Does Anyone Here Play The Guitar???

[pissclams]

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?

[chum1]

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.

[powercatmiller]

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

[ksdb]

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.

[pissclams]

thanks guys, i'm going to spend a couple weeks guitar shopping and will let you know how it goes. 

[chum1]

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.

[ksdb]

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.

[pissclams]

very cool, thanks

[Saulbadguy]

Buy an acoustic.  Washburn is a decent inexpensive brand.

[ChiefCatchacold]

Just started myself.

Some good stuff here: http://www.guitarnoise.com/easy.php

[asava]

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.

[dr00d]

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.    Chewing nails and playing guitar; not so nice on you.

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.

[AzCat]

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.

[pissclams]

thanks everyone for the great info, keep it coming.  i'll update as things progress.

[steve dave]

I already knew asava knew a lot about guitar playing/buying before he ever posted anything about it fwiw. 

[fatty fat fat]

[cireksu]

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).

[ksdb]

If you're really into the school color, here's a nice guitar that retails for about $500:
Ibanez AEF30ETVS



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.

[asava]

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



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.

[waks]

Clams is a big guy. He'd probably break a baby Taylor in a heartbeat. I've heard great things about Seagull guitars, fwiw.

[ksdb]

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.

[pissclams]

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. 

[waks]

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?

[ECN]

fender makes an affordable reliable acoustic guitar.

i have the good old DC-9

[ksdb]

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.

[ksdb]

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.

[waks]

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.

[pissclams]

I'm going to go over to Guitar Center 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. 

[ksdb]

I'm going to go over to Guitar Center 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,

[pissclams]

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.