Learning Acoustic Guitar

[geekymonkey]

I've decided to learn to play guitar this year. I'm just starting off looking for an instrument. Any ACDers play? Any advice?

[Willjay]

Do you play any other instrument or is this your first adventure down the musical road. Music uses the same brain paths as math and science so you can figure it out you know science Guitars come in all price ranges look for even action and one that will hold a tune, tho a guitar player i knew once used a Gibson with a warped neck to practice scales

[Bong-James-Bong]

Hiya geeky,

Time for me to return the favour, after your top tips

I've been playing for a good 9\10 years now, and my number one top tip is THIS...... Pick up your instrument EVERY day even if you only practice for 10\15 mins a day your speed and confidence WILL improve, also get ready for some super duper sore finger tips, but again this will improve with time

Instrument wise its very much a personal thing, DON'T buy one of the internet ! Unless you have actually sat with that particular model and style/type of guitar its a touchy feely sort of thing, sorry I know that may sound odd but its very true, also have a talk with the folk in your local guitar store they should help you

Hope this helps my dear, your about start a truly beautiful relationship

Ttfn

[ed the head]

I agree you want to avoid an on line purchase, especially with your 1st guitar, so you can get a feel for how it sits in your hands.
This is a great time to start learning, virtually ANY song you want to learn is sure to be documented on the Internet in the form
of TAB or VIDEO.

Guitars range from $50 to $50000, you will want to learn on one in the lower range.

Just curious, why not an electric?

[geekymonkey]

Thanks guys!

I play sax already as well as a smattering of clarinet, but since I had oral surgery a few years ago playing hurts some and I'm sick of waiting for it to resolve to make music again.

I'm a bit of an instrument snob in the sense that I really really care about tone, so finding something that sounds good is my primary concern. How do you sit down with an instrument to make sure you like it when you can't play yet? I have a local musician I'm thinking about taking a few lessons with to make sure that I'm starting with proper technique- should I drag him along? Also, I have a general preference for used or vintage instruments, does that complicate my search? How much might a nice sounding, slightly worn, quality instrument cost me?

Just curious, why not an electric?

Because there's no power on the gypsy road - really I just have a slight preference for acoustic music over electric so I thought I'd start there.

[ed the head]

Thanks guys!

How do you sit down with an instrument to make sure you like it when you can't play yet? I have a local musician I'm thinking ... should I drag him along?

Absolutely, it should be easier for him to identify issues like warps and buzzes

Also, I have a general preference for used or vintage instruments, does that complicate my search? How much might a nice sounding, slightly worn, quality instrument cost me?

I think it complicates your search in terms of giving you many more options. Ideally you can find someone who has lost interest and has a quality instrument they are getting rid of. Down side here is you may have to drag your friend around a few different places. Alternatively you can drag him to a pawn shop or used instrument shop where there are more choices. Obviously the shop keeper will charge a premium for this convenience.

Or, learn an easy chord like the open G chord so you can play and listen for yourself. Pluck each string 1 at a time, then pluck a harmonic at the 12th fret to make sure you have a clean octave (no neck warp). Repeat but this time finger the 12th fret. If the neck is warped the second note will be flat or sharp. Pluck each note 1 at a time on the guitar to see if any have a buzz. You'll know the right one when you feel it.

One of the sweetest sounding acoustics I have owned was a very inexpensive Rogue that I bought on-line WITH a mandolin for $99.

Just curious, why not an electric?

Because ... I just have a slight preference for acoustic music over electric so I thought I'd start there.

You are probably better off, it takes more practice and strength to master the acoustic IMHO.

[Willjay]

http://www.martinguitar.com/

[ed the head]

http://www.martinguitar.com/

http://www.martinguitar.com/model/item/ ... -1942.html


"One of our premiere guitars, based on the 1942 D-45 from the Martin Guitar museum. Made of Brazilian rosewood, this is the quintessential guitar for the discerning player/collector.

List Price: $59,999.00"

Well, if we are swinging for the fences, how about this?

http://www.amazon.com/Claptons-Guitar-W ... B000FCKI2S

[geekymonkey]

So, Will, James, Ed-

What do you play? What did you learn on? What's your dream instrument?

Is there a difference between a classical guitar and a guitar?

Thanks!

[treetop]

Good luck with the guitar GM. Thinking of taking up the piano here so will accompany you on the keyboards one day.

[Bocco]

Good choice! I have played for years now, both electric and acoustic.
I'd suggest you start with a cheap guitar (older guitars actually sound better if treated well so second hand is a good option) to find out whether you actually like it and determine your playing style. There are so many kinds of guitars out there in terms of action, wood, size, neck, etc.
Then you can invest more in a decent guitar (just test out in a guitar store until you find the right one, which you really cannot do if you don't play guitar yet).
I actually learned playing on a very crappy classical guitar (which is now my festival guitar ) and then decided I should switch to steel string guitars, and bought a Strat for my other songs. For example, I have a Cort with a thin neck, low action, and spruce top that makes a bright sound for my faster songs with fingerpicking and a Washburn of mostly mahogany with a thicker neck and higher action for most others.
Guitars really don't have to be expensive to be good (300-800 should do for a really nice one) though if I were rich, I'd get me some nice Takamines and PRSes.
A good site to learn songs is http://www.songsterr.com/
Have fun!

[Adamster]

...The first song iv learned off Youtube st james infirmary

From ....

[Willjay]

High geekymonkey, I do not play, but have had the privilege to work as a roadie/stagehand/stage manger over my life time. Over that life time I'v met some great, talented people and have a respect for the craft, talent and work that it takes to be a musician.

[ed the head]

So, ... Ed-

What do you play? What did you learn on? What's your dream instrument?

Is there a difference between a classical guitar and a guitar?

Thanks!

Yes.

I learned on a used Epiphone like this one. Bought it from my brother for $25.


Dream Instrument? Not 100% sure I found it yet, but the SG Futura I just got might be the 'one'.



A classical guitar has nylon strings vs a regular guitar which uses steel or bronze strings.

[geekymonkey]

So, I got my guitar on Saturday and am absolutely in love. And my fingertips on my left hand are stinging as I type )

I ended up getting an Alvarez AF 60- http://www.alvarezguitars.com/instrument/af60 It turns out that most guitars bodies were a little to big for me to strum comfortably. This fits me perfectly and still has a really big rich sound. Nice craftsmanship and materials too for a $300 guitar. The action is comfortable enough that I've been playing with it for more than an hour a day even with my virgin fingers.

Ed- Thanks for all the tips- is your SG Futura that amazing teal color? I know I'm not supposed to care about color, but that's beautiful.

Bocco- Thanks for the information- it was really helpful! And Hello I found the solid top was key in finding a decent sound.

James- I ended up having to order online because I live in the sticks and our only local music store is such a disaster- they wouldn't get a smaller guitar in for me to try unless I paid in advance and then it would only have a three day return- I pointed out that that would almost certainly not be enough time for it to season and they were like, oh well... So I ordered from a place with 60 day return and overnight shipping. It arrived undamaged, and now I'm hoping it survives the transition to the humidity here.

Willjay- I'm jealous of all the amazing music you've probably heard- what a cool life.

Adamster- I'll try that one today. My first was "Leaving on a Jet Plane" 'cause it was at the end of the first lesson I was working through.

Any tips on the F chord? I can't make that work AT ALL right now...
Adamster