starting guitar?

[newscane]

I've had this idea. I've never really played an instrument before, but now the idea of learning to play guitar has entered my head. Probably just so I can play DMB stuff for fun. I don't know if this is a crazy idea or not. I'm out of college, and work a "real" job, so I don't have tons of free time. I seem to be spending all of my disposable income on DMB concerts. So two questions:

1) How difficult would it be to learn to play?

2) What kind of guitar should I start out with... and how much would I need to spend for something playable?

[recentlytrippin]

I am a novice guitarist and I have a Washburn D10 and got it for $300.

[nonewdirections]

dude, i just started with that same intention at the beginning of the summer. not a crazy idea at all, i'm enjoying it a lot. you're gonna have to be patient and seriously willing to work to get better, but it's doable even if you're not "musical" naturally. dmbtabs.com helps a lot, but also look at some other music theory stuff so the tablature you look at isn't abstract and meaningless. like i said, it's not difficult, but getting a reasonable guitar to start out with will make it less so.

i got a taylor big baby for about $320 -- probably one of the best guitars you can get for that kind of money. when shopping for a guitar, get something that has a solid wood top, and preferably solid wood sides and back (though that's not easy unless you spend a lot, even the taylor big baby has laminated wood, as opposed to solid, sides and back). make sure it's from a generally respected brand, just ask around if you're not sure. most of what taylor sells is expensive and all of it is high quality, but the only thing less than $350 or so would be the big baby. if that's too much, and i can understand why it would be, look at guitars for $100-200 at your local guitar shop and see what you like the sound of. if that's too expensive, then for a decent guitar, you'd have to go used. good luck shopping for a guitar and have fun learning to play.

[Stuntcheeks]

I would have to recommend the Washburn D10 as well. I picked up the D10sce for $299. Same thing, but it's got a cutaway, electronics and an onboard preamp.

I still think I got a fluke guitar, though. It sounds better than guitars 4 times it's price. I played a lot of guitars before I found this one, though. Good luck.

[cutigerbtf]

first of all- i'm not posting this to slam you starting a new thread... this just has some solid advice...
http://www.antsmarching.org/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=75103


also- i started with a seagull- not sure which model - it's not top of the line- but it's good for beginners. I think my brother got a nice hard case, and the guitar for 400 ish.

good luck.

[The Floodzone]

Originally posted by newscane
I've had this idea. I've never really played an instrument before, but now the idea of learning to play guitar has entered my head. Probably just so I can play DMB stuff for fun. I don't know if this is a crazy idea or not. I'm out of college, and work a "real" job, so I don't have tons of free time. I seem to be spending all of my disposable income on DMB concerts. So two questions:

1) How difficult would it be to learn to play?

2) What kind of guitar should I start out with... and how much would I need to spend for something playable?

I had a similar thing when I started to play a couple years ago. I bought a used guitar for about $100 and its worked out good. I'm finally upgrading to a Taylor since I've gotten better and guitar and gotten more into it. Most important thing is practice, practice, practice.......and have fun!

Chris

[newscane]

Originally posted by cutigerbtf
first of all- i'm not posting this to slam you starting a new thread... this just has some solid advice...
http://www.antsmarching.org/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=75103


yeah, I saw that last night before I posted. I saw some good tips there, but I also wanted tips on guitar shopping.

[newscane]

Well, I stopped by a music store this evening. They had several guitars by Indiana in the 120-130 range, and a Washburn for around 150. I think the cheapest solid top was $200 or so. Electrics started around $150 plus amp, I think. I'm inclined to go toward an acoustic. I don't remember the model of that one Washburn. Has anyone heard of the Indiana guitar company?

[Versacci41]

I think you'll love it...you can find a decent beginner guitar in the 150 range...i think starting out its not necessary to buy something much over 200 unless you have the means and/or the desire to...i think takamine's jasmine is a good starter guitar...i've never played any of the guitars that come in those beginner packages but you might want to check out one of those out (i think ibanez has one)...i'm about to get my new guitar ( a sweet alvarez) but i've been playing a beater for the almost year that i've been playing (a gremlin that cost like $50) and it's been fine...so just check a couple out and ask questions...plus there are so many great guitar websites now (cough*dmbtabs.com*cough) that make it even easier to learn...you should also check out wholenote.com...i hope you decide to learn...its one of the best things ever...

[newscane]

another question for you all... before I go out and spend money on a guitar, I should probably figure out if I can even really play one. I'm sure I can find this out locally, but are there music stores/places that offer lessons that you can take if you don't have your own guitar, or some way I can figure out if it's "right" before I shell out the cash?

[nonewdirections]

lol, of course you won't actually be able to play one right off the bat. there are some people who are more able inherently, but there's no such thing as someone who can just play a D chord without prior knowledge or instruction. practice before you get one if you can, but you won't know anything even once you buy your guitar. whether you can play is more about commitment than talent, but talent doesn't hurt.

[newscane]

Originally posted by nonewdirections
lol, of course you won't actually be able to play one right off the bat. there are some people who are more able inherently, but there's no such thing as someone who can just play a D chord without prior knowledge or instruction. practice before you get one if you can, but you won't know anything even once you buy your guitar. whether you can play is more about commitment than talent, but talent doesn't hurt.

yeah, that's what I'm talking about. I'd like to practice before I buy one. Do most places have some way to do that?

[AnUprightMan]

I would really consider going to at least the 300 dollar range. You can find guitars below this with good sound but at this point you start getting the type of guitar that is going to age well. Also it is a lot harder to motivate your self to keep pluggin away if it does not sound good.
as for teaching yourself anyone can do it but be ready to put in an hour a day for a least a couple of months. Once you can get those basic chords(G C and D) down you can go a lot of differnt ways as far as what you want to learn.
The problem with teachers is that it can be hard to find a good one. It has been my experience that most will just ask what song you want to learn to play and try to teach it to you. You would be much better off finding someone who can teach you at least some basic theory and technique then someone who can teach you to play satellite. Because the methods they would use to do that would be no different then what you would be doing yourself at home.
The best thing to do is find a friend that will lone you a quality instrument and keep it for a month. If after a few weeks you find that you are not practicing enough to get better it might be time give up and try when you are at a better or more motivated point in your life to learn.