Advice for the beginner?

A7

I need this. I own an acoustic, and for arguments sake, I'll say my experience is virtually non-existant. (I can play a few simple classical songs, but I've found that I've developed bad habits, and I'm aware of how technically incorrect my playing is) So we're starting from scratch here.

Just assume I know nothing. Firstly, gear. I'm planning on buying an electric, so what should I look out for besides good feel and tone? What about amps? I own a Yamaha GA-10 (cheap practice amp, I presume) Which I'm sure, I'd be told would be appropriate for the rookie starting out, but I'm looking for neat sound & effects. So what are the different features on different amps and what should I go for? I've also only heard of 'multi-effects pedals' and 'footswitches' so if anyone could help me out of the dark here...

What's next? Should I start learning scales? I've got plenty time on my hands and I'm amped to give it my all. I've got a decent chord album here, but apparantly it's a lost case trying to memorize all the chords? I'll do it though. And then, just bare with me, what are 'licks' and 'chord progressions'? Well, if anyone could just give me a general guide on what I should be learning and practicing, I'd really appreciate it.

PeteM

My advice would be to find a good guitar teacher in your area - there are several on this forum. Buying gear from scratch can be a costly exercise if you are not properly informed and a good teacher will be able to guide you in this respect. It is also important to get the basics right in the beginning because this too can be costly in time and frustration if you have to correct bad habits. So yeah, find a good teacher!

I wish you all the best in your guitar-playing adventure.

ezietsman

Regarding a guitar and amp and effects:

A guitar and amp is something you need to choose yourself. The 'niceness' of the gear will depend on what you are willing to spend on it. If you give a budget and the sort of music you like I'm sure the forum can point you in a good direction.

Regarding effects:

If you're just starting out, maybe don't get these just yet. If you get a decent amp with good enough overdrive (doesn't have to be 2 channel) you can start learning on that, until you better understand how electric guitar playing works. After that you can make a more well-informed choice about better gear.

Regarding learning:

Learning on your own in the beginning is VERY difficult and its easy to waste time and learn bad habits. Rather get a good teacher who can point you in the right direction for 10 or 20 lessons then work from there.

guitarboy2828

I do agree about the lessons thing. From someone who taught themselves and now teaches guitar to a wide range of students, I have seen what a huge difference having a teacher makes.

Not that I'm a pro player or teacher, but I know songs and chords and different techniques or bad techniques to watch out for and correct.

If you're interested, PM me and I can give you some tips on which direction to go, but honestly, finding a good teacher will move you quicker than 4 times the amount of time spent trying to figure it out on your own.

AlanRatcliffe

I'm entirely self taught and my recommendation would be the same - find a good teacher, especially for the formative beginning stages of your playing. Bad habits picked up now are a hundred times more difficult to get rid of later (ask me!) and a solid grounding in theory will enable you to move further quicker. If you're in the Southern Suburbs, look up Renesongs (Rene Avenant) on this forum and PM him.

You don't say what kind of music you are interested in or what price ranges you are looking at, so gear choices are a bit more difficult to define. A "fat Strat" (a Strat - or Strat copy - with a humbucker at the bridge) and a Roland Microcube covers a heck of a lot of ground though.

A7

Thanks for all the advice. Much appreciated.

I'll start out simple then. So what guitar/amp would you guys recommend would be suitable? I don't mind spending a good deal on equipment. And with regard to finding a good teacher, I'll be moving soon, but don't necessarily mind traveling a bit, so either Somerset-West/Stellenbosch and maybe near Cape Town. Any good recommends? And I'll look up Rene Avenant, thanks.

Well, I was mainly inspired by Paul Gilbert, so that's probably the direction I'll be wanting to go eventually. Some bands I like would be Nirvana, Muse, Guns 'n Roses, Chevelle, that kind of scene. Still exploring different sounds. But my taste is varied.

Jack-Flash-Jr

Spend some time in music stores, don't be shy. Play a range of guitars and see what feels best. Based on your taste in music a strat, les paul or even ibanez would do you well. Check out some alternate options like cort. Do the same with amps. Take models and names and get advice from the forum or your teacher (cannot emphasise how NB a teacher is at early stages).

guitarboy2828

Jack Flash Jr wrote: Based on your taste in music a strat, les paul or even ibanez would do you well.

haha, Jack, I think you just gave him the 3 most diverse guitars. ? haha..

Jack-Flash-Jr

guitarboy2828 wrote:
Jack Flash Jr wrote: Based on your taste in music a strat, les paul or even ibanez would do you well.
haha, Jack, I think you just gave him the 3 most diverse guitars. ? haha..

Exactly, if he makes sure to pick at least one example of each up he'll be sure to recognize what camp he falls in to ?

guitarboy2828

Jack Flash Jr wrote:
guitarboy2828 wrote:
Jack Flash Jr wrote: Based on your taste in music a strat, les paul or even ibanez would do you well.
haha, Jack, I think you just gave him the 3 most diverse guitars. ? haha..
Exactly, if he makes sure to pick at least one example of each up he'll be sure to recognize what camp he falls in to ?

He hasn't even started playing and you're teaching him what GAS is all about.. ?

A7

haha.. this is exactly the kind of advice I was looking for, thanks.

geemobee

A7 wrote: haha.. this is exactly the kind of advice I was looking for, thanks.

There should be a section on this forum dedicated to "How to deal with GAS while married" topics! :-[

and I'm only engaged ... ?

Banditman

Hi A7

+1 to all the "get a good teacher first" comments.

As to what to buy, start with yourself. As Alan said, what kind of music are you into? Who are you favourite players? What are your favourite songs / tunes, and why? Of those, which guitar sounds do you most like?

Sounds like a psychological profile, but they're good questions to ask yourself now - because knowing those answers will also help your guitar teacher guide you in the right direction in terms of technique AND gear.

Kiss your bank balance goodbye, and welcome to the forum.

[deleted]

As Alan said, what kind of music are you into? Who are you favourite players? What are your favourite songs / tunes, and why? Of those, which guitar sounds do you most like?

A very good exercise, thanks Banditman. It's good to find your bearings, even if you've been playing for a while.