What are some things i need to know and get? good places to get a cheap starter guitar? can i learn this instrument by myself? Will i have to invest tons of money into this? Thanks.
i want to start playing guitar...
- Thread starter Wheatmaster
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The lead singer gets the chicks
Musicians friend.com
The answer to both questions is both yes and no..... wierd , huh ???? You can spend lots of money and never learn anything, OR spend nothing and play like a demon..... the world awaits in wonder.....
Have you played any instruments before hand? I played the piano and a few other instruments and wanted to learn the guitar. I found all I had to do was grab a few intermediate chord books and taught myself rather quickly how to play pop songs (learned to play lots of sublime, nirvana, beatles) with just that chord book and a cheapy guitar I picked up in Mexico. On the other hand if you wanna pick, that's going to take a little longer to learn.
try getting some chord books first then. You'll find a lot of the same principles are interchangable between the piano (and I assume really well with the violin).
rh71
No Lifer
- Aug 28, 2001
- 52,844
- 1,049
- 126
Just bought the Squier SE-100 package from musiciansfriend for my fiance's brother. Comes with a mini-amp also... he's heading off to college soon so we figure this was a good gift and he's in the same position as you.
I personally learned myself with my brother's 2nd guitars off and on through the years. I followed tabs and tried only MetallicA stuff so I'm not all that solid on foundation stuff like chords and scales... I recommend if you're serious about it... learn that much first.
All I can really do after all this time are some solos and a few licks... their stuff is rough.
I personally learned myself with my brother's 2nd guitars off and on through the years. I followed tabs and tried only MetallicA stuff so I'm not all that solid on foundation stuff like chords and scales... I recommend if you're serious about it... learn that much first.
All I can really do after all this time are some solos and a few licks... their stuff is rough.Yes you can learn yourself. Get yourself a good simple book that will teach you the basics and practice your ass off. Patience is another good thing to have. I'd suggest taking a few lessons when you're starting out though. I've been playing for a few months and I'm going to go take some lessons to make sure that my playing isn't fundamentally screwed up in some way that will cause me problems and be hard to correct later.
As far as where to get a good guitar, it depends on what you're after and what you want to spend. If you want an electric I'd try looking here. They make some pretty decent strat and Les Paul copies for the money from what I've heard. You also might want to take a look at a used guitar. Whatever you do, if you have a friend that plays it's a good idea to go to some guitar shops and see how different guitars feel to you and have him play them for you.
Here and here are also some good guitar forums that you might want to check out.
As far as where to get a good guitar, it depends on what you're after and what you want to spend. If you want an electric I'd try looking here. They make some pretty decent strat and Les Paul copies for the money from what I've heard. You also might want to take a look at a used guitar. Whatever you do, if you have a friend that plays it's a good idea to go to some guitar shops and see how different guitars feel to you and have him play them for you.
Here and here are also some good guitar forums that you might want to check out.
Siddhartha
Lifer
- Oct 17, 1999
- 12,505
- 3
- 81
Most of the last generation of star rock guitarists were self taught so you can learn to play by listening to your favorite riffs and learning them note by note. The thing is you will need to learn how to read music eventually so pick up a how to play book and start there.
I would spend as much as your budget allows on your guitar. To a certain extend the more you spend the better the guitar sounds and is easier to play. And I recommend that you get an electronic tuner and save yourself a lot of frustration.
acoustic is the best way to start imo (becuase that's how started too
) Also there are a lot of the places online where you can get free tablatures of music you might want to play. Though I don't know the legality of these sites, they are a great resource for music you might enjoy playing.
Fritzo
Lifer
- Jan 3, 2001
- 41,920
- 2,161
- 126
Originally posted by: rh71
Just bought the Squier SE-100 package from musiciansfriend for my fiance's brother. Comes with a mini-amp also... he's heading off to college soon so we figure this was a good gift and he's in the same position as you.
I personally learned myself with my brother's 2nd guitars off and on through the years. I followed tabs and tried only MetallicA stuff so I'm not all that solid on foundation stuff like chords and scales... I recommend if you're serious about it... learn that much first.
Squires are good starter guitars. Not the best pickups, but the action is soft enough to start with so your fingers dont bleed
(Real men start on acoustic guitars heheheh). Learn the following in order:1) Fingering
2) String and note positions
3) Chords
4) Rhythm
5) Scales
When practicing, try playing with a drum machine or a metrodome. The beat will help you keep things even. Reading music is a nice skill to have, but guitarists pretty much prefer tab these days for greater accuracy, so I don't view it as a needed skill. There are several good books and videos out, but I'd recommend at least a few lessons from a teacher as they can help you with mistakes and bad habits from the get go. Also, get used to playing standing. Trust me...it'll help
Originally posted by: Fritzo
Originally posted by: rh71
Just bought the Squier SE-100 package from musiciansfriend for my fiance's brother. Comes with a mini-amp also... he's heading off to college soon so we figure this was a good gift and he's in the same position as you.
I personally learned myself with my brother's 2nd guitars off and on through the years. I followed tabs and tried only MetallicA stuff so I'm not all that solid on foundation stuff like chords and scales... I recommend if you're serious about it... learn that much first.
Squires are good starter guitars. Not the best pickups, but the action is soft enough to start with so your fingers dont bleed
1) Fingering
2) String and note positions
3) Chords
4) Rhythm
5) Scales
When practicing, try playing with a drum machine or a metrodome. The beat will help you keep things even. Reading music is a nice skill to have, but guitarists pretty much prefer tab these days for greater accuracy, so I don't view it as a needed skill. There are several good books and videos out, but I'd recommend at least a few lessons from a teacher as they can help you with mistakes and bad habits from the get go. Also, get used to playing standing. Trust me...it'll help
aren't u suppose to use a pick?
Originally posted by: Mak0602
Originally posted by: Fritzo
Originally posted by: rh71
Just bought the Squier SE-100 package from musiciansfriend for my fiance's brother. Comes with a mini-amp also... he's heading off to college soon so we figure this was a good gift and he's in the same position as you.
I personally learned myself with my brother's 2nd guitars off and on through the years. I followed tabs and tried only MetallicA stuff so I'm not all that solid on foundation stuff like chords and scales... I recommend if you're serious about it... learn that much first.
Squires are good starter guitars. Not the best pickups, but the action is soft enough to start with so your fingers dont bleed
1) Fingering
2) String and note positions
3) Chords
4) Rhythm
5) Scales
When practicing, try playing with a drum machine or a metrodome. The beat will help you keep things even. Reading music is a nice skill to have, but guitarists pretty much prefer tab these days for greater accuracy, so I don't view it as a needed skill. There are several good books and videos out, but I'd recommend at least a few lessons from a teacher as they can help you with mistakes and bad habits from the get go. Also, get used to playing standing. Trust me...it'll help
aren't u suppose to use a pick?
He's talking about fretting notes. What your left hand is doing. Assuming you're a rightie that is. When you first start the tips of your fingers will be pretty soft and playing for any length of time will become fairly painful. Acoustics generally use heavier guage strings which are harder to fret than electrics are, adding to the pain
Originally posted by: flxnimprtmscl
Originally posted by: Mak0602
Originally posted by: Fritzo
Originally posted by: rh71
Just bought the Squier SE-100 package from musiciansfriend for my fiance's brother. Comes with a mini-amp also... he's heading off to college soon so we figure this was a good gift and he's in the same position as you.
I personally learned myself with my brother's 2nd guitars off and on through the years. I followed tabs and tried only MetallicA stuff so I'm not all that solid on foundation stuff like chords and scales... I recommend if you're serious about it... learn that much first.
Squires are good starter guitars. Not the best pickups, but the action is soft enough to start with so your fingers dont bleed
1) Fingering
2) String and note positions
3) Chords
4) Rhythm
5) Scales
When practicing, try playing with a drum machine or a metrodome. The beat will help you keep things even. Reading music is a nice skill to have, but guitarists pretty much prefer tab these days for greater accuracy, so I don't view it as a needed skill. There are several good books and videos out, but I'd recommend at least a few lessons from a teacher as they can help you with mistakes and bad habits from the get go. Also, get used to playing standing. Trust me...it'll help
aren't u suppose to use a pick?
He's talking about fretting notes. What your left hand is doing. Assuming you're a rightie that is. When you first start the tips of your fingers will be pretty soft and playing for any length of time will become fairly painful. Acoustics generally use heavier guage strings which are harder to fret than electrics are, adding to the pain
oooo, i don't think i need to worry about that. i've played violin
anyone have any suggestions for a starter acoustic guitar and good starter books? (looking for cheap and value guitars)
my friend got a Johnson Acoustic guitar. It is a HUGE POS. The worst action I've ever played ever! I got my first guitar from a Musiciansfriend scratch and dent sale, which saved me a bunch. I spent like $250, but my guitar plays and sounds absolutely wonderful.
As for learning, since you already know music theory, head over to chordfind.com and learn the basic chords, then pick out some easy songs to start playing (GnR - Patience is very simple).
Rock on.
As for learning, since you already know music theory, head over to chordfind.com and learn the basic chords, then pick out some easy songs to start playing (GnR - Patience is very simple).
Rock on.
Ugh. For $100 you're pretty much guaranteed a laminated POS. If you're really committed to learning and think you'll stick with it I'd recommend upping your budget a bit. $200-300 will get you a pretty decent guitar. You might want to to look at a Washburn D10S, Art & Lutherie's are good inexpensive guitars, maybe a used Alvarez Yari, a used Seagull S6, etc.. That is by no means a comprehensive list but it's a starting point. Look around and have a friend (or a store employee) test them out for you if possible. Just don't get a $100 guitar. It will make the baby Jesus cry and you'll hate yourself. That's my advice anyway.
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