[E902717]

I fancy learning, always something ive wanted to do but never go round to it, can any of you give me some tips are the best way to learn etc....

Also anyone got any recommendations on where to buy a guitar from? Only problem is that i'm left handed! Tried a friends guitar before and i just couldn't keep a rhythm with my right hand (no jokes)

I don't want to spend a fortune on a guitar because i want to make sure i like it first and can actually do it!

Is it best to start of with an acoustic guitar? Less chance of pissing the neighbours off

Thanks

[Porscha!]

I can't help with guitars I'm afraid, I play Clarinet, Flute, Oboe and Piano had a go at the Guitar and could never get on with it!

Though as for buying a guitar, please, please go to a decent music shop speak to them and while you don't need to overboard on what you spend don't buy the cheapest, they are not a well made.

Foulds in Derby have an excellent reputation and have a specialist Guitar department and Zebra Musik in Ilkeston, Derbyshire is very specialist to the Guitar (more focused on Electric Guitar though I think) don't know about anywhere closer to you but both of these are only about 40-50 miles.

Acoustic / Electric is dependent on the type of music you would like to play, do you plan on teaching yourself or having lessons, classical, latino, rock etc. Do you plan on taking grades?

[AlanQS]

Most people start off with an acoustic guitar. Unless you want to learn Spanish guitar, get a metal stringed acoustic as the action (height of the strings above the frets) tends to be lower and this makes it much easier to learn the chords that require bridging (like F). You should be able to get a reasonable quality one for about £65.

Get a book which shows the fingering for major and minor chords and learn them! (A lot of people don't bother but it's a good grounding.)

When you want to be a bit more adventurous try youtube. If you select a favoured song there is usually an associated video showing you how to play it - and they aren't too bad.

[NFS]

Originally Posted by E902717

I fancy learning, always something ive wanted to do but never go round to it, can any of you give me some tips are the best way to learn etc....

Also anyone got any recommendations on where to buy a guitar from? Only problem is that i'm left handed! Tried a friends guitar before and i just couldn't keep a rhythm with my right hand (no jokes)

I don't want to spend a fortune on a guitar because i want to make sure i like it first and can actually do it!

Is it best to start of with an acoustic guitar? Less chance of pissing the neighbours off

Thanks

I've been into the guitar on and off for about 20 years.

Best advice I can give is to have some professional lessons. I taught myself to play and in honesty it's not a sensible option.

I started having some lessons this year and even though I know the basics, I've found it really helpful.

Decision between acoustic and electric is mainly down to the type of music you want to play.

Electric guitars can be easier to play at first, because the neck is shorter and slimmer. Electric also covers all options so may possibly be the way to go.

As to the neighbours, buy some good headphones and a decent 'practice' amp (50 watts or so) and it shouldn't be big an issue.

I'd check out a few guitar shops and see what you like the feel of. Theres quite of lot of difference between types of guitar and there is a wealth of information on the net. Most people go for a Fender Strat type or a Les Paul type.

I'd budget for £300-400 for a decent electric guitar and avoid any starter kits or guitars < £200.

Check out the reviews of individual models at Harmony Central, before you buy.

You also need to make sure that the guitar is set up correctly with good action, no buzzing etc.. If you book lessons your teacher will help you find any problems.

Something like this may be a good option for you:

http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/...-left-hand/871

PS ... as to the left handed thing, Jimi Hendrix famously played a right handed guitar, left handed. I don't think rythmn is going to be the issue with this. When you play piano, your left hand tends to pick out most of the basic rythmns with the twiddly bits on the right hand.

With a guitar it's the other way around, so may just be a matter of getting used to it.

[E902717]

Thanks for the replies, I've got a friend who could borrow me his acoustic guitar which is right handed and i could try to learn it - if not i will be buying a lefty!

if i like it and can do it i will probably have lessons, eventually i want to play the electric guitar but the acoustic is cheaper to buy first!

I will give it a blast!

[NFS]

Originally Posted by E902717

Thanks for the replies, I've got a friend who could borrow me his acoustic guitar which is right handed and i could try to learn it - if not i will be buying a lefty!

if i like it and can do it i will probably have lessons, eventually i want to play the electric guitar but the acoustic is cheaper to buy first!

I will give it a blast!

Good plan to borrow your friends guitar and try to get a feel for it. I'd start of by trying some open chords and see if it starts to feel comfortable.

This little book is brilliant for the basics / chord shapes / scales etc ...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Guitar-Tap-J.../dp/0711979960

I'd be cautious about seeing an acoustic as a budget option. I had a £120 acoustic at one point and it had problems with the action and tuning.

In some ways you get what you pay for even more with an acoustic, because the sound is entirely dependant on the workmanship (unlike electric guitars where the sound is captured by pick ups).

The cheapest acoustics are made from laminated wood. If you go for a 'solid top' the face of the guitar is real wood and the sound is quite dramatically improved. The best acoustics are solid body (i.e. back and sides also real wood), but they are probably not necessary for a beginner.

Tanglewood make some very nice (and very good value) acoustic guitars. I have a TW15NS:

http://www.tanglewoodguitars.co.uk/p...8&sID=26465105

This would be a good starter option (although I have no idea if the retailer is any good):

http://www.bem-music.com/list.pl?id=111764

[E902717]

Originally Posted by NFS

Good plan to borrow your friends guitar and try to get a feel for it. I'd start of by trying some open chords and see if it starts to feel comfortable.

This little book is brilliant for the basics / chord shapes / scales etc ...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Guitar-Tap-J.../dp/0711979960

I'd be cautious about seeing an acoustic as a budget option. I had a £120 acoustic at one point and it had problems with the action and tuning.

In some ways you get what you pay for even more with an acoustic, because the sound is entirely dependant on the workmanship (unlike electric guitars where the sound is captured by pick ups).

The cheapest acoustics are made from laminated wood. If you go for a 'solid top' the face of the guitar is real wood and the sound is quite dramatically improved. The best acoustics are solid body (i.e. back and sides also real wood), but they are probably not necessary for a beginner.

Tanglewood make some very nice (and very good value) acoustic guitars. I have a TW15NS:

http://www.tanglewoodguitars.co.uk/p...8&sID=26465105

This would be a good starter option (although I have no idea if the retailer is any good):

http://www.bem-music.com/list.pl?id=111764

I know what mean you do get what you pay for! Think i will borrow my friends guitar and try it and if it feels ok and i can pick it up i will buy my own.

Thanks for the links i will check them out - i'm just itching to start now!

[trixman]

The biggest problem you will have is the first few weeks. Most people give in, its a steep learning curve and at the beginning you start to realise how much you need to learn... But its worth it.

I've been giving lessons for a while to friends and colleagues, trick is to start small and don't even attempt things like chords or runs. Stick to the one string, one finger method and learn the basics of getting your two hands to work together.

Definately, without doubt for me, is to get a left handed guitar. You'll have serious issues picking it up with a right handed one. On top of that, its supposed to be fun (which is what gets you picking it up again) and your never going to feel comfortable with it the wrong way around. You can always just swap the strings around but it'll never sit right.

Basically, buy a cheap left handed 'electric' guitar. See if you can find a line6 pod or similar off ebay. Plug it in (you'll need a lead), do the lessons, and its even quieter than an acoustic and nobody will hear you 'learning'.

[E902717]

Originally Posted by trixman

The biggest problem you will have is the first few weeks. Most people give in, its a steep learning curve and at the beginning you start to realise how much you need to learn... But its worth it.

I've been giving lessons for a while to friends and colleagues, trick is to start small and don't even attempt things like chords or runs. Stick to the one string, one finger method and learn the basics of getting your two hands to work together.

Definately, without doubt for me, is to get a left handed guitar. You'll have serious issues picking it up with a right handed one. On top of that, its supposed to be fun (which is what gets you picking it up again) and your never going to feel comfortable with it the wrong way around. You can always just swap the strings around but it'll never sit right.

Basically, buy a cheap left handed 'electric' guitar. See if you can find a line6 pod or similar off ebay. Plug it in (you'll need a lead), do the lessons, and its even quieter than an acoustic and nobody will hear you 'learning'.

Thanks for that - when i was playing around with my mates guitar it felt alot better trying to play it left handed!

How about this one -

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ENCORE-E99-LEF...|39:1|240:1318

Thanks

[Oil Burner]

I have enough problems playing guitar hero, have even more respect now for guitar players

[booforty]

After many years playing air guitar (and playing very well I might add) I decided to learn to play the "real" guitar in early 2007.

I had tried a friend's acoustic guitar before but found it too hard to play as the neck is thick and the strings are hard to press down. So I went to a group electric guitar class and borrowed an electric guitar from the tutor. It was so much easier to play than an acoustic because of its thinner neck and the strings are easier to press down.

I signed up for some electric guitar lessons, bought a cheap stratocaster, and within a few months I was playing some easy rock tunes! I since invested in a Les Paul which is a better quality guitar and this improved my learning experience even more.

A friend got an acoustic guitar for Christmas and I played it recently. I found it so much easier to play than before, as I can already play and my hands and fingers now have the strength and stretch and deal with the thicker neck and thicker strings of an acoustic.

My recommendation would be definitely learn with a left-handed guitar and learn to play the electric first. I feel the acoustic is a much harder challenge for a complete beginner.

Good luck!

[E902717]

Originally Posted by booforty

After many years playing air guitar (and playing very well I might add) I decided to learn to play the "real" guitar in early 2007.

I had tried a friend's acoustic guitar before but found it too hard to play as the neck is thick and the strings are hard to press down. So I went to a group electric guitar class and borrowed an electric guitar from the tutor. It was so much easier to play than an acoustic because of its thinner neck and the strings are easier to press down.

I signed up for some electric guitar lessons, bought a cheap stratocaster, and within a few months I was playing some easy rock tunes! I since invested in a Les Paul which is a better quality guitar and this improved my learning experience even more.

A friend got an acoustic guitar for Christmas and I played it recently. I found it so much easier to play than before, as I can already play and my hands and fingers now have the strength and stretch and deal with the thicker neck and thicker strings of an acoustic.

My recommendation would be definitely learn with a left-handed guitar and learn to play the electric first. I feel the acoustic is a much harder challenge for a complete beginner.

Good luck!

Thanks boof, think i am going to learn the electric guitar first now - looking for a left handed electric guitar now!

Just really want to have a go now!

[trixman]

Yep, that seems good value. The Encores are fine for learning with, although the Les Paul copies like that can be quite heavy. Never liked them myself, I usually practice sat down and they are back heavy... look good live though.

I agree with Booforty, I've never had anyone start on acoustic before. A lot of people say it helps, and it does to a degree for finger strength and precision, but it's just not as enjoyable and you need to enjoy it the most in the first few weeks/months as it can be frustrating.

Its a new talent you'll pick up, your brain takes a little while for it to become accustomed to how to position your hands, and the timing of plucking and fingering (stop s******ing at the back) the strings. Once it does, its quite literally a matter of repetition. I would go as far as to say ANYONE can learn to play guitar if they learn the positions their hands are supposed to be in, the next notes to play and repeating it over and over.

The only difference between an OK guitarist and an impressive one is learning the chord structures inside out and knowing where is safe to play within a chord, learning different styles and riffs, and repetition (i.e. practice until your fingers bleed... When I wanted to play well for a gig or whatnot, I practiced at least 2-3 hours a day non-stop, within a month your at least 50% better).

Take it bit by bit, learn a few classic tunes (the Nirvana albums are good for that, simple songs that you can easily sound similar too quickly) that are one string, one finger runs... slowly progress and just enjoy it.

Originally Posted by E902717

Thanks for that - when i was playing around with my mates guitar it felt alot better trying to play it left handed!

How about this one -

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ENCORE-E99-LEF...|39:1|240:1318

Thanks

[trixman]

I think I posted this somewhere before but it still amazes me.

Anyone who's ever played can attest to how incredible this is. 320bpm is just ridiculous.

If you think his left had isnt moving, look at the right. Every single up and downstroke is a seperate note being played. The action on the neck must be non-existant.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BynUZOJc8QI

[NFS]

Originally Posted by E902717

Thanks for that - when i was playing around with my mates guitar it felt alot better trying to play it left handed!

How about this one -

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ENCORE-E99-LEF...|39:1|240:1318

Thanks

I think you are right to look for an electric, but I wouldn't go for the Encore or buy from ebay.

Some good prices here:

http://www.nevadamusic.co.uk/Guitars...ed/sc1048.aspx

[E902717]

Originally Posted by NFS

I think you are right to look for an electric, but I wouldn't go for the Encore or buy from ebay.

Some good prices here:

http://www.nevadamusic.co.uk/Guitars...ed/sc1048.aspx

Good prices on that website - just want to start learning now!

That video is amazing!

[booforty]

Guitars don't travel well so avoid mail order! Definitely try and buy from a local guitar shop. They all sell second hand guitars.

You need to feel and touch your axe before you purchase. If you can't play, ask the shop owner to play the guitar for you so you can hear how it sounds.

Try and get a strap, a case, and some plectrums thrown into the deal as well!

[NFS]

Originally Posted by booforty

Guitars don't travel well so avoid mail order! Definitely try and buy from a local guitar shop. They all sell second hand guitars.

You need to feel and touch your axe before you purchase. If you can't play, ask the shop owner to play the guitar for you so you can hear how it sounds.

Try and get a strap, a case, and some plectrums thrown into the deal as well!

I bought both of my guitars online. I honestly don't see a problem with it.

They need to be set up properly, but frankly most guitar shops don't do this.

I bought mine from Regent Guitars, who unfortunately no longer sell budget stuff. However, the do still operate as guitar techs and will set up / maintain instruments:

http://www.guitars.co.uk/acatalog/Re...az_Gordon.html

[trixman]

Originally Posted by NFS

I bought both of my guitars online. I honestly don't see a problem with it.

They need to be set up properly, but frankly most guitar shops don't do this.

I bought mine from Regent Guitars, who unfortunately no longer sell budget stuff. However, the do still operate as guitar techs and will set up / maintain instruments:

http://www.guitars.co.uk/acatalog/Re...az_Gordon.html

Yea, same here, usually buy mine from Germany and have them shipped over. Mind u, always get the hard case so that helps

So, just to go over the above... so far we are getting you to buy an electric guitar, hard case, strap, lead, line6 pod, plecks, and have the thing setup professionally...

And you only wanted to borrow your friends acoustic...

[willhollin]

I play my banjo quite often.

[Swiller]

squire strat japanese from early 90s or epiphone les paul. Both under 200 and superb guitars. Get a chord book and learn wild thing first. Those guitars will last a long time and sound great

[E902717]

Originally Posted by trixman

Yea, same here, usually buy mine from Germany and have them shipped over. Mind u, always get the hard case so that helps

So, just to go over the above... so far we are getting you to buy an electric guitar, hard case, strap, lead, line6 pod, plecks, and have the thing setup professionally...

And you only wanted to borrow your friends acoustic...

I know! You lot would be no good as financial advisers!

Going to a guitar shop tomorrow to have a look!