learning to play the guitar

[Thedelldays]

for some reason have the urge to learn how to play the guitar..

 

I have never picked one up in my life but fancy getting a 'starter kit'...if such one exists...

 

anyone else done anything like this..?

[Ponty]

Anyone who plays did something like that

 

Get a cheapie guitar starter pack. Most come with a DVD, CD and booklet nowadays. You'll be Jimmy Page in a fortnight.

 

Whatever you do, don't spend much cash on your first guitar.

[saint_stevo]

i decided the same thing 18months ago. Guitar still remains mostly untouched, other than snapping a string on the day i took delivery. Got lessons for xmas last year but were cancelled as they were group lessons and not enough take up....maybe one day

[RedAndWhite91]

Got a cheap guitar a few years ago but couldn't get to grips with it, and so gave up, one thing led to another and I became a bassist in a short-lived band even though I hadn't picked up a bass guitar before, but now over 2 years later I am still playing the bass and really enjoy it.

[St Landrew]

I'll give you the same advice I gave someone earlier this year. Get some lessons. To start with, get some online lessons at:

 

www.justinguitar.com for the home page.

 

and here's where to start:

 

http://www.justinguitar.com/en/BC-000-BeginnersCourse.php

 

It's free, unless you want to donate. He's very clear with his advice, and it is up to you to practice. I'm still useless at playing, because that's how I am. I don't practice enough, and stopped playing in early summer, when I got the beaut in the avatar. I've played tunes on that since. But autumn is here and with winter coming on, I will step it up again until late spring.

Edited 22 October, 2009 by St Landrew

[Rattlehead]

You should be able to get a cheapo electric with amp and all the starter stuff for under £150.

 

http://www.guitar.co.uk/electric_guitar_starter_packages

 

I've used these guys loads of times and they're pretty good. You could do acoustic cheaper (under £70) but IMO electric is easier and more fun to start on. However, as Ponty says, don't spend too much on it - most people give up. If you don't give up, it will arguably be the best money you've ever spent. I've been playing for nearly 20 years and have like 10 guitars now. I'm still rubbish though.

[saint_bert]

I tried to learn bass once. It was hard!

[Rattlehead]

Bass is easy!

[Pancake]

Bass is easy!

 

Pah! Duff McKagan style bass is, but try some Matt Freeman style stuff

[Rattlehead]

I don't know much about Matt Freeman, but I'm guessing a beginner would probably be more Duff McKagan. And that is easy.

[Pancake]

I don't know much about Matt Freeman, but I'm guessing a beginner would probably be more Duff McKagan. And that is easy.

 

Ironically apart from the intro to "It's So Easy"...

[Rattlehead]

It's only two notes, how hard can that be?

[Pancake]

It's only two notes, how hard can that be?

 

Hammering on on the 14th fret of a bass guitar at that tempo isnt easy (well, for me at least). I always **** it up.

[Baj]

any of you wouldnt happen to have a second hand bass kicking around to sell? The ****ty one I use for home recording is on its last legs and as a guitarist, I really can't force myself to spend any decent money on something ill probably only pick up once a week.

[Smirking_Saint]

I'd love to learn how to play the guitar, always have, maybe one day i will have enough spare time to do it.

 

Nice work TDD, fair play to ya

[Pancake]

any of you wouldnt happen to have a second hand bass kicking around to sell? The ****ty one I use for home recording is on its last legs and as a guitarist, I really can't force myself to spend any decent money on something ill probably only pick up once a week.

 

'Fraid knot Bajjer, mine is used most weeks.

[Rattlehead]

Me neither your Bajesty. Only got one beaten up old one myself, which I need.

[the stain]

Just buy a cheap one and see what sounds it makes when you mess around with it. Lessons are for chumps.

[Pancake]

Just buy a cheap one and see what sounds it makes when you mess around with it. Lessons are for chumps.

 

I cant see TDD being the next Lee Ranaldo TBF.

[the stain]

I cant see TDD being the next Lee Ranaldo TBF.

 

Might as well aim for the stars though, rather than have some dullard school him in Jeff Beck. Go for it, TDD! If you can make it sound like a steam locomotive crashing into a cathedral, you've won.

[RedAndWhite91]

Bass can be easy, but it can also be very difficult. Depends what you are after.

[Thedelldays]

so...acoustic or electric to start

 

been asking mates and they all say acoustic to start with...dont go to argos to get a "starter pack"..go to a proper music shop and get a cheapo one from there..

 

is this sound advice..?

[RonManager]

so...acoustic or electric to start

 

been asking mates and they all say acoustic to start with...dont go to argos to get a "starter pack"..go to a proper music shop and get a cheapo one from there..

 

is this sound advice..?

 

Sod that, get a drum kit - go bonkers!!!!

[saint lard]

Learn to play the Uke,dosen't have to be George Formby stylee either.

From Kaiser Chiefs to Nirvana,

I now have these,cool eh....Flyiing V and Les Paul ,both less than £50,semi acoustic.

http://www.djmmusic.com/itemMatrix.asp?GroupCode=2018&MatrixType=1

 

http://www.djmmusic.com/itemMatrix.asp?GroupCode=2026&MatrixType=1

Edited 24 October, 2009 by saint lard

[Ponty]

so...acoustic or electric to start

 

been asking mates and they all say acoustic to start with...dont go to argos to get a "starter pack"..go to a proper music shop and get a cheapo one from there..

 

is this sound advice..?

 

Up to you, but there's a better than evens chance you'll be wasting whatever money you spend as you just won't be able to play to your own satisfaction quickly enough.

 

I bought electric first, they're more forgiving of amateur status and power chords are a piece of ****, meaning you feel there's a reason to push on with the learning of proper chords and licks. Accoustic guitars need more finesse and talent to sound 'right' IMO and mine gets played far less than any of the electrics because, even after 20 years, I still don't consider myself to be any good.

 

You pays your money, you takes your choice.

[St Landrew]

so...acoustic or electric to start

 

been asking mates and they all say acoustic to start with...dont go to argos to get a "starter pack"..go to a proper music shop and get a cheapo one from there..

 

is this sound advice..?

 

Funnily enough, most advice I received from people was to choose an electric. Not because the guitar could make easy pleasing sounds, but because generally the action [distance of strings to fretboard] of an electric guitar is lower than on a cheap acoustic one, and hence is slightly easier on the fingers. Of course, you'll have to buy an amp/speaker if you want to make more sound than plinkety-plink. I've got an old Epiphone acoustic from 1974, which nobody has ever managed to learn on because the action was incredibly high and the strings were very heavy. Hence it was too painful for the beginner to practice on. I lowered the action, and put lighter strings on. Yes, the tone suffered a bit, but at least I can play the bloody thing, and I'm super crap.

[Webby]

any of you wouldnt happen to have a second hand bass kicking around to sell? The ****ty one I use for home recording is on its last legs and as a guitarist, I really can't force myself to spend any decent money on something ill probably only pick up once a week.

 

I have an Aria SLB II in white. Dunno if I wanna sell it though. Depends what the offer was...

[sotonjoe]

definitely electric first.

 

A Yamaha Pacifica is an excellent first guitar that will be better than the usual Squire rubbish and will almost allow you to mix it with the big boys when you get a bit better.

 

ps ... it's the pacific 112 you want http://uk.yamaha.com/en/products/musical_instruments/guitars_basses/el_guitars/pacifica112v_old_violin_sunburst/?mode=overview

 

fret music always used to do them and they could be had for about £180.

Edited 26 October, 2009 by sotonjoe

[Webby]

I'd say acoustic first actually, cos once you can play that, electric is easy. Do it the other way and you'll find acoustic hard. It depends what you want to play ultimately. If you wanna play chords and strum out a song, then acoustic is great cos you can just pick it up and play it. That's what I love about it.

 

If you wanna play like The Edge or whatever, then electric will be your ultimate path.

[Rattlehead]

I'd say acoustic first actually, cos once you can play that, electric is easy. Do it the other way and you'll find acoustic hard.

 

You are right on which is easier, of course, but surely it is better to learn the easier one first? If you can do that, and enjoy it, then it isn't that difficult to make the progression to acoustic. Surely you're more likely to 'get there' than starting on the 'more difficult one'? Perhaps I am missing something.

 

I still recommend starting on electric (if you the higher cost can be justified).

[Webby]

You are right on which is easier, of course, but surely it is better to learn the easier one first? If you can do that, and enjoy it, then it isn't that difficult to make the progression to acoustic. Surely you're more likely to 'get there' than starting on the 'more difficult one'? Perhaps I am missing something.

 

I still recommend starting on electric (if you the higher cost can be justified).

 

Each to their own, but I disagree. If you start with the electric, it's still hard (of course), but then if you wanna play acoustic you'll find it really hard cos of the strings and the higher action. Do it the other way and switching to electric from acoustic will be a doddle. Just my opinion.

[sotonjoe]

it's a rather odd debate tbh because you're only really learning to play rhythm if you're learning rock tunes or similar on an accoustic. Ideally, you should be using an electric if you want to be playing all the extra licks that make up the lead guitar parts. Trying to do lots of hammer ons, pull offs and bends etc on an acoustic just sounds silly and you need an electric with amp to get any kind of exhilerating noise.

[Rattlehead]

@webby: Would you agree that someone not necessarily committed to learning the instrument long term from the outset is more likely to give up acoustic than electric (because it is more difficult)? In fairness, I suspect the difference is possibly marginal but I think electric will keep people trying that little bit longer until that magic moment when you think you've got enough to keep at it.

 

In terms of a challenge, I do agree with you but in terms of getting people continuing to play, I don't. Just my opinion.

[Rattlehead]

@sotonjoe: indeed, electric is also more interesting/exciting for a beginner.

[sambosa75]

I like playing the guitar but I have fat sausage fingers so my fingers always press on other strings as well as the strings I went to press on. Can you get a guitar with wide fret board to account for fat, stumpy fingers?

[Rattlehead]

They're called 'bass guitars' sambosa.

[St Landrew]

@webby: Would you agree that someone not necessarily committed to learning the instrument long term from the outset is more likely to give up acoustic than electric (because it is more difficult)? In fairness, I suspect the difference is possibly marginal but I think electric will keep people trying that little bit longer until that magic moment when you think you've got enough to keep at it.

 

In terms of a challenge, I do agree with you but in terms of getting people continuing to play, I don't. Just my opinion.

 

I certainly agree with that. The only advantage acoustic has over electric is that you can pick up an acoustic guitar on a whim and start strumming.

[Webby]

@webby: Would you agree that someone not necessarily committed to learning the instrument long term from the outset is more likely to give up acoustic than electric (because it is more difficult)? In fairness, I suspect the difference is possibly marginal but I think electric will keep people trying that little bit longer until that magic moment when you think you've got enough to keep at it.

 

In terms of a challenge, I do agree with you but in terms of getting people continuing to play, I don't. Just my opinion.

 

I understand what you're saying. That's fair enough. Personally, when I started out, I had an acoustic at first, then both, but I preferred the acoustic purely because I could just pick it up and get a lovely sound out of it as opposed to the electric which needed an amp etc etc.

 

As I say, it depends what the OP wants out of it.

[Ponty]

I certainly agree with that. The only advantage acoustic has over electric is that you can pick up an acoustic guitar on a whim and start strumming.

I have a tiny amp and headphone arrangement for those moments. It's basic and only gives an undistorted sound (Just volume, no overdrive, reverb, sustain, etc.) but it's about the size of a cigarette packet and runs for months on one of those 9v batteries.

[Rattlehead]

Of course, you can also just pick up an electric and just strum along fine on that without an amp. Ok not as nice sounding as an acoustic but I can hear it and everything.

[Pancake]

My 2p worth (I dont know why, but hey why not) is that acoustic is the way to start. The neck is wider and the action higher, so you rally have to teach your fingers well. Then move onto an electric if you want, or even an electro-acoustic.

[Pancake]

Oh, and learn slide. Its an art that is slowly going out.

 

IheartTHEblues.

[St Landrew]

I have a tiny amp and headphone arrangement for those moments. It's basic and only gives an undistorted sound (Just volume, no overdrive, reverb, sustain, etc.) but it's about the size of a cigarette packet and runs for months on one of those 9v batteries.

 

A mate of mine has a tiny Marshall replica amp and speaker which he puts on his jeans belt and plays electric guitar with. He uses it just for the occasional practice. I had forgotten that. Perhaps there is very little advantage for an acoustic at all, unless it all about preference of sound. The acoustic sound, played well, is very beguiling. I can't play well, so there's an end to that.

[Rattlehead]

Spot on St Landrew, after all it is all about sound and for pure playing and quick results you can't beat acoustic (if you can play it, of course).

[Trader]

I have a tiny amp and headphone arrangement for those moments. It's basic and only gives an undistorted sound (Just volume, no overdrive, reverb, sustain, etc.) but it's about the size of a cigarette packet and runs for months on one of those 9v batteries.

 

Or get yourself one of these

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VOX-AMPLUG-AC30-BRAND-NEW_W0QQitemZ380167059583QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_MusicalInstr_Amplifiers_RL?hash=item5883b8f87f

[Baj]

If you have a mac (or macbook of course) you can input the guitar directly into the mic socket, chuck a pair of headphones on and use garageband to model any amp or effect you like. The results are utterly utterly amazing and I use it for song demos for my band.

Highly recommend anyone who has a mac and garageband does this.

[hamster]

Can anyoine tell me anything about a Rockwood HOhner LX90L please?

 

Cheers

[hamster]

Can anyone tell me anything about a Rockwood HOhner LX90L please?

 

Cheers

[Rattlehead]

It will be sh*te but cheap.

[hamster]

Can anyone tell me anything about a Rockwood HOhner LX90L please?

 

Cheers

 

It will be sh*te but cheap.

 

Might it suit Delldays requirements iyho? There's one on freecycle.