Tips For New Guitarist?

[Ty-Land]

If your buying a guitar definately get an acoustic first so you develop your hand/finger strength earlier on. This is pretty important when learning and has helped me enourmously.

What guitar to get? If you can afford it I would spend my money towards a bottom line epiphone or fender acoustic. Both of these, particularly the epiphone, have a really good sound for the price. If that's out of your league look online for particular models your interested in and read some reviews on it (good site is harmony central -> google it) then make a decision. A guitar can end up being a long term investment, and if you want a guitar that won't be shit once you get going it's better to spend a little more. Also I recommend that you buy a tuner, a capo and a crap load of picks (as the little basturds are easy to lose).

In terms of learning, I can assure you that you don't need lessons. I've taught myself guitar and bass from scratch. I would just start out learning chords for basic songs (wonderwall is a good start), and anything your not sure of you can google. Anyone who says that guitar lessons are necessary is full of shit. Noel Gallagher, Kurt Cobain, John Lennon, Bob Dylan and many many more of the worlds finest songwriters have never had a guitar lesson in their life, some can't even read music. The key factor is just time and patience when learning. It can get pretty frustrating at times, but stick with it and reap the rewards.

[Gedas]

I'm a shitload closer to admin than you could ever hope to be... not that I want to be but the flourish of support I will receive over you will support that I'm sure. Not that I need it. See me in person? Does a post on an internet board offend you that much?

You know what? I did give him advice. I told him to ignore a dipshit's comments and that self-teaching isn't impossible. Even though I do not play guitar I do know a ton about music and instruments and positive encouragement is always helpful. Your 'advice' is terrible. Trying to make yourself seem better than someone else by putting them down with derogatory comments would suggest to me that YOU are the one with the "serious issues".

Kisses!

Firstly, you just show your childeness by bringing out your "status" at these forums for the second time in you two posts in this topic.
Secondly, I would like to see people like you in person so they could tell me their opinion then. I'm sure it would change. But that's not the point.
Thirdly, please quote me where I said that it's impossible to learn? I did not. I just said that it will be hard without all of the American soft stuff.
Fourthly, that's my OPINION! May I remind you the forum rules? Or for YOU they do not apply?
Fifth, how can you judge what advise is good and what is not? What are you? If it's bad IN YOUR OPINION, don't take it.
Sixth, I am trying to make myself seem "better than someone else"? Where? What? I just said what it will be, that's all.

[Joe']

Gedas, you've been trying to be "cool", that's what people doesn't like about you... I won't get involved in all this shit because it isn't worth the time, and I'll answer the question instead:
If you're a beginner and you're planning to play electric guitar later on, don't spend your money on an acoustic guitar, the sound difference between acoustic and electric is huge.
I would reccomend getting a Squier by Fender. That's one of the best guitars to start,its sound and its body is very similar to the Stratocaster's, and it isn't that expensive (you can get one on eBay for €125-150). If you're planning to play only acoustic, an Epiphone would do fine.

[Nick]

NJNetsFan, if you get an accoustic guitar you have to choose between 2 things. Nylon string or steel string. They're both the same (though steel string is more common), but with some minor differences that would have an effect on beginner guitarists. You have to ask yourself, do you struggle more with stretching the fingers to reach the chords? Or do you have trouble pushing the strings down because it hurts too much or your fingers aren't strong enough.

With steel string accoustics, the strings harder to push down for a beginner, but the neck is slightly thinner (thus slightly less stretch). With nylon strings, the strings are softer and easier on the fingers, but the neck is slightly wider (thus slightly more stretch). So yeah, think about that. My personal advice would be to go for the nylon string.

There's one mistake beginner guitarists always make. They always give up when they realise they can't play it straight away. People don't realise practice is needed. And lots of it. So if you can get over that initial hurdle then you're set!

[Cameron]

BTW, you OBVIOUSLY no nothing about music or atleast playing.

I really see no need to argue with you any more. You pretty much outcast yourself with that line.

What Nick said about the whole, getting used to the hardness of the strings, is totally key. When I started banjo it was so frustrating because it would just hurt like hell, and it was really tough to practice for any extended period of time. The key is to just push really hard and eventually you get really used to it... and at that point you can start getting really good with your left hand. Until of course you find a new chord style that hits a different spot on your finger...

I think one really important tip is to try and learn things by ear a lot or at least play along with songs. A good ear isn't required for music (especially because it's often something you're born with rather than something you learn) but if you can develop it it is essential, especially for playing with other people. Tab is great but it's good to be able to improvise and hear what sounds good too.

[Laxation]

Try a Samick. Theyre cheap, pretty nasty - but they get the job done (aka Stratcopy)

[Mayerhendrix]

Honestly Gedas, you're digging your own grave here. I mean, when you're this outnumbered, it's better to quit while you still can.

Don't always try to bite the other guy's head off, just give up once in a while.....and just watch yourself. Don't make any derogatory comments if it lands you in deep shit all the time.

[J@3]

Gedas you're on your last warning, this is getting ridiculous.

[CERVANTES]

There's a cool program on MAC called "Garage Band", you can just plug your guitar and record it with a great quality. I don't know about guitars, but I thought that program could help you.

[Joe']

Yeah, there's something like that for Windows too, but you need an extra adaptor to plug the guitar to the PC (otherwise you will have to plug it through the microphone input and it will lose tons of quality). I think it's called Line 6 Port or something like that, they sell it at €120 here in Italy.

[Dean]

When you get into playing a bit, check out a program called Guitar Pro. A mate of mine used it to teach himself.

[Nick]

Guitar Pro is half useless now. The site which has all the songs to download has had problems with copyright issues and you can't download the songs anymore. For some reason making songs on guitar pro of other bands' songs and putting it on a website for no profit whatsoever infringes copyright.

As for "garage band" and such programs like that. They're of no use unless you go out and get yourself a decent sound card. (which i'm gonna be doing soon )

[Chris.]

I started to learn the guitar about two or three months ago and even though I don't really play it as much now because of being alot busier with school, it is a cool instrument to learn. If you want to teach yourself how to play its not really that hard because even I managed to do it. Just get yourself some beginner guides and search on the net for some but like it was said before its probably best to talk to someone in a shop.

Guitar Pro is a good program to learn how to play songs and http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/ is a great site to find some tabs and Guitar Pro files.

[Dean]

Ive got like a billion GP files.

[Donatello]

I've never met an electric guitar that's smoother and easier to play than the mid 80's Peavey solid wood six-strings. I see them at pawn shops all the time for about $100 or so. Had one for years and loved it.

Stay away from Squire strat clones (made by Fender), the frets stick out and can hurt your fingers.


If you want to go acoustic, get a yahama. Cheap reliable and relatively smooth.

[Mayerhendrix]

I'm thinking either a Yamaha, Ibanez, or Carlo Robeli around like.....$200 should be good for me.

[Donatello]

Ibanez bass guitars are really smooth, I never much cared for their guitars, but if you like it, go for it.

[Nick]

Ibanez is typically what a heavy metal band guitarist would use. Dunno what the reasoning is behind it, but i noticed it.