Learning the guitar?

[GreigR]

Hi

I've always fancied being able to play the electric guitar and now want to do something about it. Just wondering how hard is it to teach yourself to an ok level or is lessons best straight away?

What's the best type of guitar to start with, are the package deals ok or is it best to buy seperate?

Thanks

[aciddrop616]

i thought my self and can now play a varied amount of songs. its not rediculously hard, just a bit time consuming
try looking up tabs on ultimate-guitar.com
and find songs you like on there

if you need any help reading tabs, just ask

Thom

[DieselJohn]

As with most things it's worth getting some intial tuition (even if just a video) so you don't pick up any really bad habits now that will be hard to get rid of later.

I'm thinking picking style and left hand position really, I've seen some very bad examples of, particularly, the later holding people back.

Once you've got this, learn the open position chords (book or video again) and the 'powerchord' shape and you are away!

RE equipment, I personally wouldn't buy the really cheap st (ARGOS bundle etc.). If you can afford it go slightly up market to, for example, a Yamaha Pacifica guitar and a Park amp. These could conceivably keep you going for quite a while withou risking a big outlay.

[Ganglandboss]

DieselJohn said:

As with most things it's worth getting some intial tuition (even if just a video) so you don't pick up any really bad habits now that will be hard to get rid of later.

I'm thinking picking style and left hand position really, I've seen some very bad examples of, particularly, the later holding people back.

Once you've got this, learn the open position chords (book or video again) and the 'powerchord' shape and you are away!

RE equipment, I personally wouldn't buy the really cheap st (ARGOS bundle etc.). If you can afford it go slightly up market to, for example, a Yamaha Pacifica guitar and a Park amp. These could conceivably keep you going for quite a while withou risking a big outlay.

Agreed. The Pacifica is a lot of guitar for the money.

[Airbag]

Lesson are the way to go, self taught players tend to have huge holes in their playing/knowledge and practicing bad habits limits your ability to improve. Playing with people who are 'self taught' can be one of the most frustrating experiences in the world and they rarely (in my experience) get a call about a second gig.

If you are unable to take regular lessons for either fiscal or scheduling reasons then at least take half a dozen lessons with a competent teacher who can put together a curriculum you can follow on your own that will get you playing well. You will find it to be more rewarding and your musicianship will be immeasurably better than someone who hasn't invested the time and effort.

And FWIW, starting on an acoustic guitar will give you a far superior foundation than an electric. It's too easy to get away with miserable technique on an electric guitar and let the gear do the work for you. Plus, when you move too electric later on it's like getting out of an HGV and hopping in a Porsche.

[Airbag]

Ganglandboss said:

DieselJohn said:

As with most things it's worth getting some intial tuition (even if just a video) so you don't pick up any really bad habits now that will be hard to get rid of later.

I'm thinking picking style and left hand position really, I've seen some very bad examples of, particularly, the later holding people back.

Once you've got this, learn the open position chords (book or video again) and the 'powerchord' shape and you are away!

RE equipment, I personally wouldn't buy the really cheap st (ARGOS bundle etc.). If you can afford it go slightly up market to, for example, a Yamaha Pacifica guitar and a Park amp. These could conceivably keep you going for quite a while withou risking a big outlay.

Agreed. The Pacifica is a lot of guitar for the money.

+1

Avoid the prefab packages (ie Fender stratpac etc.) like the plague. Go to a smaller music store and make sure they do a setup on the guitar before you purchase it, guitars are not ready to play right out of the box.

[AUDIHenry]

Takes time but worthwhile!

[hugefoot]

Lessons to start with are key, I was taught by my dad's friend, who i would see every other month or two, and he would just give me new things to practice, so regular lessons aren't essential. As mentioned, some kind of structure to practice by yourself, then using tablature from www.ultimate-guitar.com to pick up songs.

Vintage V300 is a nice beginners acoustic, has won awards for best acoustic guitar under £1000, and can be had for about £80, bargain!

[ironictwist]

• bookmarks page

Gracias for the advice.

[satchbot]

I agree with the buying a guitar that isn't cheap. They are terrible and should be avoided. £300 is reasonable guitar territory.

Deffinately get a few lessons under your belt. Get a tutor who will tech you techniques such as hammer ons/pull offs/slides/bends rather then just a few easy song chords. Some tutors are better than others so might be worth asking at the local music shop for tutor reviews.

Your hands and fingers will hurt at first but once the strength builds up and the memory comes to your hands things will improve quickly. Best of luck on this

[funk odyssey]

satchbot said:

I agree with the buying a guitar that isn't cheap. They are terrible and should be avoided. £300 is reasonable guitar territory.

you don't need to spend £300 quid on a guitar for a beginner

cheap guitars have come a long way these days -- any Squier will do they job (steer clear of the Affinity series though) for far less

most of the cost of the pricier ones is made up of expensive wood for the body , decent pickups etc

get an Epiphone les paul from ebay or a Squier Strat and spend a bit on getting it set up

[satchbot]

Have yet to come across a sub £300 guitar with a decent neck and frets that are useable.

[funk odyssey]

satchbot said:

Have yet to come across a sub £300 guitar with a decent neck and frets that are useable.

really?
this is a beginner we're talking about -- I'm not talking about him buying some Kay beast from the 60's / 70's with a neck like a log and fret like razor wire!

[Airbag]

satchbot said:

Have yet to come across a sub £300 guitar with a decent neck and frets that are useable.

Either guitar prices in the UK are ridiculous or you're off you rocker.

[mr_spock]

I beg to differ. I have a decent collection of high end vintage guitars, and a custom built Tele made to my spec. The guitar I gig all the time is a Wesley Freeport thing which cost me £35 from ebay, new. It's a Tele thinline style body, set neck, 2 P90's and tune-a-matic bridge.

I had my guitar tech set it up, he said the fret work was better than many custom shop Gibsons right out of the box. He set the pickup pole piece heights, changed the switch and rewired and screened the control cavity. It is a good guitar for £300, let alone the £60 it cost me including the set up. I played it again last night, leaving all the expensive stuff at home as usual.

Here it is direct from them, watch ebay for deals.
http://www.wesleyguitars.co.uk/storefrontprofiles/...

[Glassman]

I took up lessons not so long ago; turned it in as my hands / fingers are just too big

[Airbag]

Glassman said:

I took up lessons not so long ago; turned it in as my hands / fingers are just too big

Impossible!

[Airbag]

funk odyssey said:

satchbot said:

I agree with the buying a guitar that isn't cheap. They are terrible and should be avoided. £300 is reasonable guitar territory.

you don't need to spend £300 quid on a guitar for a beginner

cheap guitars have come a long way these days -- any Squier will do they job (steer clear of the Affinity series though) for far less

most of the cost of the pricier ones is made up of expensive wood for the body , decent pickups etc

get an Epiphone les paul from ebay or a Squier Strat and spend a bit on getting it set up

Fender and Epiphone are among the worst value for money in beginner guitars, you're buying a name and not much else.

[satchbot]

Airbag said:

satchbot said:

Have yet to come across a sub £300 guitar with a decent neck and frets that are useable.

Either guitar prices in the UK are ridiculous or you're off you rocker.

Or very fussy. And I agree with you on paying for the name.

[funk odyssey]

Airbag said:

funk odyssey said:

satchbot said:

I agree with the buying a guitar that isn't cheap. They are terrible and should be avoided. £300 is reasonable guitar territory.

you don't need to spend £300 quid on a guitar for a beginner

cheap guitars have come a long way these days -- any Squier will do they job (steer clear of the Affinity series though) for far less

most of the cost of the pricier ones is made up of expensive wood for the body , decent pickups etc

get an Epiphone les paul from ebay or a Squier Strat and spend a bit on getting it set up

Fender and Epiphone are among the worst value for money in beginner guitars, you're buying a name and not much else.

true but we're deluding ourselves if we think that the name and the looks are n't a factor!