? for guitar players

[Legzman]

what's the best way to learn how to play? There is a music store near me that has a cheap guitar and a cheap amp for around $200. Or should I find a good used acoustic guitar for even less? I'm not trying to get into a band nor do I ever intend to make money playing. I just wanna learn for the fun of it. Any ideas?

Also should I take lessons somewhere or do they have books that can teach you some of the basics? My budget is extremely limited. So any input would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Christmas_Ape]

Well, once you get a guitar, practice scales.

 

[Montrealman]

Take a lesson or two, practice scales as Christmas Ape mentioned but also try it with a tune you like. I learned by ear. Actually every instrument I have I learned by ear. It's amazing what you can figure out sonically on your own.
If I learned "Back In Black" on the sitar you can do it on the guitar.
Good luck and keep us posted! :thumbsup:

 

[Legzman]

so, what should I get first electric or acoustic? Which is better to learn on?

 

[DreamSparrow]

what's the best way to learn how to play?

From other people.

There is a music store near me that has a cheap guitar and a cheap amp for around $200. Or should I find a good used acoustic guitar for even less?

Depends on the make of the guitar and amp. What are they?

Well, whatever they are, you're doing the right thing by buying something cheap to begin with. Some overenthusiastic people buy something expensive without realising that they might give up practising in a month or two. Just realise that you get what you pay for -- at $200 you're going to get a pretty cheapo sound, especially on an electric.

If you plan on buying an acoustic, I can recommend anything in the Yamaha FG line, and if you're lucky, you might even find a Seagull S6 for under $200.

If you plan on buying an electric, I'd recommend a Yamaha Pacifica 112, or an Ibanez RG321. Do not, for the love of god, purchase anything with a Floyd Rose-style bridge ('whammy bars'), because on a budget of $200 you'll be going out of tune ALL the time. Also remember that your tone quality is primarily from the AMP not the guitar itself, contrary to common opinion. Don't buy a Gibson Les Paul and a $50 Marshall amp and think you'll sound like Slash... it's just not happening. Unfortunately on a budget of $200, you're not exactly spoilt for choice. Something like the Line 6 Spider line of amps should give you plenty of effects to keep you interested though.

It doesn't really matter whether you buy an electric or an acoustic -- they're essentially the same instrument, and techniques are identical (with a few small exceptions). It matters slightly more if you plan on focussing on classical music, since the fretboard is considerable wider. The sort of music you'll usually be playing should determine your choice. If you tell us what that is, I could provide alternate suggestions that might be better tailored to your needs.

Also buy a metronome (or drum machine or something equivalent). I can't stress this enough. I've seen literally hundreds of people whose playing is stunted because they didn't focus on developing a decent sense of rhythm in the beginning.

It's important that you state what sort of music you'll primary be playing (and be as specific as possible), because I could provide suggestions more tailored to your needs.

General advice: do not buy online, except *perhaps* if you're buying something cheap from a reputable dealer. For every bargain on Ebay, there's a ripoff. Every guitar is an individual, even when manufactured by a well-known company.

Try to buy in person, and don't be afraid to haggle. Make sure *you're* comfortable about how it feels -- whether the neck is suited to the size of your hands, how heavy it is, etc. If at all possible, get someone who can play guitar to go along with you to test it out while looking for intonation problems. This specifically means checking to see if the guitar is in tune at higher frets as well as lower ones -- it's a particularly common problem on low-end guitars caused by tiny bends in the neck or issues with the guitar's saddle/bridge, etc.

Also should I take lessons somewhere or do they have books that can teach you some of the basics? My budget is extremely limited. So any input would be greatly appreciated!

There's no harm in taking lessons obviously, but they can be expensive, and plenty of people who are unqualified to teach try to pass themselves off as teachers. Remember that the guitar is an extremely popular instrument -- there's bound to someone near where you live who can help you out. If not, there are plenty of websites offering free lessons. I'd start with these, because the lessons provided can be just as good as anything you'd pay for.

Also, while there are lots of books out there to teach you the basics, these days DVDs/videos are more popular, for obvious reasons.

Here's some resources:

http://www.justinguitar.com/ -- also has an extremely popular Youtube video lesson profile too.
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/

If you're absolutely insistent about buying a book, I've heard these are good:
http://www.amazon.com/Modern-Method-Guitar-Volumes-Complete/dp/0634012339
http://www.amazon.com/Hal-Leonard-G...bs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1195787261&sr=1-1

Should you ever get past all that:
http://www.ibreathemusic.com/ - intermediate/advanced lessons

P.S. Don't start on scales. Start on 'open chords' and learn a song or two. Do a google search or check out one of the first two websites I suggested.

 

[Legzman]

The type of music I like and would primarily be playing at least once I get somewhat decent is rock and metal. Like metallica, pantera, etc. Along those lines

 

[lonewolf988]

If you are anything like me you will want to be playing songs quickly and not just scales. While scales are important, learning to read tabs really helped me out. there are plenty of good websites out there that have tons of free tablature for what ever style you choose to play

 

[DreamSparrow]

Eh, mistake in my post above. It should read:
General advice: do not buy online, except *perhaps* if you're buying something expensive from a reputable dealer.

When stuff becomes more expensive, there's a greater number of quality assurance checks done on the product. Doesn't really apply to you if you're only spending $200 though.

 

[DreamSparrow]

The type of music I like and would primarily be playing at least once I get somewhat decent is rock and metal. Like metallica, pantera, etc. Along those lines

No point in getting an acoustic then. Try and get the stuff I mentioned above, preferably the Ibanez over the Yamaha.

You'll eventually need to get a guitar with a decent floating tremelo to authentically play Pantera (Dimebag Darrell's distinctive 'squeals' often use whammy bar techniques). Guitars with decent floating trems are considerably more expensive.

For Metallica, you might eventually want to buy a wah-wah pedal for the solos -- Kirk Hammett's guitar sound completely revolves around it. He's often slated for it too these days, because people realise a wah and heavy distortion can easily, easily disguise lazy playing.

 

[Christmas_Ape]

General advice: do not buy online...

Well that's not good advice at all. I bought 3 guitars on eBay, and they were 3 great purchases. I mean, the dude can get ripped off just as easily at a store, in person.

General advice should read, just be a smart buyer.

This is a good start. Just start asking people questions, gain knowledge.

 

[Legzman]

Closer to the time I've got some money to spend I'll stop by guitar center and talk to them. I figured this was as good a place as any to start asking!

Thanks for the info guys!

 

[shayd]

I'd say if you're going to be playing metal/hard rock to start with an Electric guitar. I learned by ear on an acoustic, so it can be done either way.

 

[lazyfatboy]

From other people.



Depends on the make of the guitar and amp. What are they?

Well, whatever they are, you're doing the right thing by buying something cheap to begin with. Some overenthusiastic people buy something expensive without realising that they might give up practising in a month or two. Just realise that you get what you pay for -- at $200 you're going to get a pretty cheapo sound, especially on an electric.

If you plan on buying an acoustic, I can recommend anything in the Yamaha FG line, and if you're lucky, you might even find a Seagull S6 for under $200.

If you plan on buying an electric, I'd recommend a Yamaha Pacifica 112, or an Ibanez RG321. Do not, for the love of god, purchase anything with a Floyd Rose-style bridge ('whammy bars'), because on a budget of $200 you'll be going out of tune ALL the time. Also remember that your tone quality is primarily from the AMP not the guitar itself, contrary to common opinion. Don't buy a Gibson Les Paul and a $50 Marshall amp and think you'll sound like Slash... it's just not happening. Unfortunately on a budget of $200, you're not exactly spoilt for choice. Something like the Line 6 Spider line of amps should give you plenty of effects to keep you interested though.

It doesn't really matter whether you buy an electric or an acoustic -- they're essentially the same instrument, and techniques are identical (with a few small exceptions). It matters slightly more if you plan on focussing on classical music, since the fretboard is considerable wider. The sort of music you'll usually be playing should determine your choice. If you tell us what that is, I could provide alternate suggestions that might be better tailored to your needs.

Also buy a metronome (or drum machine or something equivalent). I can't stress this enough. I've seen literally hundreds of people whose playing is stunted because they didn't focus on developing a decent sense of rhythm in the beginning.

It's important that you state what sort of music you'll primary be playing (and be as specific as possible), because I could provide suggestions more tailored to your needs.

General advice: do not buy online, except *perhaps* if you're buying something cheap from a reputable dealer. For every bargain on Ebay, there's a ripoff. Every guitar is an individual, even when manufactured by a well-known company.

Try to buy in person, and don't be afraid to haggle. Make sure *you're* comfortable about how it feels -- whether the neck is suited to the size of your hands, how heavy it is, etc. If at all possible, get someone who can play guitar to go along with you to test it out while looking for intonation problems. This specifically means checking to see if the guitar is in tune at higher frets as well as lower ones -- it's a particularly common problem on low-end guitars caused by tiny bends in the neck or issues with the guitar's saddle/bridge, etc.



There's no harm in taking lessons obviously, but they can be expensive, and plenty of people who are unqualified to teach try to pass themselves off as teachers. Remember that the guitar is an extremely popular instrument -- there's bound to someone near where you live who can help you out. If not, there are plenty of websites offering free lessons. I'd start with these, because the lessons provided can be just as good as anything you'd pay for.

Also, while there are lots of books out there to teach you the basics, these days DVDs/videos are more popular, for obvious reasons.

Here's some resources:

http://www.justinguitar.com/ -- also has an extremely popular Youtube video lesson profile too.
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/

If you're absolutely insistent about buying a book, I've heard these are good:
http://www.amazon.com/Modern-Method-Guitar-Volumes-Complete/dp/0634012339
http://www.amazon.com/Hal-Leonard-G...bs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1195787261&sr=1-1

Should you ever get past all that:
http://www.ibreathemusic.com/ - intermediate/advanced lessons

P.S. Don't start on scales. Start on 'open chords' and learn a song or two. Do a google search or check out one of the first two websites I suggested.

i agree with this exept the choice of amp, the line 6 spider amps are looked down on in all forums iv been in, these and the marshall mg amps, for the same money you could probably get a roland cube or vox ad15 which both have built in effects but have better tone than the line 6 or marshall

 

[DreamSparrow]

The problem is that he's only got $200 to spend. In the States, I imagine it's quite possible to buy a second hand Line 6 Spider III pretty cheaply.

The Roland Cube is definitely an option.

A Vox Valvetronix AD15VT is a much, much better amp than either of these, and accordingly it's nearly twice as expensive. Even second hand Voxes tend to retain their value, because they have such a good reputation.

 

[DreamSparrow]

Well that's not good advice at all. I bought 3 guitars on eBay, and they were 3 great purchases. I mean, the dude can get ripped off just as easily at a store, in person.

Nope, it's easier to get ripped off over the net. What happens when you buy that gleaming Ibanez JEM 7V that looked so good in the pictures, and then find out that the reason it was so cheap is because it fails to stay in tune? In a shop, you get to test that stuff out before buying.

 

[lazyfatboy]

The problem is that he's only got $200 to spend. In the States, I imagine it's quite possible to buy a second hand Line 6 Spider III pretty cheaply.

The Roland Cube is definitely an option.

A Vox Valvetronix AD15VT is a much, much better amp than either of these, and accordingly it's nearly twice as expensive. Even second hand Voxes tend to retain their value, because they have such a good reputation.

surprised at the difference in price in the us for these amp, in the uk all these amps are fairly close in price

 

[satyrsam]

Get a cheap acoustic guitar and have fun with it. Try playing songs you know and others that you hear on the radio. Then get your self a book for beginers and practice for a 30min every other day. After a few moths you will be able to play by ear and know what you're doing.

 

[Legzman]

The problem is that he's only got $200 to spend.

really I don't even have that right now. It's a beginner set, a guitar and amp that costs that much. I think my dad has an old guitar I could use to at least get the feel for it before I dump money on anything. Or at least he used to, I know I've seen one at my parents house along long time ago. That would be ideal actually. I could learn for practically next to nothing and if I like it enough then I spend the money and get something nice!

 

[lazyfatboy]

really I don't even have that right now. It's a beginner set, a guitar and amp that costs that much. I think my dad has an old guitar I could use to at least get the feel for it before I dump money on anything. Or at least he used to, I know I've seen one at my parents house along long time ago. That would be ideal actually. I could learn for practically next to nothing and if I like it enough then I spend the money and get something nice!

yes thats the best idea, lots of people want to learn how to play but once they relise how long it will take they give up, best to use you fathers and if you are going to stick at it then save up for something you will be happy with for a while

 

[CaDDaFy]

I Taught myself on a acouwee First learning & playing simple root chords, beatle songs. The next step after that was learning and understanding - Tab ( lead guitar )