DeanS
Hi All,
Hope you are well. I have posted an introduction....
Well I am new and truly do not know how to play the guitar and recently decided that i need to learn how to play after watching this 5 year old kid play an elctric guitar and he played my favorits like hotel cailfornia and some others...
I want to learn now after putting it down for so many years and wish to go for lessons. I am located in Sunninghill JHB and also a friend wants to join me to learn... we know nothing but very good to learn when a master teaches.... must have patience ! I know it would be best to get a guitar and we need like good cheap guitars that play the tunes well. Our budget is like less than a R1000 for a guitar.
Guys, please advise us!
Thanks!
21Fretter
Do you have an amp? If not, you will have to go for an acoustic I think. I did see a microcube go for a couple of hundred a while back but then you are left with only a couple hundred for an electric, you wouldn't be able to get hold of anything decent for that. I can't get give any decent recommendations for acoustics unfortunately, I just don't know much about acoustic brands but hopefully my reply will push your post to the top of the section and others more knowledgeable will see it.
AlanRatcliffe
Second hand is the only option on a tight budget. Keep an eye on Gumtree for one of the Ibanez or Cort acoustics to pop up in your price range.
Attila
Hey Dean
I would suggest an acoustic guitar to start with .......get to grips with the basics then expand your gear, which you'll most prob replace a few time untill you "find yourself"
Attila
Tokai-SA
Dean
Don't worry about the "gear", that's irrelevant, you said you wished to go for lessons.
You're in Sunninghill.
Go into TOMS Sandton, 5 minutes for you, they have a bunch of excellent teachers that teach on the premises in private studios within the store.
They have guitars in every price range, they'll advise you.
Learn how to play first, then worry about gear afterwards.
Dingwall
I was able to get quite far with a no name brand nylon string (which I now wish I had kept)
Your best bet is to ask around (friends /family) or try get hold of an old 'Yamaha' nylon (or steel). It doesn't have to be 'yamaha' but almost every one I have ever played is capable in some way.
If you are going cheap then stick to nylon as I find you need to pay a little more for same standard in steel. Electric I would save for a few months/years down the line. Just make sure what you get actually plays and stays reasonably in tune etc,
Teachers - at the end of the day you are your own main teacher so don't put all your faith on a professional teacher as such - and with You Tube (God I wish this was around when I was 1st learning) you could argue that you could learn all the basics plus all the beginner songs and riffs you need. You generally will know when you hit the wall and need some 'professional' help to get through to the next stage.
Mannoroth
Hi dude,
My advice and a couple of tips - most of which I have picked up in books, articles, instructional dvds etc. Some ppl may differ here in there, so take whatever you find applicable:
- Start out on Nylon string acoustic if you can - steel strings can be tough on the fingertips at first, this worked for me
- Survive the first few weeks, you might experience a lot of discomfort at first (raw finger tips)
- Look for bargains on gear on this very forum, since I joined earlier this year I have bought a guitar, multi-effects processor and pickup from other forumites, all in great condition and at great prices. From my experience People on this forum will not try to rip you 8)
- Take some time to figure out what you like, explore different styles of music, acoustic is the best place to start. Guitar can be very overwhelming at first with all the different styles and all the information on gear, technique and theory out there. Ask a lot of "stupid questions", we were all there and some of us are still there
- The internet is a good resource when it comes to guitar, just google and you will find (if you want to play any particular song, chances are that there’s a guy on youtube explaining step by step how to)
- Taking guitar lessons is a great idea, but you will have to put in 95% of the work at the end of the day (take responsibility for your own development)
- Playing guitar takes hard work and commitment - I'd say 45mins to an hour a day minimum to start with.
- You need to practice daily, old cliché is that 45mins a day is better than 8 hours on a Saturday
- Form good habits from the word go, I'm sure many people will agree that it’s easier to form a good technical habit than to undo a bad one later on (You'll have to consult your teacher but a few things I can mention: Play on extreme tips of fingers, use small movements, start slowly with whatever you play - get it clean first, warm up and do stretches, keep thumb behind neck of guitar, use alternate picking, etc.)
- Have fun, that’s what it’s all about!
evolucian
Mannoroth wrote:
very good post
+1
