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My Issue With People Who Want To Play Guitar
Cessik
Member Posts: 79
I have many friends and have seen alot of people in different forums saying they want to learn how to play guitar. I laugh to myself everytime when somebody saids "Yeah, I'm going to learn to play guitar, I'm going to buy an electric". That is the worst mistake you can make. I hate when people magically think they can pick up a guitar and start playing. Note to anyone who wants to learn to play guitar, start out with a good acoustic Taylor, Martin, Yahama. Also, for the first few month, I would start out with coated strings, it will help with blisters. Anybody can play power strings, so when you can play a few songs flawlessly, then your ready for an electric. Some good electric guitars are Fenders, Washburn, Gibson (if you want to over pay), and Ibanez. Some good amps are Marshall, Fender, and Crate. I perfer to have more effects on an amp, then watts, but its whatever you fancy. So if your going to star playing guitar, for gods sake don't start out with an electric noobs.
Comments
This really belongs in 90210's original thread, but I agree with your recommendation.
When it comes down to it what kind of guitar someone chooses to start playing on is their choice, but there are definite advantages to starting out on an acoustic (although I don't think a particularly good quality guitar is necessary for starting out - any will do really).
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Leerooooyyy nngggJJennkkinnss..
A Legend was Born
Yeah, I agree.
Also an acoustic one is cheaper as well, so you can first have a look if you like playing guitar. Would suck to buy an expensive electric one and then you realize you're not really fond of it.
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I'm floating down a river
Oars freed from their homes long ago
Lying face up on the floor
Of my vessel
I marvel at the stars
And feel my heart overflow
The thing about starting with an acoustic is that it gives you time to learn the basics. When you run and pick up an electric straight off the bat, most beginners will just whip on the distortion and play power cords. This will cover up most mistakes and you'll never learn to play properly or what youre doing wrong.
When you start playing you won't be getting instant gratification [unless you're a music prodigy], so either stick with the acoustic until you have a solid foundation, or at the very least play your electric undistorted until you get a good feel.
Sigh, sigh, sigh, sigh, sigh. I do not know whether to laugh at your post or try to figure it out.
First you say start with an acoustic, ok that's just personal preference, then suggest a martin, taylor, or yamaha. Martins and Taylors cost about $500 minimum, why would someone starting out need a $500 acoustic. As for yamahas I personally find them to be lower quality than a first act guitar from walmart, but that is just my opinion.
Your statement on gibsons (if you want to overpay), is clearly your opinion, i have played probably close to a thousand different guitars in my life and nothing even comes close to a gibson, but again this is my opinion.
Playing an acoustic first is going to do nothing but help you build calluses and finger strength faster. Other than that there is no point, if you can think of one, please by all means point it out.
Honestly to me you seem like the kind of person who makes a band with his friends and gives it a name and makes a website before you even practice together or have any songs. Do not call someone a noob because they have a different preference than you. But these are just my opinions.
As well as the reasons you pointed out (strengthening your fingers and getting your fingertips accustomed to sliding up and down cheese wire, good enough reasons on their own IMO) the strongest reason to play an acoustic first is because it's harder to play than an electric, being more cumbersome and less accessible, so when you've become adept on an acoustic you can switch to an electric with ease.
I remember the first time I picked an electric up I couldn't believe how easy it was to play in comparison. It was like playing a piece of air.
One thing our friend 90210 will learn very quickly though is that musicians are generally very snobby about their art, most of them convinced they know far better than the next guy, so my advice to him is to do what the hell you want and if it's fun, you're doing it right.
To set the record straight, I do prefer an acoustic before an electric, but I have not seen nor can I come up with solid reasoning to play an acoustic first.
There are more ways to strengthen your fingers besides playing an acoustic. There are also different gauges of electric strings, while it will offer a deeper tone to use higher gauges, it will also provide more resistance when pressing down the strings, you will notice a buzz sound if you are not pressing down hard enough.
It's like saying learn to play the piano on a real piano before you play on a keyboard just because it has effects or the keys on a real piano might be slightly harder to push down. It's all preference in my opinion.
Not really, because while a piano is slightly harder to play than a keyboard, an acoustic is a lot harder for a beginner to play than an electric.
The benefit is that you're "in at the deep end", and while you have to work harder to improve, you'll improve faster and have an easier eventual transition to the electric. And yes, there are "other ways" of strengthening your fingers, but why use other ways when you can strengthen them while practicing guitar?
Another obvious reason is that an acoustic is a lot more pleasant sounding (IMO) to practice solo with. A solo electric guitar usually sounds stark without a band. Backing tracks can make up for this, but then you're limited to playing along to the songs you have tracks for.
The choice comes down to whichever instrument you prefer the sound of and whether you want your first few months to be challenging or comparatively easy.
I've always preferred playing acoustics, mainly due to their sound and portability (no outlets in most parks or beaches). Typically I suggest starting out with nylon strings if people want to play an acoustic. They're less expensive and easier on the fingers initially.
Ico
Oh, cruel fate, to be thusly boned. Ask not for whom the bone bones. It bones for thee.
Thanks
funny, a number of people told me that it's easier to learn on an electric guitar. I just started learning, and I have an electric, and I find it to be way more comfortable than the acoustic guitars they have at the store.
member of imminst.org
I won't participate in the arrogance part of this thread. But, I will include some factual information.
Either path you choose it doesn't make a difference, an acoustic can be used to start practicing on in the beginning. Downside to that is tuning is difficult, your sound doesn't project straight towards you, coated strings are useless and will only slow you down from my experience. Only good thing I could think of that is good about the acoustic is the portability. That's it, nothing more.
My first electric guitar was 80$ and everything included.
I've yet seen a musician ever play their piece flawlessly and admit to themselves it was flawless, someone who says that isn't a musician to me.
Professor Hubert Farnsworth - That question is less stupid but, you asked it in a profoundly stupid way.