Learning to play guitar

Subject: Learning to play guitar
From: BEK
Date: 13 Mar 01 - 11:37 PM

Okay catters, I am thinking about taking the plunge. I am considering learning to play the guitar basically so I can sing for my own pleasure (to accompany the howling dogs in the neighborhood) but it's always something I have wanted to do.

This girl is definitely staying acoustic. So....what kind of guitar? Where's the best place to start looking for lessons?

Any help would be appreciated.

Subject: RE: BS: Learning to play guitar
From: Allan C.
Date: 13 Mar 01 - 11:48 PM

I'll let wiser minds attempt to answer this question. I just wanted to acknowledge your new membership here. Glad to have you at the Mudcat!

Subject: RE: BS: Learning to play guitar
From: catspaw49
Date: 13 Mar 01 - 11:52 PM

Welcome to the 'Cat!

You'll get lots of opinions here and while you're waiting, do this: Enter the word guitar in the FILTER box and set the REFRESH for 2 years. You'll get a lot, but notice the many that apply to your question and start reading. Its a common topic around here and you'll find loads of previous opinions as well as the new ones you'll get on this thread.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Learning to play guitar
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 14 Mar 01 - 01:23 AM

Hi BEK, whole lot of stuff here. I'll leave it to the more computer literate to find it though.

Good luck

Rick

Subject: RE: BS: Learning to play guitar
From: Amos
Date: 14 Mar 01 - 01:49 AM

Go see Rick Fielding in Toronto. If you're too far from Toronto, try to find someone as nice.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Learning to play guitar
From: Gary T
Date: 14 Mar 01 - 09:34 AM

I think it will help you to clarify in your mind the definition (for you) of "learning to play the guitar." For example, there's a difference among finger-picking, flat-picking, and strumming chords. To some extent, this will point you to a basic type of guitar, an area worth doing a little research on. You need to decide if your needs are best suited by a steel-string or a nylon-string (classical) instrument, and within those two broad categories there may be sub-categories to choose from.

I started playing to accompany myself singing. I strum chords, which some don't consider really "playing" the guitar. Nevertheless, for accompaniment, I think it's a good place to start. I decided that although I wouldn't mind HAVING the ability to do single-note picking, I'm not willing to invest the time and energy required to ACQUIRE that ability. I devote my energies into expanding my repertoire of chords, which broadens the range of songs I can strum to. You will need to decide what guitar skills YOU want to acquire, and seek lessons that are appropriate for that purpose.

If you can enlist a knowledgeable friend to help with guitar selection, that can save you a lot of time and maybe heartache. As with many areas, the real cheapies are likely to be more frustrating than pleasing. Still, there are a number of good choices to be had in the $300-500 (US) range.

For lessons, ask around in your local "music community"--folk clubs, instrument stores, your friends, etc. Try to find someone who will discuss with you your goals and matching an instructor to them. Learning to finger pick classical music won't be very satisfying if what you really want to do is strum chords, for example, and vice versa.

You may find some helpful books in the library. If they have back issues of guitar-oriented magazines, there may be some articles in them that would be of use.

I encourage you to go for it. I get lots of pleasure out of being able to accompany my singing--even the howling dogs like it! (BG) Keep in mind that the first two months are typically the hardest, toughening up your fingertips and getting your finger muscles to do stuff they've never done before. But the rewards far exceed the pains (did for me, anyway), and I think you'll be glad you took this up.

Subject: RE: BS: Learning to play guitar
From: UB Ed
Date: 14 Mar 01 - 11:16 AM

Sounds like you're a singer, so I suggest you start with chords. Additionally, as a novice, you may want to get an inexpensive classical guitar (nylon strings are the key) to give your fingers a chance to toughen up.

Mel Bay used to have a good series of learning with chords.

Good Luck!

Ed

Subject: RE: BS: Learning to play guitar
From: Wesley S
Date: 14 Mar 01 - 11:37 AM

Let me echo what Gary said. It's important to take along someone when buying your first guitar. Ask the best guitar player you know to go with you. Their help will be invaluable and will save you time and money. And make sure you get the right body size. Stores are full of Dreadnaught sized guitars { your friend will know what that means } and often thats too big for a lot of women. If possible try out some 00, 000, and OM sizes too. You'll be glad you did. Good Luck.

Subject: RE: BS: Learning to play guitar
From: Justa Picker
Date: 14 Mar 01 - 01:08 PM

Here are two really good sites to get your started. The first one caters more to beginners (but also includes enough info for medium and advanced players to keep them interested.) The second link is more of the same. You might also want to check out the "LINKS - Instrument Related" section of Mudcat as well. (I agree with everything that's been posted to this thread.)

Link 1

Link 2


There are many many sites on the Internet that deal with all aspects of guitar instruction and much more. You've got some surfing to do! Best of luck in your endeavors.

Subject: RE: BS: Learning to play guitar
From: SINSULL
Date: 14 Mar 01 - 01:17 PM

Hi BEK! And welcome. Aren't you glad you asked? Pick something up at a flea market. Bang on it for a few weeks. Get a feel for what you want to do. Then ask Rick.
Mary

Subject: RE: BS: Learning to play guitar
From: jeepman (inactive)
Date: 14 Mar 01 - 09:31 PM

Bek, welcome to the wonderful world of pickers.You are starting on an adventure which can reward you with countless pleasures. Music opens up whole new areas, friends, instruments, etc.

If I had to give you advice it would be to find a guitar you can afford,not one so expensive you are afraid to touch it. You will find that with learning, discovering new music, new abilities, you will love that guitar.

I have a love/hate relationship with my guitar and banjo.

Find a good teacher for the type of music you want to pursue.If he is a great picker, fine, but he must be a teacher first.

Read all you can get about your music. Listen to Rick Fielding, and CatSpaw, they are the coolest.

Regards, Jeepman

Subject: RE: BS: Learning to play guitar
From: jeepman (inactive)
Date: 15 Mar 01 - 09:47 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: BS: Learning to play guitar
From: Terry K
Date: 15 Mar 01 - 12:09 PM

BEK - you will by now have gathered that there is no single way - the important thing is to just do it. I started 10 months ago and have already reached an advanced stage of incompetence.

Gary T, that could have been me posting, especially the second paragraph. I play mainly (simple) chords, all just for my own pleasure to accompany my out-of-tune singing and I absolutely love it!! What really inspired me most was knowing that I could ask the Cat for help anytime - it's a great comfort.

Cheers, Terry

Subject: RE: BS: Learning to play guitar
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 15 Mar 01 - 12:17 PM

This site may be of assistance to you. Click Here Yours, Aye. Dave

Subject: RE: BS: Learning to play guitar
From: jeepman (inactive)
Date: 15 Mar 01 - 01:00 PM

Hey, Terry K. Being a lover of a well turned phrase, your "advanced stage of incompetence" was a gem. Jman

Subject: RE: BS: Learning to play guitar
From: Grab
Date: 15 Mar 01 - 01:32 PM

The Russ Shipton books are a traditional way to teach yourself, and not too bad. Not as good as lessons, but quite a bit cheaper! And get a cheap nylon-string classical to start with, otherwise you'll slice your fingers to pieces.

Grab.

Subject: RE: BS: Learning to play guitar
From: Bert
Date: 15 Mar 01 - 03:55 PM

Put the case away in a closet somewhere and always leave the guitar OUT where you can pick it up at any time.

Get yourself a Yamaha to start with and use that until you know what you really want.

Subject: RE: BS: Learning to play guitar
From: Bedubya
Date: 15 Mar 01 - 04:09 PM

Hi BEK

While there is much to be said for formal lessons for beginning (or any level) guitarists, I feel it is equally important to play as often as you can with other people in informal settings. I'm what's usually called "self-taught", but a more appropriate term would be "community-taught". I've learned most of what I know in countless hours playing with other people at festivals, sessions, parties and living room jams.

Beginning players should try to develop friendships with players who are somewhat better than themselves and who are willing to show them a thing or two. Find out if there are any public sessions in your area that you can sit in on. Attend music festivals and take your guitar along. You'll start out in the outer circle (with the rest of the newbies) but, before you know it, you'll be in the thick with the "big dogs".

Everybody has something to teach, you just have to be there to learn it.

Subject: RE: BS: Learning to play guitar
From: catspaw49
Date: 15 Mar 01 - 08:23 PM

Well BEK, are you getting all of this??? Lots of info to read and link to and a WHOLE lot of reading. Don't let it confuse you, simply come back and ask whatever you like.

And while I thank Jeepman for his compliments, I feel comfortable giving advice on the instruments themselves as to good guys, fit, quality, durabilty,value, and the like ...... I love the details of the instrument, its acoustics and such, from the glue to the finish and the strap button to the headstock. But when it comes to playing, I bow....no make that grovel....at the feet of some of our members who can give you some fantastic advice. A few that come to mind besides Rick Fielding include Justa Picker (who is anything but), Mooh, Musicman, dwditty, Roger in Baltimore, and about 50 others who are really fine players that communicate things well.

So let us here back from you and tell us how its going.

Spaw