halen.
-
I have a Takamine acoustic/electric w/ a cutaway that I've been playing for years now (http://www.billsmusiconline.com/takean10c.html (http://www.billsmusiconline.com/takean10c.html)). I bought it after I had been playing for about a year. It was a huge upgrade in playability and sound quality. It made me wish I had bought it after only a few months.
Now I want a Tom Anderson Crowdster. http://www.andersonguitars.com/cfPages/guitarGalleryMenu-Selected.cfm (http://www.andersonguitars.com/cfPages/guitarGalleryMenu-Selected.cfm)
Anyone here fortunate enough to own and play a Tom Anderson guitar?
-
I have a Takamine acoustic/electric w/ a cutaway that I've been playing for years now (http://www.billsmusiconline.com/takean10c.html (http://www.billsmusiconline.com/takean10c.html)). I bought it after I had been playing for about a year. It was a huge upgrade in playability and sound quality. It made me wish I had bought it after only a few months.
Now I want a Tom Anderson Crowdster. http://www.andersonguitars.com/cfPages/guitarGalleryMenu-Selected.cfm (http://www.andersonguitars.com/cfPages/guitarGalleryMenu-Selected.cfm)
Anyone here fortunate enough to own and play a Tom Anderson guitar?
Never o w n ed any. Played an Anderson strat copy at a music store in Wichita and it seemed very nice. The Crowdster concept is interesting, but looks a little too much like an Ovations, plus I miss the sound hole.
-
Andersons are nice but, like everything, as they got bigger the quality moved waaay up in price. Crowdsters are pointless unless you're on stage.
-
Just learn one song really really well, like "Sweet Home Alabama" or something. Then only play that song whenever someone has a guitar around and people will think you're really good.
-
Just learn one song really really well, like "Sweet Home Alabama" or something. Then only play that song whenever someone has a guitar around and people will think you're really good.
Free Bird!
-
Or a good song!
-
Just learn one song really really well, like "Sweet Home Alabama" or something. Then only play that song whenever someone has a guitar around and people will think you're really good.
wrong.... if you do that you will look like more of a noob than in anything you have ever done. i cannot tell you how annoying it is to have some kid come in and play the following
Sweet Home Alabama
Crazy Train
Iron Man
Free Bird
Stairway to Heaven
any Disturbed song
if you want to come off as cool do what steve dave said and play a cool song that not many people think of, that way it makes it seem like you have been playing for a while, or at least have good taste in music.
-
the real reason for me wanting to play the guitar has nothing to do with wanting or needing to look cool, it's more of a romantic fist attachment type of deal more than anything else.
-
the real reason for me wanting to play the guitar has nothing to do with wanting or needing to look cool, it's more of a romantic fist attachment type of deal more than anything else.
Best reason of all :love:
-
This is good. Pull the trigger, dude. Damn. I just may beat you to it, actually.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Guild-D35-NT-Acoustic-Guitar-USA-D-35-w-Case_W0QQitemZ280207330828QQihZ018QQcategoryZ2385QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem (http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Guild-D35-NT-Acoustic-Guitar-USA-D-35-w-Case_W0QQitemZ280207330828QQihZ018QQcategoryZ2385QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)
-
How about some suggestions for 'cool' songs??
-
I can also play "Bad Boy For Life" by P Diddy. Is that cool enough???
-
any rap song played on guitar is absolutely hip and cool. if you want to be the coolest boy at the dance it is extremely beneficial to learn as many justin timberlake songs as you can in 30 minutes. not too much though, because if you do you just come off as weird.
-
Was wondering about an update and if there's a guitar in your life now, pc.
-
Was wondering about an update and if there's a guitar in your life now, pc.
no guitar yet. i took everything i read here with me when i went shopping a couple times and left the stores with more questions than i had when i went in. i don't like to ask the dudes at the store cause i don't want to come off as a stupid n00b, then they will shove their favorite thing at me like it's the best thing in the world even though it probably sucks, then i'll have to come up with an excuse why i didn't take their suggestions.... then they will be like ..I.. and flip me off. but really, i haven't had a ton of time given the b12 and ncaa's either - i am still reading/researching/trying to determine if i have the time to actually do it.
i'm going to make the purchase, just a matter of when i do it. thanks for asking tho, i do look forward to learning.
-
If you're in Manhattan and if Rick still runs Rick's Music Shop you might check with him. He's generally a good guy and doesn't sling anywhere near as much BS as the overwhelming majority of his peers.
-
i'm in kc but thanks for the heads up
-
i'm in kc but thanks for the heads up
im selling an acoustic and perhaps an electric. i dont want them anymore.
-
i'm in kc but thanks for the heads up
im selling an acoustic and perhaps an electric. i dont want them anymore.
why? because they suck?
-
i'm in kc but thanks for the heads up
im selling an acoustic and perhaps an electric. i dont want them anymore.
why? because they suck?
no. they are both decent. i promised my acoustic to kilgore, but the electric is perfect.
-
i'm in kc but thanks for the heads up
im selling an acoustic and perhaps an electric. i dont want them anymore.
why? because they suck?
no. they are both decent. i promised my acoustic to kilgore, but the electric is perfect.
You should at the very least describe said guitars.
-
the acoustic is a Fender DG9-simple. nice for a beginner.
the electric is an epiphone. beautiful condition, and easy as hell to play. sounds great too.
-
I'm interested in picking this hobby up as well (mainly because I want to learn more about music.) Do you guys find you have problems with your wrists/hands (like carpal tunnel), or is that more of a problem for people who play constantly?
-
I'm interested in picking this hobby up as well (mainly because I want to learn more about music.) Do you guys find you have problems with your wrists/hands (like carpal tunnel), or is that more of a problem for people who play constantly?
Sometimes playing barre chords for extended periods can create some hand problems. It might aggravate any pre-existing carpal tunnel problems too.
-
I'm interested in picking this hobby up as well (mainly because I want to learn more about music.) Do you guys find you have problems with your wrists/hands (like carpal tunnel), or is that more of a problem for people who play constantly?
in my research, i have found that problems like carpal tunnel usually present themselves because of poor form when playing/practicing. pay attention to not bending your wrist when playing and you should be ok. proper guitar fit is key.
if this is wrong then someone feel free to correct.
i'm in kc but thanks for the heads up
im selling an acoustic and perhaps an electric. i dont want them anymore.
why? because they suck?
no. they are both decent. i promised my acoustic to kilgore, but the electric is perfect.
i'm after an acoustic, but thanks
-
http://youtube.com/watch?v=fS2PRP89eqM
This has been out there quite a while (couple years probably?), but it is great.
Not only does it take a popular song completely out of the element, but the guy gives it a great spin and has sings the hell out of the song.
-
Toca la guitarra.
-
in my research, i have found that problems like carpal tunnel usually present themselves because of poor form when playing/practicing. pay attention to not bending your wrist when playing and you should be ok. proper guitar fit is key.
if this is wrong then someone feel free to correct.
In my experience carpal tunnel and the like happen when people are in piss poor shape. Stop being such a pussy, get thee hence to the gym, throw around some heavy objects, and all will be well.
-
Any updates Piss? I'm going to buy an acoustic in the fall and spend my winter evenings learning. It will be my 3rd guitar and 3rd attempt. First time I've gone acoustic however.
-
I bought a sweet mountain bike instead, figured I'd spend my Spring/Summer/Fall outside riding and pick up the acoustic when it's colder and I'm inside more. Kinda like you're plan.
:)
-
check out blueridge. i bought mine for 600 four years ago and absolutely love it. beautiful guitar that sounds amazing.
p.s. ricks has been changing and not all for the better. his electric stock has sky rocketed and has really been pushing ibanez. which is fine as far as electrics are concerned, but, last time i was in there his acoustic section was almost all ibanez as well. which sucks cause they are only fair acoustics that are incredible over priced.