Guitar players - I need help!

[grinningghost]

DD wants to get a guitar for her birthday and start taking lessons. I've agreed to it, because her goal in life is to be a music teacher. She already plays piano and flute, so I think she'll do OK with it.

What is a good beginner guitar? How do I know a guitar teacher is any good? Any other advice you can give is more than welcome.

 

[DemonLlama]

Good question! My DS, 11, is asking for an electric guitar and keeps talking about spending his savings on the one he sees at Walmart, which is probably the worst place anyone could possibly buy a musical instrument. What do we look for in a solid beginner's guitar, and where is the place to get the best price?

 

[Connieh]

Since it will be a beginner guitar I suggest an inexpensive model.
My son started playing and I bought him a used ovation he found at a second hand store. Once he was able to play I popped for an expensive model (of course he picked out the brand) the Takemine. He now writes his own music and plays in coffee houses around town. He has recorded his own CD at the tender age of 18. He also aspires to become a music teacher but alas is more interested in his music than attending school. He is a freshman in college. Good luck to your daughter with her ambitions

Connie

 

[jipsy]

Does she want to learn electric or acoustic? What type of music does she want to play? Rock N Roll? Blues? Jazz? Classical?

My BF is a musician and buys and sells guitars for a living. The type of guitar to get your young dd is dependent on the type of music she wants to learn, but if she wants to learn electric, you will also have to buy an amplifier. Used is definitely the way to go until you are sure she wants to stick with it. PM me if you want more help in choosing one.

 

[grinningghost]

Originally posted by jipsy
Does she want to learn electric or acoustic? What type of music does she want to play? Rock N Roll? Blues? Jazz? Classical?

My BF is a musician and buys and sells guitars for a living. The type of guitar to get your young dd is dependent on the type of music she wants to learn, but if she wants to learn electric, you will also have to buy an amplifier. Used is definitely the way to go until you are sure she wants to stick with it. PM me if you want more help in choosing one.

Thanks jipsy. I'll ask her what her preference is.

 

[jipsy]

Oh and as far as choosing a guitar teacher - check with all your local music stores. Most have teachers that offer guitar lessons, and the majority of those teachers are professional musicians who give lessons to earn extra bucks. You should try to match up the teacher with her interests.

 

[Feralpeg]

I would suggest an acoustic with nylon strings for a beginner. It is much easier on the fingers. You can get a decent acoustic fairly cheap.

 

[GeorgeG]

Pretty much what the others have said. I've been playing guitar for over 40 years and never took a lesson (was and am a trumpet player, so I already knew the basics).

Any good music store can recommend a teacher and an honest store will recommend a good starter guitar. Like jipsy said, the type of music/guitar is important in this decision. A classical guitar will have a wider neck and may be more of a challenge for a child's smaller hands. As an adult, I have small hands and have never been comfortable with a classical neck.

A really decent beginner guitar shouldn't cost more than a few hundred dollars, if that. I would avoid the really inexpensive ones since some of those are little better than six strings across a 2x4.

I hope she enjoys it and never loses her interest in music. It's something you never grow out of.

 

[poohtown]

i've actually been researching this lately because my 10 yr old wants to start guitar in the fall. I've found that acoustic vs. electric is as big a debate as stick vs. automatic when you learn to drive. Some picked electric as being better to learn on because #1. that's what most kids WANT to play thus practicing more #2. easier on fingers. Others told me acoustic #1. cheaper if they decide they don't like it #2. if they can play acoustic, learning electric is easier

I've chosen electric. I've also picked out the guitar. A johnson JS-800 which I've been told ranges from about $160.- to 199.- for everything you need to start (guitar, amp, case, picks, strap). As far as I'm concerned it sounds like a great guitar. Plus I've read reviews and it seems the average is 1 doesn't like it out of 40 who do.

I guess find out what they're interested in playing first then go from there.