Calling All Guitar Players!

[IWasBornToLoveDisney]

hiya!

i will be turning 16 in january and would like to be able to say i play an instrument. obviously orchestra and band are out since it's a little late to be joining lol... i played the viola in 4th grade, and very regretfully (now) switched to the french horn in fifth grade not wanting to have two instruments. band was the cool new thing to try and i decided i wanted to be in that more than orchestra... big mistake. i hated band. but it was too late to get back into orchestra and i quit band the second week of sixth grade. i reallllllllllly like the viola and wish i had stayed with it. so now as i get older i would like to be able to play some intrument and it seems that the only one i can teach myself or with little assistance from others is the guitar. (correct me if i'm wrong... maybe something else would be better suited? )

so i would like to ask those who play guitar or know someone that does:
where do i start? what kind of guitar is best for starting out? etc. etc.

i basically know nothing, but i am pretty sure this isn't just on a whim i want to do this. i've been thinking about it for about two years now. so please, pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease help me! thanks!

 

[froggy5657]

I used to play the Viola, and switched to trumpet. I hated it.

I now play guitar, and take private lessons. If you do plan to learn to play on your own start with basic chords, G D E C A Am Em with those chords there are some songs you can already play. Then I suggest looking up songs that interest you just google, chords for..., and there will be a ton of results. I like Ultimate Guitar.com.

Are you looking to rent or buy a guitar? I have a seagull which is less expensive than a lot of guitars out there, and I love it.

 

[IWasBornToLoveDisney]

i would like to buy one so that's it's mine lol which brings me to the next question: prices lol

oh thanks for that

 

[wdwllamadancer]

I play guitar and I taught myself. I know basically all the chords etc. I think teaching myself was easier because I could go at my own pace and stuff. The above poster is right and those are probably the most important chords. I love ultimate-guitar.com! As for prices, you can get a good ibanez for only about $200. here are some recommendations, if you are looking at an acoustic.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Jasmine-by-Takamine-S34C-NEX-Cutaway-Acoustic-Guitar-516458-i1148992.gc

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Epiphone-DR-100-Acoustic-Guitar-518569-i1150079.gc

 

[KidGoofy]

I used to play the Viola, and switched to trumpet. I hated it.

I now play guitar, and take private lessons. If you do plan to learn to play on your own start with basic chords, G D E C A Am Em with those chords there are some songs you can already play. Then I suggest looking up songs that interest you just google, chords for..., and there will be a ton of results. I like Ultimate Guitar.com.

Are you looking to rent or buy a guitar? I have a seagull which is less expensive than a lot of guitars out there, and I love it.

Seagull is still kind of expensive for a starter guitar. I would say buy a Rogue Acoustic...I got mine for $100. I haven't payed over $100 for any guitar. I have a Nylon String(not sure what company, I bought it at a local store), Dean Vendetta XM(cheap, lightweight, sounds good, and the wood grain looks awesome), and a acoustic electric Rogue Dreadnought. I mostly buy from musiciansfriend.com because stuff is so cheap and you can buy mass quantities.

I taught myself, and to tell you the truth I am so happy I did. If I really put my mind to it I can do it, but everyone is different. I would say to teach yourself first and if it doesnt work out get lessons. I taught myself a year ago(excactly a year because I started in September) and I still use basic chords and now use new ones but the basics are always going to be used. Another fun alternative to learning another instrument is the ukulele. I taught myself that too, and 1 its so much fun to play and 2 it gets a good laugh.

 

[Kit Kat]

I have been playing the guitar since the age of 14 and now I am 18. I exclusive play the acoustic and really enjoy it. I wouldn't consider myself good or anything, but I have fun with it.

 

[skeeterbuge]

youll love the guitar
i have been playing it since i was 9 and i am now 13 it riocks i play it every day

 

[MKBekka]

Hey, get a guitar with a thiner neck...also get one with low action(at least I think what you call the distance form the strings to the neck) the books by Bruce emery helped me A LOT. specificly Guitar From Scratch. these include a bit of theory as well. I've been playing since i was 14, and am now 16. I love it...and it's easier than piano. have fun!!

PS try to use light strings-they hurt your fingers less when you first start out and the size of the body doesn't really matter all that much, my guitar is huge...the bigger the body, the bigger the sound.

 

[Mrs.Musso]

It seems like almost everyone that posted taught themselves. I also taught myself how to play guitar. Granted, Im still not very good, because I havent been playing for long, but I think you should try teaching yourself first. That way you can go at your own pace and have your own little techniques for remembering